Does publishing increase knife value?

[SVanderkolff]

Is a knife that is featured in one of the knife magazines, or in Dr Darom's book or any other type of wide spread exposure, have a greater value to a collector? And should we as makers increase what we ask for a piece based on that exposure?
Thanks for your thoughts
Steve

[J.Arthur Loose]

I should say yes to both questions.

[SVanderkolff]

I should have added to the bove question:
By how much?
Steve

[J.Arthur Loose]

As much as you can...

[RogerP]

Interesting question Steven.

There is no doubt that some collectors are willing to pay more for a knife that has been published or has won an award. Others aren't. I am squarely in the latter group.

As for whether you should charge a premium - hey, it's a free market and some are willing to pay it so why not?

Speaking for myself (and any other like-minded collectors that may or may not exist ) a knife with such provenance increases its saleability. It's an element which might tip the scales in a close "buy or pass" decision. But it is not a factor which increases the intrinsic value of the knife. If a maker has a knife routinely available from him (and fairly priced) at, say $400, but wants $600 for it once it is published, that is a definite "pass" for me. I may, however, order one for future delivery at the regular price.

Cheers,

Roger

[Ed Caffrey]

My take on upping the price of a knife if it gets published......

Can you look at the man in the mirror and honestly feel good about having charged more for a knife because it was published? If you can, then I suppose it's OK. I view the publishing as a bonus.....I consider it free advertisement, and therefore I have already recieved an additional return on that particular piece. For me personally, I wouldn't feel right about charging more than I normally would for whatever was published.
The first rule of being a knifemaker is....NEVER BELIEVE YOUR OWN PRESS!! I've watch some makers who have recieved a rash of publication turn into flat out buttheads. It starts with their prices jumping suddenly, then their head swells, and pretty soon they think they are "untouchable." It may take a while, but sooner or later customers as well as other makers are repelled by them, and they either realize what's happened to them and change, or slowly fade out of the business.

[J.Arthur Loose]

Originally Posted by Ed Caffrey

My take on upping the price of a knife if it gets published......
Can you look at the man in the mirror and honestly feel good about having charged more for a knife because it was published?

I would say that it depends on the venue. If it was merely published in one of the mags, then it probably hasn't increased in value. If it won a "Best of Show," or some kind of ABS award with fanfare, or is published in an upscale book, then the "aftermarket," value has definitely increased. Why should a maker maintain the same price so a collector can make the profit? It's not like your well-known makers are rolling in dough. You deserve to make more off of a piece that is recognized for its excellence.

Otherwise why be excellent?

[Ed Caffrey]

I can agree with you on the award winning issue....... that does bring more prestige to the particular knife than gettng a photo in a magazine or book. Winning an award with a given knife is telling everyone that the piece was considered "the best" of that particular category of knives presented at whatever the venue was/is. From what I have witnessed the winning of an award also tends to increase the knife's value on the secondary market, especially if the award goes with the piece......with that in mind I would have no issues about asking a few more dollars for an award winner.
However, the question was about publication......and to that end I stand by my statement of not feeling right about asking more for a knife simply because it was published somewhere.

[J.Arthur Loose]

I think the publishing venue makes a difference. Back pages of Blade or KI? Nah. Front page? Sure. If the piece wasn't sold yet I'd frame a copy of the cover, put it on the table next to the knife and ask for more. Mark my words, that blade will end up being worth more than if it came without that framed piece of paper.

I have a piece in Darom's upcoming book. It's a sold commission and I doubt the patron will ever sell it, but he certainly wants a copy of the book to display next to it. I'm sure it will be worth more to his children one day than if it wasn't in the book. If it was a new piece I'd sell it with a copy of the book and a mark-up. I'm assuming, of course, that the knife in question is unique and not a production/limited production piece.

It's self promotion, but certainly not disingenuous.

[MPMetal]

I think it makes a large differance if it is a "one off" or one in a small run/ regular design. I and I am sure others have had one or two knifes that just clicked, forgeing went faster and closer to shape grinding went easier and heat treat came out better than normal (no warps perfict quench line etc) all the fit up on handle and gard went right the first time etc. but those are not IMO the knifes that win awards or make the mags most of the time. the ones that do look to be the ones that fight you, they burn you when you forge them, the grind is a pain, fit up takes foever, it bits you, draws blood and just makes you want to give up. in the end I think you make a better knife from all that , wanting it to be worth all the pain!! for some thing like that charge more!!
then again never haveing won anything and never haveing been in a mag I may be full of it

[hammerdownnow]

Provenance means a heck of a lot in the value of antique knives. Sometimes doubling the value. Increased orders from the exposure is a definite plus. I would say it does increase the value of the knife. Who benifits from that is up to the maker and collector and their relationship and should be desided on an individual basis.

[Terrill Hoffman]

Here is how I look at it, both when I take a photograph for a maker or when I'm buying a knife.
A published photograph of a certain knife really shouldn't raise the value of the knife. But it may help the maker become more in demand. If that happens, all of his knives are raised in value.

[Sam Wereb]

Publish or perish.