Wretched Excess

R

rossab

Joined
Jan 8, 2004
Messages
26
AG Russell has this knife up on their Cutting Edge site: http://www.cuttingedge.com/knives_for_immediate_delivery/klc01234_kressler_new_york_special

The thing doesn't look to be a whit more functional than a myriad of $100 hunting/tactical knives, and it's not from 100 BC Rome or India or whatever -

Perhaps the question has been asked before - but - at just what point does the price of handmade uniqueness edge over into ripoff?

As far as I'm concerned, a knife priced at $1800 had damned better well glow in the dark when Orcs are present, or something like that.

RB
 
Strikes me as being somewhat influenced by Dozier or Polkowski. Or vice versa. I wouldn't pay the asking price, but it may be worth it for rarity\collectability since I'm not familiar with that particular maker.
 
For a Dietmar Kressler knife, that's considered a "bargain". Most of his blades that I've seen were priced between $2,400 and $3,500. Kressler is considered one of the top custom makers in Europe. Maybe Neil Ostroff from True North Knives can jump in here and add some background info.
 
cockroachfarm said:
For a Dietmar Kressler knife, that's considered a "bargain". Most of his blades that I've seen were priced between $2,400 and $3,500. Kressler is considered one of the top custom makers in Europe.
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What he said, it's a bargain, he makes some excellent knives.
 
I am familiar with Kressler, and yes it is a bargain if your in the market because having held one of his knives they are beautifully put together. But I cant help feeling like you do when I look at it, I own a Dozier Arkansas Toothpick that looks darn close so I know what you mean. And would you really use the thing? I would love to be able to afford it, but for now I havent broke the 1000 dollar mark.
 
rossab said:
AG Russell has this knife up on their Cutting Edge site: http://www.cuttingedge.com/knives_for_immediate_delivery/klc01234_kressler_new_york_special

The thing doesn't look to be a whit more functional than a myriad of $100 hunting/tactical knives, and it's not from 100 BC Rome or India or whatever -

Perhaps the question has been asked before - but - at just what point does the price of handmade uniqueness edge over into ripoff?

As far as I'm concerned, a knife priced at $1800 had damned better well glow in the dark when Orcs are present, or something like that.
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Hahahaha. It's worth whatever the market will hold. I've seen less sell for more, just because it said "Loveless" on the handle.
 
Ghost Soldier said:
Strikes me as being somewhat influenced by Dozier or Polkowski. Or vice versa. I wouldn't pay the asking price, but it may be worth it for rarity\collectability since I'm not familiar with that particular maker.
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The New York Special is a Bob Loveless design.

There are other makers that do this style every bit as well as Kressler for a heck of a lot less. The fact is that Kressler is hot in collector circles, and prices for his knives reflect that.
 
In my opinion, $2200.00 for that integral is a good deal compared to the bare bones New York Special.

It is difficult to say how much these knives would cost directly from the maker, as I am not sure how much A.G. marks up his custom knives.
 
$2200... Wow - I think I'd just pick up a nice bob dozier and spend the rest on a custom 1911!
 
Keith Montgomery said:
In my opinion, $2200.00 for that integral is a good deal compared to the bare bones New York Special.
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My thoughts exactly. The integral chute knife is NEW and has much more work involved in it's construction. Dietmar's work is high-end, and the usability means less than the collectibility.

That NYS in that condition (scratched sheath) would probably be marketed better around $1400 or less. Just my opinion/experience.

Coop
 
Personally I wouldn't pay it, but then I can't afford to be in the high end market right now. If I had the dough, and I wanted an integral hilt fighter, I don't know if you could do much better.
Matt
 
If I had the dough, and I wanted an integral hilt fighter, I don't know if you could do much better.
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Hmm... For $2200, I'd expect mastadon ivory handles, solid gold pins, and a damascus blade. But in the custom knife market the name on the blade is the primary factor in pricing.

It doesn't have an intergral hilt, but I just bought a custom Don Hanson fighter with beautiful bubinga handles for $125. Now that's a Bargain!

The steel on those high-priced knives are probably a factor too. I've never heard of "RWL34".

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
No, I wouldn't buy it. If I'm gonna spend a lot of money on someone's work, I want a GREAT example of their work, not just an ordinary piece that I can say has his/her name on it. It's gotta have something special to offer, otherwise, what's the point? It's like paying high dollars for an old Colt pistol just because its old vs. paying high dollars for a Colt pistol because of who owned it. I may like the example, but for a LOT of money its got to have something special. Know what I mean??

By the by, OT but nice Tolkien reference!!!

-Anthony
 
I think rwl34 is similar to ats34.

Well if this guy is the next loveless then they are probably bargains.
 
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