How has your collection philosophy changed over time?

Starkman1

Starkman1

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
329
Fellas,
As a new collector I may not contribute much to the many discussions that take place, but I do absorb as much as I can. I have learned quite a bit over this past year and feel I have developed a collection philosophy that suits me......at this time.

I have a strong preference towards forged, fixed blade knives such as: hunters, fighter, and Bowie knives. I have a tendency to look for makers affiliated with ABS, especially Journeymen and Mastersmiths. I particularly like the SW style Bowies, and I'm a big fan of damascus and stag. I'm really drawn towards the works of Fisk, Foster, Winkler, Dean, Farr, Neely, Horigan, Lairson, Rhea and Tomberlin.

I am a hunter and outdoorsman by nature so I have a more utilitarian approach than probably most of the collectors on this forum. I believe in having the best equipment possible when in the field and that knives are tools that are made to be used. However, some are just built more elaborately than others.....thats okay, I like those too. I do tend to agree with Kevin Jones about buying from the maker first, knife than price. I don't care how much I like a knife, if I don't like the maker, I'll pass. I have set some limits on price as I like to think that any knife I buy is a potential user (with a few exceptions). I have set limits on hunters at about $500.00, fighters approx. $700.00 and Bowies approx $1,000.00. Furthermore, as a makers price increases, I find myself drawn to apprentices that offer good knives at good prices....I guess you could say a good value (i.e. guys like Sam Butler). I usually would not hesitate to use knives in those price ranges, that is, until I see that most guys on this forum most likely wouldn't. The exception to this would be the purchases from makers like Fisk, Dean etc. that would be, dare I say "investment" only pieces.

I'm a big fan of traditional archery (I shoot longbows) and have dropped just as much on my custom bows as I have on knives, but I don't hesitate to use my bows. I shoot almost daily and they have accompanied on my hunts and gain character with every ding and scratch. Some custom bows sell upwards of $1,000.00 and are bought with the sole intention of use. However, I'm now very reluctant to do this with knives and feel foolish because of the depreciation. The few knives that I do use, I get great satisfaction when using them and the depreciation is worth it....to me.

I view each purchase as very personal experience because this knife my accompany me on special days in the field or on hunts. Who knows, it may even save my life. So I am very unlikely to sell any knife...with the exception of the "investment" piece in hopes to help support this habit. I also tend to find that my preferences for knives a prefer are dictated by my mood.

I apologize if I appear to be rambling, but what had prompted me to post this is that lately I have seen several very nice knives for sale on the exchange that haven't moved and has got me thinking. Now, I find myself struggling to where I fit in with custom knife collecting, and am curious how many of you started and how your philosophy has changed over the years. One thing is for certain......I do have a terrible passion for custom knives.
Bob
 
In short, my philosophy has evolved in 3 areas:

1) Size: My collection has reached a size where it is slightly unmanageable and difficult to appreciate. So although in the past I would buy readily, I'm now much more discriminating. I try to think now that each time I get a new knife in, I should get 2 out (though I'm not very good at acting on that idea).

2) Avg price: I used to think that a $1,000 knife was beyond my means. Now, this is often the starting price of the knives I consider. Largely, this is because I'm trying to take the avg quality of my collection up (it's also partly a consequence of the price of knives having appreciated considerably the last few years).

3) Style: Initially, I was only interested in handforged blades. Now, I am starting to branch out to some SS, stock removal knives.
 
Great thread Bob as you have touched on several very interesting points for discussion in this one thread. :thumbup:

I will be back on this one when I have more time as I feel this one will be around a while.
 
I'm a "newbie" collector (started 8 years ago) and my taste changed over time.
First I was into small fixed blades, mostly neckers. Then I got the handforged damascus bug. After that it was forged carbon steel with hamon.
For the last couple of years the important factors became (and it's a constant now):
- beautiful design
- useable knife
- top notch fit and finish
- close to perfect action (folders)
- performance (fixed blades)

The knives that have all these can cost quite a lot, but I'm not satisfied with the buy when I look for less. I collect both forged and stock removal knives BTW.
 
flava said:
I'm a "newbie" collector (started 8 years ago)
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That's not a newbie. Eight years is longer than I've been collecting. We all have more to learn, but this is not being a newbie.
 
I consider myself a newbie too (also about 8 years) with all the guys around here who have been collection knives 15;20;30 years. :eek:

My taste in knives have not changed form the beginning as my first two knives were a hunter and a bowie both in damascus with stag handles and filework. Yes, liked the fancy stuff then and now.

