Introducing Underrated and Underpriced Custom Makers

K

kidwholaughs

Joined
Jan 17, 2004
Messages
1,189
Hey Guy,

After 10 years of actively buying knives, I have finally decided that if I want to keep doing this I need my knives to retain it's value. Since most production knives probably not keep their value, in my life time. Enter custom slipjoints. Being still a 5th year graduate student in the NYC, I don't really have a lot of money.
I know that we are very fortunate to have a lot of Extremely knowledgeable people in our midst. So please introduce me some custom makers of slipjoints who are underrated and under priced for the slipjoints that they make. This will be a great way for me to enjoy slipjoints without spending a fortune and keep the value. Also please indicate the pattern that they do the best work in. I hope to have a long and productive career in collecting and also using custom slipjoints.

God Bless
 
You have two conflicting statements:

"I need my knives to retain it's value."

"custom makers of slipjoints who are underrated and under priced for the slipjoints that they make."

There are many good knives by good makers who will never be "known." Their knife will be worth what you pay for it, but will not hold its value, since value is determined by collectibility in the knife market not on intrinsic worth. If you are lucky and smart, you can by uknowns who will be known, but this is about a sure thing as the stock market :)

That being said, you can have a lot of fun buying used customs, which will lose less in value over time, since like a used car, the first buyer took the biggest hit. You'll still lose money.
 
I think that the makers that you need to be collecting right now for their price to quality factor are Todd Davison, Ken Coats and Ken Erickson. If all things remain normal in this world, their knives will have to increase in value. You won't find many well made slipjoints that are at bargain prices. But Ken Coats does a shadow pattern at $250. Fine work at that price.
 
I guess I misspoke in a sense. I didn't know that the price of the custom slipjoints was determined by how well everyone knows the maker. I would like to find the makers who do exceptional work for their price and hope that they knives will retain their value in the future. Thanks

God Bless
 
I think you have gotten some sound advise so far. Buy knives that you will enjoy owning and or using. Take care of the important things first and you will enjoy those knives for a long time.

All of those makers mentioned seem to really offer a good solid value and a quality knife from my experience. As far as hope that they will retain their value, who knows. There are a lot of variables involved on that. None of us needs expensive knives let's face it. I have found that if everything else that is important is taken care of it turns out that I sure do enjoy them and the monetary value does not mean a whole lot.
 
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Money is the last reason to get into knives.

Yes, it's nice when one goes up in value, but if that's really important to you I suggest coins.

I buy knives because I like 'em!
 
I buy and sell guitars, I do the used stuff (players grade) so there is enough value in them to make a little bit of profit (10-30% or so)

I would think there might be a sweet spot for knives....I'm messing with case knives now , not making anything but not loosing either...is there any other knives you can do this with?

Not meaning to steal the thread or anything, just thinking that may be the original posters intent.
 
As Gus posted it's conjecture whether or not a new maker will become the next Tony Bose. Unusual but traditional patterns, high grade materials, fit and finish, all work together to form a classic. A bargain is not necessarily an instant heirloom, but some are...

In a different light, you might consider getting on a well recognized maker's list and staying the course. During the three to five year wait, you will certainly be able to afford one.

Good luck...
 
My No#1 can't fail horn honking knife investment pick is WW1 knives. With the centennial coming up soon we are sure to see lots of movies ,TV shows and other interest.


I would suggest buying some big name knives right now. I am not so sure about the BF exchange but our little Canadian EE sure has dropped in price along with the economy so there are some real bargains right now. I also like looking for antique knives at yard and farm sales. Really though to make money you have to really know your market and the knives. BF is a very valuable resource in that regard.

One huge advantage of knives over stocks is they have real intrinsic value. Even if the banks collapse and we have hyperinflation a great knife still has value.
When your maker hits it big and gets in all the magazines though then the knives also get "perceived" value. That is where you can make the most money but it is also the trickiest. For example if you buy some knives from an up and coming maker who has been getting great press and all of a sudden he quits making knives and in a short time people don't recognize his name then you can lose money sometimes quite a bit.
 
I think Mike Alsdorf's knives are the best deal going right now. There are some new makers here doing great stuff but.....Mike is an accomplished maker. His prices IMHO do not reflect his level of craftsmanship or attention to detail.
 
I am as happy with my Alsdorf knife as I am with one many times more expensive!
 
Alsdorf is excellent value. Jeff and Ray Cover also come to mind, Todd Davidson (getting a little pricier) and I'm sure some others. I always like to buy on the secondary market if possible (meaning from another collector), or directly from the maker. I have bought from many dealers, but only if I'm really in love with the knife and I think the price is fair.
 
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