Interesting thread!
Of course as with makers, your top three dealers are usually the ones you deal with on a regular basis.
The custom knife market has been so good for the last five years that a couple of things have happened.
First, while there are makers that several dealers carry on a regular basis. Many of the dealers have segmented into specialist. I feel this helps the collectors all the way around. As instead of the dealers all focusing on 40 makers, we are now looking at 2000 makers on a regular basis.
Second, dealers are more instrumental than ever in helping makers get known or even better known. Primarly this is done through web sites and knife shows.
Point of fact, very few dealers are true custom knife dealers. These would be makers who buy, sell and trade only custom knives. However, for many, since factory knives are only 10-20% of their business they list themselves are custom knife dealers.
There are some dealers who have been left out of this list, that I would like to add.
My good friend Bob Neal for one. Bob has primarily sold tactical knives over the last 5 years. However, he with out a doubt one of the most knowledgeable high dollar folder dealers in the US, probably the world.
Next, Paul Farina. Again, as with Bob, Paul has a good knowledge of the custom knife market. But his specialty is also high dollar folders as well as some of the more expensive and ornate fixed blades.
Jerry Schroeder, high dollar automatics and manual folders are his specialty. Super knowledgeable about that market.
Hank Rummel, sells a wide variety of knives, but started out as a high dollar auto dealer, and most would agree that this is his specialty.
Jack Feder, excellent knowledge base across the board.
JW Denton, Mr. Loveless.
Steve Berg (Pen and Sword), excellent knowledge base across the board, likes the higher dollar folders.
There are probably 15 custom knife dealers out there that are known across the US. As with custom knife makers, it takes years to establish yourself as a dealer. In the past it seemed to take around 10 years for a dealer to put themselves in a position they sought out by collectors and makers alike.
There are a lot of new dealers starting to show up. This is good. As these makers will work primarily with new makers. Generally, the knives they sell are $500 and less. I remember when I started a $200 knife was a big deal for me to carry.
For collectors out there it is wise to use all the resources available. While I may be biased. I think for collectors, dealers can be an invaluable resource.
