Poll on Shadow pattern slipjoints

How much should a custom shadow pattern slipjoint cost?

  • The same as a front bolstered knife by same maker

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • About one third less than a front bolstered knife

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • $25 to $50 less than a front bolstered knife

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • It depends on how the front pin is finished, with or without bushing, bird's eye size etc.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
Durwood

Durwood

Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
1,620
This is an extension of the linerless slipjoint thread and something I've wanted input on for a while. Please participate and offer your thoughts.

This poll assumes the same or similar handle materials are used and the knife is of similar design and size by the same maker.
 
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The same as a front bolstered knife by same maker
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Well, it seems natural to me that the work and materials for a decent bolster would cost more than a bit more handle material.

About one third less than a front bolstered knife
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But I don't think a bolster would make a complete one-thirds difference.

$25 to $50 less than a front bolstered knife
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Of the choices, this seems the most reasonable.

It depends on how the front pin is finished, with or without bushing, bird's eye size etc.
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Beats me. Seems that stuff will cost the same whether or not the knife has bolsters, or it won't make a significant difference.

Seems like a good question for the knifemakers forum?
 
One of my favorite makers noted that it takes him 50% longer to make a front bolstered knife compared to a shadow, so I chose the second option. Of course a maker is free to charge what he thinks is fair, but commensurate with that is my option to choose makers who provide good value.
 
kamagong said:
One of my favorite makers noted that it takes him 50% longer to make a front bolstered knife compared to a shadow, so I chose the second option. Of course a maker is free to charge what he thinks is fair, but commensurate with that is my option to choose makers who provide good value.
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I agree. Several makers on the other thread indicated that it took about a day longer to do a bolster.

I don't know how much the materials to make the knife cost in the first place, so maybe it should be like 25-30%, but a third less sounded the closest.

That being said, a maker is free to charge whatever they want and they need to make enough money to support themselves.
 
Of course a maker can charge whatever they like, it's up to the customer to choose whether or not they pay it;)

I appreciate everyone's input.

Obviously, this poll is mainly about perception. I'm curious from a buyer's standpoint what people feel a shadow pattern custom slippy should cost. Makers feel free to add your thoughts as well. :)
 
I chose the third option because my shadow patterns are $50 less than a bolstered knife. Even though it takes me around 8 hours longer to make a bolstered knife, the majority of the work comes in the finishing of the stuff that gets put on a bolstered knife. The upcharges from there are based on the materials used and the finishing of that material is included in the price.

But..Im a rookie part-timer :p
 
$50 upcharge seems about right to me. Then again, I've never made a knife, but if Kerry Hampton and a few others charge that it must be about right.
 
$10

;)

I really don't know how you could say they "should" cost any particular price. Did Rembrandt charge by the square inch for a portrait? Did Michelangelo charge by the pound for a sculpture?
Maybe they charged by the minute, I don't know. I think the maker should charge as much as it takes to see that the supply can meet the demand, or to see that food meets the table. (I hope all the good ones never need to worry about that)
 
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I chose $50 (only because $75 wasn't on the list). That would be a real bargain.
 
I chose the third option because my shadow patterns are $50 less than a bolstered knife. Even though it takes me around 8 hours longer to make a bolstered knife, the majority of the work comes in the finishing of the stuff that gets put on a bolstered knife. The upcharges from there are based on the materials used and the finishing of that material is included in the price.

But..Im a rookie part-timer
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I like Kerry charge $40-$50 more for a bolster depending on wheather or not it has file work. Me thinks we've been listening to the same advise....:eek:

It takes me a little longer than Kerry to add a bolster though! ;) Maybe someday I may make more than $3.50 an hour...lol:p
 
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Bob W said:
Seems like a good question for the knifemakers forum?
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Thanks for all of the replies and votes everyone. I want to reiterate that this poll is focused on buyer perception concerning the anticipated cost/price of a shadow pattern. I welcome maker input on the logistics and general comments, but I'm more interested in price expectation from buyers.

Shadow patterns have become an extremely HOT item in the past couple of years, perhaps cooling a bit recently and I have been curious if buyer's expect a shadow to cost less than a front bolstered knife or if they are just wanting a shadow because they are COOL:D
 
Durwood said:
Thanks for all of the replies and votes everyone. I want to reiterate that Shadow patterns have become an extremely HOT item in the past couple of years, perhaps cooling a bit recently and I have been curious if buyer's expect a shadow to cost less than a front bolstered knife or if they are just wanting a shadow because they are COOL:D
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Do you have any insight into WHY shadow patterns have become so popular?
 
wagglebee said:
Do you have any insight into WHY shadow patterns have become so popular?
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I have some thoughts on the matter:D I would say the Bose shadows sparked the a lot of the original interest and it took off from there. I know that the first shadow I ever saw that I thought was really cool was made by Reese Bose. I also know that some people find shadows aesthetically appealing, but even more so practical. I don't exclusively carry shadows, but I like not having to worry about scratching up a metallic bolster and most synthetics seem more resistant to showing scratches than a finely finished stainless bolster.
 
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That was my thought as well, they seem like good working knives that you don't need to worry about banging up.
 
wagglebee said:
That was my thought as well, they seem like good working knives that you don't need to worry about banging up.
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Seems to me like a bolster-less knife would be less durable and less suitable as a work knife. Bolsters are there for a reason... ;)
 
The only experience I have with shadow pattern would be vic's alox line. A soldier in the alox is super tough, much tougher than the standard vic.

So I guess if it should cost more would depend on what it is made out of.
 
Bob W said:
Seems to me like a bolster-less knife would be less durable and less suitable as a work knife. Bolsters are there for a reason... ;)
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Shadow patterns are actually stronger than bolstered knives. Lots of discussion has been had about this and some destructive testing done as well. Handle pieces end to end with no joints...it doesn't get any more durable. Shadow patterns made with micarta are lighter and stronger than bostered knives.

Sorry to sidetrack the discussion but I wanted to clarify that one point.
 
KnifeHead said:
Shadow patterns are actually stronger than bolstered knives. Lots of discussion has been had about this and some destructive testing done as well. Handle pieces end to end with no joints...it doesn't get any more durable. Shadow patterns made with micarta are lighter and stronger than bostered knives.

Sorry to sidetrack the discussion but I wanted to clarify that one point.
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I was hoping you would chime in, nobody would believe me:D It makes sense. As I believe Tony Bose has pointed out in the past, there is no joint between the handle material and the bolster and therefore a shadow is stronger.
 
Shadow patterns are actually stronger than bolstered knives. Lots of discussion has been had about this and some destructive testing done as well. Handle pieces end to end with no joints...it doesn't get any more durable. Shadow patterns made with micarta are lighter and stronger than bostered knives.
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Micarta is a durable modern material and not likely to break under any everyday conditions.

But since this is the Traditional forum, I'd be interested in seeing the tests done with traditional handle materials like bone and mother-of-pearl. Seems to me the bolsters would protect the handles from chipping or shattering if the knife were dropped, especially if it landed on either end.

Someone send me a couple dozen vintage/traditional pearl-handled knives, half with bolsters and half without. Drop from various heights and angles... ;)

I was hoping you would chime in, nobody would believe me It makes sense. As I believe Tony Bose has pointed out in the past, there is no joint between the handle material and the bolster and therefore a shadow is stronger.
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Hmmm... makes sense in an engineering sort of way...
 
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