Got any ideas on price?

[Jamey Saunders]

I had a gentleman mail me through the Georgia Knifemakers Guild website asking for assistance in finding the approximate value of the knife pictured below. Here's his mail:

To the extent the photos seem to reflect flaws, it's just that
I haven't cleaned it. There is no rust or corrosion, no dings -- it
appears to be in excellent condition. FYI, I have my mother's receipt,
and she paid $425 for the knife in 1988 (but that was from a small
gallery, not from the knifemaker). Thanks for taking the time to deal
with this.

If any of you can give this gentleman any ideas of price or any information on the maker (Bob Shupp, of Montana), I know he would appreciate it. Alternatively, if you could tell him where to go to get an appraisal, that would do also. Pics follow. Thanks!

[Les Robertson]

Hi Jame,

With the materials the maker used (especially the brass and Ivory (now yellow) micarta. Coupled with a random pattern Damascus blade from a nationally unknown maker. In todays market the seller would be lucky to get $250. I suspect the "gallery" the knife was purchased from had at least some markup.

However, there is a chance it would bring more in Montana (the makers home state).

Oh, I realize the owner states the blade will clean up. However, those stains on the blade appear to be rust, which will not "clean up".

Good luck with the sale.

[Jamey Saunders]

Thanks, Les. I'll pass this information on.