Are they crazy?

[ken98k]

What makes this a $500 knife?
https://www.smkw.com/bose-6-5-bonestag- ... alog-Email

[treefarmer]

You must have missed it! There is a free knife stand that goes with it.
Treefarmer

[Railsplitter]

It's one of the annual Case/Tony Bose collaboration knives. All of them are expensive. I've owned a few of the 2009 Norfolks and a couple of the 2015 Cattle knives.

They are very well made knives but some owners have reported quality issues despite the high prices. I was lucky enough that none of mine had any issues.

They aren't part of the regular Case series of knives. Only one pattern is made each year and as I understand it, Tony Bose makes two prototypes and sends them both to Case. One is fully assembled and the other one is unassembled. Case uses Tony's prototypes to make the pattern as close to Tony's as possible.

They provide an opportunity to have "a piece of Tony Bose" for about 1/5 of the cost of a genuine Bose custom.

[edge213]

Yes, what Rick said above.

[ken98k]

I'd love to have one but, there comes a point when things just get ridicules and this is a good example of just plain foolishness.
This is just the kind of foolishness that puts American knife companies out of business. I'll wait for the Rough Ryder Version!

[tongueriver]

I have owned a few of these CASE/BOSE collaboration knives but I have not had to pay that much for one. None of them cost that much when they first came out except those in pearl; perhaps they have gone up in price. I don't know whether the OP knife is a new issue or one that came out earlier; I don't really follow them. I believe that the ones I have were worth the money. I could afford to pay more for knives when I was working. Now, not so much.

[Railsplitter]

I think the knife in the op is the 2020 release.

I think I’ve owned 7 of the Norfolks and 2 of the Cattle knives. All of mine were worth the cost in my opinion.

The only reason I don’t still have them is because of their value. When I see another knife that I want I can sell one Case/ Bose Collab knife and buy the knife I want with LOTS of money left over.

I do miss them though and I can easily see myself getting another one eventually.

[stockman]

Here is one that I had and it was hard to resale. I thought I could make a little money to invest in a good old knife, didn't do so well. I usually don't go into much new stuff. I enjoy the older knives.

Harold

[jerryd6818]

I came into a bit of money a couple of years ago and bought this one. Most expensive knife I've ever owned. Not the most valuable but certainly the most expensive. It's a humdinger. Was it worth it? I'll never know because I'll never sell it while I'm still suckin' air.

[Colonel26]

Stockman and Cuz, those are both sure humdingers for sure!

[bighomer]

Well now fellers the price of the knife ain't no step for a stepper, I think it's mighty Purdy and would probably get one but divorces are really expensive, so guess I'll pass.

[1967redrider]

I'm happy with the less expensive and mass produced Case/Bose collaborations.

[Railsplitter]

I just read that Tony Bose passed away. What an enormous loss.

[Mumbleypeg]

What makes this a $500 knife?
https://www.smkw.com/bose-6-5-bonestag- ... alog-Email

Based on comparable sales that’s not an unreasonable price. https://www.arizonacustomknives.com/kni ... bose-tony/ Not a bargain, but not unreasonable. What makes it a $500 knife? Good question.

These knives are made with premium materials like 154-CM stainless steel, premium liners, premium handle materials, pinned shields, etc. I’ve been told they’re made and finished by Case’s best cutlers. The patterns are custom designed for Case by Tony - they’re not “normal” production patterns. As I understand it he makes at least one prototype finished knife and at least one unassembled set of components in his shop, from which Case makes tooling to produce the knives. Tony personally oversees the initial production, helps train the cutlers, etc. I’m sure they have to compensate Tony somehow, whether by paying him for each design, a per-knife royalty, or both. Plus possibly some other arrangement like a retainer.

Now, with all that being said are they worth the price? The same or similar knife designed by Tony and made in his custom shop would likely cost at least 3x to 5x or more. So what you’re getting is a limited edition custom-quality knife for less money than a full custom, but more than a standard production knife.

That’s my take on it FWIW. As always, it up to the buyer to decide.

Ken

[32man]

I just read that Tony Bose passed away. What an enormous loss.

I heard that also from a couple others.

