Millie titanium by moon custom knives...value?

[4450marcello]

Hi.
Spyderco moon custom knives are interesting for collectors'? What value can have a millie titanium like this? :confused:
I like it but would like more information and especially if the custom maker issuing certificates of authenticity...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59187376@N02/5432766201

[The Deacon]

Putting a value on aftermarket customization that's been done to a production knife is a very personal thing. To some, the patterns that gentleman drilled into that ti Military and colorized will add value to it, while others would prefer the "stock" version. Personally, I don't find it particularly attractive. If I were in the market for something like that, I'd probably contact the fellow who does the "fizz" style drilling. If I did like it, the first thing I'd do would be to contact the person who customized it and find out what he'd charge to do something like that to a ti Military for me. That, to me, would establish what a Military which he had already customized would be worth.

[4450marcello]

in fact, the design is subjective but I could not estimate the cost of this custom knife: I had never seen a such knife and the cost and it is rather high (200 &#8364 ...
Thanks Paul, charming as always

[The Deacon]

in fact, the design is subjective but I could not estimate the cost of this custom knife: I had never seen a such knife and the cost and it is rather high (200 &#8364 ...
Thanks Paul, charming as always

200 € for the knife? Or just to have one customized like that?

If it's for the customized knife, it's not really all that bad. 200 € is about $270. MSRP for the Ti RIL Military is $350, which means "street price" here would around $220. That means we're talking roughly $50 for the customizing work. Have no idea what that gentleman charges for something like that, but I'd bet it would be at least that, and probably more. It may not be my cup of tea, but it definitely takes time and talent. If this is the same one I saw on eBay, then IIRC, the other side has some work on it as well (engine turning and perhaps something else). Bottom line, if you like it and intend to keep it for personal use, I'd say yes, it's worth 200 €. If you're looking at it as an investment, then IMHO it's probably not worth buying.

[vito72]

Ageee With Deacon in my opinion is not so attractive.I prefer production standard.

Non sembra poi cosi bello, ma i gusti sono gusti, oltre al fatto che è una customizzazione davvero molto semplice. 200 euro già finito cosi?

[Simple Man]

Matt Cucchiara is who Paul was referring to.

http://www.cucchiaraknives.com/Thefizztreatment.html

[4450marcello]

Ageee With Deacon in my opinion is not so attractive.I prefer production standard.

Non sembra poi cosi bello, ma i gusti sono gusti, oltre al fatto che è una customizzazione davvero molto semplice. 200 euro già finito cosi?

Ciao Vito, 200 euro circa finito, 280$.... e' una customizzazione particolare ma il prezzo del coltello è molto vicino ai 185 euro di quello standard!

to Paul: $ 280 for the knife, not only for customization: the price is very close to the stock model. I don't own custom models but this intrigued me for the handle very particular. The seller say that this is a customized Titanium Spyderco Military by knifemaker Will Moon of Moon Custom Knives. The knife is for sale on ebayFor sale.. :rolleyes:

[unit]

No one asked me, but I figured I would chime in.

I always assumed that when I mod a knife it becomes priceless to me, and worthless to everyone else. That may just be me, but that is how I see it...and honestly, most people will figure correctly that mods like this require that the knife be disassembled (so that generally raises concern).

There are generally 2 types of knife buyers I run into:
1. Those concerned with the warranty (and they view the warranty as a big selling point), and
2. Those that do not care about warranty and want a truly unique piece for their collection...and that piece should be created to THEIR design (not someone else's).

That knife is pretty neat looking, it may be worth a lot to the right person...but that person is a small segment of the knife buying population IMO. Sort of like a race car...they cost a lot, they do neat things, but few people will buy someone else's.

[The Deacon]

No one asked me, but I figured I would chime in.

I always assumed that when I mod a knife it becomes priceless to me, and worthless to everyone else. That may just be me, but that is how I see it...and honestly, most people will figure correctly that mods like this require that the knife be disassembled (so that generally raises concern).

