The price of custom knives and Fame!

Fred from Knife Outlet brought up a good point. Shouldn't fame (or the perceived level of fame) influence the price of a knife?

The answer is depends!

Fame is a consequence, usually, of creating a great knife at a great price. The knife becomes in deamand, thus creating "knife maker groupies" and driving up the price in the "aftermarket". This in turn relates to a higher price in the primary market.

Fame is determined by the custom knife buyer as it is yours to give and yours to take away.

There are many famous makers who, while appreciative of our well wishes, take it all in stride. Example Bill Moran. Bill is one of the most famous knife makers who has ever lived. Yet, he is very approachable and will actually stop and talk with you.

There are others who "believe their press" and begin to think they are too good to talk with you. Or feel they can insult your views as those of an idiot. Basically, because you do not agree with his line of crap.

Fame for many is fleeting. Due in large part to their not holding up their end of the bargain.

A famous maker who does not continue to push the envelope, develop new ideas, does not regularly attend shows (with knives to sell) or at least stand behind the table and talk with old and new customers, advertise in knife magazines and eventually get a web site. Will soon find they are no longer famous.

Those of you who bought knives in the 80's and early 90's from "famous" makers have now come to the realization that many of these makers are no longer famous.

That is to say, the did not have the longevity to be really "famous". Many started to belive in their own press. They stopped attending shows, didnt advertise, only brought one knife to a show, usually pre-sold, delivered it and then left their table. Some times with pictures, most times with just a table cover.

If you have been collecting knives for more than 10 years, you know what I am talking about. You probably have one or two Famous Maker knives in your collection you would be happy to break even on.

You do not break even on a famous makers knife.

Fame is something we as knife collectors bestow on worthy makers. Some makers never realize that the collectors giveth and taketh away.

So yes, fame can add to the cost of the knife. However, if you start to see the famous maker stop attending shows, stop advertising and if they do attend a show they only have pictures or a table cover on their table. Guess what time it is...Time to dump the knife. As that makers 15 minutes is about up.



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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Gus Kalanzis

Gus Kalanzis

Havin' fun, learning and putting up with Bastid.
Staff member
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Messages
4,131
Excellent point Les.

The fame that seems to last seems to stay with
1. A person who actually makes a quality knife as espoused by the knife community.

2. A person who lets that fame build by the product they make. They do not have to prod their fame.

3. A person whose integrity in the knife community is beyond honest reproach.

4. the obvious - a person who sticks with it and is never satisfied.

5. A person who shares their knowledge with the knife community.

If a person met the people I know that have achieved fame, they would never suspect it just by meeting the maker.

On the other end of the spectrum are flashes in the knife pan so to speak. Some of the flashes last longer or may be brighter, but they still turn out to be flashes over time.

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" The real art of living is too keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post.
In memory of James Mattis

[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 10-30-2000).]
 
Would like to break even?
Time to dump the knife?

Some people keep knives around because they like 'em. If I spend 300 bucks on a knife, it's because I like it. If I can't get 10 bucks out of it 2 weeks later, I don't care. I suppose "sentimental value" is lost on a dealer, simply because it is intangible.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't place any monetary value whatsoever on a knife that I like. Maybe you do just because it's become routine to do so from being a dealer...I don't know. What I do know is that there are people out here who like what they have, and are without any desire to "break even" and without any need to "dump the knife".

But maybe that's just me.
 
Velitrius,

Congratulations, you are in that rare 10% that never gets rid of a custom knife they have bought.

As a dealer, I spend every day talking with collectors who buy and sell knives on a fairly regular basis.

Some decide they want to go into a new direction, others need some quick cash, still others just enjoy the excitement of getting new knives. Whatever the reason may be 90% of custom knife buyers out there will eventually get rid of most of their knives for others.

In reagards to the other 10%, eventually those knives will be disposed of as well. As we all know you can't take it with you. Im sure you would prefer your loved ones to get as much as they could out of your prized possessions as possible. To admit othewise would be selfish.

My intent was not to offend anyone, but rather to discuss fame and it's relation to an increase or decrease in it's intrinsic value due to the makers fame or lack their of.

Like it or not, a knives ability to maintain and increase in value, is part of what makes a maker famous.

