Facts About Collecting Knives as Art

Custom art knives can be found in any metal or design

The knife is one of the oldest, simplest, most elemental and powerful tools ever invented in the history of humankind. Any handmade knife can be called a work of art. All custom knives have their own character, and while some are beautiful to look at, others feel good to hold, or demonstrate grace and balance when used. The functionality and craftsmanship that go into creating a unique knife elevate the instrument to the level of Art. Like other works of art, knives are therefore collectible; and like other collectibles, the more you know about the type of art in question, the better you'll be able to collect pieces that will serve you well for years to come.

Famous or Unknown?

The safety and security of purchasing knives made by well-established or famous knife artists comes from the fact that the work of such artisans has been time-tested, and the quality of their work tends to be consistently high. You'll tend to find that knives made by new or relatively unknown artists will betray their maker's inexperience in several small ways when you examine the knife. Lesser-known knife-makers can, however, design and create exceptionally beautiful, strong knives that sell for less money than knives made by well-known artists. Keep both options in mind as you search for a new knife to add to your collection. If you think of knives as functional art, you'll find that one of the joys of collecting these pieces comes when you discover a high-quality, inexpensive, beautiful piece made by an excellent unknown knifemaker. The knife may not be perfect--but a lot of great art is imperfect. Discovering a great new knifemaker can inspire you to follow his or her career and observe as he or she learns and grows.

Knife Form

One way to appreciate the art of the knife is to examine the line of the knife blade, and the overall form of the knife itself. You want to collect knives that are pleasing to your eye, no matter what anyone else thinks of them. The more time you spend looking at and collecting custom knives, the better you will be able to recognize the knives that speak to you and stand out from other knives. Most handmade knives are unlike any other knife, even other knives created by the same craftsman. This uniqueness increases a knife's value as a collectible, and also means that the knife you have chosen is one of a kind, like a painting.

Craft and Vision

Consider the craftsman's skill and aptitude with creative tools, shaping techniques, and manipulation of materials. The worldwide collectible knife market revolves around special knives hand-crafted one at a time by companies made up of one person: the knife maker. These elite knives display their maker's technical proficiency, along with his vision as an artist.

Function

You can find the art of a knife in the functionality of the object. Many knife collectors, even those who truly view them as "objets d'art," prefer to only collect knives they believe they will use. For these collectors, there is no point to owning a knife that is only to be looked at and never used. Even for the most seasoned collectors who may own many knives that are too delicate or expensive for everyday use, the fact that these works of art are also useful tools contributes directly to their desirability as part of the collection.

Elite knifemaker John Jensen says: "What I do is much different from someone who makes $200 pocket knives. My knives can stand on their own as pieces of art, as pieces of sculpture. They're still fully functional." The fusion of art and function in a long-lasting, useful, beautiful object is a big part of the inspiration for owning custom knives.

Investing in Knives as Art

Most collectors view their knife purchases as investments. Some of the knives will dramatically increase in value over time. Some will be sold. In this way, knives are like other works of art and other investments: demand tends to outstrip supply for the finest knives from the best makers, buyers are well-educated about the best purchases, and handle their collections as financial property. Many knife dealers and collectors believe that knifemakers are making better work now than ever before, an idea that should give potential investors confidence. You'll never run out of new knives to investigate, new knifemakers to admire and endless variations in every aspect of the knife to appreciate, as art.

References

• A Cut Above - Knives as Art
• Knife Art
• Virtual Knife Show

Resources

• Collecting Knives