orangehero
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2013
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[video=youtube;5T8Gxk7vbec]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T8Gxk7vbec[/video]
I don't understand what makes his knives so special that warrants that kind of price tag? I don't find them all that appealing but maybe I'm missing something.
So what's your dream knife? The one you will consider spending on?
Im pretty sure the costs are based on supply and demand. For every kramer knife that sells for 15k theres a mob of people waiting to buy it. Its just a well made knife, made with attention to detail. Theres no reason to believe it cuts any better than a knife that may retail between $400-800. Besides usually the commentary on kramers are about aesthetic things or how stunning they are visually. Ive never heard it discussed how good the grinds are or how thin behind the edge kramers are, edge retention, ease of sharpening or anything else like that. Im not saying kramers dont have good grinds etc etc etc. but i think the price tag most likely reflects some of the labor thats probably much more expensive than other knives to produce and not superior performance.
I had the honor of talking to him face-to-face at a Sur La Table event a couple years ago. He was very nice and seemed very down-to-earth. He paid his dues, working both in kitchens and as a circus clown in his mis-spent youth. He started learning how to make knives because he could not afford good ones. A lot of the design elements are due to his preferences from his time as a kitchen pro (the very high heel is to get more blade face for scooping up chopped/ diced items). What is most important to him in a knife may not be what is most important to you, but if you hit his lottery you can give him custom specs a la Salty. And if you don't like the knife he makes for you he will make you another. He knows he can raise his prices since the auction knives sell for a lot more then what he charges, but he also wants to make it so more people have the chance to buy his knives. So while $5-6k may seem expensive for a 240 Damascus chef's knife from him, the fact is you can turn around the next day and easily sell it for at least a few thousand $ more. I wore one of my JKS t-shirts to the class, and Bob saw it and asked if that was Dave Martell, then gushed for a few minutes about how great Dave and his sharpening services are. He used to appear on ITK on KF a few times a year (The Seeker), but I don't know if he still visits there on occasion. He is definitely someone I'd love to sit down with for dinner and a few beers.From what I understand, he's still a rather modest man (you listening Murray?) He still has a multi-year wait list for a custom and he could charge much more for them if he wanted, which would certainly price everyone who isn't a wealthy collector out of the market (ok, it's probably already at that point now).
How long is the wait typically ?
I think I remember hearing that if your number gets pulled from the lottery and you turn around to sell the knife you're breaking an agreement made with Mr. Kramer. Fairly certain it's a big 'no-no' to do this to him and it will put you on his bad side (rightfully so). It don't feel like it's because of the money, but the principle of the matter.
I would so take a vacation.
So, blatant capitalism is fine when it works in his favor, eh?
without registering for anything, is there anyplace that we can see what sold for $32,100?
You'd have to bring up your issues with Mr. Kramer. You can't blame him for wanting to protect his brand, though.
You'd have to bring up your issues with Mr. Kramer. You can't blame him for wanting to protect his brand, though.
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