Sentimental value is not lost on dealers. I for one have about 20 knives in my collection. For instance I have the first Bowie that George Herron ever made. I've had for over 5 years. You will note that this knife has never been offered for sale. This is one of my knives that I may never sell.

Many times it is dealers who introduce collectors to new makers, thus helping them become "household names". Dealers can further help makers by taking their knives to parts of the US or Abroad that the makers may never get to. Thereby helping spread their noteriety. The end result, is that collectors for the most part benefit from interactin with custom knife dealers.

So weigh your comments on dealers carefully. As we are not all the heartless bastards some would make us out to be.


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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com

[This message has been edited by Les Robertson (edited 10-30-2000).]
 
Over the years it seems that knifemakers who get wound up in there own FAME go down the tubes. They stop creating and stick to one or two designs that they feel will sell forever.

NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have seen it many times with many makers. Its a fatal mistake.

A knife maker is only as good as the last knife design that was a winner. To rest on your past is a big mistake. The market over the last 5 years has changed also. The life of a design (unless you hit a special design that becomes a classic) is much shorter than they were back then.

Gus everything you said.


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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
NEW WEB SITE TAKE A LOOK!!!!!!!!!
New projects and pics to look at !!!!
 
As usual, I agree with most of what Les siad. it seems we have a close line of thought.
Being a collector for some 11 years and in business as a knife dealer for 8 years has taught a few things I now can use in my knifemaking carreer. Most of it is in Les post.
Once in my life I wouldn´t care too much about silly things like resale value, etc. Today I think about resale value even when I am going to buy a pair of socks!
In a huge market like the US, creating artificial value for a given maker is quite easy but it is very hard to keep such makers on the top. Sadly, most everybody realizes it when it´s too late. If talent is not there, he will fail the test of time- like the many makers of ten years ago Les mentioned. I can tell you a number of promising makers whose work wasn´t better or worse than many of his peers´ that received a lot of press coverage at that time and are almost forgoten - some even no longer in the knifemaking business - that fell in the trap of "believing their press" and got dated.
Like any other kind of art today, the environment is full of "smart" professionals and only time will tell who are the real good ones, though some clues can be observed using some standard methods like observing the set of criteria listed by Gus - but there are no guarantees, anyway.
On the other hand...
Knifemaking is sopposed to be fun, isn´t it? So very often it´s like gambling: you like the knife, buy it and see what happens, specially if there is little money involved. I once bough a Wally Hayes damascus large tanto from a dealer for US$ 350,00 - wish I had kept this one!
I don´t want flames so I won´t mentions makers I wouldn´t bet on but I could easily point one by memory who I think will be hot pretty soon: Steve Ryan. I would bet on Bailey Bradshaw too, and Rick McDonald. I could tell Vince Evans but I believe he is too well established by now, but that is what I though the first few times I saw his work a t a dealers catalog. Opposed to that, I didn´t give a second look at an ugly micarta handled knife in a Fighting Knives review article ten years ago. His name? Allen Ellishewitz!
Well, I think I have added my share of confusion to this post, though I could keep writting about it the whole night!

P.S.: even being so carefull I am having trouble getting even when I try to sell my socks...


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Ivan Campos
Full-time knifemaker...finally!
http://www.bitweb.com.br/users/campos/
 
Hello,

I think Fame comes in a variety of forms,
some public and some not. There are alot of makers who make knives not for fame but as a way to earn a living. Im sure there are alot of makers out there that no one has ever heard of that make a living making knives without the accolades of collectors or advertising in Knife magazines.

Sure Collectors, Knife Users, Traders, ect..
are all important to a Knifemaker and his craft, but i think it actually comes down to
if that maker Provides Quality at a good Price that assures him of a knifemaking
livelyhood.

I have found there is alot more Buisness in the Actual Knife Using Community than in
the COllector/HighEnd category.

I guess i have found my fame is what im saying, in that my family appreciates my Knifemaking and my ability to provide for them with my chosen Craft, Who needs anymore Fame than That ?

regards,,,,,Allen Blade
 
Les, I wasn't offended, and I agree with what you say about fame and prices. It's just that to me, your post took on an air of the baseball trading world, as though we were all conscious of turning a profit.
"Hey, maybe Joe Schmotnik is batting .600 now and has 3 golden gloves, but if he hits a slump and starts betting on the games, it's time to dump his rookie card folks...."

