I think I understand why so many folks have a hard time understanding why a knife could sell for 19K. But I know that there are even more expensive knives that represent the history of american knifemaking, like Schivey (blacksmith approx 1840) and Michael Price (turn of the century San Francisco cutler extraordinaire). Great examples of these makers work are copied, admired, and bought and sold for Many tens of thousands of dollars or even more. I have seen a few collected by other successful knifemakers and they are amazing treasures which tell stories of days gone by, and what is to come.
Another example of things being valued differently from their apparent value as functional objects is that simple chests of drawers or chairs made by certain skilled craftsmen of 19th century america are worth Hundreds of thousands of dollars on the open market. Does that make any sense for a functional piece of furniture? Of course not! But it makes perfect sense when you put a monetary value on the rarity, condition, and Meaning of a piece of Art History.
Very simple, sometimes seemingly crude knives made early in this centruy by a blacksmith named Scagel will sometimes command prices in the range of tens of thousands. Loveless is even lower down the high end knife collectors price scale.
I see knife collecting as a branch of Art collecting. All of my knives represent some form the knifemakers art, those that cost less than a hundred dollars, and those that cost more than a $1000. I can not afford to invest in a 19K Loveless knife, but I can sure wish I was the guy who bought it originally in the 1960's for a a few hundred dollars (I don't know the orginal purchase price). As noted in Lifter's great post, Loveless himself has remarked that he can not afford a Loveless knife. That is terribly ironic and amusing indeed.
The market for collectible knives has responded to Mr. Loveless place in modern knife making history and his role in helping create and define the industry and art form. He was and is avidly collected by Japanese knife collectors, who place a premium value on Loveless' designs. Since the down turn in the Japanese economy, the price of Loveless knives has not changed much. A recent auction of a large collection of his knives brought in far more dollars than anticipated for many items. It was a strange case of supply increasing, and prices increasing at the same time.
His simple hunters with micarta scales will garner around 10K in price today, but only because folks who pay that kind of money are collecting Art or making an investment, or both. If you just want a great subhilt, there are a wealth of even Better makers out there who will sell you a superior knife for far less money. And you can use it too
There are Lots of knives that will work as well functionally and may even have far superior fit and finish compared to that Loveless blade, but the Loveless blade is a piece of History. And it, like any other handmade object, can be called a product of skill and craft that in its highest form, is Art. Simplicity and elegance of line and form is just as important to defining art as fancy engravings or exotic materials. All of Mr. Loveless' knives are collected as Art, not as knives, but if they were not functional knives FIRST, they would not have any value at all.
Para
), I'd buy it.