[knife7knut]

In my humble opinion a knife's value(any knife)is what the person selling it will part with it for and what the buyer is willing to pay for it. I the Bernard Levine said that many years ago and I believe it is still valid today.
I always like to quote Keith Martin(who used to write a column for AutoWeek magazine)who penned a great article on what he referred to as,"auction fever";a malady that occasionally affects(or infects)people who normally have some modicum of common sense that temporarily takes leave.For those who haven't heard it:
Once upon a time at an auto auction of classic vehicles a very desirable 1957 Corvette fuel injected model in #1 condition came up on the block. At this particular moment in time it was valued at somewhere between $50,000 and $70,000.
Two "gentlemen" who apparently possessed more financial resources than common sense decided they wanted this car and got into what is politely known as a,"private member-waving contest" and when the smoke cleared one of them was the proud owner at the "paltry" sum of $241,000 plus buyer's premium!
The "loser"(?) could take some solace in the fact that the next day(if he so chose)he could go out and buy FOUR Corvettes in similar condition for that amount and STILL have money left over to register & insure them!
So to answer the original premise of this post:ARE they crazy? Guess it depends on your perspective.

[kootenay joe]

I have not followed the Case=Bose Colab. knives for a few years but all came with premium handle materials: jigged bone, ebony, pearl, abalone, etc. This one has Case 6.5 bone stag handles which is used on the regular run Case knives.
When did the Case Bose annual knives start using 6.5 bone stag for handles ?
Premium knives should have premium handle material. This knife does not make sense to me.
kj

[btrwtr]

All the premium components should add at least another $50 to the price. Beautiful knife but like stockman I collect the old knives.

[Mumbleypeg]

All of those handle materials you have listed (pearl, abalone, ebony, jigged bone) plus others are also available on standard production Case knives. The only difference I have noticed is on the Bose collaborations I have examined the materials appear to be selected for esthetic “creme de la creme” appearance characteristics. But they’re the same materials.

I have only one Case-Bose collaboration myself, a lockback whittler which was a gift from my wife. But I’ve examined many. Like others my preference is older knives. However that doesn’t stop my admiration for beautiful well done new knives.

Ken

[jerryd6818]

There are three levels, as I understand it.

1.) Those made by Tony Bose in his shop. BIG BUCKS

2.) Case, Tony Bose collaboration knives. That process was presented in a previous post. Usually sell anywhere from $400 or so and up.

3.) And finally there are the Tony Bose authorized knives. Made by Case with the Tony Bose name attached. Very little better than the standard run of the mill Case production knives. Sell anywhere from $70 - $80 and up.

[Railsplitter]

Right on, Jerry. I think you outlined that very well.

On another note and for the sake of this thread as a whole, I found a direct quote from Tony Bose on the process used to make these annual Case/Bose collaboration knives. Thought I would post Tony's words for prosperity. As far as I know, the only thing that has changed since Tony wrote this is that the blade steel is now 154CM instead of ATS 34.

Tony Bose said:

"The Case-Bose collaboration knives are very close to a custom knife with custom features. They have stainless steel bolsters and liners as well as a pinned on stainless shield. It also has a releif pocket milled on the inside of the liners for the tang to rest in when closed so they won't be scratched.

When we decide what we are going to make i make 2 knives just alike. One is a finished knife for QC and the other is the same but can be taken apart. They take this knife apart and have a precision scan done on the parts. From this they make a program for an EDM wire cut machine. These cut the parts to within 2 ten thousands of an inch so what they end up with is very close to what I send them. The blades and springs are deep cryo heat treated ATS 34 with high wear resistance and will cut for a long time before sharpening. I'm very proud of how well they make these. I would like to see every one going to work. Before anyone says too expensive I'll remind you that people will give 30 to 40 thousand dollars for a new car or truck and drive it every day. Try one".

[tongueriver]

Thank you; it is nice to have those words from Tony. In the wake of his untimely death at a younger age than I, I have started carrying this dogleg jack again. I have carried it often but not just lately. Feels kind of heavy in the jammies that I have been wearing a lot this year (LOL). My impression is that the steels aforementioned are the same steel, one being Japanese and the other American, just different number protocols. I have paid $400 for one of his collaboration knives once, but I have several and they ran between $200 and $300, none over that except that one. I have the highest regard for them. This dogleg jack has very plain stag but it is still a dandy.

[tongueriver]

Enjoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_nNzL ... e=youtu.be

[Railsplitter]

Good call on the blade steels, Cal. That went right over my head but I believe you are spot on.

Nice looking Dogleg!

[Montanaman]

History of 154CM

https://knifesteelnerds.com/2018/05/21/ ... es-legacy/