What is your take on "prototypes"?

on_the_edge

on_the_edge

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So I was looking at some GEC slippies on another site and noticed that some of them were marked as "prototypes". Of course, they were far more expensive than their non-prototype counterparts. So, are the prototypes any different than their non-prototype counterparts? Would anyone buy a prototype for a user or are they more suited for the collector who does not use his knives and wants to see an increase in value over time?
 
One thing to remember about protos is that there may be some added value because it is the "1st", but also since it is the "1st", it is a test run and a learning experience. There may be more imperfections than on later models once all the kinks get worked out. Just my take on it, but mainly through experience with customs
 
A guy named Parker soured me on Prototypes in production knives. Marked hundreds, maybe thousands of knives "Prototypes", when they were no such thing!
A real one is made during the development of a new pattern, and NOT by trying out new handle material or other such minor alterations.
I know personally that GEC makes two only for each pattern developed, so they in fact may have some extra value.
But I might give $25 to $50 extra IF I collected protos.
Now, A custom Proto is another story. If Tony Bose, or Ken Erickson made a proto of a pattern, I would give a LOT more for it - and the open market will bear me out on values!
If you want to collect protos or one-of-a-kinds, tread carefully!
 
I'm with Waynorth on this one. "Prototype" was waaaaaaaaaaaaaay overused by Parker and Frank Buster to a lesser degree. Same with serial numbers on production models--Pretty much meaningless to me.
 
Charlie summed it up a lot better than I could, but I would look closer at a reputable firm that had something marked as prototype ( yet alone a custom )...I bought a Dogsleg smooth boned GEC the other day, it has the first production run marking on it, now dont get me wrong...it really adds no extra value, BUT!!...if there were two knives exactly the same as each other, and one was marked proto or first run...I would buy that one.
I believe it adds a little value and it states it was there at the very beginning...and that alone gives that knife a little edge ( pardon the pun ) up on its plainer brother.

I may be right, but most probably wrong, but by damn..I reserve the right to be slower than most and pay far more than anyone else would and still be happy :D
 
totally agree with charlie on this subject & not wishing to start up the parker story further i certainly sympathize with his situation.--dennis
 
On handmade "customs", I think it's kinda hinky for someone to build a knife off of another maker's pattern and stamp it "Prototype". Uh, dude...the kinks have already been worked out, yo! :p
 
Prototypes are worth a little more just because most think they are. But if the prototype is not unique in any way from a full run other than the etching and coa; I don't see a great added value. In the past I have had 25-30 identical knives and 12 were marked "1of12"; when I asked about it the seller said "well only 12 were marked 1of12, thus they are unique".....

Now a prototype of a knife that does not exist otherwise; that is a different story...
 
I'm with Kerry on this one, maybe a new design for that maker-but how much really has not
been done in the past in the way of traditional slipjoints. Third defintion in Websters says
perfect example of a model----really ?
Ken.
 
I'm sure I would be hesitant to use a knife marked as prototype over one that isn't so I wouldn't buy one personally. That they, at least the GECs, are twice the price makes it an easy decision. The only exception I see is that if I absolutely love a knife and want one purely for collection purposes.
 
kc custom said:
I'm with Kerry on this one, maybe a new design for that maker-but how much really has not
been done in the past in the way of traditional slipjoints. Third defintion in Websters says
perfect example of a model----really ?
Ken.
Click to expand...

I think Ken hits the nail on the head!
I have made many "firsts" for me. I personally do not consider these knives "prototypes" and have not marked or marketed them as such.
 
I have never been the least bit excited about buying "prototypes". I can't think of a single knife in my possession that I bought with the expectation that I was going to put it up and not use it. I have several that have not been used, but the expectation when they were purchased is that they would be. And possibly will be in the future. I actually have a couple of knives that are so shoddy that I probably will not ever use them and may pitch them in the trash can or "lose" them out in the world somewhere to become a treasue for the person that finds it. Maybe those were prototypes.

Ed J
 
I don't base any of my knife purchases on whether a knife (custom or production) is a so called prototype. If I like the knife, I like the knife.
The number on the tang is essentially irrelevant except for bragging rights. It may have personal meaning to me if I was the one that suggested that the maker build the pattern in the first place.

If it's the first time a maker has built a particular pattern in his shop and he wants to label it as such, that's fine by me. Doesn't mean he just invented (or even reinvented) the wheel (even if he didn't use another maker or company's established pattern in building his own interpretation of the knife).

(And subsequent builds "should" only get better. It should actually be a good historical reference for monitoring the "quality of build" continuum.)

Much ado about nothing imho. Buy 'em if you like 'em. The "market" will eventually tell you if there should be a premium attached to its value.
 
I have noticed that some of GEC's protos have slightly better scales... a recent specific example is a snakewood proto I saw recently. It seems they may cherry pick the scales for them sometimes. Other than that, they aren't particularly special to me. My view is that the full production knives should be of the same quality or better than the protos.
 
I am on the fence about GEC prototypes. GEC only does one proto for each scale material now (or none, depending on the run amount). I will buy the proto of a PPP run of the first or second scale material, since this can be deemed the "first" knife made. Other than that, I don't think changing the handle material is such a big deal to warrant a proto. Maybe if it is a new handle material they haven't used before.
 
I would not pay extra for something marked as a prototype if I could just get the same thing without for less. Since I use my knives, most of the etching on the blade goes away after a bit. It would be a waste. I feel the same way about the numbered series vs no-serial numbers. As long as it's well made and fits in my hand/pocket, then I am fully happy with it. I think the phrase is "gilding the lily".
 
In an imperfect world, there would be prototypes that never came to full fruition. Given that it would be a pattern I really liked, thats the only circumstance that I would pay premiums for. YMMV.

Otherwise, I would just buy a regular production copy.

If its just the first knife off the line, with others already being made right behind it, then it isn't much of a prototype in my mind...
 
I have nothing against the prototypes. We don't know for a fact that they are exactly identical to the production knives, do we? In any case, hard-core collectors may want them. Time will tell if they are worth the original investment, and if they increase in value. To each his own.
 
I'm told this is a prototype;
Camillus4bladestock1-1.jpg

Camillus4bladestock3-1.jpg

Camillus4bladestock2-1.jpg
 
KnifeHead said:
On handmade "customs", I think it's kinda hinky for someone to build a knife off of another maker's pattern and stamp it "Prototype". Uh, dude...the kinks have already been worked out, yo! :p
Click to expand...

Ya know...if you want to get technical about it, in furtherance of Mr. Hampton's obsessive, over-the-top and out of control tirade, if a custom knife is patterned after an old production pattern.....it wouldn't be a proto :)
 
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