Purchasing from lesser known makers

[Keith Montgomery]

I find that I am still willing to purchase knives from lesser known makers that may never become famous, or well known. This means that these knives are likely to be in that group that go down in value over the years, unless I am lucky enough to have picked diamonds in the rough.

There are a few reasons that I do this. First is because I find the maker's work to be of very high quality. Secondly, it is my way of giving a little support to those lesser known makers that I feel desrve it. Another reason is that these makers' knives generally offer exceptionally good value.

Do you do the same, or do you tend to support only those makers that have built a name for themselves? I realize that is the best way to purchase as an investment, but I think that helping promising makers is good for the custom knife community as a whole.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I have custom orders from makers who are known on here, have low prices, and are not well known outside of here. All three seem to be good guys, all three have the same general price. All three knives will be users. I am not in your caliber of buying power, or most anyone elses in this sub forum either, but I have come to really appreciate a custom knife. Regardless of whether they will be famous, if I like it I will buy it.

But then I use all of my knives.

 

[Will Power]

I would like to know which makers you are referring to ? For me, quality and ingenuity far outweigh 'investment potential' If I want that I buy gold....
Please air your views on these lesser known makers, I and other might like to act on this:thumbup:

 

[flava]

I buy knives based mainly on their quality, if the maker is not well known doesn't bother me at all. I don't buy knives just to support a maker, even from makers who are friends of mine. Can't afford it

 

[Kevin Jones]

Good thread Keith. :thumbup:

I hope I don't appear to be a "Knife Snob" however no, I do not buy collection pieces form lessor known makers. I may buy a very inexpensive piece I find unique or cool and intend to use hard in the field. Why?

First, my collection is very focused and all my knives are acquired first for my enjoyment and second as an investment. I also want all my Knife dollars going to makers who I support and who support me and my collection.

Second, I believe one principle reason we have a maker/collector ratio that is becoming more and more unbalanced is that collectors spread their collection dollars too widely and try to support too many new makers that dabble in the craft, rather than supporting makers that put their sweat, blood and life into it.

And third, there's much more effective and productive ways for a major collector to help and support new and/or lessor known makers than throwing a few profit dollars their way.

These lessor known maker's benefit much more by collectors following, critiquing, educating and promoting their work in conversations, forums and in the media.
I will take this a step farther than lessor known makers. I do not own one Lin Rhea knife, however I don't miss a chance to tell anyone that will listen how good a knife maker and businessman he is. Another, Karl Anderson. And I could list lessor known makers as well.

There are probably 10-12 collectors on this forum that help and promote lessor known makers every day without buying their knives on a regular basics.
I'm sure mega collectors such as Phil Lobred and Don Guild have helped turn many lessor known makers of the past into the stars of today without buying from them all.

Anyone who doesn't agree, then let me have it.

 

[Hondo.3]

When I by a custom knife, I look for value in craftsmanship, materials, and design. Most of my knives are going to be used, taken care of, and then handed down. Therefore I am not especially interested in paying a premium for a name. Their only extrinsic value will be their place in family history. I feel a very strong connection to my uncle, even though I never met him. There are a few reasons, but the only concrete thing I've got are his old knives.

 

[RogerP]

I've said it before, exceptional knives at exceptional values can be found at a broad range of price points from makers at a broad range of levels. While I have purchased many knives from top makers I have never restricted my purchases esclusively to that group, nor do I ever intend to.

There are a few reasons that I do this. First is because I find the maker's work to be of very high quality. Secondly, it is my way of giving a little support to those lesser known makers that I feel desrve it. Another reason is that these makers' knives generally offer exceptionally good value.

That goes for me too.

Roger

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I would like to know which makers you are referring to ? For me, quality and ingenuity far outweigh 'investment potential' If I want that I buy gold....
Please air your views on these lesser known makers, I and other might like to act on this:thumbup:

Back a few years I ordered from Ron Leuschen. A nice knife, but from a maker that disappeared and I fear is never going to produce more knives. Before he passed away I got a knife from Gib Guignard (a collaboration with Chuck Burrows). He had been around for many years, but never became a household name. That knife is one of my favorites. A while back I ordered from Adam DesRosiers before many had heard of him. Right now I am working on an order with Phillip Patton. Adam seems to have taken a break from knifemaking, but I hope that he returns. He is a really talented maker. When I get the knife from Phillip, I will let you know about the quality.

 

[Murray White]

I'm sure that anyone that has seen either our collection "real" on on the website or images posted in BF know that I buy what I like at the best price I can get and this means a very wide range of makers find work(s) in our collection and after 27 years of adding pieces it is indeed a very eclectic collection. Some pieces rise in value a lot, others a little and maybe some not at all (few of those actually). I'm sure we would be easily bored if we did not do this. I just try not to pay an unknown maker the same as what I might pay for a similar piece from a known maker.

 

[Les Robertson]

Personally, I go out of my way to find lesser known makers, for several reasons.

Not that I don't buy from the established in demand makers as well. As Roger pointed out, there are a lot of really good makers out there at all price points.

Keith, I just received 4 knives from Phillip Patton. I bought off of pictures on the internet. I am very pleased with his work in person.

Kevin, every maker in your collection was at one time "unknown".

WWG
Ancient Gaelic for "Keen Eye"!

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Kevin, I don't support a maker unless I feel that the quality exhibited in that maker's knives is exemplary. Supporting makers just because they are new or unknown is not something I would consider doing.

At this point there is one maker that I have found that I have decided to give continuous support to. With this maker I have placed orders for three knives, and have asked to have my name put on his list for a knife every couple of years after that. That maker is Russ Andrews.