I simply wanted to point out that this is the Custom Knife Forum. I come here because I BUY custom knives, I USE custom knives, and I LIKE custom knives. (I bet using them puts me down around the 3% mark, eh?) I am interested in how a maker's knife is going to perform when I USE it as it is intended. That's why I come in here.

I sincerely doubt that my son, after I pass on, is going to consider it selfish of me for actually USING a Darrel Ralph. My knives are not a legacy, they are both an enjoyable hobby and a useful tool selection for me. Consider it selfish if you want to, but after I leave my son my home, property, financial investments, etc., I don't think he will mind that I kept that old beat up Sliver for him.

Well, as I said in my earlier post, "Maybe it's just me". And I guess if I am in the lowliest 10% around here, that would make it true..... it IS just me. Sorry for muddying up the water for you and the other 90%.
 
Vel,

I don't have a problem with people using custom knives. The stage you are at now is where I was 15 years ago. I would hazard to guess that I have acutually used more custom knives in the field than most people on BF.

When I first started buying custom knives I was only concerned about performance. Of course once you hit that $10,000 mark and you have lost money on every knife you have resold,usually to dealers. I found that a little irritating.

That fact was part of the inspiration for the Vanguard series. These knives are made by some of the most respected tactical knife makers in the world. Their work, while designed to perform to the max of it's intended purpose. Also, because of their very limited number, they will also hold their value and in years to come be sought after because of the maker and their limited number.

Many people miss the point of what I write. My experience has shown me, buy what you like. But make an informed decision. This will allow you to get not only the right tool for the right job, but the added bonus of a knife that will hold and possilby go up in value.

Val, I gather from your statements that you have only a few custom knives and they were bought with the intention of being used. My comments were directed more to people who have 5 knives or more.

I have knives that I carry on a daily basis. I have knives that I have in my rucksack that stay there all the time. I have knives in my collection, all are worth more now than what I paid for them years ago. I also have knives that are available for sale and trade on a daily basis. The common thread that runs through all these knives is that they were all bought with performance and value as the primary goal.

However, through doing extensive homework. I have also found makers who produce world class knives, who's performance is excellent, and these knives hold their value.

While as it is a occupational hazard that at times I do purchase knives that will never get used. My favorites have always been those knives that are designed for extensive use.

I always say, "buy what you like". However, if you can buy what you like and get a knife that has the potential to hold it's value or even increase in value, so much the better.

Yes, even old beat up knives can still be an investment. I suspect that my 8 1/2" Brend Model 2 that I bought for $450.00 in 1987, which was used extensively. Would be worth more than that today.
biggrin.gif


Les Robertson....Former 3%er!



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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Velitrious, I'm with you in that lowly minority. You're are right when you say that Les' posts do sometimes sound like we buy, collect, trade, and sell baseball cards. I'm not into that either.

But having exchanged a number of emails with Les on this very topic, I am convinced he understands our point of view. But Les is in the business of buying, trading, and selling knives. We are not. It really should not be too surprising that the economic factors are the things he focuses on.

The way some people buy and trade expensive custom knives really amazing me sometimes. I collect things I love. I don't buy something because I think it will appreciate in value. I would like it to at least 'hold' its purchase value, however. And I have enough money invested that I am starting to consider trading or selling some knives in order to upgrade my collection. I may never actually reach that point, but I have only so much money.

I don't like to focus on the money side of knives. I like to focus on the Art side. That means simplicity, line, form, AND function. Knives are not money to me and you. But they are to Les and others. I don't want to think like that, but I value what Les has to say.

Many of the factors that Les and Gus discussed as factors in retaining and building value are also key factors in the life of an artist. Makers who take a part in teaching their craft, and maintaining a public appearance will probably be working very hard to learn more, practice more, and improve the quality of their work. And I think that is a Good thing.

I recently paid Les a very substantial profit for a Hunter marked Buster (Warenski). I knew Les bought it for much less at auction than the price he sold it for (I even know exactly how much more). But I still think I got a good deal since the work of this exceptionally famous maker is rarely available on the secondary market and he does not take orders. I do not plan to use this knife. I do not plan to sell it. I expect to enjoy it for a long long time. Part of the fun in of ownership is the idea that its value may increase over time. But I would have to be very hard pressed to want to part with this knife for money. It's value to me transcends it cost.

