SS Rohm "Grinder" w/ a little history . . .

[Panzer Rob]

Brad-


Wow... Now that is a grind job! Nice dagger

Just curious... How much did Ross Kelbaugh charge you for that amount of information? The only reason I ask is because I was about to pay him for information on 'my' dagger which I was unaware existed (he actually contacted me offering his services) but the price jumped $200 from the original offer of $175 before I could get back to him with a decision. $175 became $375 after he found more information while on another trip to the Archives. I had hoped that he was going to honor the original price - which I was fully prepared to pay - but that just wasn't the case which really turned me off. I am both a collector and researcher, so naturally I am interested in learning more about the original owner of my dagger. I was rather upset with how justification for the extra $200 for the added information kept coming back to money, and increasing the ‘dollar value’ of my dagger (which seemed to be repeated continuously throughout our correspondence). I’m just upset at how the suposed ‘deal’ was handled and it left me with sour feelings.

Glad it worked out for you, though. Again, great dagger! Thanks for sharing it with us.


Rob

[N.C. Wyeth]

Rob,

Unless my memory fails me, I think I remember sending Ross close to $200/$250 +/- for the entire package. I don't recollect having much discussion with him about the increase in value his research would potentially bring to the daggers perceived value, but I'm sure this would be a great selling factor for his efforts. I agree that the "revised" price quote he has offered seems a little unfair, but at the same time, maybe this additional information is exceptional enough that it would be worth the extra cash in the long run . . . I would have to believe that the price that Ross expects would be somewhat proportional to amount of time and money he spends on locating and compiling the information - a kind of an "hourly" rate, so to speak.

If I were in your shoes, I would come to the table with Ross just as you have here, and tell him that you would be willing to pay his initial asking price for the full amount of information he based that original quote on. Then request that he offer a brief synopsis of the additional information he has compiled following his initial findings, with the intent that you could make a purchase at a later date should it prove worthy to you in the future. The best possible "win-win" solution for all that could come of the disappointing situation, I would think . . .

Good luck,

Brad

[jimt]

dagger

i

[Colorado]

Nice dagger and research project. I guess if one was down to a single item that SS seems to be a great choice. See you at SOS.

[slayer]

Nice dagger that one, must be a very hard decision to leave the hobby.

[N.C. Wyeth]

Nice dagger that one, must be a very hard decision to leave the hobby.

Leaving the hobby? I really can't say for sure, but most likely more of a much needed break or "sabbatical", not necessarily a complete and definitive exit - once collecting is in your blood, I really don't think it can ever be completely eradicated . . .

How long the "sabbatical" lasts, is anybody's guess at this point.

Brad

[busterz111]

Ross has a Sliding price scale...if he finds out your guy is a super historic figure or attached to a Unit like the LAH he charges a premium for the info which is OK as Usually you get that back in spades when you sell the item.You always can go to Washington and look it up your self...Thats why you pay him what he wants...its not easy to do and he makes quite a package.OR you could just not pay and wonder about the piece.

[Panzer Rob]

Rob,

Unless my memory fails me, I think I remember sending Ross close to $200/$250 +/- for the entire package. I don't recollect having much discussion with him about the increase in value his research would potentially bring to the daggers perceived value, but I'm sure this would be a great selling factor for his efforts. I agree that the "revised" price quote he has offered seems a little unfair, but at the same time, maybe this additional information is exceptional enough that it would be worth the extra cash in the long run . . . I would have to believe that the price that Ross expects would be somewhat proportional to amount of time and money he spends on locating and compiling the information - a kind of an "hourly" rate, so to speak.

If I were in your shoes, I would come to the table with Ross just as you have here, and tell him that you would be willing to pay his initial asking price for the full amount of information he based that original quote on. Then request that he offer a brief synopsis of the additional information he has compiled following his initial findings, with the intent that you could make a purchase at a later date should it prove worthy to you in the future. The best possible "win-win" solution for all that could come of the disappointing situation, I would think . . .

Good luck,

Brad

Thanks for the input, and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one feels that he should have at least offered his original price (I have spoken with other collectors via email and they too agree that it would have been the right thing to do.) I was prepared to pay for the information, and I even offered to pay $275 ($100 more than what I thought I was going to pay) due to the mix-up, but that was not enough. That really rubbed me the wrong way and resulted in a huge disappointment, especially after experiencing the initial excitement of thinking I was going to get the information he told me about. It's not the way I am used to doing (or like to do) business.

Maybe it's just me, but $400 seems like an awful lot of money, considering that in the past I've paid less than half that for various research projects and 50+ page SS research files. I'm not concerned with boosting the dollar value of the dagger, or how much more I can get when I sell it - not everything is about money, and that seemed to be the justification for the rise in price due to the fact that there was 'more' information.

