Prototypes

[SliceAndHook]

I've recently noticed several makers' knives available for sale and listed as "prototypes". The prices on the prototypes are approximately the same price as the knives normally listed. I would appreciate opinions on whether prototypes are considered good deals. Are these potentially knives that "did not make the cut" on the way to the perfected consumer knives? Then again, they could be knives that were given special treatment and have a unique design. I've learned a lot from the members of this forum over the past several months and just know there is much experience and opinion here on this subject.

 

[Dr.Lathe]

Slice,
Danbury?? I grew up right next door in Brewster NY!!
Having sold several of my prototypes AS prototypes, let me say this..
First, the finish and heat treat were up to the same standards as any knife leaving my shop or I wouldn't have sold them.
With my American Ninja proto, the blade had MUCH more recurve to it than my current models so the knife really looked wild! I could not make them the same way in "production", just WAY to hard to grind!! I also finsihed the knife differently as far as the anodized Ti. panels. After being shipped all over the country for photos, evaluations, etc. I slightly refinished the blade and re-wrapped the cord handle so the knife was virtually new. This provided the customer with a very unique knife at the same price as my now standard version.
Other protypes including several Hunters were very simple designs. I made them up more to see how they would look rather than as a test of function. A drop point hunter made with top notch materials WILL work as long as the handle is user friendly!!
Several of these have also found happy homes

Neil

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Talonite....Stellite...


blackwoodknives.com

 

[Taz]

Danbury??? I live in East Hampton! As for prototypes, I don't know. I just wanted to say hi to a fellow knife nut in CT!

 

[Gary Levine]

Slice,

Usually when a maker puts prototype on a knife it is the first time he has used that design. Also if they have made some variation to and old theme. I think it's always fun to have a prototype. Some times a maker has designed a knife for a large company and the handmade prototype goes through a few different changes, so there are more then one prototype for a similar knife.

Gary

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GARY LEVINE FINE KNIVES
www.LevineKnives.com

 

[george tichbourne]

For me prototypes are a design exercise, most never make it into my regular line. A few make it unchanged but most exhibit some feature that I feel must be changed a bit to make production easier or more cost efficient. I never mark prototypes as such.


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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com

 

[MaxTheKnife]

To me, a prototype is the first knife I make of a new design. The 'prototype' is always cheaper than the next one in line because It's a learning curve thing. It's kind of like a maker paying a designer for a design. Due dilignece is the term, I believe. When a customer orders a knife I've never makde, I give them a break on the price. That's fair. Then, I set the price and sell more of them if it is in my best interest. That's how it works for me anyway. I make my decision to sell a knife based on how efficient I am at making it. Don't hesitate to buy a prototype if it's your design. I really don't know how else you could buy a prototype. Any other opinions?

 

[Arthur Washburn]

To me a prototype is the first knife in a new design. When I first started making the prototype was made to work all the bugs out of the design. Now that I have become more adept at knifemaking the proto type is just the first knife of the new design. There is rarely a differance in quality between my prototype and another knife of the same design. If there is a differance I dont sell it.

Another way to look at this is with art style knives. Many are one of a kind and could be considered prototypes even if they will not be reproduced. The quality in theses knives is top notch.

The best thing to do is look at the quality of the knife and decide if its what you want. If the quality is sub par then dont make the purchase.

Arthur D. Washburn
ADW Custom Knives

 

[bfm]

A true prototype, one that is different from what a maker has done previously, probbly has had more time spent on it than other models since the make is trying something new and doesn't have all the motions down yet. And it will probably be somewhat unique since as Neil said, some changes will probably be made to make the knife more produceable. Les could probably talk more about wether this makes them more or less collectable, but if you like the maker in the first place this could be a chance to own a very unique piece.

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It is not the fall that kills you. It is the realization that "yes, you did something that stupid."