My Perception: Advice for the New Collector

Instead of the maker's view - how should a novice collector research and purchase custom knives?

I have been a knife collector for over twenty years and a maker since 1988. Through the years I met many converts to the cutlery world: some knew just what they wanted, some saw a photo of a knife that caught their eye, and some had no idea what they wanted to buy or collect.

Buy quality, buy what you love

A good rule of thumb is to buy what you like and treat resale as a secondary concern. I am not saying to disregard the possibility of selling the knife down the road - but resale should not be your overriding concern. Always buy quality, because quality will always sell. Early on, I purchased the finest knives I could afford at the time. My tastes and budget increased over the years, and I found that most of the time you can recoup at least your initial investment when reselling a piece you have grown tired of; some pieces earn a tidy profit. I have bought and sold over 800 knives, and with each purchase or sale I learned something. Ask a lot of questions - and make yourself available to answer questions posed to you. Sometimes it pays to overpay a bit to get that must-have gem.

Beware the too-good deal

When a knife looks "too good to be true," be wary. Custom knives are stolen and resold. Sometimes you can pick up a deal, but I have found it better to deal with known quantities - dealers and makers. A dealer can usually provide instant product, including knives from makers with long waiting periods; expect to pay a slight markup.

Do the reading

Books are an excellent source of information. Read Ken Warner's Knives annuals, Bernard Levine's guides, and any cutlery-related articles and magazines you can get your hands on. A.G. Russell's magazine The Cutting Edge lists knives at realistic prices - watch which pieces sell and which ones remain issue after issue.

Try to specialize, as opposed to buying everything that catches your eye. And do not get caught in the trap of "the one that got away" - if you want it badly enough, you will find a way to afford it.