Loveless knives...

Ken Lau

Ken Lau

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
152
Hi,

Can anyone direct me to any places on the internet where I can read about Loveless knives.
Is Bob Loveless still making knives and where can one buy them?

thanks

Ken Lau
 
scroll down until you find a post by dave ellis, then go to his website from the link...he keeps them in stock and knows quite a bit about bob and what he is up to, he is still making knives...sort of....at least they are coming out of his shop with his name on them.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Anyone with an interest in Loveless knives should buy "Living on the Edge" by Al Williams. This is the definitive study from a
collection of Mr Williams knives. This collection was sold recentely, it must have been something to see.

This book is usually available on Ebay for
about $15.00.

I have a couple of Loveless' and will E-mail
pictures if you want. And, by all means, check out Mr. Ellis's site. WOW.

Good Luck,
Win Heger
 
Tom,
Thank you for the info.

Win,
I just received my copy of the book today! Such elegant designs!! I'd love to see some scans of the Loveless models that you own. I would sure like to get a Loveless classic drop point to add to my collection but I really dont know what price they are selling at.

Thank you both!

Ken Lau
Incidentally, does anyone know Loveless' contact details for ordering a new knife directly?


[This message has been edited by Ken Lau (edited 09-30-2000).]
 
The Loveless shop doesn't take orders anymore. The back log must be at least 10-15 years. The only place to get one is in the aftermarket and you can expect to pay $2000-2500 for the smallest, simplest piece.

If you are prepared to pay that kind of money (well worth it if it is within your means) you can contact J.W. Denton (706-896-2292), the world's biggest purveyor of Loveless knives or you can check out this link http://www.jbrucevoyles.com/

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"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
George Orwell
 
Hello Ken,

I may be wrong, but it seems like I remember hearing that Bob quit taking orders when his delivery time reached 8?? years...

In other words, if ya want one, it would probably be a good idea to buy from a dealer (Like Dave) who has some in stock...

I'd say you are looking at a minimum of $1500-$1800 U.S. for a basic (newer model) drop point hunter...

Like Tom said above, Dave Ellis will be along directly, and he'll give us the lowdown... I had the pleasure of meeting Dave at last years Blade Show. He was a delight to talk to... I wasn't looking to buy anything from him, and after briefly discussing (asking Dave questions) a knife that I had been eyeing up at the show, Dave offered to go with me to help me check it out more throughly...

Although I didn't take him up on it, I thought it was a very kind thing of him to offer! Especially since he didn't know me from Adam... Dave seems like a fine person! He is also an ABS Master Bladesmith...



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When I die, I wanna go in my sleep like Grandpa did.... Not horrified, and frozen with fear like his passenger!!!
 
WOW!!! 10 - 15 years!!!!!!! That's incredible....I thought that if the wait was 2 - 3 years, I could abide my time....but that really is astonishing. Is he the world's most sought after knife maker?

But to be honest, I think that his knives are a little out of my league right now....if a simple drop point hunter is around $2000 then I will simply have to ogle them at a distance and dream.... I will get one soon though!

Thank you Dogman and GeneL74 for the info!

Ken Lau
 
my two cents....the prices above are what purveyors are asking for their knives...but if you look around you can get one for much less.....where do you think the purveyors get theirs? having said that....I certainly wouldnt pay anywhere near that for a drop point...but getting a one of a kind or very early knife for high dollar would be a great investment...especially since we are all headed for the dust heap.....Dave had a couple of INTEGRAL Loveless' on his table at the Costa Mesa show...never even knew he made any like that!

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
You boys who wanted a Loveless knife should have been in Mesquite Texas last Wednesday.

They weren't giving them away, but you could have got in on several for some very good prices.

Since most went to dealers, I suspect you won't see those prices again.



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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
I can tell ya that the more I see of these beautiful custom...ahem, bench knives sorry! The more I work myself up wanting to own one. I wish that I could attend some of these auctions and shows that you have in the US...things are ever so dry in the UK!

But of the owners of Loveless knives, how many use them? I can imaging that most people would collect them and keep them very safe. How ironic to consider that they are all probably super efficient at what they were designed for; fitness for purpose at its highest form. Still, if I paid several thousand dollars for a Loveless, I'm not sure it'd be my first choice if I needed to dress a deer!
 
I am certainly flattered by all of your kind words. Bob is most certainly one of two most famous, most collectible makers on the face of this earth! The most knowledgeable two men on the subject of Loveless knives are J.W. Denton and Al Williams, J.W. a true gentleman if I have ever met one, has taught me more about Loveless and his knives than a lifetime of study (as I was able to hold and view some amazing pieces)Al Williams , who i am sorry that I have not met, ammased a truly astounding collection to allow us the public to view, a real service. Loveless knives are what they have always been, beautifully designed and executed knives.
Dave

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Almost forget about you, Rhett Stidham, oops. I believe that Rhett not only knows a bit about Loveless knives but that old rascal may even sell you one or two.
Sorry for the ommission,
Dave Ellis

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Ken, I wouldn't try to talk you out of buying a real Loveless knife, but I would like to offer you a suggestion. I love the simple elegance of Loveless's design, and have had the chance to handle several of his knives at JW's table at shows and they are special, but just way beyond my price range. However, because the deisgns are so classic the good news is lots of makers do Loveless designs that are affordable.

