When did Koenig get so expensive?

myowngod

myowngod

Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
1,584
I recall when their models were in the $500 range and now I see new and used models from 800-1200. At first I thought it was a hinderer / norseman-esque supply shortage situation but those prices are also directly from Koenig. Now i like the blade... but 1k for a production knife is custom territory. Am I missing something? When did they jump into holt/grimsmo pricing? Is there anyone who has had earlier and later generations who can comment on improved features?
 
I got mines in the 500-600 range
New, earlier this year from an authorised dealer
But no fancy scales on those
 
I had an early one that was $425 or so from Koenig and lacked the weight-reducing voids in the scales. I believe those were standard on the next iteration.
 
Yeah, it seems like it just happened almost overnight.
 
They are the new hot girl in school, nice with smooth lines and good action ;)

Give it a few months, maybe a year at most, and a new hottie will move in and the exchange will be full of them.
 
Last edited:
coinbuysell said:
They are new hot girl in school, nice with smooth lines and good action ;)

Give it a few months, maybe a year at most, and a new hottie will move in and the exchange will be full of them.
Click to expand...

This is the day I'm waiting for lol. Secondary prices can get out of hand these days
 
I've noticed the increase in price too on the Koenig group I follow on FB. Bummer as I've wanted one forever but I'm not paying over $500.
 
The plain jane price has slowly crept up from 550 to 650ish. Now most of what I'm seeing are the special runs with carbon fiber and milling which get into the 1100 range.

The secondary market is right at or a bit above new. It's a hot ticket right now. But not as hot as Holts.

We're in a specialty market, and supply and demand do this sometimes.
 
The Arius mini might start @ $550-$650ish. I hope it's lower, but I'm not betting on it.
 
What exactly make a Holt different? Most people are buying what they produce, no custom orders as well. Just because the guy makes it at the garage/home shop doesn't make it any less of a production knife compared to Koenig. I dont think holts are all one of a kind.

Seems like a supply/demand issue what it's driving the price up. Like said hot ticket item right now, why are holts even more expensive? Probably just because they are even harder to get one.
 
mfa81 said:
What exactly make a Holt different? Most people are buying what they produce, no custom orders as well. Just because the guy makes it at the garage/home shop doesn't make it any less of a production knife compared to Koenig. I dont think holts are all one of a kind.

Seems like a supply/demand issue what it's driving the price up. Like said hot ticket item right now, why are holts even more expensive? Probably just because they are even harder to get one.
Click to expand...

Holts have a huge Instagram following, same as Grimsmos do. So do Koenig's. There's money changing hands for some of these Instamakers that longstanding huge industry names would LOVE to be getting for their work, and it's just insane to me. IG is huge for some reason as a hotbed of knife activity. You see super materialed out knives from a some dude who's been making knives for a year or less and he's asking for $3,200 or whatever, when you could buy handmade stuff from guys like Tom Mayo (!!), the Crawford brothers, or Tim Galyean instead (among a ton of others). Makes zero sense to me. But hey, it's their money, good for them.
 
For me the lotto knives made by Wehr Knives are pretty sweet, currently about the same price is the high end koenig, but more than holts (at least prices direct from them if you are able to buy one, FB group folks asking at least twice as much). But those Wehr Knives are one of a kind knives. They usually go for ~$950 Also don't understand the prices on CMF Metalworks knives...
 
mfa81 said:
For me the lotto knives made by Wehr Knives are pretty sweet, currently about the same price is the high end koenig, but more than holts (at least prices direct from them if you are able to buy one, FB group folks asking at least twice as much). But those Wehr Knives are one of a kind knives. They usually go for ~$950 Also don't understand the prices on CMF Metalworks knives...
Click to expand...

The maker-specific Facebook group thing is some of the most hilarious nonsense in the knife world. I love watching a bunch of people call each other "Broh!" and talk about how fans of that particular maker are a part of a family and "we gotta stick together!" and all that...right up until one of the members want to sell a knife from the latest drop or whatever and it's mysteriously doubled in price. Some "family". I watched this happen so many times on two specific makers' boards I was a member of, before I finally just removed myself from the groups.
 
Simple answer; People are willing to pay $1000+ for an Arius in any style or form.

I've got a Gen 3 Arius with purple twill and a blacked out Mini Goblin with blue twill and I paid $1150 late last year for BOTH. :eek:
I do love them both the actions are sweet, drop close, and the grinds are simply beautiful on both, but I wouldn't pay $2000 for my twill Arius or a CF one with a few lightening pockets in them!! o_O
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top