Now I have gravitated towards the ABS makers and feel comfortable spending a little more money on a piece now since I have learned a few things.

Actually Bob, your and my taste runs about exactly the same in reading your opening to the thread.

I tend to go for quality rather than quantity in my collection. I like to keep about 30ish pieces at a given time as I display every piece I own. Believe it or not 30 knives take up quite a bit of room when nicely displayed.

I did start out buying all my knives from internet dealers, then moved toward buying from makers as I started attending shows. I kind of cultivated my collecting philosophy from learning’s picked up from Daniel Winkler, Bob Neil, Jerry Fisk early on and more recently Les Robertson and many collectors on this forum. I really like commissioning pieces and being involved the design process in the last few years rather than buying pieces ready made.

I have just very recently started getting interested in auto folders, however will never loose interest in forged fixed blades.
 
Starkman1 said:
.
I apologize if I appear to be rambling, but what had prompted me to post this is that lately I have seen several very nice knives for sale on the exchange that haven't moved and has got me thinking. Now, I find myself struggling to where I fit in with custom knife collecting, and am curious how many of you started and how your philosophy has changed over the years. One thing is for certain......I do have a terrible passion for custom knives.
Bob
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Bob, I wouldn't let what you observe regarding selling and buying or lack of buying here in the exchange forum bother you too much.

Asking prices have been typically low here, causing would-be buyers to come to expect low discounted prices, thus where we are currently with some very good knives at reasonable prices yet no buyers.

Follow the web dealers to see what they are offering knives for and how fast they sell. I find dealers usually price knives realistically and don't discount much yet still move them. Also talk to makers regarding pricing. This way you can get a more holistic view of the market.
 
Starkman1 said:
I do tend to agree with Kevin Jones about buying from the maker first, knife than price. I don't care how much I like a knife, if I don't like the maker, I'll pass.
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sums up what I choose to buy nicely.

I don't consider myself a collector , only in the sense I only collect knives from makers I have met and formed a bond/friendship with. All of my knives get used , I dont buy ever with the intent to resell , if I buy something and cant bring myself to use it , it gets sold/traded off.

I was mainly into folders until about a year ago , I have gradually moved to small fixed blades , probably as I found the folders that satisfy my needs.

I enjoy getting the knife more when it comes right from the hand of a maker , where you can actually shake his/her hand after the sale.
 
Joss said:
That's not a newbie. Eight years is longer than I've been collecting. We all have more to learn, but this is not being a newbie.
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I guess that it is a matter of perspective. On the one hand, 8 years is a long time to do any one thing, and if you are married, after 8 years you are hardly a newlywed, right?

On the other hand, you can look at some knives(swords ESPECIALLY), as has been said it is like you are seeing it for the first time, even if you have owned it for 50 years.

My collecting has been shaped into a purpose over the last 20+ years(2 knives each from 50 U.S. makers, A-Z, all under $1,000 cost, many WAY under), but the taste in design has not really changed.

I got more into damascus after the '80's, simply because the quality of the material, and the patterns produced became consistently good, whereas that was not the case in the '80's.

Same thing with engraving. I could not abide by basic engraving in the '80's, and the work of Ron Skaggs and Winston Churchill was vastly out of my price range.

I like the forged blade quite a bit, but love the Loveless style equally, specifically 5.5" chute knives, and the Dixon fighter. Also like folders with odd locking mechanisms.

I have a sub-collection now that is mostly forged knives, good representation from Burt Foster and Matt Diskin. I like working with both of them. Burt is a consummate professional, and Matt is a close friend.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kevin Jones said:
Bob, I wouldn't let what you observe regarding selling and buying or lack of buying here in the exchange forum bother you too much.
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It couldn't be helped. In the near future....say about three months I may have the opportunity to purchase what I would call my first investment piece(s). If, and a big if, I ever try to sell one, it would most likely be on this forum. I'm a bit curious now if collectors start re-evaluating and adjusting their collecting philosophy as the markets change.

BTW John, I'm glad there are folks out there who use their custom knives....I would love to see some photos of users in action. I also agree about a handshake to seal the deal.

Kevin the Fisk gambler set is exceptional...you're a lucky man.
 
What has changed most about my Philosophy is that I now think more about the resale value of the knives I purchase. In the beginning I just bought knives because I liked them. I still have to like the knives I purchase, but that's no longer the only thing that matters.

