Maker; Piece; Price ?

Anthony:

Buy great knives from the right makers and hold them and me mindful of the ebb and flow of market conditions. You can't go wrong in most cases.
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Who are these great makers? I mean right now today whose knives will still be collectible in 10 years (barring unforeseen circumstances which force them to quit)?

Without names. Your statement is akin to the Wall Street Journal saying if you create a strong portfolio you will do well with it in the future.

Anthony, if you have some recommendations make them.

Im always looking for good information! :D

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
I guess I just don't see the point sometimes. We get so wrapped up in the semantics game.
"What is a knifemaker"
"What is a custom knife"
"What is a dealer".

For me, these discussions take some of the fun OUT of collecting. I wish we could just have more of the good old show and tells, more of Coops great photos and more show reviews.

I will admit to losing some interest in custom knife collecting over the past several years. I have seen some makers pricing escalate to the point of absurdity and as a result their collectors have to constantly be shouting their virtues to keep their "positions" safe. I am NOT referring to you, BTW.

I agree that every collector should look a collecting with a bit of business savvy unless they can afford to literally throw away money. Buy great knives from the right makers and hold them and me mindful of the ebb and flow of market conditions. You can't go wrong in most cases.
Problem is you have to know what a great knife is and who the great makers are to get to that point. I would like to see more discussion about that then the neverending threads like this that just seem to leave people with more questions than answers in the end.

A good example is the Strider thread ongoing in the GBU. There are people with many thousands of dollars of Strider knives that will likely lose their shirt on them. They bought the "makers" instead of the knives. Since the makers now may not be what they initially claimed, the knives are losing their cache'.
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kumbaya my friend!!!:thumbup:
 
Les Robertson said:
Anthony:



Who are these great makers? I mean right now today whose knives will still be collectible in 10 years (barring unforeseen circumstances which force them to quit)?

Without names. Your statement is akin to the Wall Street Journal saying if you create a strong portfolio you will do well with it in the future.

Anthony, if you have some recommendations make them.

Im always looking for good information! :D

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Click to expand...

I would like to know who some are too. I'm not much into ABS, just mainly folders. Please tell who are some good long term makers to collect.
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
I guess I just don't see the point sometimes. We get so wrapped up in the semantics game.
"What is a knifemaker"
"What is a custom knife"
"What is a dealer".

For me, these discussions take some of the fun OUT of collecting. I wish we could just have more of the good old show and tells, more of Coops great photos and more show reviews.

I will admit to losing some interest in custom knife collecting over the past several years. I have seen some makers pricing escalate to the point of absurdity and as a result their collectors have to constantly be shouting their virtues to keep their "positions" safe. I am NOT referring to you, BTW.

I agree that every collector should look a collecting with a bit of business savvy unless they can afford to literally throw away money. Buy great knives from the right makers and hold them and me mindful of the ebb and flow of market conditions. You can't go wrong in most cases.
Problem is you have to know what a great knife is and who the great makers are to get to that point. I would like to see more discussion about that then the neverending threads like this that just seem to leave people with more questions than answers in the end.

A good example is the Strider thread ongoing in the GBU. There are people with many thousands of dollars of Strider knives that will likely lose their shirt on them. They bought the "makers" instead of the knives. Since the makers now may not be what they initially claimed, the knives are losing their cache'.
Click to expand...
THAT is my point exactly........to me, the ideal situtation to be in as a collector is to be ABLe to "throw money away":D The Strider situation is an unusual one in my opinion. While this current blowup and others may or may not impact the collectiblily of Strider knives and possibly their lucrative reltionship with Buck, I wonder if it will have as much of an effect on the sale of true "users"? Regardless of what one may think about Mick and Duane, they seem to have developed a very loyal following amongst folks who actually use the knives for one thing or another.
 
Anthony,

I think this is the thread you had in mind.

P

My 2007 ABS Pro Bowlers, Prospects & Suspects

FWIW, This list is represents my personal opinion of who I think is doing the finest work in June of 2007, nothing more and nothing less. I am posting it here for the possible benefit of newer collectors of forged fixed blades. I know every person on this list and consider all of them to be honest good guys with superior skills. However, every knife must be judged on its own merit, because everybody on my exalted list is fully capable of making an artistical or technical lemon.

