Ken Onion Vegas Preview

I met Mr. Onion for the first time in Vegas. He was very nice to me. Despite me being a bumbling nervous idiot. lol


Love his knives and I can't wait until I get one. Had no luck in Vegas in Onion Lotteries.


I coudln't believe how beautiful some of his knives were. The fancy Aqua 2...... Drool worthy.
 
I'm sure Mr. Onion is a great guy, and I have never used one of his knives, but if Mitch and Chuck say it's good, that's all I need.

This being said, yes, I believe there's a bubble in this market. People are trading Ken Onion's knives as if they were eToys shares in 1999. I suspect this bubble will pop and many people will end up owning knives they bought for 3X or more on the pre-owned market, and can't recoup their investment on.

It's not the first bubble in the tactical market (Emerson and Mayo come to mind - and I still think Mayo's are top quality knives, it has nothing to do with it), but it might be the one where the price differential from maker's price to pre-owned is largest, I'm not sure.
 
I gotta say, I can see why Scott posted what he did in regards to the "caring about customers" comment. Sorry but if I asked a maker a serious question about a knife I was interested in ordering and he laughed at me... Well that would just plain piss me off. To me, thats like going up to an unknown knifemaker in a show, asking the price of a piece and when told, laughing at them and walking away. It just doesn't seem polite to me. That may not have been Ken's intent, but it is easy for me to see how you could comeway from that meeting upset.


I am not debating any of the good things that people above have stated about Ken. I am just saying I can see how someone would be upset and feel that way about him if he was laughed at.
 
I've been asking him for a lefty about every 6 months or so...for the past 4 YEARS!!! He always just laughs. He probably thought I sent you to ask. It really is just funny to him. Kind of like when people ask me "so if I put my name down for one, how long do you think before Ken will have it ready for me"...I always laugh 'cause it's just people don't know any better. Of course after I laugh I'm fully willing to explain the only way to get one is in the lotto at a show or to buy one in the secondary.

If a few people don't like Ken or his knives, that's okay - they're not for everyone. It just means that many fewer people bitching at me when we run out of lotto cards. :yawn:

~Mitch
 
This is a shame. I know Ken as a friend, spent a few hours with him in Vegas this past weekend, and I know he doesnt laugh at his customers. Obviously I wasnt there with you Scott but knowing Ken I believe that whatever he was laughing at it was not AT you. Maybe it's because so many people ask for lefties, dont know. He is a genuinely nice guy and despite what is going on with his knives does not have a swelled head.

He is not responsible for the wild prices some are paying on the secondary market, the prices of the knives on his table in Vegas was $550,$650, and $800 depending on materials and how they were made. The fact is there are only about 10 people paying those crazy inflated prices and mostly they are collectors with no thought of resale. I spoke to 3 of them last weekend(one of them dropped over $40,000 cash on Onion knives over the weekend) and they are very happy with their purchases.

I do agree with the poster about Kit Carson, his knives are great. He's a good friend and I have 17 of them:D
 
Scott, whether or not you think Ken's knives are overrated is your opinion, and nothing more. Judging from the market, a lot of people feel differently. As for your comment about his attitude, well, you obviously don't know the guy at all.
 
Scott I looked for you at Vegas , Scott Cook told me you were there , didnt ever get to meet you , my son was looking forward to it.

Ken is a great guy , hell if Mitch has been hounding him to make a lefty and he wont it aint gonna happen. He doesn't take orders anymore.

I was lucky enuff to score a Boa in the lottery on Friday , Ken came over to me and told me " I am glad you scored , I know you have been trying for a long time ". That is the kind of guy Ken is .

100 % heart of gold. And when Ken heard it was my son who found your watch last year , he looked for my son and gave him a new Kershaw as a reward. Ken certainly cares about others more than most will ever know.

Gentle Giant and a true gentleman , that is the Ken Onion I know.
 
Ive known Ken for almost 10 years. I knew him before people were beating each other up to get his knives. Quite frankly he is basically the same guy now as he was then. He has done a fantastic job keeping his ego in check, some makers could take a lesson from Ken in this area. Lets face it for the prices Ken's knives bring in the aftermarket he could have a very inflated ego and few would blame him.

Ken has always been a market leader and I suspect will be one until he decides he no longer wants to make knives. He is a true innovator and a heck of a nice guy.

If you have a problem with him, you might want to cut him some slack. As you were probably the 100th person that day just trying to get a "few minutes" of his time.

I have found it is best to contact him away from shows.

The Ghost
 
My read on Ken Onion-
People Person
Knifemaker's Knifmaker
First Class Guy
Sorry Scott but I think you got a wrong read.
 
I just think that this is a case of Scott reading more into Ken's laugh than was intended by Ken. I am pretty sure that it was just that he has been asked that question so many times that it causes him to laugh. Having traded a few emails with Ken I have absolutely no doubt that his laugh was not intended to blow you off or to belittle your question, Scott. He truely is one of the really good guys.

I would personally never pay the resale price for one of Ken's knives, but I think that they are an excellent value at his selling price.
 
Scott , I sincerely apolojise for laughing . I assure you I was not laughing at you. I meant no offense. I don't even recall laughing ,don't get me wrong I had a great time at the show and I'm sure I laughed some but never would concider offending any one.
Shows are always a bit of a blurr to me as I spend most of my time in my shop making knives and a few times a year in a large crowd trying to hear everyone and talk to everyone . I really enjoy meeting new people and making new friends however I live a semi reclusive life and am not the best at handling large groups of people.
Yes I agree my knives are overrated . There are better makers than me . I am sincerely grateful for the popularity of my knives and I will continually try to improve .

Thanks to the rest of you for sticking up for me. It feels good to have so many friends! Sorry I wasn't here sooner ,I've been traveling .
 
One of the problems with the internet and knife shows, it that we only get a little snippit of a persons true feeling and personality. The time is just too short, and what is put down on the written page is all too easily misunderstood

I have known Ken since he started making knives. He is a great guy and goes out of his way to make sure everyone gets included.

I know Scott too, and he is a lot like me, pretty opinionated!!!

What we need is more comunication............Next year.......make sure to take the time to go talk to Ken after all the knives are gone, you will change your mind........I promise. :)
 
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