before we get bogged down in obscure references and minutiae of investing terminology.
I would like to say that I am extremely proud of this thread, and pleased to be able to be part of it, its' longevity and quality of content. It is bigger than any one player, but I salute Anthony for starting it. Just like "investing" in knives, who would have thunk it?
Jerry spoke about the makers before, about how we as a community will be at a loss without their presence.
Well, what about the collectors? I don't mean experienced collectors, and collector/investors, I mean your basic newbie.
Custom made knives, to me are not necessarily a luxury, but they sure are not a necessity. Maybe one of the other wordsmith Forumites could find a better definition.
That said, it is frequent for a newbie collector to get burned on price, quality, or both QPR. A lot of newbie collectors that I have seen don't even have to sense to take advice offered by a guy like Les Robertson, because they don't even know that he exists. A lot of newbies don't do their homework, get burned, and then get out of collecting before they even started.
Obviously, there is no real cure for this, but THAT is the shame, not the fact that there are too many makers, and some are going to have to get/go back to real jobs.
My good friend Sanchez may be a lot of things, but dumb is not one of them. He did not NEED the ABS, and he really does not need purveyors to make knifemaking a successful venture for himself.
He presents himself pretty well and fairly to a buyer, either newbie or advanced, is developing strong sales skills, and has a nice following. The ABS and purveyors are another tool for him to use, and he seriously WANTED to be in the ABS. It is actually from his example that I became an ABS member.
How many other "new" makers can say this?
How many makers, new or advanced, bring buyers into the knifemaking community? Don Fogg does. He recommended both Vince Evans and Nick Wheeler to me. Vince was, and is an absolute treasure to deal with, but he is not what I call a salesman. Nick found that he did not have the discipline to be a full-time maker, and is very smartly working in a "regular job" at this time, and has slowly been integrating shop time into his day as his routine settles.
Jerry Fisk brings in new paying bodies, and does something else very interesting as well.
See, I know a massive amount of makers who spawn more makers, training them and grooming their skills. Jerry Fisk and Butch Vallotton are two makers that come to my mind, immediately.
Jerry did a very smart thing with his mini-show, as it makes being a collector with access to the show feel very privileged, and it expands the community of collectors.
The bottom line is that one of the factors that defines QPR and value is how many people are interested in a makers' work, for how long, and at what price. Each maker cultivating their OWN collector network, and bringing in NEW collectors ensures that the community as a whole thrives. Remaining in the middle of the pack, sucking off the work of others does nothing but deprive the body of valuable necessities. It is basically parasitic.
WWG, I'm not even gonna' pretend that I am hurt by your leaving me off your list, and am not going to play the "name the obscure maker, and current values" game, because it gives me a headache.
Harvey Draper, for those of you who did not know, was the first Knifemaker's Guild member who was removed from membership for cause.
Hans, it makes me cringe as much to see the scratches on your Foster from use, as it does for you to see me Garssonize it, so I guess we are even.
Thanks for letting me play.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
