where do you buy your custom knives.

H

holmsy

Joined
Dec 17, 2005
Messages
132
hi guys i was just wonering where everyone went when they were looking for a custom knife, im looking to sell a few so was wondering the best place to sell them.

1. ebay
2. dealer, which one.
3. classifieds on blade forums
4. classifieds on another forum, which one.
5. direct from maker
6. knife shows

brett
 
99.9% from the maker. I have bought only a couple from dealers and another couple on ebay. I don't have anything against buying a knife from someone other than the maker, but that's always my first choice primarily because I like to commission the knife as I want it.
 
80% orders direct from the maker, the remainder from makers at shows, dealers or fellow collectors.

Roger
 
I like to buy from the maker,at shows more often than not. because it's the maker I'm buying. The knife is just a small part of collecting. With out shows I would not collect at all. I like to visit my friends, and makers become friends.
 
I like to buy from the maker,at shows more often than not. because it's the maker I'm buying. The knife is just a small part of collecting. With out shows I would not collect at all. I like to visit my friends, and makers become friends.
 
I purchase my knives directly from the makers. My preference is for knives that I have had some input into what it is that I am going to get. I also really like the interaction with the maker.
 
I prefer to get my knives directly from the makers, as I get some input, and I like the personal interaction.

However, sometimes you just can't wait.

Another problem is that some makers just don't take orders from folks not on their lists of long-tiime custormers, and you have no choice but to use a dealer or search the secondary market. Furthermore, depending on the maker, those two avenues may not yield any result either. If you just have to have a knife by that maker, you are just SOL, since thaey are usually some cantankerous cuss who just won't do anything he doesn't want to do. The only thing to do in that case is pray that the maker's wife will get pregnant or his children get into Harvard or get married or something like that, since then his need for cash will skyrocket and maybe then he will make you that unbelievable folder that you have been dreaming of..... whare was I? I need some more coffee.....

:D
 
holmsy said:
I'm looking to sell a few so was wondering the best place to sell them.

brett
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It depends on what you are selling.

I know that the Exchange on BladeForums is really superb for forged fixed blades by the top makers in the ABS. There are a lot of collectors and dealers who check the listings regularly, and if the blade is a good example from a desirable maker and properly priced, it will sell in short order. If you are cleaning out the drawer, try ebay.

As far as purchasing knives, I prefer to pre-plan, order directly from the maker and be patient. I try to resist unplanned purchases at shows, but sometimes you just have to pull the trigger. I have had excellent luck purchasing knives on the Bladeforum directly from other collectors. Purveyors also play an important roll, Les Robertson at RCC and Dave Harvey at Nordic, are at the top of my list. Ebay has a high level of risk and reward, caveat emptor!
 
I have a couple of knives that I got directly from the makers, I have traded for some (BF members), and I have purchased some from Steel Addiction.The knife that I purchased from Steel Addiction, was one that the maker was no longer making!! I was lucky to get it!! And Dave is a great guy to do business with!! http://www.steeladdictionknives.com/
 
For me it's mostly from the makers at the shows, many of them friends. I have bought from dealers and dealers tables at shows. I've bought a couple off ebay. I can't think of any custom I've bought off the exchange forums here. But, I have received gifts of custom knives from BFC members. :D

Nothing better than that!
 
In this order:

1. Direct from maker at a show.
2. Direct from maker - email, website, phone, etc.
3. Dealer - if it's the right knife at the right price.
4. BFC members.

I have never bought a custom knife on eBay.
 
Upgrade your membership and sell them here. Almost all of my custom knives have come from shows and usually from the actual blade smith.
 
ptgdvc said:
It depends on what you are selling.

I know that the Exchange on BladeForums is really superb for forged fixed blades by the top makers in the ABS. There are a lot of collectors and dealers who check the listings regularly, and if the blade is a good example from a desirable maker and properly priced, it will sell in short order. If you are cleaning out the drawer, try ebay.
Click to expand...

what im trying to sell isnt forged and its not a big time maker. Its my own work.
All you guys paint a pretty bleak picture for a new maker trying to break in to the knife world, it would seem most of you like to buy from a maker direct which makes it real hard when your a no body.

brett
 
holmsy said:
....All you guys paint a pretty bleak picture for a new maker trying to break in to the knife world, it would seem most of you like to buy from a maker direct which makes it real hard when your a no body...
Click to expand...

That's not quite true (and you didn't mention earlier that you were a maker). If you have a website or can post some photos here, you'll get the most honest and educated feedback you could ever hope for.

I have purchased at least a dozen knives from makers that few people have ever heard of - at least at the time I bought them ;) .
 
My preference is to get knives directly from the maker if I can. Since many makers no longer take orders, though, I have found dealers such as Phillip Doss at theknifecellar.com and Dave Stark at steeladdictionknives.com to be great alternative sources for hard-to-find knives. I also do a lot of trading on the forums with other members, which is a really fun way to get yourself involved in the hobby.
 
My top pieces, I got directly from the maker, either at a show, or via their website.

Commissions I've found are a crapshoot. Most time they turn out good, sometimes great, and sometimes they are a disaster. In my opinion you end up paying a small premium versus the wait and see approach, but of course you get + or - what you want.

Most of my pieces - but very few of the top ones - I got second hand either on eBay or from the forum (and for the last year or so I've started to be contacted directly or refered by my friends). Many of those I bought at a small or material discount over going rate, largely because people are already realizing a profit and are in a hurry.

I have bought a few very nice peices from lesser known retailers, at a very decent price.

Selling knives as an owner is a difficult thing to figure, and I find it especially difficult once the price gets beyond $750, or if the piece is somewhat "different".
 
I have been collecting knives for 20yrs........Phillip Doss @ The Knife Cellar .........is a great guy to deal with.I have always got great knives from........him.The bottom line is ......Phillip does what he says he going to do and always has great knives that are hard to come by with great prices as well!Phillip has helped me sell knives as well.........Always have gotten great service!!!!!!!
Just one thing I would like to point out.........I had a knife one time ......that I thought was worth less.......and he told me it was worth more than I thought........Honesty in the knife world is the most important thing........cause alot of the time you are dealing with people you have never met!Phillip is the man!
Ck it out.........:)
www.theknifecellar.com
 
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