As an aspiring collector that has many properties that Steven says he wants to see in "new collectors" (in my 20s, just out of university), I feel I should throw in my 2 cents.
First, I think if you want to get the art community onboard, especially the young art community, politically, the general environment may have to accept that you may have to become more PC in casual interaction. I know that many BF members are salty old die-hard Republicans, which is fine, but ragging people who say stupid things with "Liberal!" like it's a bad name, is not going to win friends among the art community and young university students. I'm not saying that anyone needs to change who they vote for and who they burn effigies of, but a more neutral public front might be helpful. I don't think getting the art community involved necessarily means makers need to start making knife-like art objects. After all, the phrase "form follows function" came from an artist and was popularized by architects.
Secondly, on the issue of youth in collectors. We live in the internet age. Just about everyone under the age of 30 spends a good portion of their daily life on the internet. And yet, a good number of makers (and knife organizations) don't have a website, or don't have a good website, or don't update their website. This is a problem. :grumpy:
Third, on the Western/outdoors market. I've seen so many posts about how people nowadays are growing up without pocketknives. So, is that really so surprising? If you grow up not knowing what a slipjoint is, or the difference between a wharncliff and a drop point, or that (gasp!) the two of them have different purposes, it will be very difficult to appreciate a good outdoors knife. But, this can be taught, to girls as well as boys, and I'm pretty sure that you'd get a fair amount of interest.
Finally, learning (oh-so-very-very-slowly) about knife collecting is tiring. Very tiring. There's a lot of terminology which can be bewildering to the newbie. It takes years. So does collecting anything, I suppose, but the learning curve could be a lot less laborious than it is currently. And getting the smackdown for being new and ignorant (even though you're trying) from the experienced collectors is no fun either.
Spot on Les.......one of the tricks is to convince that MAKERS of guns like that of the value of custom knives. The folks I have visited in London apparently considered knives a high markup, but cheap accesory like their $100 hunting socks and uber-expensive tote bags. For what the average Purdey or Holland buyer drops on a pair of snap caps for his gun, he could have a pretty nice custom blade and NOT an overpriced rebadged Boker like the gun makers sell. I'm not sure about Holland, though. Jerry Fisk told me that he sent a couple of folders to them to check out a long time ago and not only did they not express any further interest, they failed to return the knives
Hi Three Worlds,
So it's ok for you to call someone a "Salty" "Old" Die-Hard Republican (So much for that PC Thing you were talking about).
Yes, I am guilty I used the word Liberal in describing the way that most liberals report the news. They take the facts they need to fit the story they write. Which is what I was chastising John about. That he did not include everything I wrote was, in my opinion wrong.
No, you don't have to play nice with the "Art" community. Why, most of them view knives as a "Weapon" not Art. As such there will be few if any potential clients there.
The younger buyers (under 35) are primarily buying knives from the factories. Why? Because given the choice between the new IPhone and a $600 knife, they will be the IPhone! Nothing wrong with that, it is their money they should spend it where they like.
I do agree with you the way the "message" will get out is going to change dramatically over the next decade. Even as much as Bill Gates has put Microsoft on 94% of all PC's in the world. Here in the US, still only 35% of homes have a computer. Primarily as you stated with those 30 and younger. The down side to that a very large percentage of the "Disposable Income" is with those 55 and older. Most who don't have a computer or know how to use one.
National statistics show that 80% of recent college graduates have some type of student loan(s) to pay back. As well on average a $6,000 credit card balance. These are not the people who should be buying custom knives. These are the people who should work to get out of (bad) debt as soon as possible. Remember although you are paying into social security it will not be there when you are 65 or 70 or what ever the SSA is telling you the date you can start drawing it.
I wrote this because AG was wondering who mistreated you. You weren't mistreated you just forgot that you have a PC bias just like all those Old Salty Die-Hard Republicans!
Oh one other thing I agree with you on, is that it is so difficult to obtain, filter and maintain pertinent information with regards to your custom knife collection. Fortunately, you have found one place that can help you...even if we slip up with regards to your PC. I am getting old I remember when that meant Personal Computer.
In the future I will try to refrain from using the "L" word. Damn I remember when that used to mean Lesbian! Man things change in a hurry.
Just so you know I am neither a Democrat or a Republican. I am an Entrepreneur and a Capitalist! This is the very group that occupies 5% or the work force in the US and employees the other 95%.
WWG
"Salty Die-Hard Republican" was not in any way meant to be derogatory or insulting. It was only meant to show that there are a number of people here who seem to be dedicated and life-long Republicans with character. I wasn't aware that was an insult. I too consider myself neither Democrat nor Republican, and am registered as "No Party;" there's no need to get snarky about the "L" word and "PC". 
Dear WWG,
You misunderstand me.
I see where you're coming from about the media, but I think it's safe to say that a good many liberals would say the same about conservatives in the media. After all, it's not the self-proclaimed liberals who own the big media corporations. Maybe it's just a sign that journalistic standards on the whole are in decline.
I am not ignorant about matters of business. I brought up the whole PC thing because the point was made about appealing to people in the art community, and while business is business, personality *does* matter, as I'm sure you'd agree. Clearly, you don't think appealing to the art community is a feasible option, so that's a moot point.
Yes, college grads have a whole lot of debt, and yes, they should spend that time working hard and making it back up. However, the problem is some studies have shown that by the time you are not-so-young-and-in-debt anymore, say your 35+ group, your spending patterns and preferences are pretty set. So, how are you going to grow the collector community if you don't, as they say, "get 'em while they're young"?
Les, I've got no problem with you and I've enjoyed talking to you at shows, where you've been quite informative. Am I biased? Sure, I'm human; we all have biases. But I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't presume what those biases are.
P.S. AG, didn't mean to imply that I've been "mistreated", most people have been friendly. Only that, when you're lurking here and trying to listen and learn, and you read a conversation that goes something along the lines of, "Well, I don't agree with you." "Oh yeah? How large is YOUR collection, n00b?" ... It's a little discouraging, even if you're not the "noob".
:foot:
Boy, I have burned a lot of neurons reading this thread!
Kevin,
I am glad you are asking these type of questions.
PS-I don't like the Hendrickson either!
You are correct, Mr. Russell. I bet that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton and all of their pals have about worn out the lining of their coffins with all of the rolling over they have done a a result of this new generation of American crypto-Marxists being called "Liberals" I say we do like the more radical ones want and start calling them "Progressives" It is just as much a misnomer as applied to them as liberal, but it would allow us reclaim and rehabilitate an old and noble title.
I guess the same question applies regarding why guys would buy an expensive shotgun for dove hunting and then go buy the cheapest soft lead shot pallet-at-the-end-of-the-aisle-at-Wal-Mart ammo. The few times I went dove hunting, I had no qualms about spending a few extra bucks for Winchester AA target loads for my old Superposed, because, frankly, I needed any edge that I could get
I have heard of similar experiences pertaining to gun collectors.
Ironic too, as you would expect that if anyone understood custom knife collecting, it would be gun enthusiast.