Investment knives

T. Erdelyi

T. Erdelyi

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
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I'm looking for some medium term investments in knives, I've bought some knives in the past that have made me some money as a fluke.
Now I'm looking for some outside advice.

Fixed and folders, what would you buy in each category in both custom and production, that would appreciate in value for resale at a later date.
 
Custom Folders are the way to go. Production knives will never appreciate like customs will. Fixed blades are not as easy to sell, even from a makers standpoint. Folders can be bought, traded and sold much easier than fixed blades. Maybe you would like to find an up and coming maker and buy a couple of early pieces. Then in a year or two sell them at a profit. I have been making knives for quite a while, and folders for a year and a half. I am at the point where I can consisitantly make a nice knife, fit and finish are great and functions properly. It has taken me a while to get here, and being published in blade magazine and attending the blade show have helped in my reputation as a maker. I'm still priced fairly well, not asking huge money for a knife that works and looks like other well known makers. But as I become more well known my prices will go up. The best advice anyone can give you is to buy what you like! Make sure the quality is there. You don't want to buy something where the fit and finish are not good-excellent, otherwise you'll have problems selling it down the road. Or buy on ebay, sometimes you can buy a reputable makers knives for a small investment and sell them for a profit.
Chuck
 
A successfull knifemakers work appreciates in value during the first third to half of his career. By that time, everyone's discovered him and the prices have already gone up.

Then the value of his work will further appreciate in the third half of his career... after he's dead.

So, there are two strategies: 1) Buy the work of a well-established maker and wait for his death. 2) Search out an as yet undiscovered new maker, buy his early work, and then cash in on that first increase.

Option one is considerably less risky. If the guy is already a living legend, it's a good bet that his work will increase upon his death. But, the guy could hang on for decades. So, this is a long-range investment.

Option two has risk. You might be wrong in your selection. But, if you do pick a rising star, it'll pay off in just a few years.

With option one, you may have to wait a long time. So, be sure that the stuff you buy is timeless in styling. With option two, fashion may work in your favor if you call the trends right.
 
If I remember correctly, old Busse knives have increased in value BIG TIME. You could ask for details at the Busse forum.
 
Collectibles as investments are high risk. But that doesn't mean it can't be done. You need to do a large amount of research and self-education.

With knives, if you were lucky enough to pick up earlier Loveless or Herron pieces, you would be sitting pretty at this point.

Manufactured knives, although having a theoretical increase in value in some cases, are, IMHO, not worth the risk. Buy them to use them and enjoy them.

Maybe Les Robertson might jump in here with some insights. Keep in mind, though, that Les has a great deal of time and experience in the field that most of us will not be able to achieve.:)
 
Sometimes, if you just ask, custom makers will tell you when they plan to raise prices. If they have a good record, it would be a good idea to place an order.
 
T.Eredeli
In My Opinion there are two ways to go about it. You can do lots of homework and take a gamble on the up and coming maker. It does take lots of homework and is really a gamble at times.
Or go with a well established maker that has not topped out, this takes lots of homework also, and buy his lower to medium prices pieces. On the established maker you must determine if he has topped out with his skill, designs and his marketing knowledge.

I disagaree with Golinick on the third half, after the guy deceases. Most of the time you will simply have a dead guys knife. It will do no better and most of the time plummet after his death. I own and collect Clyde Fischer pieces on occasions. I loved that old man and respected him greatly. His pieces were not highly collectable in the later years of his life and are not anymore so now and probally less so other than makers that knew him. I do not buy them to invest I buy them cause of respect and admiration I had for him.
Some makers that were hustling in life will hustle in death for awhile. Custom knives are not market driven but maker driven. If the maker is no longer there then that drive winds down. This is something we as both makers and collectors need to address.
jf
 
double post, sorry, should have stayed in shop I guess.
 
Buy all you can of the gentleman's knives ,who posted just ahead of me.Take that one to the bank.
Great advice and opinions Mr Fisk.
Randy
 
Originally posted by Gollnick


Then the value of his work will further appreciate in the third half of his career... after he's dead.
Click to expand...

Ok. That really has me :confused:.

I am not sure that I agree with the theory that folders will appreciate more than fixed blades. I think it depends on the individual maker. There are some makers of fixed blade knives that I think are going to have major increases in the value of their knives over the next few years.

One thing I do agree with fully is the advice to do lots of research. I am not confident enough in my ability to pick the right makers to think myself capable of offering you advice on whose knives to invest in. One thing I would recommend you do is pick up a copy of Les Robertson's book Custom Knives Buying Guide. In my opinion, that would be a great place to start.
 
One way to research the value of knives is to subscribe to A.G. Russell's The Cutting Edge. This way you track the value of knives. I find it to be an invaluable resource in this area.
 
Collectibles as investments are high risk. But that doesn't mean it can't be done. You need to do a large amount of research and self-education.

good advice......like anything on this planet, if you know the market and what things are worth, you can find GREAT deals by just waiting for them to pop up and then acting immediately. That means you have to be constantly looking, and ready with cash in hand and the knowledge that you are getting a good buy well secured.

I have seen some fantastic deals on the auction sites (not necessarily Ebay) but I am not going to advertise for them here.
Usually when I see the best deals on an automobile its right after I got a new (or used) one!
 
Go back to the man who told you to buy what you like. When you no longer enjoy the knife, sell it and if you had good taste you made some money. If you did not then the loss was the cost of your pleasure for the time you owned the knife.

If you want to make money with knives, find the ones that are going up. I bought hundreds of Loveless knives from 1968 until now but I sold them for a profit as soon as I could find a buyer. That is the business I am in. My first loveless cost $45. The most recent, which I will keep, $10,000, one of less than 40 Loveless/Johnson knives made. I buy Scagel knives for keepers, Bruckmann, Hen & Rooster made before 1980 and well made knives from before 1965 Harry Morseth, etc.

It takes a lot of study and if your are not rich a lot of courage to spend $10,000 or $25,000 and all of your friends and family will think that you lost your mind.

A. G.
 
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