The Gamble

Those of us that collected knives before the Internet it wasn't that easy to find new makers. I read a lot, went to shows and talked with collectors. Only through this method was I able to learn about Bob Loveless, Ernie Emerson, Kit Carson and Jimmy Fikes. Even in 2004 John Young was a relative unknown and thanks to Gary Shaw I became aware of his knives and immediately placed an order.

I have nice selection of knives all paid for through buying right and selling smart. As a collector I may have held onto some too long for ultimate profit but that's really not important to me.
 
I've always bought what I liked as I'm not too big on selling my things.....yes, I'm a (steel)hoarder. :o

I've bought from many obscure makers that made great knives but, as STeven noted, disappear after a year or two. I've also been fortunate enough to buy knives from makers who's work goes for 3x-4x what I paid. Some will scoff that I still have them and didn't 'cash in' but they're all paid for and don't eat too much. ;)
 
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I have always found newer makers to be among the more exciting market segments. Sure, there is greater risk. But the amount risked per piece is generally smaller. Over time, I think I've done a good deal better than break even in this segment. All the while buying knives I like from people I like.
 
RogerP said:
I have always found newer makers to be among the more exciting market segments. Sure, there is greater risk. But the amount risked per piece is generally smaller. Over time, I think I've done a good deal better than break even in this segment. All the while buying knives I like from people I like.
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Can you provide a few examples, Roger?

Dudley, it would certainly benefit the discussion if you would provide some examples as well.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I bought this Wolf Loerchner 'scalpel' from Wolf at one of his very early Guild shows in Toronto probably 1979. He had on display a few large art knives that Martin Butler, who was also present, engraved. I picked up the knife for $100 dollars and sold in 2005 for over $800. I remember at the time of purchase I thought that since Wolf was able to produce knives of staggering beauty, which were out of my price range, I would do well to purchase a simpler knife from him that I could afford.

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I'm not a collector, I'm just a guy who likes nice knives and has just happened to pick up a few custom pieces here and there. My thoughts therefore won't be as valuable as that of a hard core collector, but then again I imagine most people who buy custom knives are like me and own less than a dozen pieces. The dedicated collector of custom knives is and will probably remain a relatively small segment of the community.

My primary concern therefore isn't with resale, but rather high quality and value. Not surprisingly, most of my experiences are with newer makers as they are the ones that offer their wares at a price that I am comfortable with. Finding custom knives at a low price isn't too hard. It's finding the sole authors that also have sound technical skills and a good eye for design that is the challenge. That's the gamble for me. Fortunately, the internet has made it much easier to find these makers. I'm not near savvy enough to identify them on my own. But this place, and others like it, has allowed me to make friendships with collectors that I otherwise would have never met. These friends are very generous, patiently answering any questions I may have and offering their thoughts on makers I might be interested in even though I had nothing to offer in return.

Here are the new-ish makers I've been introduced to that have that "it" factor.

Kerry Hampton
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Joonas Kallioniemi
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Stuart Branson
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In 2004 I became aware of a new young maker who apprenticed under Roger Bergh...his name Andre Andersson. I contacted him and asked him if he was willing and able to make me a knife. He agreed and made me a design. During the making he kept me well informed by sending me photos (which I still have BTW). The knife was finished in time and I liked it a lot. A few years later I was honored to see my knife appear on the front cover of Blade. I don't have the knife anymore, but when I wanted to depart with it I made a nice profit. But for me that isn't the most important. For me it's the fact that I helped a starting maker who is doing more than allright for himself at the moment.

Here is the pic of the knife:

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Marcel
 
Marcel54 said:
But for me that isn't the most important. For me it's the fact that I helped a starting maker who is doing more than allright for himself at the moment.
Marcel
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That's awesome cool, Marcel!

That was a gamble where everybody won by any metric. Peter Gill has done a fabulous job in that arena with Nick Wheeler, Dave Lisch and a number of other makers. I'd like to think that I have helped a few makers along the way when they needed it, at least I hope so...you never really know.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
My first forged blad - back in (I think) 1988 or 89 - was by a maker completely unknown to me that a dealer recommended. It was a hard sell because the knife was more expensive that any I had bought before, and much more plain looking. For reference, my first custom was a fairly blingy Robert Hajovsky "Bob Sky" dagger. Anyway, the dealer said I could send it back if I didn't really like it. And I didn't -I loved it. The knife was an Arkansas Camp Knife and the maker was some guy named Jerry Fisk. I certainly did well on the resale of that one.

Now I'm certainly not claiming to have advanced anything on Jerry's part - much harder for an individual collector to do back in the day of brochures and mailing lists (not e-mail, actual snail mail). But that was a gamble that proved to be a formative event in starting me on a more focussed path in my collecting.

