Is "retired maker" a plus or a minus?

Joss

Joss

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
7,353
Hi,

I just saw an eBay sale using the fact that the maker was no longer making knives as a positive. I find it funny to see ads that mention this as an encouragement to buy.

To me, a retired (or deceased) maker means that there is no more any momentum behind the knives, and is a huge turnoff. Now, that doesn't mean I wouldn't buy a knife from a retired or deceased maker if I like it, but it is clearly a detriment to the collectability of the knife (lack of momentum means lower collectability, all other things being equal).

What do you guys think?

JD
 
The pendulum can swing both ways. No longer active, so the pieces in existance are considered more rare.

I know if I was selling a piece on eBay I would do the exact same description enhancement. :p ;) :thumbup:

All that said, I concur.

Coop
 
If he was really good or really in demand when alive, I would think his work would continue to appreciate.
 
Scagel? +

Loveless? +++

Keith "Twig" Davis? Who?:thumbdn:

What about Cronk?(seriously)

If it is a "no name" maker, I concur completely with Joss, but why are Jim Schmidt's knives commanding a super premium price right now?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Are Jim Schmidt knives commending a premium compared to during his life, really? Factoring in inflation? It might be the case, I just don't know. (As a side note, Schmidt's knives - which I all find delightful - have enjoyed a major revival the last few years. They were nowhere to be seen before that.)

I'd be interested in reading of makers for whome the pendulum has clearly swung this way (appreciation after retirement / death). Obviously, I am not talking of the price direct from the maker, since it often has no bearing with the value of the knives at a given point in time.
 
IMO, it totally depends on the maker.
A very established maker or one considered an icon in the industry knives should and very often benefit once retired or deceased.

On the other hand, if a new or "lessor known maker" quites making knives his work will most likely plummet in monetary value.

Bill Moran's knives have not done as well as some expected, however many have come on the market at higher prices over the past months. IMO, they will rise considerably in value over the next five years.

Buster Warenski's knives seem to have held prices and too should do well over the next five years.
 
ptgdvc said:
99.6% of the time it is a minus.
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In units or dollars? Just kidding - geek humor. :o

Kevin, this is your opinion or a fact? Not meaning to sound cheeky, I'm just curious as I at least have not looked at it that closely. My opinion is that even Moran and Warenski knives have not increased in value, but I don't know.
 
Joss said:
Are Jim Schmidt knives commending a premium compared to during his life, really? Factoring in inflation?
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Yes and Yes. :D

The last couple of years especially.
 
Joss said:
In units or dollars? Just kidding - geek humor. :o

Kevin, this is your opinion or a fact? Not meaning to sound cheeky, I'm just curious as I at least have not looked at it that closely. My opinion is that even Moran and Warenski knives have not increased in value, but I don't know.
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Definitely opinion, as I wrote IMO twice in five sentences. ;):)

The new or "lessor known maker" knives will fade as fast as he/her does. FACT

Based on my observations, both Moran and Warenski's pieces have held prices on average. OPINION

Many erroneously expected Moran knives to immediately skyrocket, which they definitely have not.
But give them a little time. That Damascus Moran Hunter on Nordic last week? Bazaar? :confused::eek:

Will be interested to see WWG's take on this.
 
Joss said:
I'd be interested in reading of makers for whome the pendulum has clearly swung this way (appreciation after retirement / death). Obviously, I am not talking of the price direct from the maker, since it often has no bearing with the value of the knives at a given point in time.
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Harvey McBurnette knives went up to double price, post-passing, and the "right" pieces have held there. I have a piece that I purchased for $750.00 in 1995 that I recently turned down $2,500 for, and have a list of 4 interested persons should I decide to sell.

Ron Gaston knives are selling for 30% more, at least, from when Ron was alive. They were a smoking deal back in the day, and still represent very good value.

William "Gordon" DeFreest knives are selling to this day on e-bay for about 30% more than they were when he was making them. They still represent a good deal, and he was an adept student of George Herron's, but is a bit obscure. I have been beaten 3 times, when coveted fighters went up on the 'bay.

George Herron knives, when they can be found, are still moving at a strong pace, but they were fairly expensive towards the end. They may have gained 10%-15%, but this is getting out of my realm of expertise.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
George Herron knives, when they can be found, are still moving at a strong pace, but they were fairly expensive towards the end. They may have gained 10%-15%, but this is getting out of my realm of expertise.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Try 150% for Herron knives from Herron. A $300.00 hunter with a guard will now cost you $1,000.00-$1,200.00 depending on model. He really did not made more than a handful of knives in the 5 years prior to his death.
Yes, the secondary market for his knives went up as soon as soon they were no longer readily available from him.
 
Bobby Branton said:
Try 150% for Herron knives
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I stand corrected...as indicated, this would not be directly in my realm of knowledge.

Thank you for the information, helps to let us all know. So a piece that originally sold for $1,000 is now $2,500?

Is this across the board and are the pieces moving readily?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kevin Jones said:
Definitely opinion, as I wrote IMO twice in five sentences. ;):)

The new or "lessor known maker" knives will fade as fast as he/her does. FACT

Based on my observations, both Moran and Warenski's pieces have held prices on average. OPINION

Many erroneously expected Moran knives to immediately skyrocket, which they definitely have not.
But give them a little time. That Damascus Moran Hunter on Nordic last week? Bazaar? :confused::eek:

Will be interested to see WWG's take on this.
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Thanks. I actually was browsing Nordic just as they put the Moran on. I could have bought it. I decided I wasn't knowledgeable enough to take the risk. I'm still not sure whether I should kick myself. :confused:
 
Joss said:
Thanks. I actually was browsing Nordic just as they put the Moran on. I could have bought it. I decided I wasn't knowledgeable enough to take the risk. I'm still not sure whether I should kick myself. :confused:
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Yes Joss, a swift kick would be in order. :eek: ;)

Experts put the value at twice the listed price and it has already been re-sold.
 
I would be interested to know why some makers' knives go up while others go down. I don't think it depends very much on the predominant style of knife the maker made, nor do I think being a JS or MS necessarily helps (not that it hurts though). But what else impacts value (practically, not theoretically)?
 
on_the_edge said:
I would be interested to know why some makers' knives go up while others go down.......I don't think it depends very much on the predominant style of knife the maker made, nor do I think being a JS or MS necessarily helps (not that it hurts though).
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Loveless style knives made in the STYLE of the maker-Johnson, Lovett, Young...to name a few are very dependant on this factor. In this specific case....you would be wrong.

The "WHY" is the Loveless connection...'nuff said. If you want to know "WHY" Loveless got there....you have to look at other knives of the time, and compare. Loveless knives were elegant, refined, and damned sexy, back to the early 70's and beyond.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Loveless style knives made in the STYLE of the maker-Johnson, Lovett, Young...to name a few are very dependant on this factor. In this specific case....you would be wrong.

The "WHY" is the Loveless connection...'nuff said. If you want to know "WHY" Loveless got there....you have to look at other knives of the time, and compare. Loveless knives were elegant, refined, and damned sexy, back to the early 70's and beyond.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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I understand what you're saying and agree 100%. Let's call it ... sloppy writing on my part. When I said "style", I was thinking about "type" - hunter, dagger, bowie, etc.

Sorry for the confusion.
 
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