Does engraving add to the value. Really?

Does it depend on the engraver. The maker?

Or both? (Some obvioius questions, I realize).

Or even the style/type of the knife. Folder, hunter, fighter, Bowie, etc.?

Should you do it for your own personal satisfaction and enjoyment...or just to bring up the value for resale? Does this action generally have that result?

How much can you put into a knife just to decorate it?

For me, I love an engraved knife...if it's done by a good artist. Not even the best, it just has to be obviously quality work.

I don't think cost of the work would be hardly be a consideration if I loved the piece and I was aware that the artist was, "worth it."

Your thoughts, should you like to comment?

I think engraving adds to eye appeal of a knife or gun. Any one familiar with either knows that engraving adds cost therefore value. I wouldn't know a famous engravers name if he came up and tattood it on me so that doesn't do much for me. I'm sure many others can recognize some ones work just by looking. I do know that there are several 'famous' engravers and their work commands a premium. For the well heeled collector an established (famous?) engraver may make a difference. For the average person, even for an avid collector, I think a famous engravers work, would probably price a piece out of consideration.
I hope to, some day, make a knife good enough to send to an engraver for my own collection. I'm guessing that I'll put more into the engraving than I could get for the knife on it's own.

-----SNIP------ Does engraving add to the value. Really? -----SNIP------

I definately think so. It brings the artistic level up and therefore (to me) brings the value up.


-----SNIP------ Does it depend on the engraver.
The maker? Or both? (Some obvioius questions, I realize).-----SNIP------

I have seen some pretty poor engraving and to me it did not add anything to the knife. I think the quality is what it is all about and some makers have very consistent quality and incredible abilities. Therefore, the maker does make a difference just because of the quality of the work they add. I have never been a "Brand Name" kind of guy so WHO it is is not as important as WHAT they bring to the knife. I were only in this for the "buy and sell" for profit, I would seek out well known engravers.


-----SNIP------ Or even the style/type of the knife. Folder, hunter, fighter, Bowie, etc.?-----SNIP------

I like simple lines and scrolls on fixed blade stuff and more elaborate on folders.



-----SNIP------ Should you do it for your own personal satisfaction and enjoyment...or just to bring up the value for resale? Does this action generally have that result?-----SNIP------

Some knives do not lend themselves to engraving. So it depends on the knife. I have never been about the MONEY since there is not that much in knifemaking unless you happen to be very well known. I am just a nobody with a shop that makes a few knives so adding $500 worth of engraving to a $300 knife does not make sense to me. Some makers command very high prices for their knives (deservedly), a $500 bill to add some great engraving on a knife valued high is not unreasonable.



It is all relative, you can't make a bad knife look good by getting it engraved. However, engraving can make a good knife look great.


-----SNIP------ How much can you put into a knife just to decorate it?-----SNIP------

Just enough to make the knife look "RIGHT" to you or your customer.

The few times I have had knives engraved, I was lucky to get the cost of engraving out of them. Maybe if you use a WELL known/famous engraver it might add to the value. I doubt if I will have it done again.

depends on who did it....
depends on the knife................
depends on the buyer







at our age........we are needing those depends!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess it all kind of depends on the buyer in the end, huh.

Thanks everyone.

Hi all, I've been engraving for over 18yrs. 90% custom knives. I've had the priviledge of working on some very fine pieces. I look at my role as a problem solver for both knifemaker and customer. Makers that have created a real show piece might want to kick it up a notch. Customers want something more personal and are willing to pay more for it, within their budget. The key is understanding what the "ultimate goal" is for each individual. I feel that our role as engravers is to enhance and compliment an already fine work, NOT overpower it! Knowledgeable clients appreciate engraving as an artform in its' own right and give fine knives the same consideration as fine firearms. Commission work aside, my approach has been to buy or trade with makers for knives that I feel just " cry out" for some form of embellishment. I speculate on these pieces and I'm free to be creative. It gives my customers something to hold up and look at rather than just having photos in an album. It may take a year or so to move these items off my table but eventually I'll have new stuff and my clients see my work evolve through the years, which in turn leads to bigger commissions. I try to work closely with both makers and customers with the idea of satisfying their goals and I also consider how these decisions relate to the secondary market. Often times a little decoration well done is far better than a lot of heavy-handed scroll poorly done. At times I 'll have work by a new or up and coming maker with exceptional knifemaking talent displayed and smart dealers clue in on this and start paying attention to this persons work. It helps his or her career and builds a great working relationship for me. Working as a team is far better than working alone. Any questions, feel free to contact me. Tim ctadlam@yahoo.com

Because engraving is such a personal thing `I can't see getting knives engraved "on spec". I will gladly work with a customer and an engraver to achive the look that that particular customer is looking for.