There are generally 2 types of knife buyers I run into:
1. Those concerned with the warranty (and they view the warranty as a big selling point), and
2. Those that do not care about warranty and want a truly unique piece for their collection...and that piece should be created to THEIR design (not someone else's).

That knife is pretty neat looking, it may be worth a lot to the right person...but that person is a small segment of the knife buying population IMO. Sort of like a race car...they cost a lot, they do neat things, but few people will buy someone else's.

It depends. IMHO, well done work doesn't make the knife worthless to others, but it very well may reduce the pool of potential buyers since, just like knives themselves, what appeals to one person will not appeal to all. While I agree that I like to have things done specifically for me, to my tastes, I've also come across some customized knives done for others that I was happy to purchase when they became available.

[unit]

No one asked me, but I figured I would chime in.

I always assumed that when I mod a knife it becomes priceless to me, and worthless to everyone else. That may just be me, but that is how I see it...and honestly, most people will figure correctly that mods like this require that the knife be disassembled (so that generally raises concern).

There are generally 2 types of knife buyers I run into:
1. Those concerned with the warranty (and they view the warranty as a big selling point), and
2. Those that do not care about warranty and want a truly unique piece for their collection...and that piece should be created to THEIR design (not someone else's).

That knife is pretty neat looking, it may be worth a lot to the right person...but that person is a small segment of the knife buying population IMO. Sort of like a race car...they cost a lot, they do neat things, but few people will buy someone else's.

Thanks Paul. The way I worded that was not quite ideal.

What I mean is I assume that MY work will devalue the knife significantly. I fully realize that there are others doing FANTASTIC work for hire...and I do NOT mean to imply that it devalues (or makes worthless) the knife. I was speaking only about the knives I work on.

In the end, every knife is worth what someone will pay for it. Traditionally, modified knives do not seem to command as much on the secondary market as the person invested to create what you see.

Sorry if I offended anyone.

[WMoon]

That's one of my pieces I did about a month ago. I realize it may not be to everyone's taste, but that's how these things work, just like not everyone likes the thumbhole. Personally, for me, I like the looks of it, the color looked a lot brighter in person. Also, the dimples on that side gave the knife a surprising amount of grip (not as good as the regular military but it didn't feel like it would slip quite as bad under hard use). It also lightened the knife by an ounce. Anyway I'm not offended by any of the comments here I'm just curious to know what people think of my work.

[The Deacon]

That's one of my pieces I did about a month ago. I realize it may not be to everyone's taste, but that's how these things work, just like not everyone likes the thumbhole. Personally, for me, I like the looks of it, the color looked a lot brighter in person. Also, the dimples on that side gave the knife a surprising amount of grip (not as good as the regular military but it didn't feel like it would slip quite as bad under hard use). It also lightened the knife by an ounce. Anyway I'm not offended by any of the comments here I'm just curious to know what people think of my work.

The quality of your work appears to be excellent. Beyond that, just like engraving, scrimshaw, damascus steel patterns, and just about anything else that falls under the general heading of "designs", some patterns will appeal more than others. As I noted earlier, the Military is not to my taste, however, if Spyderco made a left handed version of the Sage II, then one like the Sage II you did would be very tempting to me.

[DaBird]

I fully agree with what the Deacon has posted. I have more "custom" firearms then I have factory stock ones. WHY ?? Because its what I like FOR ME. Some are just customized to "look better" but most are customized for competition/SD.

Knifes --- same thing. If they are customized to "look better" that narrows down the resale market for them as "some like brunettes and others like redheads".

If they are customized to enhance performance like regrinds , stippleing to increase grip , grip reduction etc. --- your resale market will be bigger then custom work done just for looks.

[DaBird]

OOPS --- wanted to say " WELCOME Mr. Moon" --- you do some nice work Sir.

[WMoon]

I appreciate the complement! I've been moving into new territory but I've been doing a lot of overlay with the customization. I've been adding integral lockstops and pivot protectors that keep the pivot from backing out onto my knives. Additionally I've started offering regrinds.

Edited

Don't want to piss anyone off

[The Deacon]

I'll only say that some Benchmade models, including the one in your photos, evoke strong negative feelings in some of us.