Price of custom traditionals?

rprocter said:
Custom Traditionals run from $300 to $3000. Custom Tacticals run about the same.
roland
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Roland is dead on here. There really is no difference in the cost of custom vs. custom. Some of the difference you may be noticing is the price of a so called Mid-Tech knife (only partially hand made) when compared to a fully handmade slipjoint but even then they can be similarly priced. Some slipjoint makers are employing a partial custom approach with some knives as well. In the end custom is custom and you get what you pay for.
 
kc custom said:
Theres a ton of ways to make modern traditionals, lets say its a single blade folder with pretty much
all the bells and whistles. A customer asks how long to make a $350 knife? I say 8, 10, or 12 hours
(this can vary considerably) and my cost to make the knife is 40-50 dollars This is usually my time
spent after I have heat treated the blade and spring. So lets add 2-2 hour draws after the quench
for both the blade and the spring. By bells and whistles I mean a clean good working folder- no fancy
handle materials or other exotics.
We now take pics,. photoshop them and post the knife for sale. Paypal will run 3 1/2 percent, shipping
with insurance and delivery conf. will cost $12. I'll try to keep the sarcasm low on how rich I'm getting.
My whole life I've been in some sort of denial and lying to myself about one addiction or other- why stop
now?. I'm sure this could easily be said about collecting as well as making knives. Did I forget anything?
Ken.
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We are getting rich!
 
cnas122 said:
Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it ;)
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Exactly.

Almost all of the makers I talk to have a wait list that's at least a year long (some are A LOT longer), that means that the demand is certainly there.

Everyone is different, but personally I would rather have a custom that is made exactly the way I want it than a half dozen or so Cases, Queens or GECs and the anticipation of getting it is kind of fun.
 
Wow lots of great replies to my question. And now that its been pionted out I can see that alot more time probably does go into the traditionalist than the more moddern knives. Reason I asked is a was thinking of get a custom and just wanted some more info one where my money was going. I love the idea of a traditional made with my specs. And I love my custom fixed blade so I'm sure I'd love a custom traditional if I decide to go that route. Thanks for all the great replies.

Eric
 
On the secondary market,one gets to pre view what was built.
A maker can put together six of the same pattern,some turning out exceptionally better than others.Thiose,may fetch a higher premium
-Vince
 
Eric,

Absolutely, take the plunge. I am relatively new to both traditionals and custom traditionals, but taking the plunge into customs has been a real joy for me. Part of it is the learning curve required for you to know what pattern, steel, maker, etc., appeals to you. Learning about traditionals has been a pleasure. Owning and using, not just carrying, a custom gives you both pride of ownership but a special feeling that the knife in your hand is the best there is and will survive you. That's true value.

- David
 
Wow very well said David. I think I'm going to pick up a couple production model traditionals to find a pattern I really like. Then after that short reasearch period I will take the plunge on a custom. I'd love to do my reasearch with customs but can't really offord it at this stage in my life.
 
EMcDannell said:
Wow very well said David. I think I'm going to pick up a couple production model traditionals to find a pattern I really like. Then after that short reasearch period I will take the plunge on a custom. I'd love to do my reasearch with customs but can't really offord it at this stage in my life.
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That is where I am and why I stopped buying customs. Not because I don't think they are worth the price but I really want to figure out exactly what I want, then place a truly custom order and get that ONE knife :)

You can buy a few good quality productions that will still be awesome additions, and find just what you want in your next custom. At least that is what I have been doing :)

Kevin
 
Good luch at finding "that ONE knife" :) I've tried that.... more than once. Now I'm thinking about what customer maker's list I want to jump on.
 
Thanks! I found that one with the regular sebenza and carried it for a while. Now I'm working on traditionals. The problem is there are so many more options that I like :)
 
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