Makers - What do you look for in a Collector?

[Kevin Jones]

Whenever collectors get together, whether at a show or on a forum there's always plenty of discussion about makers.

You’ve all heard it.
What makers do you like?
What makers do you collect?
What makes a good maker?
What do you not like about makers?
What do you wish makers would do more or less of?

So Makers, here's your chance to discuss Collectors! Please, Not individuals, but collectors in general.

What do you look for in a collector or better yet, define your favorite collector or customer.

There's got to be things you love to see in a collector and of course things that make you want to run when you see them approaching your show table or not answer the phone when their # appears on your caller ID?

Collectors, feel free to participate and / or give your views to this subject.

 

[NickWheeler]

Hmmm... I love it!

Mostly for me I am just looking for someone with lots and lots of disposable monetary funds!



Seriuosly though, for me, my number one thing would have to be patience

Beyond that, I have met very few collectors that I did not like. It's a rare thing to come across one you don't like.

If it weren't for collectors, MANY of which hang out on this board, I sure never would have been able to pursue knifemaking the way that I have.

I hope that a collector will be honest with me, but realize that doesn't mean he has to be a dick about his thoughts. I don't need to get patted on the ass for every knife I make, but hearing things like, "What the hell were you thinking?!?! That thing is atrocious!" doesn't really click as constructive criticism for me. And yea, I've heard that a few times!

I think as a maker you really just hope to run into folks that like your work well enough to let you continue to make more.

Thanks

 

[ptgdvc]

Nick,

How are those test knives coming along?

I am relieved to hear that I am not the only one who said to you: "What the hell were you thinking?!?!" :foot:

Luv ya, MAKE KNIVES !!!

P

 

[NickWheeler]

Peter, I think you are nonchalantly suggesting that I might have just inadvertently called you a dick. Which good sir I did not! But I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express many times

I am making Mr. Coop's knife, a test knife, and that is making things go better

 

[Gene Martin]

I like a collector who gives me a concept and tells me to run with it. Communication is good so I stay within the comcept. And as previously mentioned, someone who is patient. If someone wants a knife to very specific design, with a CAD type drawing and measurementrs to thousandths, I tell them to take it a machine shop, I don't work like that.

It is really a lot of fun to take an idea and see where it goes. I currently have an order from my favorite collector. He layed out the basics and said to run with it. I will. And creating a knife that I really enjoy making causes me to want to put a little extra into it.

Gene

 

[Tim Galyean]

Seriuosly though, for me, my number one thing would have to be patience

I agree 100%. It makes it awful tough especially when you have a full time day job. It makes it even tougher when your full time day job is knives also Some days I just can't muster up the energy/time to get out in the shop. It makes a world of difference and makes knifemaking enjoyable when a collector has the "the knife is done when it is done" attitude.

The simple solution is to not take orders, sell at shows and work at your own pace. That is what I am working towards to keep me sanity if I have not already lost it.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Let's see, good fit and finish, nice design, choice materials....Oh wait, we're talking about collectors This is new.

Knife collectors as a whole are rare. With that said, I like all knife collectors. If not for knife collectors, I would have to find another line of work.

What I like best are the ones who come up to my table at a show, pick up a knife and say "I like this, how much? I'll take it" I like to sell knives as much as I like to make them.

I don't care too much for orders but they are a must and I appreciate every one of them. I don't like very detailed orders either, need a little room to move around.

I like a collector who is easy to communicate with, appreciates the work I do and one who has a good memory of the order they place a year ago

I could go on and on but this is sounding a little sappy. I like all you guys and gals.

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

Kumbaya!
Kumbaya!

 

[Keith Montgomery]

The thing that the makers I have talked to about this tell me is that they appreciate patience the most. I've also had a few tell me that they don't like someone that constantly changes their mind, especially after the knife has been started.

 

[Steven Roos]

I hope that a collector will be honest with me, but realize that doesn't mean he has to be a dick about his thoughts. I don't need to get patted on the ass for every knife I make, but hearing things like, "What the hell were you thinking?!?! That thing is atrocious!" doesn't really click as constructive criticism for me. And yea, I've heard that a few times!

If I'm looking at a table and all I think of is "what the hell were you thinking!?" I usually end up moving on pretty quick. That is pretty rare though, unless a maker only does one type of knife that I don't like at all or everything is super rough looking. Besides, who am I to judge something a maker has put out for sale except for in my own head? Now, if I was asked for my opinion that would be another story...

As far as the ideal collector goes, I know unlimited funds had got to be a big plus, but sometimes the guys without the big bucks can be pretty cool too! Sadly, most of the time I'm at a show I'm not able to buy anything, and while I make sure not to take up too much of a maker's time, I still like to talk with a maker about their work so I can find my next purchase. I am exceptionally patient when it comes to order delivery, but I'd rather have a maker promise a knife long in the future and be happy when it is done early than to have them promise a short wait and run over. I'm looking for the best possible quality in the end, and you just can't rush quality. A maker looking to beat the clock is rarely what I'm looking for.