There are a number of now-established makers from whom I purchased knives when they were comparatively less known: Russ Andrews (I think you got one of my earlier stag pieces from Russ), Rodrigo Sfreddo, Dan Farr, Nick Wheeler to name a few. In terms of current newer makers, I've bought a number of Stuart Branson pieces. Only sold two - both quickly and at a very decent profit. Sam Lurquin as well (though I have no resale stories to tell there).

Don Hanson is certainly a rock star now, and at the time of the purchase below he was well established in maker fine folders, but this was one of his first contemporary big fixed blades and as such was something of a gamble:

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Roger
 
I am currently taking a gamble on a knife purchased at the CKCA Banquet this year. I'd seen some nice looking knives by Stephan Fowler, and had been wanting a feather damascus blade for a while. The fighter Stephan had made felt great in hand, and the damascus and popcorn stag struck a chord.

While I was enjoying dinner, on impulse, I put my name in just minutes before the names were to be drawn. My name came up!

Time will tell if the gamble pays off financially, but I already consider myself a winner as I love the knife.

Peter
 
Credit and/or blame must be assigned where it is due.

Danbo, AKA Dan Unger, sold me my first Russ Andrews knife and told me to take a hard look at Nick Wheeler's work.

STeven got me fired up about Don Fogg.

I will claim credit for spotting and buying Shawn McIntyre's first knife sold in the USA.

We are all fortunate to have such a great hobby!
 
Kohai999 said:
Dudley, it would certainly benefit the discussion if you would provide some examples as well.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Being a balisong fan, I was fortunate to get a number of knives from Charles Marlowe and Shawn Grecian aka Balibalistic, both of whose work has skyrocketed in price.

I bought a number of knives from 'Jason Cutter', which remain some of my favorites, but he left the knife scene several years ago never to be heard from again. Another was John Salley, knife maker extraordinaire, who quit to pursue his machine shop jobs.
 
When I was introduced to custom knives by getting to know Don Hanson in 2004-05, I was looking for what I liked without knowing. Getting to know the maker definitely influenced my likes. Even turned down a chance to place an order with John Young right off the bat because I couldn't phantom the idea of being 'booked up' 5 or so years out. But, I sure enjoyed getting to know him.

Started getting Blade magazine. I read about a custom boat maker in Florida that was starting to make knives. My wife and I stopped by his first shop on our way back from vacation. An early John White piece:

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Ordered some fixed blades from a guy named Micheal Burch, who has sky-rocketed in the tactical market. Got to know Adam DesRosier in Little Rock and placed an order for one of his JS test fighters. Picked up Matt Lamey's first custom knife he actually sold (from an individual).

I made this in a two-day knifemaking class sitting next to a 16-year old up and coming maker:

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Not that long after our class together, Kyle Royer made this one for me:

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Recently (fall of 2010), placed an order with Sam Lurquin after Roger P. posted a thread about him on BF, to be delivered at Blade 2011.

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I have not turned many knives over, but I have felt fortunate to pick some great makers who are super people and have become awesome friends.

- Joe
 
There are a number of makers who's knives I own, which I feel have increased in value, certainly from purchase price:

Sal Manaro sold me one of his original mint Bullseye's in 2004 for $550. I'll double my money on that one.

Others I'm fairly certain about: Kevin Wilkins, GTC, Jim Smyth, Don Hanson, Tai Goo, and a Jerry Hossum 'Retribution' FB that will return more.

Last year I consigned/sold a tortoise shell Antonio Fogarizzu folder which I purchased five years earlier for more than double to a DEALER! He also made money.

In 2009 I placed my name on a 'list' from a then-newcomer and now-legendary Italian maker who's work is off the charts. He has never contacted me about this and I'm less confident about the opportunity. But I tried the Gamble.

Other makers in my collection, to me, appear to be stable. No gain, no loss. I enjoy their work.

Good thread, STeven. Thanks.

Coop
 
In 2001 I saw an ad by a Brazilian maker here in the for sale section of BF, took a chance and wired money. Wasn't really sure if I'd ever get the knife!

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Got the knife in 3 days (yup, three days!)...it was Dobruski's first balisong to hit US soil.

(Here's the original post: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/140676-Dobruski-has-Arrived-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! )

Developed a relationship, started sending Eggerling damascus to Brazil for blades and handles, and began to build the largest single collection of this maker's work.

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Now, twenty eight of Mauricio Dobruski's knives later (including a superb bowie), I know the chance was worth it...*really* came out ahead on this one (though I still have yet to sell one!) :D


-Michael
 
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JParanee said:
Dudley is the knife in he front the one your talking about ?
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No, Sir, I had one of those in my favorite serial number '007' but sold it for a huge profit and didn't mind doing it either.....never thought much of them to be brutally honest.
 
I think the materials used would play a big part.
It is probably a given. That is most likely why it wasn't brought up.
 
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