I have a GenO Denning #6 dropped point hunter with stag scales that I bought from Les Robertson. No it's not a Loveless, but it wasn't $2000 either. I wouldn't use a real Loveless even if I was Bill Gates, the Denning begs to be used. Or, take a look at AG Russels site they usually have a few Loveless style knives that are beautiful and affordable.

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"Will work 4 Knives!"
My PhotoPoint Site
 
PhilL,

I bought myself a GenO Denning Model C hunter that I really love. I have a Big Boy on order too! I think that these are really beautiful knives and like you, I would use these fellas!
 
Guys,

There seems to be some confusion here about quality equating to price.

The Loveless knives I have seen are fair to midland at best. You are paying for the name, and quality has nothing to do with it.

The best Loveless Hunter for instance, out there is made by S.R. Johnson. I belive Steve's price is around $850.00. It will be, bar none the finest Hunter you can ever buy.

Next on the list, for investment grade would be George Herron.

Tom Mayo was correct about the pricing, dealers are the ones driving this market. However, the only reason they are selling them is because there are people waiting to buy them.

Do yourself a favor, do your homework, look for people (not dealers) selling Loveless knives. Those of you who want Loveless knives at reasonable prices made a mistake if you missed the auction in Texas last week. There were definetly some bargains to be had on Loveless knives.

Many of the Loveless Hunters sold there went between $1,500 and $1,700. A lot of these knives went to collectors. The fact that the dealers didnt buy every single one, is an indicator that the market for a standard hunter or skinner is starting to top out. Now the unusual or Big Bear Sub-Hilt Fighters were a different story.

I know what Bob has meant to custom knives. I also know they are very collectable. Also, note that these knives are being sold no where near Bob sells them for. However, even at $800, Steve Johnson's knife is a lot better.

For those of you who have to "scratch that itch", then by all means do so. But take Tom Mayo's advice.


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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Les, thanks for the info. If you were to invest say £1000-1500 on a drop point hunter, what would it be? I am talking something to keep purely as an investment.....would you get a knife by Steve Johnson?
 
Originally posted by Les Robertson:
Guys,

There seems to be some confusion here about quality equating to price.

The Loveless knives I have seen are fair to midland at best. You are paying for the name, and quality has nothing to do with it.
Click to expand...

I definitely agree with Les. The Loveless knives I’ve handled where nothing special in terms of quality. Loveless is an innovator, and if you’re a name collector, his work might do it for you. These knives have only mediocre F&F by today’s high standards.

 
Hi Ken,

For purely investment, I would buy 3-4 George Herron Hunters.

Let me explain my investment strategy.

You buy one Loveless for $1,800.00. Even upon his death the best this knife will see is $3,000.00.

With George, you can get his hunters for $400.00. You have now spent $1,600.00
Each of Georges knives will eventually reach $1,200.00. Yes I am a fortune teller, and I know this will happen!
biggrin.gif


So with your investment in Loveless you will make $1,200.00. Not a bad profit margin.

With George you will make $3,200.00 even better.

Also, there are alot more people out there who will spend $1,200 than $3,000.

So you have the advantage of being able to sell the knives for less money, thereby increasing the size of the market you are selling to. Further, not all of your "eggs" are in one basket.

Also, at $1,200.00 the knife is still 140% less than the Loveless.

In my opinion, George Herron has been every bit as important as Bob Loveless to custom knives. Probably more so, as he has given graciously of his time over the last 30 years to so many makers.

Bob has helped train makers, however most of them have stayed in his shop and "helped" him make his knives for the time frame they were there.

In Steve Johnson's case the student has definelty surpassed the teacher. However, as great as Steve's knives are, they do not bring the interest in the aftermarket (and the increase in prices associated with that interest). This is one of those knife mysteries to me.

If a Loveless Drop Point is worth $2,200 in the aftermarket. Based on that number a Johnson should sell for $3,500.00.

At the auction in Texas I bought hunters by Warenski, Schneider and Pendelton. I think the arguement could be made that all 3 of these gentlemen do better work than Bob Loveless and have been very instrumental to the evolution of custom knives. Buster Warenski would probably make anybody's top 5 list for best in the world. His hunters generally sell for $750-$900. Schneider gets well above $1,000 and Pendleton is around the $600 mark.

Loveless knive continue to eclipse these better makers because you can make money with them. But then again, that's what investments are for.



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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
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