Makers - what would you like to hear from collectors? Part 2

RogerP

RogerP

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Feb 28, 2002
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Greetings all,

Two years ago, Peter Gill and I presented a number of talking points from a collector's perspective at the Ashokan seminar. Many of you were good enough to share your thoughts on what topics you would like to hear about, which helped make the presentation a success. We didn't get through half of our agenda due to the liveley questioning - and that's a good thing. A summary of some of those talking points can be found in a feature article in the Knives 2013 annual now hitting the book stores.

Anyway, fast forward two years and we are rturning to Ashokan this coming weekend. As we put together our presentation, I thought I'd check back and ask what might be subjects you'd like to hear from collectors about this time around. It doesn't matter if it was something presented before - if a topic remains, well, topical - we'd certainly be happy to revisit it.

So what do you all say about what we should say?

Thanks in advance.

Roger
 
When considering a custom knife for your collection, how important is interaction with the maker. Hope that's not to broad or vague.
 
In line with Mark's question, how important is it for the collector to participate in the designing phase?
 
As a collector, what makes you go with a certain knifemaker over another when you decide to order a custom knife?
 
Don't know if it's exactly what you're asking, but I love it if a collector ships my work off to get some nice leather by Paul Long or someone.
 
thegeek574 said:
As a collector, what makes you go with a certain knifemaker over another when you decide to order a custom knife?
Click to expand...

I was thinking along the same lines but with regards to new makers:

Is it meeting in person, word of mouth recommendation, internet/magazine buzz, or other?

When you decide to give a new maker a shot is the tendency towards a simple design and handle material or full speed ahead?
 
Thanks guys - keep 'em coming. Salem - more looking for talking points - like if you had two pretty experienced collectors standing in front of you willing to dialog about anything custom knife related, what questions would you ask?

I can see maker / customer interaction (Mark / Patrice) being a good general topic - communication, degree of input from the collector etc.

Also how do you choose a knife or maker, what makes one stand out from many etc. (thegeek, David) should be good.

Feel free to suggest different topics, or add specifics to the general topics raised above. Here's the old thread on the subject that may help get some ideas flowing:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-what-would-you-like-to-hear-from-collectors?
 
I would like to hear collectors thoughts on the fact that kitchen knives are probably the most used knives in our society but seem rarely collected.
 
I've often wondered that about kitchen knives myself. I can think of some possible reasons, but I'd like to hear it from collectors for sure.
 
Thanks for doing this again, Roger. This has been asked before but still very "topical". I would like to know how much of a role steel type plays to collectors. From plain carbon to complex stainless... could the material used be a deal maker or breaker.

Along the same lines, would a maker be able to get away with steel of "unknown" origin? We talked about this one some time ago and got a consensus that it really depended on the maker and the piece. I just wanted to feel that one out again.:thumbup:

Rick
 
What "Clicks" a collector's buttons besides:

a. He/She is a member of the ABS
b. He/She is a JS/Ms
c. He/She has been making knives for 30+ years
d. He/She is so young and talented..... maybe I should invest
e. He/She has been in several magazines
f. He/She spends extra money having the knife embellished by an engraver (I realize that some makers are capable of this themselves)
g. He/She has a unique look/style that is recognizable anywhere and any time.

I could go on and on, but there has to be something fairly common that makes a serious collector pull the trigger.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Robert
 
I would like to see something on acceptable materials and/or preferences. I know some do not like wood, so do. Certain guard materials, As Rick stated, steel choices. Also, what other than bowies do collectors seem to be drawn to. And i definitely would like to hear some input on the kitchen knife aspect. As primarily a kitchen knife maker, and collector, i would like to hear a collectors opinion on this. Looking forward to this lecture, See you at Ashokan!!
 
Thanks guys - Mike, and anyone else attending Ashokan, please be sure to say hello!

I think we'll try to take on the kitchen knife question - though neither of us are close to being experts on that genre.
 
I wonder if part of it is that kitchen knives have not yet been taken into the realm of abstraction that "art knives" have. A kitchen knife by definition is a working type of knife- even the most elegant examples by Kramer, Burke, Rader, etc. could be used most effectively to cut food. I can't think of a "Warenski" of kitchen knives. Who would want a gyuto with a solid gold blade? Or a yanagiba with magnificent French gray engraving and gold beading?

But then, there are chefs and food enthusiasts who collect "safe queens" with mosaic damascus blades and ivory handles- since they will never be used, why not highly embellish them? Perhaps the prevailing aesthetic in a high end kitchen knife is currently that it should be foremost a superior tool. Will it remain so?

Embellishments in fancy cutlery remain largely in the domain of high end blade and handle materials. Will we start seeing them with frosting anytime soon?
 
One question I have for primarily collectors is "How much of a decision to buy is return on investment vs love of the piece?". Can/do collectors take a chance on something that may not return/increase value based on love of the specific knife vs who made it?
 
i wanted to make it up there this year and this was one of 3 talks i wanted to catch so all i can hope for is great coverage on the DVD
 
Thanks guys - I'm printing these out as they come in - we'll try to work in as much as we can.
 
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