My tastes have certainly changed over the years. I have gone from collecting tactical folders, to forged hunters and then to forged bowies. I have lately also picked up a chute knife and will be getting more, as well as a subhilt fighter or two. I'm also becoming interested in Persian and Turkish style knives. Forged bowies are still my main focus, but I am diversifying a little.
 
Starkman1 said:
It couldn't be helped. In the near future....say about three months I may have the opportunity to purchase what I would call my first investment piece(s). If, and a big if, I ever try to sell one, it would most likely be on this forum. I'm a bit curious now if collectors start re-evaluating and adjusting their collecting philosophy as the markets change.

BTW John, I'm glad there are folks out there who use their custom knives....I would love to see some photos of users in action. I also agree about a handshake to seal the deal.

Kevin the Fisk gambler set is exceptional...you're a lucky man.
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Thanks Bob.
You must be referring to getting ready for October? Good plan.
 
Starkman1 said:
It couldn't be helped. In the near future....say about three months I may have the opportunity to purchase what I would call my first investment piece(s). If, and a big if, I ever try to sell one, it would most likely be on this forum. I'm a bit curious now if collectors start re-evaluating and adjusting their collecting philosophy as the markets change.
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I have seen some good knives at good prices go unsold in the exchange area. I really don't like to see one of mine just set there. The few times this has happened, I just sent out an email to my customers and the knife/knives sold quick.

You can't judge the custom knife market by what goes on here. Blade Forums is a great place but still a very small part of the market.
 
Don Hanson III said:
I have seen some good knives at good prices go unsold in the exchange area. I really don't like to see one of mine just set there. The few times this has happened, I just sent out an email to my customers and the knife/knives sold quick.

You can't judge the custom knife market by what goes on here. Blade Forums is a great place but still a very small part of the market.
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Don's right. Bladeforum has its place to resell knives, as does eBay and some dealers. It's often hard to find the right venue, and also what works changes over time. A large, professional quality picture is critical. If you are not a serious photographer amateur with good basic understanding of lighting, etc, sending the knife to Coop or some of the other excellent photographers can be a very good investment.

Any knife collector would love the maker to go the extra mile like Don does in some cases. You cannot count on it in most cases.
 
There's no one best way to sell and get the most for a custom knife IMO.
Most of the time the indivisual knife needs to be considered to determine the best way.

For example, many times you can go through a dealer (consignment), and even after paying him a 10% to 25% commision still receive more than selling out right. This is because the dealer has many contacts or buyers (many times overseas) that you would never be able to reach on your own.

Notice how many knives sold on this forum go to dealers to be marked up and resold. What does that tell you?

I see collectors just taking the easy way out, bad photo on a forum for sale site, them just keep lowering until it's sold. Then bitch because they lost money.

This hurts the collector selling, other collectors who hold that maker's knives and the maker.

Effort = Results

Just my opinions of course.
 
Don Hanson III said:
You can't judge the custom knife market by what goes on here. Blade Forums is a great place but still a very small part of the market.
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Don, I remember the knives you are speaking of and agree that the forums is just a small part of the custom knife market....but I think it is a fairly good and/or safe market. There are some very astute collectors on this forum and as a "newbie," I have a tendency to watch what they are buying and selling.

I'm very curious to know what thought process occur when someone tries to sell an "investment" piece, and it stalls. Sure it happens, but what's the next move. Try again elsewhere? Wait another year, or until an article appears in a magazine featuring that maker's work? Perhaps don't buy from that particular maker anymore? There is certainly something learned when investment pieces aren't moving at expected prices.

Chuck, I will be attending Jerry's show this fall. My strategy is to bring a bottle of Cognac or Scotch and after a few hours of socializing maybe some folks will forget to throw in on a few knives.

Bob
 
Joss said:
It's hard not to loose money when you pay a 25% commission though.
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True Joss, at the 25% commission, you are most likely trying to break even, all depending on the knife, how long you have owned it, the maker/market and such.

But by what I've observed here, many would be extremely happy to have broken even on their sales.
 
I have learned to require higher standards of fit, finish, and materials. I try to be more selective and patient with my acquisitions. I have improved my understanding of secondary market, because, I can't afford to own them all. I am always looking to improve upon the examples that I currently own. Usually when a new one is bought, an old favorite has to be sold. Collecting is a lot easier on the wallet, if you can break even, or make a few dollars when you make changes.
 
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