"User" Loveless Market

D

dondford

Joined
Nov 7, 2006
Messages
171
Like most knife people I have wanted a Loveless for years, but have never been able to afford one. I keep a check on the Knife dealers and see that Loveless knives are reasonably easy to find (but not to afford); most of these knives are collector knives and in new condition, often rare models, marks, special handle material, ect that really adds to the collectible value (price). I have a bunch of knives but do not consider myself a collector and use all my knives and have no interest in putting a knife in a safe and not use it and just watch the value climb. Is there a market for well used Loveless knives that were purchased and used in the field, then found their way on the "used market" but not on the "collector market". I would love to own and use a plain jane (if that term can be used for any Loveless knife) Loveless 6" ish DP, green micarta and not concerned with the condition as long it is sound and can be sharpened. I have read that Loveless really preferred his knives be used; it would seem that a few of this type knifes should be around.

Any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated.

D
 
The last "user" I found was still $4k.

You'd be a lot better off just getting one of the knives he collaborated on with Beretta, Seki, or Lone Wolf for example, or getting a knife built on his patterns by a reliable custom maker. I, for example, have a 4" drop point by W.C. Davis (now deceased) that's been my go to woods knife of decades. One of the Beretta versions has been in my kitchen at least that long.

Bob's genius wasn't in the craftsmanship, although that was first class, but in the design. There are plenty of good makers who can build you a user you don't have to insure.
 
I do see some well used loveless knives around but they are still quite costly.
 
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A few years ago the late A.G. Russell showed me a Loveless hunter he said he had personally carried for some time while farming. It was plain wore out! Sharpened away to maybe half its original size. If he hadn't shown it to me I wouldn't have believed such Loveless's existed.
 
If you want a Loveless, buy the Loveless. Your mind will always want the Loveless even if you get a great copy. I'd talk to Denton - http://www.boblovelessknives.com/ or Dave Ellis - https://exquisiteknives.com/ and explain what you want. If you want a good Loveless copy try Steve SR Johnson, Wayne Clay, Charles Vestal, Kuzan Oda, Mike Lovett, Koji Hara, Herman Schneider, Joe Cordova, Yoshihito Aida, or Marcus Lin.

Most of those guys spent time with Loveless or got his personal blessing as making good knives in the Loveless style. I'm sure there are others too.
 
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Watch the Bay. True Loveless shop knives, circa when Bob was still alive (though Merritt was a strong author in the craftsmanship) can be had for ~$4500k-6k for basic drop points and semi skinners, the models that Bob loved the most anyway. Expensive, yes, but perhaps priceless in years to come. Short of that, I'd spend the money on a current Loveless Knives knife made by Jim for shop prices or even aftermarket. He was long the heart and soul of the shop in the recent decades IMO, and I'd be proud to own his work. Just my .02.
 
You have a better chance of winning Powerball than you have finding an affordable used Loveless. All the best! Delaware Maid.
 
Thanks Guys, I was fearing that would be the most common answer. I have 4-5 "Loveless Style" knives, hard to buy many knives these days and not end up with his style knife. On a related subject: Someone mentioned Mike Lovett. He built a City Knife for me 10'ish years ago. I love that little knife and he was a pleasure to deal with, but I haven't heard anything from him in ages. Anyone know if he is OK. The other makers mentioned build great knives, some of them, Steve Johnson for example, are about as affordable for use common folks as an Loveless. I am an admirer of Steingass knives, he does great work and his knives are affordable. Someone also mentioned "Collaborated On" knives..... never really knew what that means.

I just watched the Loveless/Merritt movie post on this board last night and it reinvigorated my yearning for a Loveless. But as my wife is wont to remind me "you ain't too old for your wants to hurt you" On well... but again, thanks for your posts.

D
 
If you truly want one of our knives and dont want to pay the dealer markup simply go to our website and submit an order inquiry. The current price list for all our models is on our website and there you will see the "Shop Prices" for all models that e currently make. www.lovelessknives.com is the shops website.
 
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