In a prestige market like this, measuring value through equivalencies or performance metrics misses the economic proposition entirely. It's all about being the first to be recognized. There are many cubist painters; there's only one Picasso. There are more than a handful of people who make damascus knives; there's only one who cornered the prestige market by appearing in all of the places that those with six, seven, and eight digit incomes go to hear about what they "should" have.
Put more simply, though I suspect his heart may lay elsewhere, Bob's core market is not people who know knives; it's people who have more income than they have consumables to spend it on, and for whom having the "it" item at any price matters, because exclusivity and perceived connoisseurship carry more value than actual money.
In a prestige market like this, measuring value through equivalencies or performance metrics misses the economic proposition entirely. It's all about being the first to be recognized. There are many cubist painters; there's only one Picasso. There are more than a handful of people who make damascus knives; there's only one who cornered the prestige market by appearing in all of the places that those with six, seven, and eight digit incomes go to hear about what they "should" have.
Put more simply, though I suspect his heart may lay elsewhere, Bob's core market is not people who know knives; it's people who have more income than they have consumables to spend it on, and for whom having the "it" item at any price matters, because exclusivity and perceived connoisseurship carry more value than actual money.
Actually Erilyn, the blame is entirely on the consumer. Especially in auctions and the secondary market. This is economics 101 here. Not sure what point you are trying to make there; how can he control what others will pay? As far as aesthetics, well, not everyone is going to appeal to his design. I can understand that, I find other makers knives to be more appealing aestetically as well. Functionally, his knives work awesome.
i will take my takeda over a DT, Rader, Kramer, or any other highly sought after american knife any day.
Not really. Its about how he values a Kramer. Thats what this topic is mostly about isnt it?Cool off-topic story, bro
I'm looking at it from a business and marketing standpoint. He was propelled to God like status when an article was written about him 16 years ago. He found a way to capitalize on it by making his knives so hard to get that there has to be special lotteries and auctions to get one. If he really wanted to have more control over the prices, he wouldn't put them up for auction. Instead, he'd bang some out and put them up for sale on his site. Why would he though when he get $30k+ for them? Again, nothing wrong with that. It's actually a great strategy, one I've used before only on a MUCH smaller scale. Only do a handful or so a year and put a few up for auction. I'm not saying the consumer plays no roll in all this but they aren't 100% to blame either. It's called consumer manipulation.
I hope I explained that coherently. I've got 2 toddlers that are in disparate need of bed time!! :dazed:
While he does control the auction aspect, and it's something I've disagreed with from the beginning, it's his way of staying relevant in the kitchen knife world. It's the same reason amazing knife makers like Burke, Rader, and DT go to knife shows. If you are not in some way marketing your wares, you will lose prevalence in the market, no matter how many years wait you have. Bob makes all his knives himself, and can knock out about 150 or so a year. He puts up a few for auction for whatever reason suits him, to stay relevant, and to get some charitable interests funded. The consumer does the rest. Now, if he were charging a $1k an inch, MAYBE we could start an a discussion.
Still, i'm a big fan of capitalism comrade
It was meant to be ironic though, to all those socialists. :groucho:
We will have to agree to disagree. As of the second part, I did not mean that as an insult to you. It was meant to be ironic though, to all those socialists. :groucho:
Bob Kramer seems to be a rare example of a person who is not only a master in his craft (I do not doubt his knives are excellent based on what I have read), but also managed to find his way to high end collectors and cash them heavily. Few modern painters manage to sell a painting in a good gallery for what Bob can charge for a knife via his website. That tells a lot IMO. My hat if off to Bob (even if I would never spend this money for a knife).
It's not fair to blame Bob Kramer for the price one of his knives get sold at an auction. He didn't set the price the bidders do.
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