What knife(ves) did you have an opportunity to buy, but didn't either due to stupidity, lack of funds, or lack of understanding of who the maker was?

I brokered a deal for two Emersons (half moon CQC6 and Viper 1) for another person before the Emerson hype really took off. The guy got them both for $1300. I could have gotten an even better deal if I bought them myself. I wasn't worried about the knives, but soon after the deal, the market value on the knives more than doubled, which is an excellent return by any means.

I had a chance to buy a Steven Rapp fighter that was just plain stunning. No money.

I am waiting for that Loveless to just drop in my lap now:)

Had a shot at a Daniel Winkler tomahawk, before the tomahawk craze hit, missed out.

I was at the NKCA Spring Louisville Show, 1987. It was early in my "dealer" career.

There was a guy there with this huge bowie on a stand under a plastic cube. He told me he would let me have it for $800.00. Which at the time for me was an incredible amount of money, even for a knife.

When I looked at the knife, it looked awful plain. Then of course I asked "who is Moran"?

Things came full circle about in January 1999. When I sold a pair of Moran folders for $25,000.00.

Although not a custom knife, this story still pains me to think about. About 5 years ago my wife was at a flea market that they hold every weekend. She came home and said that an older lady (widow) had cleaned out an attic with boxes of her husbands old neglected 'junk'. My wife said that the lady had a knife that looked neat, it was dirty but otherwise in fairly decent shape. She said the lady knew nothing about it, but had it priced at 4 dollars. My wife didnt know much either, so I asked her if the knife had any markings or anything to identify it. She remembered "something" about "Germany", "White Hunter", and "Puma". Naturally for 4 dollars I drove to the flea market at about warp 6 but was still 5 minutes to late. That was enough to make me lose my appetite for the rest of the day.

Oh great, thanks for bringing this subject up Bob :(

I had a chance at a Howard Hitchmough fighter for £200 ($300ish). I was short of cash, not in the mood, whatever. I've been kicking myself ever since.....Well, not quite...

Roger

Well, I had been collecting for about 8 years when I travelled to Orlando for my first Guild Show. I had dreamed of getting a Walkers locker at the show and immediately set out to find it. Saw a few on a dealers table and liked a couple of them. Finally, Phyllis and I decided upon one and made the purchase.

This however was not our first purchase of the day as we were also able to get a wonderful dagger with fluted ivory handle by Fred Slee.

Next came a great dagger with Impala horn handle by Patrick Donovan. Another dagger and matching sheath by Lee Ferguson.

Lastly by Frank Centofante I was able to get a liner lock with wonderful Abalone scales.

So you think, what the heck did this guy miss.

Well, at that time the exchange rate was 20% and the total US was about $3750 or $4500 Canuck bucks. Fair chuck of change I figured.

Well, as many of you know, that year (198:cool: was the 50th anniversary of Randall Knives. At the Orlando show were many of the Anniversary Bowies for sale at $350. Value now is at least 10 X. Did I buy one? NOPE. Do I wish I had? YUP.

I saw a week before last Christmas on one of the sell sites a Herron sub-hilt fighter ( the only one he has ever made like it ) for $550. I thought something must be wrong because it was even listed. Thought the owner of the site (I think it was Les's site, but am not sure), would have picked it up. Checked back a few days later and it was still there. Two weeks after Christmas I checked again and it was sold. If the person who got that knife is reading this, any show you see me at, you can come to my table and I will do some serious trading for that knife. Whole bunch of knives trading!! Kick myself in the sphincter over that one.:eek: Mark

COOPERS!!! Call it young and dumb, wished I had only half the Coopers I owned at one time. Back when I worked with him he would give me a knife ever now and then and tell me to go and trade it for a gun, well I did since I was a gun nut too. The guns and most of the knives are long gone now.

I was exhibiting at the Wolverine show a year and a half ago, and it was a slow weekend for me and for Zaza Revishvili, who was a few tables away. He had not sold a knife by Sunday afternoon, and was discouraged. Offered one of his beautiful collaboration folders for $550. I hadn't sold a knife either; didn't take it. Ooops.

Aren't we just making a big puddle of regret:) Hindsite always seems to be crystal clear. I am friends with Zaza and his silver work just blows me away. $550 is what the knife was probably worth without his embellishment...A Herron sub for $550...how did I miss that one...it is funny how you don't think about it when you are working with these guys...Coopers for free, but you saw him every day, so no big deal...I can imagine Steve had a few Lovelesses given to him...just think if he would have decided to make one Loveless/Johnson Big Bear to keep;)