Now if I had the skills to engrave the knife myself I probably would do a little minor embellishment myself but not the full kit that you see on some knives. That would make them too hard to sell.

Good comments.

I know Simon Lytton buys many custom knives, works on them and then sells them and does quite well with his program, kind of like Adam, I'm sure..

I've seen some knives not sell because of the engraving and I've some sell because of the engraving. Maybe you just have to get a feel for the whole deal.

Adam, do you have aweb site?

Good comments.

I know Simon Lytton buys many custom knives, works on them and then sells them and does quite well with his program, kind of like Adam, I'm sure..

I've seen some knives not sell because of the engraving and I've some sell because of the engraving. Maybe you just have to get a feel for the whole deal.

Adam, do you have aweb site?

George is right about the "spec" thing and I would discourage a maker from approaching his sales using that perspective alone. If a knifemaker approaches me about doing something to compliment his work, where he feels it will help sell, I know clearly what he's trying to accomplish. We also have to be realistic about price as there are some shows where you have a hard time selling a knife over $500.00!! When I stated that I "speculate" on custom knives that I display--- I meant that I buy or trade for what I personally like and would gladly keep if they don't sell. Some I wish I didn't let go. I met and talked with Simon Lytton in Atlanta a few years ago and considering how far he travels and to stay in this game we both have to do this. He's a good pool player too!
Your right about developing a feel for your market. Customers want to see what you can do on knives, not brass plates. I'm presently working on constructing a web site and will get the word out when finished. I'm still on the low end of the learning curve with the computer thing and trying to catch up! Tim

Thanks, Tim. We appreciate your experience and input in this area.

Please alert us of your web address when it's up, OK?

A poor knife with good engraving (or other embellishments) is still a poor knife with good engraving, and vice versa. Educated customers will not pay for this. Embellishments can be overdone even when done correctly, but as is the case with automobiles, the options usually add and hold their value longer, IMO.
Tim, welcome to the CKD. We look forward to seeing your work.

Brett

It all depends on the total packadge. I find that engraving works very well on plain knives. Notice I say plain not poor knives. A great knife with simple lines will be enhabced by engraving. On the other hand a busy knife even if great will just end up being gaudy. I have a large bowie knife that is made from 0-1 with a stag hadle with nickel silver guard and butt cap. Simple clean lines, great knife. I had engraving added and it just put the knife through the roof. If someone has a website to post from I will send you a jpeg and you can all see what I mean. If the knife already has damascus (blade or bolster) than engraving gets to be too much, but on a steel blade knife or folder I think it works very well.

Thanks, Jerry. Good ideas. If we want that knife posted, all we have to do is get Mr. Doggett involved. "Calling all drivers of _Audi TT's!" (Or one anyway. Sure post a shot of the little blue sports car, too, please).

Here is Jerry's Engraved Knife example. Very Nice!

Before:

http://www.fototime.com/0B2C05229CC9AD6/standard.jpg

After:

http://www.fototime.com/253164E5F19743D/standard.jpg

Bob Sigmon

I believe Bob Warners comments to be accurate and most comprehensive. Frank Niro.

Thanks Jerry and Bob. Your point is well taken. Nice, very nice.

JerryO,

Just as an example for we who know nothing about engraving, about how much did the engraving on the knife in your pics add to the cost of the knife?

Bob Sigmon

$150 and I got it back in 2 weeks.

Personally, I would rather spend money on a scrimchaw. Not sure why that is. This bowie is the perfect example of something that could convince me to go for some engraving. It doesn't make the knife too precious or fragile. But generally, I feel engraving makes a knife too much for show and not enough for use. It's totally subjective of course, but I guess in my mind I still associates scrimshaw to rough sailors' life, and engraving to the aristocratie.

From a business point of view, I also think that engraving should be commissioned by the customer, not the maker. The way I think about it is, when you make a knife, you have a given pool of potential customers, say 100. When you add engraving, you're going to get some of those 100 potential customers who:
- Can't afford the knife know that it's engraved;
- Don't like engraving that much (that includes people for whom the engraving decreased the value of the knife - rather unlikely - and the people who put value to the engraving, but not the true value);
- People whol *DO* like engraving, and *WOULD* have had the knife engraved, but don't like *THIS* engraving.