Names and stamps are not guarantees of greatness.

My prospects are prospects, because they actually make a decent number of knives!
My suspects are suspects, because they don't currently make enough darn knives!

My ABS Pro Bowlers for 2007

Harvey Dean, MS, TX
Jerry Fisk, MS, AR
Larry Fuegen, MS, AZ
Tim Hancock, MS, AZ

Kevin Cashen, MS, MI
Steve Dunn, MS, KY
Don Fogg, MS, CA
Ron Newton, MS, AR

E. Russ Andrews II, JS, MO
Burt Foster, MS, VA
Don Hanson III, MS, MO
Greg T. Neely, MS, TX

*******************

My Favorite Prospects

Tom Ferry, MS, WA
Jason Knight, MS, SC
Shawn McIntyre, JS, AU
Rodrigo Sfreddo, JS, BR
Nick Wheeler, JS WA
John White, MS, FL

*******************

My Favorite Suspects

Jon Christensen, MS WA
Jim Crowell, MS, AR
Adam DesRosier, JS, AK
Dan Farr, JS, NY
Tommy Gann, JS TX
Jim Rodebaugh, MS, WY



The names in each section are listed in alphabetical order.
 
I didn't like that Fogg knife.. which i think brought up this whole thread, i think. Something about the handle, thin, angular, the blackwood not necessarily attractive for it.. I liked the other one posted with red handle much more. If it was made by Elvis Pressley or Muhatma Ghandi, so what. The only instance whereby i would buy an ugly knife, if it were "first", something crude for that reason,to highlight an entire career.
I finally have something to agree with Anthony about, getting lost in the semantics,, it gets tiring.

Best thread ever on these forums, Name the maker.. i think Roger may have started it.. this was years ago. Maybe it can be revived,, "Stump the Chump" (w/ Les)?

If he can't guess your maker you get 25% off your next knife purchase.
:)
David
 
A good example is the Strider thread ongoing in the GBU. There are people with many thousands of dollars of Strider knives that will likely lose their shirt on them. They bought the "makers" instead of the knives. Since the makers now may not be what they initially claimed, the knives are losing their cache'.
Click to expand...

I had to go back and find the Goober who wrote this...Anthony.

See this is the Custom Knife Forum. 98-99% of the knives with the name Strider on them are FACTORY knives. Very few (compared to the total out there) are custom.

Come one guys lets stick to the custom side.

Who is the other goober that wrote about their deal with Buck....Joe.

A factory and a factory collaboration...this is relevant to custom knives how?

Now if you want to talk hot knives that have cooled off in the after market. You can discuss Ken Onion and Phil Boguszewski.

Note neither of these makers had anything to do with this. Matter of fact you can trace it to two individuals.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Severed,

This quote from Mr. Lombardo will no doubt lead you to the person to ask:

Buy great knives from the right makers and hold them and me mindful of the ebb and flow of market conditions. You can't go wrong in most cases.
Click to expand...

Severed write which category of knives you are interested in and Anthony, the Sage of custom knives will answer your question. :D

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Hi David,

"Stump the Chump". You were speaking about yourself I take it????

I'll give the 25% discount, only if you will match 25% of the value of every knife I get correctly. :D

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur....Nobody's Chump.
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Les Robertson said:
I had to go back and find the Goober who wrote this...Anthony.

See this is the Custom Knife Forum. 98-99% of the knives with the name Strider on them are FACTORY knives. Very few (compared to the total out there) are custom.

Come one guys lets stick to the custom side.

Who is the other goober that wrote about their deal with Buck....Joe.

A factory and a factory collaboration...this is relevant to custom knives how?

Now if you want to talk hot knives that have cooled off in the after market. You can discuss Ken Onion and Phil Boguszewski.

Note neither of these makers had anything to do with this. Matter of fact you can trace it to two individuals.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Click to expand...


You may want to see how many custom knife dealers carry Strider knives and do not differentiate them for their customers. Thats just one example why you don't buy the maker. I could come up with many more. Instead of cutting and pasting, why don't you give us some words of wisdom instead of excercising your newfound powers of moderation! Check the "Customs for Sale Area"-Looks like they have been churning out MANY one-offs and customs for quite awhile..LOL:barf::D

Oh wait, the answer is "BUY KNIVES FROM LES-HE HAS ALL THE RIGHT MAKERS".

