Knife Crash Course?

Damascus looks very interesting, would you care to elaborate on how is is even possible for an artist to create a feather damascus pattern? That one is crazy! And are there any other popular damascus patterns?

As for a blade show, I think there might be a small one that happens yearly a couple months from now in my area. It would definitely be a great place to figure out what I do or dont love, and being able to handle them makes it all the better.

Regarding knife price jumps and such, are we talking about just a few specific ones that have risen or dropped over the years, or rather the whole market climbing a hill or taking a dive?

And seeing those 10k+ knives is pretty interesting, but I cant seem to grasp why they are so spendy. I can only assume that the maker was wildly popular and since those were made about 40 years ago I'm assuming he no longer makes anything thus driving up the price. Is that a correct assumption, or is there really that much of a qualitative difference?
 
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HomelessCrayon said:
And seeing those 10k+ knives is pretty interesting, but I cant seem to grasp why they are so spendy. I can only assume that the maker was wildly popular and since those were made about 40 years ago I'm assuming he no longer makes anything thus driving up the price. Is that a correct assumption, or is there really that much of a qualitative difference?
Click to expand...

I just clicked on the first one and even I was scratching my head on this one til I saw the maker and read the description. It's a collectable. It's probably a good knife but it's more like a signed baseball you'd stick in a display case then something someone will use.

This thread needs some pics. :D Customs aren't always expensive. Hand forged with hamon(can't see so well here) and it's one mean cutter. I think I paid $130 for it.
 
That's awesome! And not too bad on the price! If we are throwing in some pictures, here is the knife that peaked my hamon curiosity. I love it!
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Credit here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1186251-Wa-Gyuto-1095-w-hamon
 
another factor is that some knivemaker's offer free "spa treatments" and/or sharpening. most of the high priced maker's lifetime guarantee their work within reason (read: how you broke it).
 
Some of the more expensive ones have to be held to understand the price. It's not like you can just order a Sebenza as your first knife not knowing anything about them. It's one of those things you have to hold first. Good luck with your future purchases!
 
The really spendy knives are generally collectables versus something you would be lkely to use. A couple names come to mind in terms of really expensive knives, Loveless and Moran. You can easily spend $10K on one of these. Are they particularly better than a lot of the factory knives or mid priced customs? Probably not in terms of what they really are. Is a $10K Colt double action revolver "better" than current production Smith & Wesson? Probably not.... it is a collector thing and the market price far exceeds any kind of rational pricing based on their intended use when they were manufactured.

Since you are new to knives, I would suggest you start at the basics and learn the terminology and construction basics. Buy a couple knives you like and can afford, read, and continue to learn. I suspect most of us have purchased a $10-$20 knife because it looked cool at one time or another and as you move up in price range, you should see some quality differences. Ultimately, you end up with Japanese swords, historical blades, and big name knife makers that are deceased now... a collectors market.

I would suggest you pick up a general reference book or two on knives and read.
 
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