Page 10 - Blade (February 2020)

UNSHEATHED | BY STEVE SHACKLEFORD

ARE CU S T O M S REAL Y
L
ARE CUSTOMS REALLY

O
O
M
N
?
Y
E
R
H
WORTH THE MONEY?
W
E
T
T
H
ow much are custom knives really worth?
It is a question we’re asked about as much
Has any, the answer to which we, as well A Bob Loveless Hideout model sports a handle
®
material rare for Loveless—camo Micarta .
as many who frequent the knife scene, seek constantly.
According to John Denton, Loveless used the
Reader James Banevicz wrote a passionate letter to material in 1992 only, and on as few as two
us on the subject. “I am a lifetime BLADE subscriber,” h he knives total. (Bad Bob Knives image)
began. “I enjoy the articles, the new product informat tion,
the ‘Readers Respond’ section, the whole magazine. It is a very
well-made product. Th anks.
“What I don’t like is the way of the so-called custom
knifemakers’ prices. A case in point is in the October iss sue, page
34, and the price of $40,000 for a pocketknife. Really! Like Les
Gold on Hardcore Pawn might say, ‘Where did you come e up with
that price?’ That is an extreme example but I see pock ketknives

and fixed blades going for one, two or even three t thousand
dollars. For years now I have been silent. Not now.
“These knives are not worth that kind of money,” he

maintained. “No knives are worth that kind of mone ey. These

makers are taking advantage. They should be ashamed d. This is
wrong and will ruin part of the knife industry. You are pr romoting
wrong with it for $1,000, $2,000 or even
these people by giving them exposure. Please stop.”
$3,000 and you might get trampled in the
First of all, we thank Mr. Banevicz for his letter. He o obviously
ensuing stampede of eager buyers.
feels very strongly about the subject and states his case w well.
Another example I’ve heard a number of
Some say a knife is worth as much as someone is w willing to
times is where new or relatively unknown custom
times is where new or relatively unknown custom
pay for it. While that statement may seem disingenuous, think
makers ask up to around $250 or less for each of
about it: If, for example, a person is searching for a specific knife
their knives and can’t sell one. Then, when the same makers raise
to “complete” his or her collection, chances are he or she will pay
the price to, say, $350 or higher for the same knife, it sells. The
more—sometimes much more—for the knife than someone who
thinking here seems to be that if the maker doesn’t ask a high
does not collect such knives. Ergo, in such an instance the knife
enough price for the knife he must not think it’s worth much, and
is worth what the person is willing to pay for it.
customers sense this and/or agree and won’t buy it. Meanwhile,
As for the $40,000 “pocketknife” to which Mr. Banevicz refers,
when the maker asks the higher price for the same knife, he must
it is a Credit Card Folder made by German knifemaker Jurgen
think it’s worth it, and customers sense this and/or agree and buy

Steinau. The price is one long-time custom knife purveyor Dave
it. Whether that’s really the reason customers won’t buy the knife
Ellis of Exquisiteknives.com, who well knows high-dollar knives
at the lower price but will at the higher one I don’t know, but I’ve
and what they fetch on the market, was asking.
talked to several makers who say that seems to be the case. Call
Steinau has been making some of the most distinctive, high-
it “perceived value,” if you will, and as the man says, in today’s
quality custom knives for many years, and has built up a collector
world perception often is reality.

base that will buy his knives, usually no matter what the cost.
Beginning next issue, to address the preceding questions and
Is he ashamed people will pay that much for one of his knives?
others we will begin a multi-part series called “How To Buy
I doubt it. If he is, he shouldn’t be. In fact, there is at least one
Custom Knives.” Knife, maker, price, value and more all will be
maker who has sold a knife for more than twice that $40,000

covered in our continuing effort to help you get the most out of
amount—but I digress.
your cutlery experience. See you then.
Perhaps not a better question but one that can be vexing as
well is when are the prices of custom knives not high enough? For the latest knives, knife news, trends and more visit blademag.
Consider the knives of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® com, BLADE®’s popular Instagram page @blade_magazine, and
member Bob Loveless. According to purveyor John Denton on Facebook and Twitter.

(page 12), you will not find a Loveless for under $4,000 today
unless the handle is damaged or something else is wrong with
the knife. Consequently, try selling a Loveless with nothing

10 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020