I value other knives for exactly the opposite reason. I have several forged tool steel knives with differential tempers and extraordinarily sharp edges for which I paid very little money. That maker (Tim Morgan) is little known, and may not be producing many knives anymore. I use these knives. I value their functionality and uniqueness. And I don't really care what happens to their value on the secondary market. They are worth far more to me than money I paid (around $100 each), so they will not be sold.

I guess what I am trying to say is that money IS a part of the custom knife world. We can try to ignore it, but it is always going to be a factor. That Les has his viewpoint skewed a little to the money side should not be surprising. At the same time, admiring custom knives as Art is an equally valid perspective. They are just different ways of looking at the same thing.

What is Quality?
What is Beauty?
What is Utility?
What is Value?

Paracelsus, wondering around
 
Les,

I can't take your advice alll that seriously after the famed LDC series, which is based on your design input and collectability factor specifically, has seen only downward motion in resales. Even you don't support the price of these knives in the secondary market. Some guy had the whole LDC series for sale here, and he took about a 40% loss on this "portfolio of investment knives". The market has spoken, and it said LDC is not an appreciating asset. So why would your comments about ANOTHER makers values be of use? Your advice on how to judge the value of your own line of knives rings hollow! Your entitled to your opinion, but it would be better if the real world had backed it up. Thst is just my opinion of this fame issue, of course.
 
Hi Para,

Yes, like it or not money is a major part of custom knives. Generally, that is how we get the knives...pay money. That is how we get our advertising, tables at shows, airline tickets to get the shows, food, entry fees, grinders, band saws, etc. We have to pay...money.

Para you keep brining up in posts how much profit I made on the knife I sold you. When you were writing that did you include any of the following costs, Plane Ticket to the auction, table fee for the show, 4 nights in a hotel, 4 days worth of meals, fuel, phone calls, and time away from home.

Part of that profit from the knife you got Para paid for these expenses. I hope you included the 10% buyer fee and 3% credit card fee on the purchase end and the 3% credit card fee that your credit card issuer charges me when you pay for a knife with your credit card. So please add another 16% to what I paid for the knife. That profit margin is starting to shrink right up.

Guys I appreciate the fact that you buy knives for whatever reasons you buy them for.

My view is "skewed" by the money side, as it costs money to run the buisness. To provide the knives for sale with photo's and descriptions to the privacy of your house, 24/7/365. To travel and set up at shows both in the US and Canada.

However, that is the cost of doing business. The main reason my view appears to be skewed by money is the dealings I have had with collector's. As I am the one, unlike makers and other collectors hear the tales of WOE! How they bought the wrong knife, were lied to, were mislead, were cheated, etc. How they wasted their hard earned money on a custom knife.

My view appears to be skewed by money. But your view is skewed as to the use of the money. My goal is to try and help people spend their custom knife dollars wisely. Eliminating as many tales of woe as possible.

Val and Para, I think you miss a valid point here. If people constantly buy knives and lose money, they will leave and go to another hobby, baseball cards perhaps
biggrin.gif
.

If they do this, there are less people buying custom knives, which means fewer dollars being spent, whcih means fewer makers, which means fewer knife shows, which means fewer places to view and purchase custom knives, which means fewer places to meet other collectors, who while may not want to purchase your knives, will have enough knowledge to appreciate what you have (unlike most of those around you). Thus eliminating a lot of the warm fuzzy you get when you hold a beautiful knife in your hands. Most people who own great works of art, want people to know it. So they can share it with others who will appreciate it. This is how museums started.

Of course you have to pay to get into museums. Can you belive they would charge money for that!!!!! Of course, they have to pay expenses, utilites, insurance, advertising, security, etc.

Guys, art only exists because there have always been those who could buy it, with..you guessed it money. For it is these sponsors who enable artists to continue to produce art in all areas. The government spends yours and my tax dollars for the National Endowment for the Arts. A government subsidized program for artists.

Personally, I feel every time I buy a custom knife I am supporting an artist.

I am not a custom knife dealer for the money. I do this because I love it. I have turned down job offers with 6 figure salaries. Very few people get to do for a profession what they would do for free.





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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Thelu,

As a matter of fact, most of the LDC Knives currently sell for more than they were purchased for.

Trying to sell an entire set (over $4,000 in total cost) at one time is more difficult than selling one knife. Some of these individuals have contacted me and I have offered them more than 60% for their knives.