However, I like variety in my collection, so I will continue to order the occasional knife from other makers. Some will be very well (I have one on order with Jerry Fisk), or well known makers. Others will be from lesser known, but promising makers.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Kevin, every maker in your collection was at one time "unknown".

WWG
Ancient Gaelic for "Keen Eye"!

And that's exactly my point WWG. They were "unknowns" that rose to the top, because they separated themselves form the rest by making the best knives and taking care of the business side.

Today, with SO Many new and established makers sharing the collector dollar its much harder for the best lessor known makers to distinguish themselves.

At least that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Kevin, I don't support a maker unless I feel that the quality exhibited in that maker's knives is exemplary. Supporting makers just because they are new or unknown is not something I would consider doing.

There are many lessor known makers out there doing exemplary work. We as collectors can't support them all.

At this point there is one maker that I have found that I have decided to give continuous support to. With this maker I have placed orders for three knives, and have asked to have my name put on his list for a knife every couple of years after that. That maker is Russ Andrews.

Just my point Keith, you will support Russ and he will support you. Joss will support Don Fogg and Don will support him. I will support Jerry and so on until the new or lessor known makers are getting too much of the collector dollar and someone will have to go.

However, I like variety in my collection, so I will continue to order the occasional knife from other makers. Some will be very well (I have one on order with Jerry Fisk), or well known makers. Others will be from lesser known, but promising makers.

Well Adam DesRosiers was and could still be a lesser known but promising maker, but what happens to the value of your knife if he never makes another? Well IMO his name will be forgotten and so will the value of your knife.

 

[SharpByCoop]

I can't add to this thread any more than Keith has already. I am with his point of view 100%.

I have a number of regrets in doing so, but more positives to support them than negatives. My entire Hill Pearce collection is a case in point.

Being smart about the long-term is just that--smart. I've never been too smart....

Coop

 

[Kevin Jones]

Don't get me wrong, I all for supporting the new and lessor known makers, just that its our responsibility as collectors to identify and support the best that are also in it for the long haul and let the others fall by the wayside. This forum is a great arena for doing just that.
We need to continue to support our good established makers and bring along the creme of the crop lessor known makers.

And I say again, there's others ways to support the new other than just buying their knives.

 

[SharpByCoop]

...but what happens to the value of your knife if he never makes another? Well IMO his name will be forgotten and so will the value of your knife.

Qualify yourself: The resale value. And even that may be arguable.

Value is determined in many ways: The consideration of styles and materials when ordering a knife, the anticipation and the joy of receiving it when complete, the glee of sharing the knife (or images of it) to your collecting friends, and the pride of ownership all the time you own it.

All of that is value, and even if I take a financial 'hit' upon resale, I have these intangibles to reflect upon.

Coop

 

[Keith Montgomery]

You are right, one person can't support them all, but if everyone decided only to support the brighter lights, then what would become of these lesser known makers? If not for the collectors that are willing to take a chance on them, they would never have the chance to become the kind of maker that you are willing to support.

The reason for my support of Russ is that in him I have found a maker that produces knives of the quality I expect. One that is great to work with, and has pricing that i find to be more than fair for the kind od work he is putting out. The fact that his knives are likely to increase in value had little to do with my decision. It is however a good thing.

It is likely that if adam decides to not make knives in the future, that the resale vlaue of the knife he made for me will go down. However, considering the materials that were used in the making of that knife, I think I will always be able to get a decent return on it. If not, c'est la vie.

 

[Kevin Jones]

You are right, one person can't support them all, but if everyone decided only to support the brighter lights, then what would become of these lesser known makers? If not for the collectors that are willing to take a chance on them, they would never have the chance to become the kind of maker that you are willing to support.

I don't just support the brighter lights, as I said I support some of the newer makers every day. Just not monetarily. I may have influenced more collectors to buy new makers knives that I could have bought myself.

The reason for my support of Russ is that in him I have found a maker that produces knives of the quality I expect. One that is great to work with, and has pricing that i find to be more than fair for the kind od work he is putting out. The fact that his knives are likely to increase in value had little to do with my decision. It is however a good thing.

BINGO; the same way I feel about the maker's my collection is based on except I may value profit more than you. I'm can be a greedy bastard. Do you think Russ has not benefited greatly by your posting the making of your Bowie? You are promoting and influencing collectors to buy from him. Pretty good deal for both of you. Right?

It is likely that if adam decides to not make knives in the future, that the resale value of the knife he made for me will go down. However, considering the materials that were used in the making of that knife, I think I will always be able to get a decent return on it. If not, c'est la vie.

All I'm saying is there's a risk associated with supporting the lessor known makers. You could even say that a new or lessor known maker has let his supporters down if they just decide to stop making knives some day. Not saying this was the case with Adam as I not familiar with him.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Qualify yourself: The resale value. And even that may be arguable.

Value is determined in many ways: The consideration of styles and materials when ordering a knife, the anticipation and the joy of receiving it when complete, the glee of sharing the knife (or images of it) to your collecting friends, and the pride of ownership all the time you own it.

All of that is value, and even if I take a financial 'hit' upon resale, I have these intangibles to reflect upon.

Coop

I stand corrected, as I used the wrong word. OPPS :foot:

 

[HJK]

I have always liked buying from, and encouraging, lesser known and younger makers, especially Canadians. They have a way of becoming well known makers later.
Even if they don't go on to huge backlogs and deals with big companies, I still have a knife I like and a pleasant experience with someone who was enthusiastic about the work. That stays with me when I see or use the knife.

But the quality has to be there.

And I've been told that a little encouragement goes a long way.