Loveless knives

T

Thrustus

Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Messages
389
Please educate me and explain why Loveless knives are so highly regarded. I recently saw a photo of a small collection of Loveless knives valued at $700,000. I know he designed a classic hunter and was one of the first to use ATS34 but there must be much more to the story than this.
 
He came up with several classic designs that are emulated by knife makers all around the world.
 
It's like asking why a P400 SV Miura is so highly valued when a Gallardo is faster.
 
[video=youtube;DeLzYLOdkhw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeLzYLOdkhw[/video]

I highly recommend trying to get a copy of his book: "Living on the Edge- Bob Loveless" from a local library or library exchange system and read about his designs. It is hard to describe what he had done for the knife world.

Bob Dozier said in an interview with Equip to Endure that there is probably not one single knife maker that has not been influenced by one of Mr. Loveless designs.
 
"When a man picks up a knife, there's an old memory from the collective unconscious that surfaces. A knife is an atavistic experience. It was man's first tool and weapon. Man was chipping flint into cutting edges before he invented the wheel. No matter how sophisticated we become, a knife takes us back to the cave."

"Why would anyone pay $3,000 for a hunting knife? They say, because my name is on it. I'm carrying an awfully big rep. If I were a gunfighter, I'd be hiding in a cave somewhere. But I wouldn't spend that much money for a knife if it were autographed by Jesus Christ himself!"

Two great quotes, the latter being ironic considering what his knives are worth today.
 
The man was an artist and like any artist, the better your work is the higher the prices become. Once that artist passes away then what he created while here on earth skyrockets in value.

The man is a legend.
 
Often in the artistic world there is a premium paid for the most creative and first work. One can copy a Loveless knife with impeccable materials and skill,and it will have a lot of value as a beautiful possession or a working tool. But it will not carry the value of the Master. You will see this all over the place. A high quality handmade Shelby Cobra reproduction can in fact be much better than the original, and be a wonderful car to have, but it will not carry the same value as the original. There are many copies of the Eames chair, but an original commands a huge premium.

What I find interesting is the value assigned to Kramer knives. In this case Kramer has done some spectacular marketing and expanded the range of custom knives to a much larger audience. How much his influence will be on knife making in the future will determine whether his kitchen knives will maintain their attraction and hold or increase in value.
 
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