Trying to Learn about Loveless. Educate me!

Jon Brand

Jon Brand

Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
4,419
So lately whenever a Loveless catches my eye, it turns out to be in the $11,000 plus range. What are some basic elements that drive the prices from $4000- up to the 5 digit range? I am finding out that I am super attracted to full guard wilderness models, but unfortunately they are so hard to afford. What makes these particular models so pricey?

An example of one that makes me drool, from IQ knives.

IMG_3445.JPG

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I also love Kevin Jones amber stag model.
 
If you want to understand Loveless knives, pick up and handle a few. You can instantly tell they are a cut above. Your hand tells you that this is a tool...your eyes tells you it's art. This visceral combination cannot be said about many others. In my limited experience, only Scagel, Fisk and Bose have the same instant "hand appeal."
 
The popularity of Bob Lovelace's knives in not from any single aspect, but a sum total of all he contributes to the knife community.

His knives are beautiful and all well thought out, you will not find many design faults in a Loveless knife, and you can bet they are debatable. Every aspect of them is there for a reason and brought into a knife with style. He has a eye for design known to few makers.

Bob is highly intelligent, his library is extensive, taking up almost a third of his shop the last time I visited, he has not only read all the books he has studied those that were worthy.

Bob's knowledge of the history of knives and properties of steel brought a degree of leadership the knife community had not known before his sharing with us.

Bob opens his shop regularly to those who want to know, somewhere on this form is an interview with Bob by a good writer, while some aspects may have been a little off through translation, but made the statement that the profession of knife maker was timeless from the beginning of man that as a knife maker he shared the same thoughts as the Neanderthal knife maker who survived through his tools.

Bob's knives gain their value as a part of the total package, if you own a Loveless knife you own a major part of our heritage.

These are some of my some, there will be many more.
 
Read/study, handle/inspect all you can, keep your eyes and ears open, be patient and hold out for the right one then strike FAST. I waited over two years to find the right one for my collection.

And with all the above, it still takes a measure of luck to find an excellent example at an excellent price.

LovelessNPBootSM.jpg
 
Ed Fowler said:
The popularity of Bob Lovelace's (ibid) knives in not from any single aspect, but a sum total of all he contributes to the knife community.

His knives are beautiful and all well thought out, you will not find many design faults in a Loveless knife, and you can bet they are debatable. Every aspect of them is there for a reason and brought into a knife with style. He has a eye for design known to few makers.
...

Bob's knives gain their value as a part of the total package, if you own a Loveless knife you own a major part of our heritage.
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I agree, good design, excellent fit and finish, well known in the knife community / literature / media

...and when he dies, all the collectors and dealers are speculating that the prices will go through the roof.
 
The Mini Wilderness shown is a fine example of a rare Loveless pattern.
In Black and White Stag, in a good, strong market the piece should bring $13k plus.
Not many were made or will be made.
Bob Loveless is solely responsible for a good number of features found on many or most contemporary Hunting Knive's. The Loveless knife and sheath work in unison to provide the owner a safe, sharp tool that can be depended on to perform as advertised.
Loveless Combat knive's in my humble opinion, are simply the finest made..anywhere and anytime.
Pay what you have to, in the long run you will be well ahead of the game with a useful edged tool that will last many lifetimes and still be in "vogue"

Dave
 
hi jon,
please contact me anytime and i will answer all your questions on loveless knives.
sincerely,
dan favano
iqknives.com
 
jonathan brand said:
Kevin, before you found yours, what were you looking for?
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Jon, I had been looking for one of the small fighter models, archer-chute, mini-wilderness, boot knife etc., however I found the prices steep.
So when I ran across the 'new orleans special' boot knife and was correctly assured it was in immaculate condition, and one of the rarest of Loveless models and at a VERY good PRICE my search was over. It basically had every thing I was looking for in my first Loveless.

Ed Fowler said:
Kevin" That is a real beauty, congratulations!
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Thank you Ed.
 
Jon,
I had wondered the same thing and had the opportunity to handle some of them at various times.

One thing that surprised me and has not been mentioned so far, is how LIGHT they are weight wise. They DO have that certain feel when you pick one up.

Peter
 
Anyone interested in Loveless knives should try to pick up a copy of "Living on the Edge", John Denton has some copies even though it's been out of print for a while.

Try this to contact him: 706/896-2292

I've owned my share of Loveless knives and there really is no comparison. I really like that one Dan has for sale, I like the stag and it would match a boot and chute I have!!

Win

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Not one person has mentioned that Bob really is the father of modern knifemaking........that alone would count for the price, but as everyone has mentioned, the quality goes in before the name goes on!!!!
 
Are the simpler single sided guard models that are made for hunting also to go up in value? I am refering to the knives in the 4000-5000 range..?

I am wondering what seperates these models in terms of value and collectability. Does it really just come down to your eye and what you want?

What logos are more desireable, aside from the nude logo which comes first.

Examples: Compare these..

Stag_Drop_01.jpg


loveless_stag_drop_open_L.jpg


This one has micarta and is a different shape, but same price range.
N3100.jpg
 
The first two seem identical, so for me it would come down to choosing which stag I want, and maybe finding out which has a lower price..
 
There are more qualified experts than me but:

The most common logos are Nude, Double Nude, Signature and Riverside. From there you go back in time to the Lawndale logo, this would be an older knife and generally have better value.

The Micarta handled one is a semi-skinner and appears to have NS bolsters that would make it a bit earlier. I'm not sure when the shop switched to Stainless. Both the Drop points appear to have Stainless.

Hard to judge the value of Loveless knives, purchasing at a good price is as important as the increase that may/or may not happen. The market has certainly pulled back a bit, recently.

Hope this helps a bit, it was good talking to you.

Win
 
If you want to get another look at Bob Loveless, find a copy of his video (VHS) are all I know of being available. It will be an education! There was one available in the pass around deal on another part of this form.

Kevin: the more I look at that Loveless you posted up, I believe it is the nicest one I have ever seen.
 
Win Heger said:
Anyone interested in Loveless knives should try to pick up a copy of "Living on the Edge", John Denton has some copies even though it's been out of print for a while.

Try this to contact him: 706/896-2292

I've owned my share of Loveless knives and there really is no comparison. I really like that one Dan has for sale, I like the stag and it would match a boot and chute I have!!

Win
IMG_3445.JPG

orig.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow Win that would really add to your set.

Ed Fowler said:
Kevin: the more I look at that Loveless you posted up, I believe it is the nicest one I have ever seen.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ed. Perhaps I will bring it to a show where you can inspect it in hand.
It's really a nice little design. Though compact for ease of carry it feels extremely good in the hand and that razor sharp fighter blade makes it a substantial personnel protection piece if it weren't too valuable to be carried.;)
 
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