 

[Ed Caffrey]

My favorite collectors are the ones who give me freedom. By that I mean a collector who orders a knife by a "style". Something along the lines of saying.... "Ed, I'd like a Mosaic Damascus Bowie, with blued fittings, and keep it under $XXXX." An individual like that will always get my very best work because he/she has given me the freedom to envision something and make it become reality.
The ones who really get under my skin are the ones who want to send me a blueprint. (yes it has actually happened) or those who start out by saying "Your the Knifemaker, so I'm not going to put too many restraints on the design." But then they call me every other day, wanting to talk for hours, and keep adding to the things they want. In that situation I quickly loose all enthusiasm for making the knife, and in a couple of cases have even told certain individuals that I was canceling their order.

 

[Tanguay Custom Knives]

Maybe this isn't relevant here, since you're mostly talking about collectors, but I'll throw in my 2 cents on this Sunday morning. I'll start right off by saying I make my knives to be used. They are certainly not safe queens or highly collectible, but instead the kind a blue collar guy would buy and wear outdoors or to his job as a soldier, sailor, marine, airman, police officer, fireman, welder, carpenter, or on his ranch. Those are the types of customers I serve.

The ones I really appreciate are the ones who:
1. Take the time to read a little about what I do, and what my terms and conditions are before placing an order.

2. Are very clear in describing what it is they want. This is not the time to be cavalier regarding sizes, design, colors, etc. (only to become discriminating later when the knife is complete).

3. Are patient and realize they are not my only customers. I operate on a first come, first served basis, with the exception of deployed Active Duty Military. They get head of the line privileges, Period! That means civilian orders can and do get bumped from time to time. This is clearly stated in my Ts&Cs, and is the main reason why I don't give due dates anymore. My standard answer to when is "As soon as possible".

4. Don't email me repeatedly with new ideas and changes on an order already placed, or ask me if I've started on their knife yet. Every minute I spend in front of the computer answering those types of questions is time I'm not making knives. A certain amount of communication is obviously necessary, and sometimes fun. Its the "Custom" part of custom knives. Its the superfluous, distracting (sometimes selfish) emails, I can do without.

5. Don't try to brow beat me and talk me down on my price. My Price List is clearly stated on my web page, as well as the discounts I offer, and to whom.

6. Pay in a timely manner!

I guess this could all be summed up with the statement: I really appreciate customers who try to understand what its like to be a small business owner and a craftsman, and then treat that maker the way they would want to be treated if the roles were reversed. Sounds vaguely familiar doesn't it? Do onto others.....
Scott

 

[Kevin Jones]

My favorite collectors are the ones who give me freedom. By that I mean a collector who orders a knife by a "style". Something along the lines of saying.... "Ed, I'd like a Mosaic Damascus Bowie, with blued fittings, and keep it under $XXXX." An individual like that will always get my very best work because he/she has given me the freedom to envision something and make it become reality.
The ones who really get under my skin are the ones who want to send me a blueprint. (yes it has actually happened) or those who start out by saying "Your the Knifemaker, so I'm not going to put too many restraints on the design." But then they call me every other day, wanting to talk for hours, and keep adding to the things they want. In that situation I quickly loose all enthusiasm for making the knife, and in a couple of cases have even told certain individuals that I was canceling their order.

Ed, that's a great point as there's collectors here that have and do just that, myself included. And I will admit the one time I got that detailed, I specified the handle width too narrow and it ended up looking a little odd and didn't fit my hand as well as it could have. I'm sure the maker noticed my design error but figured he better stick to the drawing. Anyway, I learned a lot about knife proportions, layout and flow from doing that drawing. Might be something a new collector may attempt as a learning exercise. As a matter of fact Ed, I feel as you, this is an important issue. Important enough to start another thread on the issue so as it doesn't get lost inside this one.

 

[lwrhea]

I think Scott summed it up for me in his comment with perhaps one exception:

I like the communication part, even if it's just non factual or frivilous.

Go ahead and say it! : That's what she said!!!!!

 

[Erik Fritz]

Like nick said one with allot of disposable money willing to take a chance on a relatively new maker. Something that i like at this point in my career is a collector that can give criticism without makeing me think that i should quite knifemakeing two that come to mind are both collectors that i approached to see what they have thought of my knives. i felt that by approaching makers for critiques my knives were starting to look like that makers knives. anyway Randy Morgan and Steve Garsson were both collectors that took the time to critique my knives and give me some definite help on design and finnish.