The current 'Tactical Custom Folder' market = HOTTEST ever?

SharpByCoop

SharpByCoop

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I think so. For a number of reasons.

I see it driven on the popularity of folders: portable, precise, and powerfully built.

Knives:

  • These knives have hard-core appeal with day-to-day usability too. Without question there is a defensive aspect (psuedo or not) which gives the owner a sense of authority.
  • The folders have a gratifying opening and closing 'mechanism' feel, which is the result of good machining prowess and heavy use of thick materials. Add into this some slick bearing action, and you have an inescapable appreciation for heavy-duty done right.
  • Precision rules in this arena, just as it does in ALL custom knives, however it is more easily understood and visible.
  • Locking mechanisms, multiple blade grinds, pocket clip designs, standoffs, backbars, pivot areas, and overall shapes are unlimited.
  • Because these are produced with a high level of machining, the reproduction of parts is real. One model in multitudes: Fulfilling many desires.

The demographic:

  • Younger males 20-50 yrs old. Hands-on workers. Lots of disposable income.
  • Technologically savvy and Defense-oriented.
  • A large 'brotherhood' of similar tastes and lifestyle.

The TOP makers have become elevated and I find them personable, and no different than any other maker I have ever met. Except they are performing in Hollywood, not a regional theater. (metaphorically speaking)

Add in the Zombie trend: Skulls and sinister deviants, and this allows customization again.

This post is for those who enjoy these works, or maybe not: Talk to us about what it is you prefer. Why? Did I miss something? What have I overstated or gotten completely wrong?

Looking forward to the discussion.

Coop
 
I just made a thread on this topic more/less... about Ti locks.. which seems to be about 75% or more of what you are calling "tactical folders".

And somethings seem to be "popular" now.. but just different age groups "find" these things at different times.. the zombie theme has always been popular, just not as much seen in knives.. And tactical has always been around, look at the cheesie SOG knives from the 80s.

I personally like Titanium as a material. And Ti locks and liner locks are my favorite knife, have been since I found them in the late 80s.

I suppose you are referring to high end (not SOG), but in general, I don't know why or how they caught on fire as they have... I avoid a certain price point as I feel it's all fluff above that price...

A nice CRK for $500, or a nice Hoback for $1400 WHAT?!?! Just trendy right now and I'm afraid many makers aren't going to last through this "bubble".
 
I think along with what you said there's definitely a pride of ownership that goes along with it. On the other hand, most people you interact with in the real world aren't going to know or care about your fancy knife. In the end there just like any other luxury item for any other hobby, but I for one am grateful for forums like this so we can share our interest of ridiculously expensive knives and not be look at like we're crazy.
 
SharpByCoop, as a guy who mostly fits your demographic (except for the disposable income part!) and enjoys these kind of knives, I have to agree with your assessment. I have a fair amount of custom and high end production tactical knives. The funny thing is, I rarely carry them. Instead I mostly carry less expensive and more lightweight knives like the PM2. And if I am really using my knife hard I will always reach for a fixed blade.

For me at least, I enjoy the technology, especially the technology behind the locks. The knives are like usable art to me and I appreciate the craftsmanship. I guess it is similar to guys who like high performance cars; I enjoy seeing the advancements in technology and innovations of designers and that is what draws me to these knives.
 
coop7 said:
I think along with what you said there's definitely a pride of ownership that goes along with it. On the other hand, most people you interact with in the real world aren't going to know or care about your fancy knife. In the end there just like any other luxury item for any other hobby, but I for one am grateful for forums like this so we can share our interest of ridiculously expensive knives and not be look at like we're crazy.
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You summed it up very well. Most people are thoroughly unimpressed with my knives, think I am nuts, say I should have bought a gun with the money, or plead with me to sell them (my fiancée). It is an interest that is almost solely intrinsic for me, but I am glad I can share some of my interests on bladeforums.
 
