Maker; Piece; Price ?

[bgspecialk]

Les,
I know what a custom knife is.


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.

At 1,000% your $800 Knife would be worth $8,000. I don't see any of them currently selling in that price range.

At that "loss" I would be concerned.

Paul

 

[Tai Goo]

Here’s a piece from my personal collection from 1985, that I think illustrates some of what’s being said very well. I didn’t make this piece. It’s a collaboration between Tom Mclane and Jay Kidwell. Compatibility in the choice of materials in pattern welding is important, but only from within the parameters “concept”. The concept was to take a mish mash of materials and put them together in this piece, just for fun and for “aesthetics“. From that standpoint it’s a very successful piece, which is why I bought it and kept it for so long,… clearly way ahead of it’s time,... and "in the box" thinking.

Taking chances, risks and experimentation is part of the thrill and discovery of bladesmithing.

I've never seen anything like it,... and probably never will again... Truly priceless in my opinion.

Rumor has it that it was forged under a full moon.

Mclane and Kidwell are two of the most un-sung heroes in bladesmithing.

Tom nick named Jay, "cold shut Kidwell".

 

[Tai Goo]

... sometimes I think that we are all just wired up a little too tight...

 

[Don Hanson III]

Not your average 'custom knife', Tai. I can see why you like it:thumbup: Cool piece.

Wired too tight, yes. It's easy to get caught up in all this, kind a takes the fun right out of it. I think I'll get back to the shop and do some crazy, non-serious forging

 

[Les Robertson]

Anthony,

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.

As Paul pointed out you have an extra 0 in your 1000% comment. The knives you bought for $500 would today sell for at best $1,100.00. More than likely under $1,000. So yes, you did miss out on the opportunity to make a couple of thousand dollars more had you decided to sell the knives.

With regards to the down turn in the after market with regards to Ken and Phil's knives. If you choose to pay a premium for a knife, it is incumbent on the buyer to understand the inherent risk in doing so. I have sold a total of 2 Onions in the last 2 1/2 years. I have sold less than 10 Bogi's in the last 18 months, yes everyone at a premium. The buyers understood this and made the determination to purchase the knife.

I agree that Ken is quite the innovator and his knives will always bring a premium in the after market. The same can be said for Phil's knives.

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.

You are exactly right. Which is why you should consider never making this statement again:

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.

By your own admission you have an ever decreasing knowledge of the custom knife market. As well your collection is primarily based on ABS knives. So when people are asking for advice on which makers to buy from. Unless you have specific names and reasons why. Do that collector a favor and keep your opinions to yourself.

As with your collection, I'm sure if you went to my web site you would find a number of knives and/or makers whose knives you would purchase.

I should take you up on the custom knife investment scheme. Sounds like a good place to park some $$$. What is your Morningstar rating?

First, what I am offering is not a scheme. Your attorney can draw up a legally binding agreement. Scheme's seldom if ever allow you "home field advantage".

Next, Anthony, you really have to do more research. Morningstar ratings are only for publicly traded securities. As my corporation is privately held it would not have a Morningstar rating. However, you may want to research a D&B rating.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com

 

[Tai Goo]

Not your average 'custom knife', Tai. I can see why you like it:thumbup: Cool piece.

Wired too tight, yes. It's easy to get caught up in all this, kind a takes the fun right out of it. I think I'll get back to the shop and do some crazy, non-serious forging

Yeah, me too man...

... or go out and buy some crazy knives!

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

By your own admission you have an ever decreasing knowledge of the custom knife market. As well your collection is primarily based on ABS knives. So when people are asking for advice on which makers to buy from. Unless you have specific names and reasons why. Do that collector a favor and keep your opinions to yourself.

Not knowledge but interest. I still buy about 15-20 custom knives per year. That is down from 30-40 a year. I am always learning, but when it comes to knowledge I think I am in one of the higher percentiles.

As far as Onion Knives my statement was a typo. I am only up around 300-400% in mine.

Do that collector a favor and keep your opinions to yourself.

I guess I just don't see the logic in this kind of statement. Your opinions, unlike mine, are tarnished by the fact that you can only promote what you have to sell! Your "advice" is driven by profit and availability, not necessarily what is the best for the end consumer! The statement that your opinions may be more valueable to a new collector than the opinions of an experienced collector is almost disingenous.

 

[2knife]

Anthony,
30 or 40 a year!!?? ..for fun? That is Serious money, you must have cash to Burn. I'm lucky if i buy three.

Something i figure i should say, with all this talk of "ethics" of a sort. I just last evening read the Bowies of 2007 thread. I was highly amused and shocked when "dbrock" had his own "piss party".

While most of his comments were overboard he did make me realize that most of us at one time had, or still have our own way of seeing things, sometimes we are conditioned to appreciate other points of view, and respect many voices.

His way was stark and insulting, but he got his points across in what i would say was colorful entertaining. Then after reading i was proud that this community stuck together in defense of custom knives.. then later thinking about the questions he raised about meaning and calling art knives weird artifacts..

The answer as i see it, maybe off topic, most of the knives will never serve a true knife purpose, but each represents a difference among all the many makers, which is something valuable. A voice, to show some kind of personal connection to the craft. Something to value, for those who only see knives in utilitarian terms. making sense ..?

.. also last night i enjoyed seeing a new video that Ed Fowler has made available, older video that visits several knife makers, ex.. Wayne Goddard, RW Wilson, damascus maker Meiyer (sp?) ..sorry forgot spelling. Anyway, a visit to these men's shop and listen to their points of view. .. a valuable trip back, see what predates much of what is being done today. There was even a piece pictured by Wayne Goddard, made in 1980's that looked remarkably similar in design to one that has been pictured here recently, STeven posted it i think. made by Burt Foster, almost Turkish inspired..

sorry to steer off course.
David

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

Anthony,
30 or 40 a year!!?? ..for fun? That is Serious money, you must have cash to Burn. I'm lucky if i buy three.

David

David,
I have always viewed custom knives (and guns) similar to CD's. The good ones appreciate a little in value every year. They require discipline to save for in most cases, and discipline to sell in some cases. I buy/sell/trade in order to pay for my collecting habit. I buy most of my knives from makers or previously owned online, at shows or on the forums.

I do not consider it burning cash when I buy a knife as I certainly do not have cash to burn.

I would like to eventually pare my collection down to about 20 pieces TOTAL as maintainence and upkeep can be a pain when you have a large collection.

Oh yeah, I want to buy more custom guns to fill that void. Its a sickness.

 

[peterinct]

I would like to eventually pare my collection down to about 20 pieces TOTAL as maintainence and upkeep can be a pain when you have a large collection.

Oh yeah, I want to buy more custom guns to fill that void. Its a sickness.

I can identify with those ideas. It sure bites when those spots appear on carbon blades. I've tried oil, tuff cloth, Renaissance wax, etc, and it seems nothing is foolproof.

Mine aren't custom guns, but it occurred to me that for what I was paying for knives, I could be buying guns...so I did purchase a few last year. Only problem with that is they have eliminated all the places to shoot except private property. I have had good luck with gun values over the years however.

Peter