Gotcha.
Speaking of Onion-

Onion is another maker that interests me. I actually own a few of his knives. They were both bought at reasonable prices and I am happy to own them. I have even used them! The fact that Ken just sold over 100 pieces for $500 each will also probably impact his prices negatively in the short run.
Thats OK, as I paid the makers price and not the dealer's retail price.
 
Les Robertson said:
I had to go back and find the Goober who wrote this...Anthony.

See this is the Custom Knife Forum. 98-99% of the knives with the name Strider on them are FACTORY knives. Very few (compared to the total out there) are custom.

Come one guys lets stick to the custom side.

Who is the other goober that wrote about their deal with Buck....Joe.

A factory and a factory collaboration...this is relevant to custom knives how?

Now if you want to talk hot knives that have cooled off in the after market. You can discuss Ken Onion and Phil Boguszewski.

Note neither of these makers had anything to do with this. Matter of fact you can trace it to two individuals.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Click to expand...

Just making a comment on a comment. What will this pissup do to the value of the Strider custom pieces, which seem to have brought some pretty high prices in the past. I seem to recall that one of the previous longwinded, semi-nasty Strider threads was started when someone posted a pic of a Strider custom and called it something like an "uber tactical cake server" Said knife was being offered for somewhere north of $1000 if I recall correctly and many people felt that it was a reasonable price regardless of what they thought about the design of the knife. Other disagreed.....vehemently:D
 
Les,
I borrowed the name "Stump the Chump" from the "car talk" radio show, where the two experts, "Click and Clack" take a stab diagnosing people's car problems. Have you heard it? A good show..

I figured you'd have to get something out of the deal.. money, knives.. ?
Then it came to me.. reputation, prestige, national celebrity..people would be knocking down your door just to meet you.

You could start a monthly Blade column, people write in and guess the maker, one lucky winner is chosen and Reverend Jerry Fisk, (living treasure) calls and leaves his voice on their home answering machine. ..this can all be worked out. :) ;)
David
 
Anthony,

You may want to see how many custom knife dealers carry Strider knives and do not differentiate them for their customers. That’s just one example why you don't buy the maker. I could come up with many more. Instead of cutting and pasting, why don't you give us some words of wisdom instead of exercising your newfound powers of moderation! Check the "Customs for Sale Area"-Looks like they have been churning out MANY one-offs and customs for quite awhile..LOL
Click to expand...

First, “Mr. I haven’t been involved in custom knives as much as I was in the past” (judging by your input don't you consider saying that to be, well repetitious?)

Some knife dealers carry both production and custom. Custom Knife Dealers do not carry factory only custom knives. If you need further clarification please visit the web site under my name in the signature block.

There is a huge difference between Strider factory knives and Strider, Dwyer Custom knives...easily recognizable for all to see....THE PRICE.

Why don't I confuse my clients with factory and custom knives like other dealers do??? Unlike those dealers who sell factory and custom knives. I have eliminated any confusion by only selling custom knives. Again, if you need further clarification please visit the web site under my name in the signature block.

Oh wait, the answer is "BUY KNIVES FROM LES-HE HAS ALL THE RIGHT MAKERS".
Click to expand...

Anthony, while your insight into today’s custom knife market is not, as well astute as you would like it to be. I do believe you may have stumbled onto a marketing strategy I may have overlooked. While it has the ear marks of help form a 5th grader. There is a large degree of truth in what you write.

Now let us move along so as we may partake of even more pearls from the master of misinformation, Anthony Lombardo:

Onion is another maker that interests me. I actually own a few of his knives. They were both bought at reasonable prices and I am happy to own them. I have even used them! The fact that Ken just sold over 100 pieces for $500 each will also probably impact his prices negatively in the short run.
Click to expand...

Anthony, you do understand that these are not “Custom” Ken Onion Knives don’t you? As such they will have no effect on the aftermarket for Ken’s knives. The downward movement that most collectors have been seeing for the last 6-8 months, actually began 3 years ago at the Las Vegas Classic. When the two main buyers of Ken’s knives agreed that they would no longer compete with each other for Ken’s knives. A basic correlation analysis of this would render the immediate answer to the causal relationship question to what effect this will have on “Demand Oriented Pricing”.

