R.W. Loveless, the AKI, and stuff.

[Kohai999]

Talon,

Here is my post on the AKI last year, thanks for your interest. FWIW, Phil Lobred really liked it, and thought it was unique, he has become a good friend:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370814

There was some talk in another thread about R.W. Loveless, and how he does not make his own knives.

I had the pleasure of talking with Bob for a total of 3 hours at the AKI, and got to ask him some questions, the answers of which seem relevant at this point.

On making his own knives: Bob said that his "gift" is in design. He has partnered with excellent makers in his own right, Loveless-Johnson being a notable highlight. As far as memory serves there are 60-75 knives marked in this manner. Bob worked on his own knives solely for over 20 years. He feels that partnering with someone else allows him the ability to focus on his gifts. He will work on some handles, sheaths, and all logoing of blades. He has a hand in each knife that is produced. Some will be alarmed by this, but I don't think it makes a lot of difference.

All great artists have had apprentices and helpers at some point in their careers. Warhol did little on some pieces but sign them, and that has not seemed to affect the value of his work. Dale Chihuly is one of the most famous glass artists alive, but has no depth perception due to the loss of an eye in an accident, so he oversees his "teams" that actually make his works. It is in the design, that Loveless, as well as Chihuly excell.

On the "value" or "worth" of his knives: Bob flatly states that the knives are "worth" about $200.00. That is his feeling, as expressed. OF course, the cost starts at around $4,000, and goes up from there rather rapidly, but "fighting the market" does not make sense to him. He wishes that his knives would be used, designs them to be used, but accepts that generally does not happen. My personal opinion is that it is hard to lose money on a Loveless knife, but I won't spend the $4,000+ on one at this time. By the time that I can "afford" a Loveless knife, they will probably cost double what they do now, so there are probably no Loveless knives for me.

Talon said that there are people that specifically go to the AKI in order to "win" Loveless knives. I called them fools, that is an opinion that I have, but I can see the other side. There are probably people that go to Paris for absinthe and caviar, only, and maybe a shopping trip at the house of Chanel, but I would go to Paris for Paris, and I go to the AKI for the AKI. There is no other show on the planet like the AKI, and being there, for a knife knut is its' own reward.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[TALON158]

Thanks for posting the link. Glad you enjoyed talking to Bob. Yes, the Loveless-Johnson knives are extremely sought after, have been lusting for 1 for quite a while. Saw one at a dealers table in 95(I think), but by the time I thought it over, it was sold. The last 2 knives I got directly from the shop was 2004, bob told me he shaped the handles, did the final grinds and the sheaths.
Bob Loveless is quite a character and I treasure the time visiting his shop and talking to him at shows and on the phone. He can be arrogant at times regarding handle material and even slight changes to his designs. But I have never been treated poorly, nor have I seen him "talk down" to other collectors. He loves green micarta for handle materials and I remember having have to talk to him for quite a while before he would use wood on one of my knives.
Loveless has a great many talents, including customizing his own 45s and tinkering with high- end watches and pens.
Definitely hope to make it to next years AKI in October! It will be good to see Louis, Stan, and the other Loveless collectors.

 

[mlovett]

Thanks so much for posting this Steven! I think it is to the point. Hi Talon! I hope that Bob can be there next year. I know that Louis and Stan will be, and probably Mark, and Miss. Bernie. I'm sure that my friend SR Johnson will be there. I probably won't be, but at least Louis or Bob will have a Lovett-Loveless-Connection piece or two with them for show and tell. That still feels good to me! Mike

 

[SharpByCoop]

I had the distinct pleasure of joining Phil Lobred and Bob Loveless at the breakfast table at the 2003 AKI. Just the three of us chatting for a half hour about knives and junk.

I caught him just right. He (Bob) was especially courteous, yet I saw that playfullness and sharp tongue he is reknowned for. The Jim Merritt influence will never affect the overall value of Loveless knives. This proves itself out daily. It's a good team, regardless of the singular perception.

The only hubub more busy at drawing time than the Loveless table was at Bill Moran's table (manned by Ted Dowell at the time).

Both of them had investment return/value in spades at the prices they allowed. *IF* you were lucky enough to have been picked. Because there is no guaranteed chance to win the opportunity to purchase one, I am unsure if a trip made to the AKI only on a hunch would be a smart chance at all.

There is WAY too much enjoyment overall from all 25 makers to absorb. Lucky are those who get an opportunity to go. How well I know....

Coop