Well, the information is public and out there. At least I know it's available and perhaps I will go about finding it myself.

Rob

[Larry Lipps]

Guys, I don't know really know how research fees are normally calculated, but it would seem to me that if a name required additional research or effort, that the price would increase as well. I would think it would be in everyone's best interest if the involved parties worked this out via PM rather than suggesting impropper actions when all the facts may not have been presented.

[N.C. Wyeth]

I would think it would be in everyone's best interest if the involved parties worked this out via PM rather than suggesting impropper actions when all the facts may not have been presented.

Larry,

What's so improper about the suggestion? I think it was a fair approach. If you do not, how do you think would be best for me to reply?

A little test for your better "diplomatic" skills maybe?

Brad

[Larry Lipps]

Brad, not necessarily improper, just a preemptive request to try and keep it from getting that way. I simply believe that it's just common courtesy that disputes among members should be handled by PM unless it involves fraud, theft, etc. Most of the other sections on the site have experienced problems that have overflowed from other forums, and perhaps we're somewhat more touchy than normal. The daggers forum has for the most part been a self moderating, pleasant place to visit, unlike some of the other dagger forums. It's a tough line for Skipper and I to walk to try and keep it that way without someone feeling we're stepping on their opinions. Hopefully that will at least somewhat answer your question.

[N.C. Wyeth]

Brad, not necessarily improper, just a preemptive request to try and keep it from getting that way. I simply believe that it's just common courtesy that disputes among members should be handled by PM unless it involves fraud, theft, etc. Most of the other sections on the site have experienced problems that have overflowed from other forums, and perhaps we're somewhat more touchy than normal. The daggers forum has for the most part been a self moderating, pleasant place to visit, unlike some of the other dagger forums. It's a tough line for Skipper and I to walk to try and keep it that way without someone feeling we're stepping on their opinions. Hopefully that will at least somewhat answer your question.

Larry,

I see your point. Obviously, slightly better personal judgement from myself regarding where and when to offer a little advice in public would be most prudent, at least for the entire community . . . I apologize. Very "touchy" ground we all walk on these days in attempting to offer each other help and advice - another disappointing and shameful reality in today's world it seems.

Brad

[N.C. Wyeth]

Brad, not necessarily improper, just a preemptive request to try and keep it from getting that way. I simply believe that it's just common courtesy that disputes among members should be handled by PM unless it involves fraud, theft, etc. Most of the other sections on the site have experienced problems that have overflowed from other forums, and perhaps we're somewhat more touchy than normal. The daggers forum has for the most part been a self moderating, pleasant place to visit, unlike some of the other dagger forums. It's a tough line for Skipper and I to walk to try and keep it that way without someone feeling we're stepping on their opinions. Hopefully that will at least somewhat answer your question.

Larry,

I see your point. Obviously, slightly better personal judgement from myself regarding where and when to offer a little advice in public would be most prudent, at least for the entire community . . . I apologize. Very "touchy" ground we all walk on these days in attempting to offer each other help and advice - another disappointing and shameful reality in today's world it seems.

Brad

[Panzer Rob]

Brad-

I don't think you did anything wrong by offering your opinion. I asked a question and you answered, and I appreciate the feedback.

I, however, would like to apologize for taking the thread off-topic. I was only interested in getting some idea as to what other collectors were paying/being charged for regarding the research Ross has been doing, and as I typed my emotions got the best of me and I aired some grievances I should have taken up with Ross directly.

On a positive note, Ross and I have been able to reach an amicable conclusion in regards to my SS dagger’s research project and I regret any misunderstanding that may have resulted from my statements.

Thanks,
Rob

[Richard]

OK, I am just beginning to learn about SS daggers as I have an interest in buying one for my collection. I am pretty green and so have been doing research when time allows so please forgive any questions that may seem a bit naive. I have found lots of conflicting information and really don't know how to sort out much of the confusion. I really don't want to buy first, then post. I'd rather learn now and be confident in my purchase later.

With the ground Röhm dagger I have a few questions to help me learn. I had previously read that only Eickhorn manufactured the Röhm daggers but now I see that Herder is another maker. How many makers were there of these dedication daggers? I have also read that on dedication daggers the makers mark is much closer to the crossguard but it does not seem to be the case here. Is it because the makers mark is not as large as, for example, the Eickhorn logo? Also how many makers had the numbers on the lower crossguard or was this more a function of the date of manufacture or something else of which I am not aware? Any help to these questions much appreciated. Also, what would anyone recommend as a valid and good reference for SS daggers?
Richard V