Had you been able to do the basic correlation analysis you would have been able to draw the correct conclusion and would have sold your custom Onion’s at the top of the market. Instead of missing that opportunity and costing yourself THOUSANDS of Dollars. Imagine what good you could have done for your family with those dollars…Oh Well easy come, easy go!

How about that for Wisdom Anthony??? :D

Anthony, we are talking custom knives in this forum. Why is it your keep bringing up Factory knives?

AG Russell is a very well respected knife dealer; dealing in both production and custom knives.

Les Robertson is a very well respected custom knife dealer; known only for selling custom knives.

You should cut and paste this, then print it out and paste it to your monitor. That way you will have an easy reference to help you with your currently confused state of mind.

Also, I am still anxiously awaiting your answer to severed thumbs and his questions about whose non-ABS knives he should buy...you know using the "Lombardo Method"!

Actually I think all of us are!

Let hear your "Wisdom" Anthony.

You were right about one thing; the moderator role didn't suit me at all. I hope you feel better that I didn't try that with you.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Hi Joe,

As I wrote in the previous post, 98% of the Strider knives are factory knives.

Do not confuse these with the custom knives from Strider and Dwyer.

Yes, the knives have taken a hit in their popularity due to an "extreme set of circumstances" that I have only seen once or twice before.

Ultimately the "hard core" collectors remained, picking up pieces for their collections that the disenchanted sold for pennies on the dollar. Opportunities are everywhere if you know what you are looking for. :D

BTW, do you need my address to send me that check for $1,000.

Or do you now believe that custom knives can be an investment.

To date only one person has taken me up on this...his ROI 18%. Think he beat the street that year? Oh, his investment was $10,000.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Les,
I know what a custom knife is.
You know what a custom knife is.
Lots of customers make no such distinctions.

Now let us move along so as we may partake of even more pearls from the master of misinformation, Anthony Lombardo:
Click to expand...

This is actually funny! You are getting better Les. I have always thought your forum persona of vacuum salesman/trusted financial advisor could be spiced up with some humor! LOL

How do you feel about the crash in the Onion and Bogi market? I mean you have been selling them all along to unsuspecting people at seemingly inflated prices, right? My Onion knives are still worth about 1000% more than I paid for them so I am not so concerned about current market pricing as the money "Lost" at this point wouln't pay for transportation to Disney world so I am not sure how much of an impact if any it would make on my family life, but thanks for your concern.

In fact, I think Ken Onion is one of the makers people should always be on the lookout to buy custom knives from as in the long term his knives will always be worth a premium compared to other tactical folder makers. They are high quality and he is a true innovator in knife design and construction. His prices are very reasonable.

But again, I am not in the business of selling or reselling custom knives so I tend not to make recommendations along those lines. You would find my personal collection pretty austere. Mostly ABS makers who make knives that please me from a design and value perspective. Very few that you yourself would not sell or promote.

I should take you up on the custom knife investment scheme. Sounds like a good place to park some $$$. What is your Morningstar rating?
 
Les Robertson said:
Hi Joe,

As I wrote in the previous post, 98% of the Strider knives are factory knives.

Do not confuse these with the custom knives from Strider and Dwyer.

Yes, the knives have taken a hit in their popularity due to an "extreme set of circumstances" that I have only seen once or twice before.

Ultimately the "hard core" collectors remained, picking up pieces for their collections that the disenchanted sold for pennies on the dollar. Opportunities are everywhere if you know what you are looking for. :D

BTW, do you need my address to send me that check for $1,000.

Or do you now believe that custom knives can be an investment.

To date only one person has taken me up on this...his ROI 18%. Think he beat the street that year? Oh, his investment was $10,000.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Click to expand...

LOL......can't swing it right now. I am still kicking myself for not having, oh, say around $500,000 to have invested in Apple Computer the day after Mac World 2006 ended. That would have rendered somewhere in the neighborhood of a 90% pre-tax ROI.....live and learn:D As for sending you something, hopefully that will be knives.......one of these days:thumbup:;)
 
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