My personal interest has always been more into flowing designs like Bowies or Persians. I have a friend who is in his 40s and likes the tactical knives. He is into high end watches, swords, martial arts, defense and likes the precision. I have made him a handful of knives already, but he really wants the tactical stuff. He doesn't think any knife is worth more than a couple hundred bucks though. He made his own knife in my shop for his birthday last year, and raised his price from $100.00 to $200.00 :).
 
Coop, you made some great point based on observation of what is going on in the market right now. There are a lot of "tactical" builders in the market and the number has exploded over the past two or three years. I think this has happened because the number of new "collectors" demanded, or gave opportunities to, a series of new builders. The knives they build are frame locks and are essentially derivatives of some sort of that specific design. They are only differentiated by grinds, or grooves or some other superficial difference. The quality of the workmanship is good but it's like comparing the build quality of a Pinto to a Corvette. The prices for these knives are being driven by a grossly over inflated secondary market and the quality of the builds do not warrant that level of price inflation. I agree with sloth357, this is a trend that is due to perception and not quality nor design.
 
Thumbers are hot right now that's for sure. The rise of the mill maker is good and bad - precise and high tech, unfortunately for me they sometimes lack style and artistry.

They are great for business I'd adsume as some that seem to be essentially production knifes.
 
Jim, I agree with your opening post 100%.

IMO, no one should be surprised that the popularity of tactical knives (folders & fixed-blades) has taken off so dramatically. Part of this popularity can be contributed to post-911. Look how firearm ownership has increased. Then there’s the crave for ‘high-tech’ anything, Hollywood’s promotion of tactical weapons in popular “action/hero” movies etc. and of course the popularity of folders in general.

Even though my interest (from a collecting perspective) is more towards traditional custom knives, as president of a knife collectors association whose members represent the entire customs community, I’m thrilled to see this excitement and energy elevating tactical folders thus custom knives in general.

I would like to hear opinions on the expected longevity of the popularity of the tactical market?
Do you feel it’s here to stay, or possibly a phase?

As far as more traditional custom knives (ABS Bowies, Art knives and especially traditional Hunting knives), I feel no one needs to worry about these going away, as there’s just too much rich tradition and heritage surrounding them. Actually, traditional makers transiting over to offering more tactical knives to their clients could have a positive effect on the traditional market from a supply & demand perspective.

Great thread Jim!
 
The Tactical Invitational is already sold out. The USN Gathering is always packed and has had to expand the room to accommodate everyone. The NYCKS has pretty much become the East Coast USN show. Emerson lotteries are huge and Ernie is bringing new models and more knives each time. The price to quality ratio is ridiculous but that doesn't stop anyone from throwing money at the hot makers knives. At the last tactical show I attended a friend showed me his latest purchase, a bead blasted clunker for $1100! To each his own I guess. I've lost interest in the tactical segment, I was at the USN show last Labor Day, sitting around during the Emerson lottery hoping to score a knife I could flip and pay for my hotel room when I said to myself "what the hell am I doing here, this is more torture than fun". Last tactical show for me.
 
Yes

Wait till the new highly anticipated Diskin Flipper comes out

You guys ain't seen nothing yet :)
 
Jim,

I agree with your post in it's entirety. Though I am a niche collector, so to speak, I am an avid knife market follower. Anyone who is, couldn't help but have noticed that a bubble is indeed forming as it relates to price. That should all sort itself out, but only with time. However, the dearth of tactical makers is bound to shrink, along with the unrealistic pricing some makers are getting (though more power to 'em!). Quality makers with any business savvy will survive. The secondary market will help to sort all this out, I think.

IMHO, tacticals are here to stay and their popularity will continue to grow with a social-driven generational appeal. As someone has already pointed out, tacticals, in one form or another, have already been around for many, many years. Now, with machinery and supersteels in the mix, there's more choice for makers to give more choice to customers. And just as "traditional" knives once began to become embellished, now so do we see tacticals becoming eye candy, as well.

I, for one, really like the "zombies, skulls and creatures" - and would buy a tactical with such carvings (I almost have, several times - but priced wrong) long before I would touch a traditional folder whose future value had absolutely been ruined by "tits and ass" or someone's favorite dog embellished upon it.

