Where do you buy Most of your Custom Knives?

[Kevin Jones]

The findings of this poll conducted by www.blademag.com really surprised me until I read that it was addressing ALL knives and not just customs.

I would expect that a like poll addressing only custom knives would show much difference results. For example the Blade Magazine poll doesn't have a "from maker" category which is a huge source for collectors acquiring their custom knives. I would also expect “from stores" and even perhaps "on-line" to be significantly less for customs than ALL knives in general.

• Where do you buy most of your custom knives? Please post your sources here and also select as many sources from the poll that decribe where you buy most of your custom knives.

• What are some reasons you choose that particular source?

• Do you foresee your changing where you buy your custom knives?

 

[T.K.C.]

I like to buy from makers directly. But, I also buy my customs online from select dealers.

 

[Dawkind]

I attampt to buy my custom knives directly from the maker.....I enjoy my relationship with the folks that make these things sometimes, and most of the times, more than I do the knives themselves.

I didn't see my choice on the graph.....I guess it would be 'Other'.

 

[Jos]

• Where do you buy your custom knives?

I prefer to buy straight from the makers, be it on a show or not.
Online stores are my 2nd choice, for makers I can't reach, or just if I see a knife I really like.

• What are some reasons you choose that particular source?

I like the communication process ordering a knife from the maker. And when buying on a show, the maker can tell me about his knife or knives.

• Do you foresee your changing where you buy your custom knives?


No.

Interesting thread!

Kind regards,

Jos

 

[RogerP]

I only buy frou frou chi chi forged bowies from certified, card-carrying snobs, and I never pass a stock removal maker without kicking him in the nuts. So my perspective may be somewhat unique, to say the least.

I buy my knives by volume in the following order from highest to lowest:

1) Makers. Mostly direct orders, somtimes just buying stuff off the bench. My preferred method is dealing directly with the makers. I enjoy the interaction and like having some degree of input.

2) Fellow collectors. There are a number of knives in the hands of my fellow collectors that I would love to have for myself. I let them know that I am interested if they ever decide to part with them. They do the same for knives of mine they would like to have. This works well as I am buying knives from people I know and selling knives to people I know.

3) Dealers - orders for incoming knives. Most of my dealer purchases are not of the see it on their site and gotta have it kind. With a guy like Les, I look to see what he has incoming - or call periodically and check - this way I can lock up a purchase before it ever hits their site. Dealers can effectively get you in ahead of the waiting list line as they have standing orders with a huge number of makers (well, compared to most collectors, anyway) and they aren't in the business of hoarding them - they are in the business of selling them.

4) Spontaneous web purchases. Whether it be knives posted on dealer sites or knives offered on the foums fo sale.

Roger

 

[crossada]

i used to buy custom knives from dealers quite a bit in the past but anymore i tend to go directly to the makers themselves. as a matter of fact i have not used a dealer since Jay and Karen Sadow owned AZCK

 

[Keith Montgomery]

As most of you know, I purchase all my knives directly from the makers.

 

[betzner]

Gotta love ya, Roger - that's a super follow-through from the other thread, got a real belly laugh outta the above!

While I buy many of my knives from two makers, I will jump at an opportunity to acquire quality whenever and wherever I find it, if appropriately priced. I would rank as follows:
1) From maker
2) From maker at a show
3) From other collectors - often trading - mostly with friends, but also a way to make new friends
4) Online purveyors - not that often
5) Ebay - you would be surprised what you can find if you are diligent - but not often

EDIT - I want to thank everyone who does not buy on Ebay. Three of my highest value knives came from Ebay and in each case, it was obvious I was bidding only against unknowledgeable collectors.

 

[SharpByCoop]

EDIT - I want to thank everyone who does not buy on Ebay. Three of my highest value knives came from Ebay and in each case, it was obvious I was bidding only against unknowledgeable collectors.

I've had similar experiences. You can't underestimate the value of eBay.

That said, it was not one of my choices. BTW, I voted on a few.

Coop

 

[T.K.C.]

I attampt to buy my custom knives directly from the maker.....I enjoy my relationship with the folks that make these things sometimes, and most of the times, more than I do the knives themselves.

I didn't see my choice on the graph.....I guess it would be 'Other'.

