Question for Les about Billy Mace Imel

TAH

TAH

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Jul 3, 2001
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Les, I have been reading some old threads and have been thoroughly enjoying your comments and opinions on some of the older knifemakers.
I noticed that you have never mention Billy Mace Imel and I was wondering what you think of his work. I own one of his knives and in my opinion, his workmanship is outstanding and rivals many of the other makers that you list as some of your favorites.

Also, I am glad to see you give so much credit to Willie Rigney as he too is one of my favorites. Do you know if he is still making knives? I heard he gave it up three years ago.

Thanks for your reply and anyone else who has comments about Imel and Rigney.

Tom
 
Hi Tom,

Bill Imel is an outstanding knife maker. Although, I have seen little of him or his work over the last few years. I don't know if that means he has retired or he is just busy filling his back log of orders.

Same with Willie, again another incredible knife maker. I did hear that he retired from knife making and bought a tobacco shop somewhere in Kentucky.

These makers were among the Ledgends in the 80's and into the 90's.

Custom knives took a big turn about 7-8 years ago. Many of the high dollar collectors left (for several reasons). It was as if a vacum were turned on and all the high dollar knife buyers were sucked out of custom knives.

Some went to high dollar Damascus automatics.

What really bouyed up the custom knife market was the tactical folders.

Now tactical fixed blades are gaining momentum.

I have noticed, at least with my business, there are once again collectors buying some higher dollar knives.

Maybe this will help bring some of these guys out of retirement. You have to remember that in the mid-90's Billy was getting $5,000 for one of his left handed ring daggers. Willie was getting thousands for his work on a regular basis.
 
So Les, why do you think the high dollar collectors got out of knife collecting? Is it a cyclical type of phenomena or were there actual reasons for the decline? What are you considering as a high dollar knife? Over $500, $1000?
 
Les,

Thanks for your reply. You are right, styles and demands have changed and now all we see are tactical fixed blades and folders. The old makers were all about high end, fixed blades with exotic handles and it perhaps ran its course. But that was the whole reason I got into collecting 20 years ago....to own knives carved out of the finest steels with beautiful handles. Don't get me wrong, today's tactical knives are nice, but to me, that's not what knife
"collecting" is all about. It's like comparing a Holland & Holland double rifle with a synthetic Weatherby. They both perform well, but which truly has the pride of ownership and is special and unique.

By the way, not that I am interested in selling it, but I own the exact knife which was photographed on page 47 in the original Points of Interest book. What do you think it would bring today?

Regards, Tom
 
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