Of course, you probably also are now attracting new customers, that you're non-engraved knife was not attracting. However, I feel this is a minority becasue those customers are probably savvy enough to know that they can get the same engraving themselves, and can envision a "naked" knife engraved.

JD

Sometimes it's hard to face that fact that some knives will never get used.
A note from a customer which I received yesterday "officially" informed me that a large fighter/survival which I made for him a few years ago has never been, and never will be, used. Even though he fully intended such at purchase. Some of these things that you guys and gals make are definately considerd art and will never see the light of the woods or the jungle, desert, etc.

Engraving is good, for some, less desired for otheres and almost despised by still others.

Loveless makes "using knives." He probably would be expected to be disgusted with engraving on a Dropped Hunter. How many have you seen engraved? Lots of them, some commissioned even by him. It certainly can add a touch of class to a knife that's classy before the engraving. Engraving is very personal, at times, but at other times, simply decoration, or an added reason to hike the price. To each his own, for sure on this subject. Maybe this is one time when everybody can have his own opinion and everybody is right!

Man, that little comment went on.....and on................. Sorry.

Thanks Steve and Brett for the welcome to CKD and thank you to all that have participated in this thread on engraving. I really learned a lot from your opinions. I never thought that there could be this much passion regarding decoration on custom knives! I sympathize with Steve in that clients would rather put your work away in a vault rather than use them as they were designed and intended to be used. Unfortunately, in part, that's a result of the reputation and noteriety of the maker/artist and the collecting market mentality. I like it when someone commissions a piece with the intent that they will also enjoy it in the field whether it be a gun or knife. That's a sophisticated client! I find Joss's comment interresting. I also do scrimshaw, and I view it to be way more fragile in use or handling than I would engraving, mainly because of the base material which properly, for knives, should be ivory. I agree totally that decoration is subjective to individual taste. THAT'S the challenge I face when it comes to dealing with knifemakers and customers. Generally I find that when a maker wants an engraving job, he already has the client(s) lined up. The last one I did for a maker sold immediately. "WIN, WIN"!! I really appreciate learning from you guys. I've gained a bit of knowledge over the years as to what goes into a quality handmade knife. It allows me to EDUCATE my customers on the nuances of fit and finish, the design-sense of the particular knifemaker and so forth. I want my customers to feel the same passion that I have for my work and the objects I decorate. Plain and Simple, I JUST LOVE KNIVES!! My best to you all, Tim

Tim,

Post a thread in the supply forum and get your contact info listed in the main supplier list. (If you not already there, I just had the thought and did not check the list)

Bob Sigmon

Hello guys,

I just stumbled onto this thread, but it sure hits home. I LOVE engraving. For all the reasons that have already been mentioned. And for the first time I have started dealing with a couple of engravers as well, and just as the bond with knife and maker gives personal value to a piece, this added artist is yet another 'human' component in this piece.

It has been talked over again and again, that the value we place in our custom's is not simply because of the quality of the work, which is important, but fundamentally there because of the integrity and character of the makers. For this reason some maker's are VERY highly sought after. They have established themselves in particular good standing in the whole community. Their knives are ones we, as collector's, are proud to own. (I'm preachin' to the choir here!)

Anyway, as I am working with these engraver's I am finding wonderful, different personalities and style differences. Now the work that they are doing is even more special than had I simply acquired that knife already finished.

Regardless of whether I have an opportunity to work with an engraver on an existing canvas, or have picked up something already completed, there is something VERY intriguing about the amount of time, skill, and artistry compacted in such a small confine.

Now add in a scrimshander as well, and you have a community working together!!

I've said enough. Thanks!!

Coop

Thanks, Coop. Some very good comments about the relationship makers, engravers and collectors have.

Theknife business wouldn't be what it is without the interaction between tha participants, from supplier to maker to collector, to purveyor, photographer, engraver, etc., etc.

I checked out your web site and fell in love with that pretty little Laguiole desk knivfe. Plan to make one of those if I can...

As I had mentioned... Here's a look at some very nice engraving. More importantly is the time Jim has spent chatting with me. I'm pleased! Thanks, Steve for your compliments!

pub42.ezboard.com/fcustom...=700.topic (http://pub42.ezboard.com/fcustomknifedirectoryforumfrm18.showMessage?topicI D=700.topic)

Coop

Mr. Bob Doggett:

We NEED to see that latest hunter; before and after engraving by Julie Warenski. You have photos of each, no?

That would be very nice of you, unless it's being reserved for something bigger and better....

Merci!