I agree with what you said! I feel that getting to know the knife makers IS the best part, as is the friendships that develop.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Yep, I about fell out of my chair upon reading the first post.

1) From maker. I enjoy the interaction and input in the design as well.

2) Show. Often I take delivery of orders at shows but also buy knives off maker's tables as well.

3) From other collectors. I will also contact collectors to seek "first option to buy" on pieces I like. I also utilize this process in selling knives.

4) Online purveyors - not that often. Actually sell more through dealers than I buy.

 

[Joss]

In the last 2 years, I have bought most my knives from Nordic, followed by direct from maker (generally at a show, or from their web site), followed by eBay (including 2 Tim Wright and 1 Loerchner).

It's important to keep in mind that the market is pretty limited for some pieces, so you have to buy them where they are, regardless of your preferences.

 

[Marcel54]

In order of volume/importance:

1. Makers...because of the interaction and all the other reasons that have been said already.

2. Purveyors.....mainly BladeGallery and Nordic but also Rehoboth, KnifePurveyor and KnifeLegends; this for knives that are readily available or are in the pipeline (so I have first dibs).

3. Fellow collectors....for the obvious reasons.

4. EBay...but my problem is the time difference. There arre many an interesting knife for sale but the endtime is almost always when I'm sound asleep. Resulting in me not be able to bid to the end and that way I missed out on a couple of great knives for interesting prices. Among them a Charles Weiss Bowie and a Larry Fuegen Goblin folder:grumpy:


Marcel

 

[Jon Brand]

Hard for me to say. I wanna say from makers because thats been the case recently. However, over the years I have baught plenty from dealers (both at shows and online). Also have picked up a bunch of carry knives on ebay including a standard micarta Crawford mini-Kasper and plenty of others.

The high end knives have been mostly from makers lately.

 

[jdm61]

Ebay can surprise you. The Bill Moran Reno raffle knife from 2005 was resold on Ebay by the guy who won it. I knowz dis for a fact

 

[antonanton]

I categorize my collection into: permanent and revolving (either to taste / to feel / to trade).
Most of my permanent one were from collectors and 1% from maker. Yeah, I like to find rare pieces / discontinued model, this is one of the reason I do collection ... a challenging process to acquire rare pieces and it's fun. So far what I got from makers and purveyors are for revolving unless I really really really like it, I'll keep it.

 

[CarpScot]

I prefer to buy directly from the maker, and have purchased the majority of my knives this way. I like knowing that my money goes directly to the maker, and enjoy being able to choose materials that have personal significance to me.

 

[stewart]

I used to do stock removal till Roger kicked me in the nuts!!! Now they are all forged thanks Roger you ass!!!LOL Seriously funny stuff!
Great thread iam not a collector but a part time maker and can say most of my orders come from dealing face to face with people. I like it that way working with a customer to give them what they want is half the fun to me that is what makes a true custom if it is stock removal or forged.

Billy

 

[Win Heger]

Most of mine come direct from the maker. I do need to add that I do attend shows and buy quite few knives, mostly through lottery by makers you just cant get a knife from otherwise.

Win

 

[TennKnifeman]

If there is a place where a knife is for sale, I try to take a look. If it is something I want, priced within reason, I buy it. And I have bought good knives in some strange places. There is a huge Boker display knife now in the showroom of Smoky Mountain Knife Works that I dug up in a roadside flea market in the mountains of North Carolina. Larry McMurtry in "Cadillac Jack", one of the best books ever written on collectibles and the pursuit--"Anything can be anywhere."

I think that polls can be somewhat confusing because if you ask if you buy your knives online, does that mean online from a maker, online from a handmade dealer, online from online auctions. Further, ebay is NOT the only online auction source from which to buy knives. Such vague polls and questions skew answers in such a way that you can get into a lot of trouble paying attention to them.

Also, if you buy knives at shows, are you talking about saving up once a year to go to one big show, or hitting your local gun and knife shows, or you spend the bulk of your money at your local club show.

This is a bottomless pit.

I think a conclusive poll might be:
( ) Do you like knives.
( ) Do you buy knives.
( ) Do you read about knives online? -- that question posted in a knife collectors forum? Kinda a gimme don't you think?

Bruce Voyles