You will also note, that the individuals who were selling these sets (basically the same 3 people) were opposed to selling them one at a time (thereby getting back most if not all of their money).

My experience has been when you come on BF or Ebay and put your knives out there for sale. Most of us know not to bite on the first price. As if you give it time the price will drop.

Over 1,200 LDC knives have been sold. Exactly, how many have you seen being at 40% off of their original price. I would hazard to guess it is under 10%. That would be 12 complete sets. I think you would argee you have not seen 12 sets for sale at 40% off.

Once I sell a knife I cannot control what someone does with it. As it is theirs to do with as they please.

Also, I have never claimed that every knife I come up with is a 100% winner and will never go down in value. I have said that the knives I am involved with have a degree of investment potential.

Many times we see people selling whatever because they need quick cash. Case in point.

Ross Perot had gotten into some penny stocks (acutally cost not a penny, but generally under a dollar per share). He need to come up with some capital and got rid of over a million shares of this stock. Now this was very early in the companies existance.

Since then that time, the companies stock has split a couple times and is now selling for over $50.00 per share (havn't looked at in a while) That company is Home Depot.

Most analyst's will agree that Ross sold a "little" early. Only Ross knows if it long term was the right move or not.

Thelu, I do not know of a single knife maker who has at one time or another seen their knives sell for way less than retail price.

Another example, AG Russell. It is common knowledge that when Paul Basch hands you a check for the knives he buys for AG it is at the 50% level.

Arizona Custom Knives, in the FAQ section when asked if they buy custom knives back respond with that generally dealers only offer 50-60% of the retail value of the knife.

For my part I will pay you what I will pay the maker, which is well above 40%.

Thelu, your opinion is based on very limited information and observations. I hope you will now factor the aformentioned facts.

I think if you had the full picture you would not have rushed to your erroneous statment.

By the way, over 250 Vanguard knives have been sold to this point. You can count on one hand how many have been offered for resale in a public forum and none were sold for 40% off.

Thelu, have you ever given any thought as to why no one else does what I do with the sets of knives and a series like the Vanguard knives?

You should try it sometime. It might give you a better apprciation as to just how difficult it is.

At the same time you might learn the varied reasons why some collectors throw away money.



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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Les, I was trying to agree with, or at least understand and validate your 'skewed' viewpoint.

I was happy to pay you a profit on the Warenski. I understand that you have overhead. I am NOT complaining. This is the second time I have used that purchase as an example of knife economics. The first time I mentioned this purchase my comments were worded in such a way that I doubt anyone but you understood the reference. I have revealed no details, percentages, etc because I know there are other costs involved. Because the purchase price at auction was listed, I know the raw numbers for this transaction. I do not know what your bottom line is. Nor do I particularly care. The knife was worth the price I paid to me, and still is. I am not trying to make you look bad. I won't mention it again.

My point was that the value of that knife to You and the value of the knife to Me, are different.

I was trying to agree with you, not argue. Everyone's viewpoint is Skewed in some way. None of can ignore our experience, motivations, and desires. My use of that word was not intended as an insult or negative critique of your viewpoint. I only wanted to express that I have a slightly different perspective AND that I value yours. I learn from you. But sometimes you seem to insist that your viewpoint is the only correct way to look at knives. I make up my own mind about things. I gather as much information as I can. I have have no regrets about buying knives from you, and I will do it again.

Have a knife day Les
smile.gif


Para
 
Hi Para,

Ok, I understand now. Please accept my apology if I came across in a angry manner.

I was trying to show you that I agree with you. I do not simply buy knives with the sole idea of reselling them. Strange concept for a dealer to be sure.

I to take into account "the artistic" factor even in tactical knives.

This I think is evident in the fact that I buy Tactical knives form David Broadwell, Joel Chamblin, Jim Minnick, Scott Sawby, Jim Siska, John W. Smith, Darrel Ralph, Brian Tighe, and others. Hell, Ive been trying to get a tactical folder out of BF's leading Bastid Tim Herman
biggrin.gif
, since he showed me the drawing at the Guild Show in July.

At the recent auction in texas, I actually bought two knives for me. I had no desire to re-sell them. I was even offered double what I paid for one of them at the show the next day. See, it's not always the money.

