Scagel on ebay

[smiling-knife]

Nothing to do with me... just for interest. s-k

http://cgi.ebay.com/Large-TREEMAN-HANDM ... dZViewItem

[Ringmaster]

S-K, isn't that amazing ??? The guy had absolutely no idea what he had... initially, he wanted to get $20 for it !!!

Bless their hearts - the "good guys" of knife collecting made him aware, before he sold it as a "Buy It Now". I'll bet his whole family is rejoicing...he bought it at a yard sale.

I just hope it brings more than 10K, for his sake.

Take Care, everyone

JR

[muskrat man]

un-believe-able! why can't I'd like to luck into a few of those for $20, sell'em and buy a house

[sunburst]

Wow, that was the most entertainment I have enjoyed this week, what a great story for this seller..Fantastic..

Sunburst

[MITCH RAPP]

Man O Man! I got to start going to more Garage Sales

[Cope]

I've always heard that there are no "stupid" questions, but it seems like I usually break that mold. I'm a pocketknife collector and own exactly one fixed blade. Its a dandy too!!! A very poor camo imitation of the Rambo knife. OK I have no pride. My question is what makes a knife like the one being discussed so valuable? I understand all the things like fine craftsmanship and rarity but really $10 grand?? And if I remember right it was from the 30-40 time period. I've heard of several pocketknives demanding these high prices but to me there is so much history associated with pocketknives that can be traced and verified. I'm in no way trying to diminish the value of the knife or collector's themselves, just trying to understand. Is there something about these knives that I don't know? Thanks for any help...Brad

[Classic Case]

I would say, in the same way a honus wagner baseball card,that came with a 5 cent plug of tobacco,can be worth $100,000.. supply and demand,how many people want it, and how many are available i think.

[Ringmaster]

Hi Cope,

Well, the price of any knife is determined by the market, obviously. But the price of a Scagel is partly the history, his life and some of his knives are well documented by Harry McKevoy. Partly the provenance - he was the maker who inspired Bo Randall to begin making knives, and we all know where that led. Partly the time period - he was and is considered by some, to be the father of custom knifemaking. And, to a degree, it's "bragging rights", by the more affluent collectors. Rarity also...he was a one-man shop, whereas Remington/Winchester, et.al. were cranking out knives, as fast as they could make 'em.

Certainly, none of his knives will ever be used as a "dandelion-digger", like the seller on Ebay suggested, but (as I understand it), they ARE excellent blades.

If you consider that, in today's custom knife market, a genuine Loveless will bring in excess of 5K - then the work of the old master really deserves to be double that price, I think. I'll never own one, of course, but I can appreciate the value of his work.

Compare the price of a Chrysler Airflow, to a current Chrysler. Sky-high demand, and a very limited supply.

Hope that helps,

JR