Which Categories are HOT? & What’s Next?

[Kevin Jones]

Here on the Bowdagger forum we may sometimes have difficulty comprehending the big picture but I think kitchen knives are hot and getting hotter. I would bet that in the future high end kithcen knives (like Ken Onion designs and a couple of Asian inspired brands) will constitute an entry point for new custom knife collectors-to-be.

Ask me how I know.

Good point and I totally agree.

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

Originally Posted by Anthony Lombardo
Supply and demand, remember. Slipjoints will now become less hot as more makers produce them which will drive the prices down and availability up. Kind of like the ABS Hunter thing. Temporary market correction thats weeds out makers, IMO.

Please enlighten me on the "ABS Hunter thing".

The glut of ABS style hunters and smaller "personal" knives made in recent years has depressed that segment temporarily, in my opinion.

 

[Kevin Jones]

The glut of ABS style hunters and smaller "personal" knives made in recent years has depressed that segment temporarily, in my opinion.

IMO, the methods by which we collectors sell our knives are as much to blame for Hunters being depressed (if in fact they are) as over production by makers.

Some collectors put much thought and effort into acquiring knives but very little into selling them. But then will blame market conditions, makers (or whatever) when their knives don't sell or they accept 60%-70% of value for them.

IMO, this has had a negative impact on ABS Hunter's secondary market pricing.

As far as primary market pricing; are any makers having trouble selling their Hunters?

Or had to lower their prices on them?

Actually, the ABS makers who I follow (with the exception of one) have raised or held their prices on Hunters in the last year and sales are as robust as ever. Even the single maker I mentioned whose Hunters have been a little stagnant in the secondary market have sold at impressive prices in the last few weeks.

 

[Les Robertson]

Guys,

What I find to be hot is every category. Now not every maker in every category is hot.

ABS Hunters are slow in the summer and about August 15th they click back in. I can't keep enough in stock.

Now, on my part it has to do with working with makers who offer value pricing. There are some bigger name ABS makers who through over pricing have basically fallen off the radar.

Daggers, to hard to make and usually too expensive. Very limited market.

Slip Joints, yes. But as someone pointed out, the more they become available the less demand there will be.

Tactical, just a word on these. If they have shiny blades and natural materials they are "presentation folders". Most of the excitement on these are based on a few makers right now who build less than 20 knives a year and will cool rapidly. Look at what is happening with Onion and Boguszewski knives in the after market.

Short term, buy what you like....then "turn and burn".

Long term, buy quality knives that are value priced.

As Anthony point out Gold is at the same price it was 27 years ago and people are touting it one the very best investments you can make.

WWG
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