One note on "traditionals" - I see not much increase in the market for what I would call "old school traditionals", but rather perhaps a steady pace, remembering that old dudes like me begin to die off in huge numbers while the younger market is buying these tacticals we're talking about. And any change that younger market makes from tacticals to "traditional" will probably be toward makers utilizing "new school" materials, IMHO. Time will tell.

Bob
 
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betzner said:
Jim,

I agree with your post in it's entirety. Though I am a niche collector, so to speak, I am an avid knife market follower. Anyone who is, couldn't help but have noticed that a bubble is indeed forming as it relates to price. That should all sort itself out, but only with time. However, the dearth of tactical makers is bound to shrink, along with the unrealistic pricing some makers are getting (though more power to 'em!). Quality makers with any business savvy will survive. The secondary market will help to sort all this out, I think.

IMHO, tacticals are here to stay and their popularity will continue to grow with a social-driven generational appeal. As someone has already pointed out, tacticals, in one form or another, have already been around for many, many years. Now, with machinery and supersteels in the mix, there's more choice for makers to give more choice to customers. And just as "traditional" knives once began to become embellished, now so do we see tacticals becoming eye candy, as well.

I, for one, really like the "zombies, skulls and creatures" - and would buy a tactical with such carvings (I almost have, several times - but priced wrong) long before I would touch a traditional folder whose future value had absolutely been ruined by "tits and ass" or someone's favorite dog embellished upon it.

One note on "traditionals" - I see not much increase in the market for what I would call "old school traditionals", but rather perhaps a steady pace, remembering that old dudes like me begin to die off in huge numbers while the younger market is buying these tacticals we're talking about. And any change that younger market makes from tacticals to "traditional" will probably be toward makers utilizing "new school" materials, IMHO. Time will tell.

Bob
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I think you are right on
 
My interest in collecting is ALL across the board, so to speak.......my wife tells me I'm a high dollar hoarder. ;)

I look at aesthetics/lines/craftsmanship first and foremost....that's why many of these so-called 'tactical folders/knives' don't do much for me, especially the compound/chisel grinds, the so-called 'carving/texture' done with a carbide burr or whatever. I think that, like my friend and respected collector Mr. Betzner, some of these guys come out of the woodwork and want, what I feel, are ridiculous amounts of $$$$'s for a piece with the main parts manufactured by someone else like Halpren and what looks like a totally CNC'd/milled blade....not for me. I am a big fan of balisongs, D/A's and flippers but enjoy thumbers, slip-joints, classic autos, etc.,.......just about anything with a sharpened edge except the aforementioned. :barf:

It's like my love for cars, firearms, etc.,....it's changed so dramatically in recent years that the ones I love so much interest these kids not in the least and, I feel just like the traditional knives and especially the forged Masterpieces, when folks like me/us cease to exist that the old hotrods, classics, traditions, etc., will be gone. There will be no interest and the way things are going there won't be any resources to buy/maintain these things.

Just my $.02....
 
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Good assessment by Coop. The wild card is that, tomorrow or in a few months, it can all totally change. The tastes, the compound grinds, the ti framelocks, etc, all ebb and flow in popularity. As well as each of one our tastes. My tastes change daily! I feel like lock backs and slip joints are going to start rebounding in popularity. But who knows. There's probably more than a few bad eggs in the community, i.e. dudes that have excess capital and are buying tons of knives and selling them at seriously inflated prices. Want a Burch? Or a Rexford? Get in the line or pay $4000. It'll fix itself eventually. Once people wise up, they'll refuse to pay these insane secondary market prices. It's already starting to happen.
 
Great thread.
Take a look at Mikkel Willumsen's Urban Tactical knives. Mikkel combines "tactical" with pure craftsmanship.
rolf
 
I've thought many times about making a tactical folder or two. What I've seen at shows is the makers that have a crowd also know how to use a tactical knife. It doesn't seem to be about fit and finish but instead more about slash and stab. Emerson comes to mind. Would anybody buy a well made black folder with fancy steel and fittings from a guy from Walla Walla?
 
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