The role of the collector

Tai Goo

Tai Goo

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What is the role of the collector in the custom knife industry?
I see it simply as "recognizing and preserving that which is of value".
How do you see it?
 
Tai Goo said:
What is the role of the collector in the custom knife industry?
I see it simply as "recognizing and preserving that which is of value".
How do you see it?
Click to expand...

Tai, there is more to be said; however in a brief sentence you have a very good definition IMO.

I will ponder on it more.
 
Great topic Tai! :)


I think your bottom line, end of the day type definition is accurate.

However, it seems cold. It's akin to saying that a knifemaker, "makes something of value."

True.... but there are a million words that could be used to explain and define how, why, and what for!

Since I'm not a collector, I'll leave it for them to answer, but I'm excited to see their answers. I can honestly say that I would make knives no matter what.... BUT! It is guys like Peter, STeven, Roger, Danbo, Kevin, Keith, John, Joe, etc... That have allowed me both the emotional prodding and FINANCIAL funding to pursue bladesmithing in a way that I never dreamed of when I first started.

As much as I like getting paid for a knife, the money just goes back in to the shop and materials.

My true goal with what I make is to garner the appreciation and approval of collectors AND my peers.

*edited to say* Of course there is great personal satisfaction from the journey itself as well!!!!
 
they are one of the two essential parts of the equation that makes capitalism work!!!!

but its not really about money.........we have all made knives with no buyer in sight......and gone to shows hoping to sell some knives, heck, I went to a show in Cali one time and sold NOTHING all weekend.....it was very disappointing-but the point is.......there needs to be a mutual excitement on both sides of the table to make the whole thing grow.......without enthusiasm for the craft, the knifemaker will eventually give up and quit........and without an excited market.......the craftsman will settle for making the same old product over and over.
 
Hi Nick,

You are exactly right. Collectors provide you with the emotional/psychological support you need. As well they provide you with the capital that allows you to keep creating.

As Tom wrote he went to a show and sold nothing. How long can a knife maker go (especially with the show expenses) and sell nothing. Talk about having an adverse affect on your psyche!

Hi Tom,

Maybe in the old days you didn't have a buyer for a new knife....but that was long ago and far away.

WWG
 
Tai Goo said:
What is the role of the collector in the custom knife industry?
I see it simply as "recognizing and preserving that which is of value".
How do you see it?
Click to expand...

A good collector also promotes the industry, as well as influencing it.

A good collector will let a maker know what he likes and dislikes in a knife. Although, you Tai, need no input from a collector(because everything you make is perfect), it tends to help other makers who maybe don't have such a high opinion of themselves, and maybe don't have such refined artistic skills.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
The role of the collector is to collect, nothing more, but there are going to be many different attitudes towards collecting. Many collectors are only interested in aquiring the things they want. There are others that also do some promotion, and then there are the ambassadors. The ones that constantly promote, bring in new collectors and pass on knowledge at every opportunity.

It is my opinion that not only should a collector recognize and preserve that which is of value, but that they should also do as much as possible to enhance the area of collecting that they have chosen.
 
Tai Goo said:
What is the role of the collector in the custom knife industry?
I see it simply as "recognizing and preserving that which is of value".
How do you see it?
Click to expand...
Such a depth of questions in such an innocuous query. Makers and Collectors form a marriage, that builds and grows. One is dependent on the other.

Basic premise: Maker needs to be financial funded for his work to continue, and a collector is the means to that end.

Pleasing the collector and crafting a knife that he/she considers valuable will ensure this transaction will take place.

Tangent: This reminds me that there is always a member who will snort: "I use my custom knives. Why keep them hidden in a safe?" (exaggeration of character, but not too far off). I submit that the collectors will support 85% of the custom knives. Using knives are but a small portion of the industry.

Coop
 
The ideal collector does two things:
#1
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#2
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Kohai999 said:
A good collector also promotes the industry, as well as influencing it.
Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

You are right on it; IMO STeven.

In addition, good collectors promote and support the the makers who they collect and help to educate and mentor new collectors.
 
Knifemakers influence collectors and money influences knifemakers.

Simply to promote is not nearly as important as what you promote and why.
 
Tai Goo said:
Simply to promote is not nearly as important as what you promote and why.
Click to expand...

Newsflash!!

NO ONE simply promotes....

Most collectors tend to promote makers that they feel have great skills, and have a relationship with.

Kevin promotes Jerry Fisk, Tim Hancock and Harvey Dean and others.

PTGDVC promotes Ron Newton, Don Hanson, Harvey Dean, Nick Wheeler and others.

I promote Burt Foster, Don Fogg, Phil Baldwin, Matt Diskin, Mike Lovett, Larry Fuegen, Nick Wheeler and others. Lately have been promoting Rodrigo Sfreddo.

Because they do great work, are great people and artists, and they represent what is great about knives and knifemaking, and have also taught me a great deal.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Tai Goo said:
What is the role of the collector in the custom knife industry?
I see it simply as "recognizing and preserving that which is of value".
How do you see it?
Click to expand...

This of course begs the question: How does the collector learn to recognize what is of value and worth preserving?

WARNING: Don't get your panties into a twist, this is merely MY opinion. It is probably complete crap. Kumbaya! ;)

The definition of the verb to recognize that I would use in this context is; to know or identify from past experience or knowledge. In other words YOU have to go to school and go to work, in order to develop and refine the ability to discern the differences between the good, the better and the best examples. You have to have an understanding of the secondary market and how different makers stack up in terms of desirability, potential AND resale value.

There, I used the unholy words, without apology. I am still waiting to cash my Powerball ticket, so when I want to upgrade my collection, I often have to part with a very good example in order to pay for a slightly superior acquisition. I think it may be the most important role that I play as a collector, as it allows me to commission and purchase new works by the makers that I collect.

Collections are ultimately a reflection of the collector's taste, knowledge and discipline. Hopefully, both the collector and their collection can be a resource that new collectors can use to speed up their learning curve and provide a bit of inspiration. There are numerous great people on this board that have helped, inspired and chastised me over the years. You know who you are, and you deserve many thanks.
 
Tai Goo said:
It is the knifemakers responsibility to educate the collector.
Click to expand...


Certainly the knifemaker MUST educate the collector as to HOW and WHY they do what they do, but in many instances, the collector has much more of a rounded knowledge about the industry and processes in general than the maker does.

This includes materials, can even include damascus patterns.

Why?

Because the maker in question might not "get out much", and the collector might attend 2-3 hammer ins, and 2-3 shows a year. Thusly, while makers as a whole have educated the collector, that individual collector might go back, and give the maker in question as much education as the maker has ever had, in return.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Newsflash!!

NO ONE simply promotes....

Most collectors tend to promote makers that they feel have great skills, and have a relationship with.

Kevin promotes Jerry Fisk, Tim Hancock and Harvey Dean and others.

PTGDVC promotes Ron Newton, Don Hanson, Harvey Dean, Nick Wheeler and others.

I promote Burt Foster, Don Fogg, Phil Baldwin, Matt Diskin, Mike Lovett, Larry Fuegen, Nick Wheeler and others. Lately have been promoting Rodrigo Sfreddo.

Because they do great work, are great people and artists, and they represent what is great about knives and knifemaking, and have also taught me a great deal.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

You also promote Tai Goo:
"Although, you Tai, need no input from a collector(because everything you make is perfect), it tends to help other makers who maybe don't have such a high opinion of themselves, and maybe don't have such refined artistic skills." Steven Garrson

"Perect",... it doesn't get much better than that!
Thanks! :D
 
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