Reproduction embossed vintage axesa

Kevin Houtzager said:
I'm with one foot on either side in this. I'm into cars for instance. Where its been done for years. Look at AC/Shelby Cobra's for instance? Did it hurt the value of them? Not really.... But then again they have vin plates and the like. But it apply's for car parts as well. has been happening for years with chinese stuff. And I have to be honest in this: Most simple parts aren't are just fine from China. I use them from time to time. Most of them are copies, but not in een inferior way. In a sence it's the same with the "repop ravens". And good for them if they add there own initials or something that lets you see they're not the real ones. If there is a market for it, I'd say go for it.

The other side of me isn't to happy about it. Not because of the product, because they are nice. It's because of people not being honest with them. But then again: Thats with a lot of stuff these days. It isn't axe related but a people related issue. In a sence a black raven isn't any better then a regular model. It's just an etching. A beautifull one at that, but still nothing more. Therefore you can't tell the difference performance wise.
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I agree with you almost a hundred percent. The only exception is, and it's a rather big one, o.e.m. parts are clearly marked and hella expensive. We know, almost all the time, when we're buying aftermarket parts. If everyone everytime was honest and CLEARLY marked repro's as such it wouldn't be that big of a problem. Still wouldn't be good to make thousands of them.
For me axes are a passion. And it would seem that those who take the time to learn to etch, sell but most importantly collect, are passionate about them too. And for me if I'm passionate about something i want to safeguard it. Take care of it!
As an analogy there are trawlers that, in international waters, catch an unlimited amount of fish and drive down the price while simultaneously destroying the resource. (I'm not a tree hugger btw)
Scarcity is the source of value. Therefore adding artificial axes can only have negative consequences for our hobby and the market. The individual makes money and that's the point isn't it! In my opinion if they really loved axes they wouldn't do this. But the world is full of shitheads and if they don't do it someone else will. Ugh the futility of it all...
However I think there's a need for people who etch. I don't see anything wrong with re-etching a raven with a badly worn stamp. Or repairing one for that matter. Totally ethical in my book. And I'd love to see someone make a blend of old etches and make their own! But, as far as the old ones we all love so much, honesty would have to take the day and where there's a few pennies to rub together people will do unscrupulous things.
 
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To keep cars running that aren’t built anymore , people need to buy parts , also to restore . But to have people recreate something’s that are no longer made by the manufacturers and flood the market only devalues what was once valuable and hard to come by . Hopefully one of the current axe makers would make a axe with a cool embossing that collectors could add to there collections .
 
Scarcity is not the only attribute from which value is derived. Black Ravens are mostly desired because the logo is cool and people like it.
 
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Kevin Houtzager said:
Thats not entirely the case: OEM parts are marked, and not really that expensive over here. But look at the aftermarket parts and thats a whole different story. Companies like HKS had a hard time in the 2000-2010, because products where copied with logo and all. The one thing they had going for them was material choice. The early stuff just fell apart. Not so much anymore. I worked at an importer importing winter related stuff from America. We also started importing from the Chinese, because of the cheap pricing, advertising them as inferior for the price they where offered at. But within a year the quality was improved to beyond the stuff from America, at a hardly increased pricepoint.

And for all we know, the guy who's etching started his or her career etching vin numbers on stolen cars. Thats he's doing axes now doesn't neccesarrely mean he started that way. And lets not forget the people who have been doing stuff for decades: Yes they do own a lot knowledge about the stuff, but do they always share the same enthousiasm they did when they just started? Work in essence is a means to an end. But it can become much more enjoyable once you do what you like. But that can't be said for the people making ends meat all the time.

And don't get me wrong: The way you look at it should be the way everybody should approach it. But that isn't what happens in the real world.

But look at it this way: Scarcety is the source of value. So what happens if you flood the market with axes of the same kind? First pricing goes up. People jump on the bandwagon. But steadily there will be a decline coming.

Ever heard of the Tulip Mania? It's in essence the first economic bubble: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania Thats what'll happen eventually. Just give it time ;)
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I have heard of tulip fever! I'm not really into wrenching as much as you are but when I go to the parts store it clearly states what is oem and then the other aftermarket options. I don't know where they are made but for car parts I don't really care. As long as it works! Totally different for axes. Any unmarked vintage axe will do the job. But if I'm buying a special one it better damn well be special!

And of course scarcity isn't their only attribute but I'd say it's one of the biggest. If everybody had 'em we wouldn't want them nearly as much. Or at least wouldn't appreciate them the same. Kind of goes without saying.
I just want to state that all I'm doing is sharing my opinions. It seems like it's pretty easy for some reason to get into an argument lately. We all have opinions. I try to be definitive in my posts but also write with decorum and some measure of affability. I like hearing what you guys think about stuff. ESPECIALLY if we don't agree!
 
Oem windshield for a jeep wrangler was over a 300 dollar difference in '15.What did you import that Chinese made better?
 
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