Please feel free to include the Warenski example in your future posts. After re-reading your post again, I can see you were using it as a "teaching point".



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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Well now, very lively exchange of viewpoints there, fellas. Very enlightening as well. Thanx for jumpin' in, Paracelsus. As usual your input opens up the scene alittle wider.

Les, my whole idea in posting in the first place was to just toss in a viewpoint that I thought maybe you weren't considering when you gave your advice. Not trying to say that I know something you don't, not trying to say that your advice is wrong. I actually just wanted to say "I agree....BUT...."

Guess my "but" was alittle big.
wink.gif
 
Hi Vel,

I always welcome other view point. I have never thought of myself as the only one with good ideas.

I take what my clients say to heart. If there is a maker I should be looking at, or a technique, or even a differing view point. I give them all equal consideration.

Then I toss them aside as the rantings of a lunatic!
biggrin.gif


Seriously, as Thelu has pointed out, I am not always correct, nor have I ever claimed to be.

If a major league baseball player bats .350 he easily gets into the hall of fame (this is a hint to those who will be moving on to baseball cards).

I would say I am correct about 75% of the time (a .750 batting average). So this is not to say you guys are wrong, but......
smile.gif




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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
The following posts became so voluminous that I scanned them quite quickly, but I think that thier are two types of collectors. The first type is always concerned about the value of what they are buying and what they can sell for and the second type is concerned about whether the item is pleasing to them and they derive pleasure from either its actual use or from knowing that they possess the item. I fall in the second category. I have been collecting customs since 1973 when I purchased my first Sigman and I have never sold or traded one knife! The ones I use give me pleasure and the ones I don't use are pleasing to look at and thier is a story behind each one. I don't fret because the knife has not gone up in value and when I die my estate will dispose of them. If the value has increased, I have no reason to sell. Dealers of course fall into the first category but their is a distinction between collectors's who are dealers and plain dealers. Plain old dealers don't care very much about what they are selling and will say or do just about anyting to make a sale. Dealers whao are collectors, really care about what they are selling and the relationship with the buyer. I never buy from plain dealers and rarely purchase from dealer collectors. I find a lot of pleasure in the search and relation ship with the custom maker and when I acquire what I ordered from the custom maker, it is on to the next item. Of course thier are quite a few irons in the fire when you are dealing with delivery time in years. Enough drivel!
 
Hi Bud,

Excellent point on the two types of dealers. I would like to say here that I know both types of dealers (as most of us do) that Bud is talking about here.

I would place myself in the second category (collector/dealer) as I only sell custom knives.

Now I admit, that at shows I do sell plastic display stands for .50 cents apiece.

In the future there will be several firearms for sale on my site. Im moving to a new house and it's time to get rid of some of these. It amazes me at how many people are now trading in firearms for custom knives. Yes, I do have a Federal Firearms License (FFL). The other purpose of putting these on my site will help me when it comes time to renew in a few years. BATF likes to see licensed gun dealers doing what they deem legitimate business.



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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
There are some great threads going lately thanks folks.

My two cents. I have been known to set up at shows on occasions, but I sell high quality factory stuff. Every now and then I might sell a custom knife that a maker has asked me to sell or one that I picked up for the purpose of selling it. (BTW the best show that I have ever had was a show that Les and Bob put on in Atlanta a while back) Could not belive that he let a factory bum in there
smile.gif
.

Like budR I have never sold a Custom that I originally purchased for my collection. Most are worth a little more than I paid for them due to very long waits and the quality, but the dollar value does not matter much to me. There are much better ways to invest money.

There have been occasions that I have been offered a good bit more than I have paid usually right after (and I mean within hours) of getting the knife. In one case, it was a well known and knowledgable dealer/collector of slipjoints. Later that day a photographer from Japan borrowed the same knife and wanted it. Both offers represented a full 1/3 profit. The maker was aware of the offers. I kept the knife happy in knowing that I was able to add something nice to my collection. The maker realized how much I like the knife and it made him happy. (Note here that I do not make a living from knives.)

Now if the offer was tripple ... humm. would not want that temptation to arise.

As far as dealers (I am more of a hobbiest), stick with Les, Gary, Jay and Karen, David, Larry and the known folks who have been around the block and back. Just like makers stick with the sound reputations.



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" The real art of living is too keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post.
In memory of James Mattis
 
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