My first 'grail' knife was a Peter Bauchop Witch fighter. First became aware of Bauchop about 1982-83 in a Soldier Of Fortune article, and saw a few of his knives over the years at gun-shows, but most were priced beyond my means. About 10 years ago, I found a sterile custom Witch on a table marked $75! From the condition, I estimate it was late-70s/early 80s vintage, and had seen some use. The purveyor got it in a box at an estate sale, and didn't know what it was. I told him what it was, and what it was worth, but he sold it to me at the marked price anyway. While I was gone to find an ATM to get the cash, someone else who knew what it was saw it. She was a dealer in customs, and wanted to buy it for an out-of-state client, but he stood by our deal. I told him I wouldn't have expected him to pass on that kind of money, and I was truly surprised. But he said he was happy to see it go to someone who appreciated it for what it was rather than someone who just had money to spend. A real stand-up guy!
My second was a SOG S-1, finally found one, with a Lynnwood sheath, in unused condition about 5 years ago, another gun-show find. I asked if I could see it, and how much he wanted. He asked if I thought the $165 on the tag was fair! I told him it was more than fair, and that the suggested retail when they were discontinued was about $450. I also told him that I wouldn't blame him if he kept it and put a higher, more reasonable, price on it. Again, I got it for the marked price. It's no longer unused, and is a favorite working knife.
