A Note On Prices

So....do I get a Douchebagistan stamp in my passport now, since EEG took us all there?
 
I have five knives from Andy, and IMO are well worth the price...in essence, you get what you pay for.
 
Fiddleback said:
I have never raised my prices more than 10%, and I can't see a reason that would ever be necessary. Don't let your heart be troubled my friend.
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Andy,
if it even happens that you raised your price I would still buy your knives because the quality and finish is just AMAZING!!!
Thank you for your hard work amazing product and outstanding customer service!
God Bless you!
 
The blades that you create are works of art, functional tools -yes, but born from the hands of an artist. An artist/craftsperson sets their price, a buyer has the choice to purchase or to pass. Regardless of the cost of materials, or what the American economy looks like - if an artist feels that their time, energy and creativity is worth a certain amount, then who has the right to argue with them? Answer - no one.
I certainly wish that I could afford one of your beautiful pieces right now, but I'd rather wait and save knowing that I will be paying a fair price for skilled work. Perhaps that's just romanticism and a Canadian conscience, but it's how I was raised.
 
Very well said. Not sure what I could elaborate on it or comment on it other than I agree with everything you said. I understand that most knifemakers do not make very much at all, I am a hobbyist knifemaker and I know the amount of work that goes into every knife, so I appreciate handmade knives that much more and understand where the costs come from. $60 which you will see many small lightweight edc knives go for sale for by some of us hobbyist knife makers is a great buy for a handmade knife, but if we were to be doing this professionally then we could not survive on that rate. For $60 a handmade knife is a bargain and you should appreciate it, but remember that a couple hundred dollars or more on another handmade knife by a maker is still completely worth it. Knifemaking is a get rich job, it is quite the opposite. Takes a lot of work and a lot of time and you still do not turn a big profit. Well I guess I had more to say than I thought. I understand where you are coming from and completely support you.
 
My $.02- I'd never haggle with the maker, but from a dealer or once it's up for re-sale- anything goes. That's just the way it is with everything that is bought or sold. As the saying goes- you don't make money when you sell, you make money when you buy. I think Andy's knives are worth more than he asks. That's based on having too many expensive knives. I've only purchased two FF's thus far and both times felt like I got a deal.

Unfortunately we live in a capitalist country and consumerist society; a far cry from where it began. We are inundated with marketing BS and programmed to buy disposable junk. If we want to change that- it needs to be done in a voting booth or a classroom. That said, I can't afford Andy's knives either. But I buy them anyway. I feel better and more American when I support a guy doing it right for the right reasons and producing a tool I take pride in owning. I seek out American made products and scrounge to pay for them. I don't know anyone who gets paid what they're worth and know more than a few that are over paid for what they contribute, but I digress.

The way I see it Andy and several others make an American product the old fashioned way. And I buy it the old fashioned way- I save up for it and pay cash. I wish more would do the same.

To those that struggle to make it- please keep at it and don't give up. That's how it's supposed to work. Best of luck to all. Forgive the rumblings of a lowly registered user...
 
ATG, thanks for the support for my first comment, I was nervous pressing post - but this seems like such a supportive community. cbiner, your point was made eloquently - I appreciate individuals like yourself who are capable of recognizing a quality product as being worth more than the sum of its parts. My first knife was a Grohman #1 original, purchased for similar reasons to your own draw towards quality American made products.
The fit and feel of a knife in your hand can be totally enhanced by the knowledge that it has come from a quality craftsperson, who puts as much into a knife as you expect to get out of it - I would argue that this is a priceless experience.
 
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slars said:
The fit and feel of a knife in your hand can be totally enhanced by the knowledge that it has some from a quality craftsperson, who puts as much into a knife as you expect to get out of it - I would argue that this is a priceless experience.
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Couldn't agree more. Very well put.
 
What an interesting conversation. I am the happy owner of 4 FF knives. I do not post very often. This is going to be a very pragmatic ( IMHO ) perspective. Strictly Marketing 101.

Pricing is a function of many things. The following are some of the less obvious ones.

Goals of owner or owners: Andy has stated that his goal is to run a business to meet a financial need.

Need analysis: what can I make or do that will provide value and at the same time meet my (FF) goals.

That is why every business venture must have a " Business Plan" and a "Internal Mission Statement"
The strategies: Product, distribution method, marketing etc. must meet the above.
Next but not least are the " Tactics used to achieve these". Andy has developed a business model that employs tactics both established and new. But! The market is fluid. As conditions change, so do the strategies and tactics needed to respond rapidly. In a nutshell. Most small business don't succeed. We, the consumer establish what the real value of the product or services is!

By Andy's own analysis, and my personal observations. I think Andy is facing a tough business conundrum. He is using a time tested strategie by tweaking his product line. And. Trying to understand perceived value vs real value. For me Andy has provided a product that is unique in quality and character. I am and will to continue to support Andy by purchasing more of his incredible knives. It would be a great loss if a craftsman and a good guy like Andy is forced by economics to quit doing what he does SO well.
 
Andy,

I just received an Asp in box elder burl and CPM154 from a dealer. It has character, it has soul. This knife carries your energy, your passion and your love. Way to go. Thank you.

You have designed a brand with many models that are very different, but they are all definitely Fiddleback Forge! Your quality control is impeccable! Knifemakers who attain this level are special. Please don't ever compromise what you do. Charge what is fair, I'm coming back! What I pay for the Fiddlebacks I have bought is a small price for the enjoyment I have received. Thank you.

-Will

As a side note... your political comments, help us get to know you and who you are; this makes your knives even more special. Keep it coming, brother!
 
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Andy:

I've been in sales & marketing my entire career and one of the valuable lessons I learned early on was that not all business is good business. If price is the only variable that drives a decision to buy or sell something without any consideration of value then its best to step aside and let one of your competitors take the deal. In the short time I've been aware of your products and the craftsmanship you & your team put into every knife not to mention the level of customer service you provide, I can honestly say that the value you deliver far exceeds the prices you charge, which in my opinion makes owning a Fiddleback Forge knife a great deal in today's world.

Above all please continue to do whatever you need to do to keep your business thriving, and your family unit healthy & strong. We'll continue to do our part by supporting a true American craftsman who cares about his customers and does his best to make every Friday the best darn day of the week. I may not always be able to afford the guilty pleasure of adding another FF knife to my collection, but for now Friday's don't come soon enough.

Sincere thanks for all that you & your team do.......God Bless !

Peter
 
This is a very interesting thread on so many levels. I agree with Andy on several parts and several points stood out to me. One of them concerning the beginners like myself, who have jumped into the waters and intend to never look back. Learning to price my knives has been as much as an endeavor as learning simple grinds, tapering tangs, and fit/finish. Andy's products are top notch and I have had the pleasure of being able not only to hold many of the knives recently, but also watch them being constructed. For those of you who have not had the chance to watch Andy in action, actually his whole staff, Fiddleback Forge is a well oiled machine. The speed, attention to detail, design, construction, and execution Andy makes is another art in itself, not to mention he is doing all of this even while taking time to teach a greenhorn like myself.

Simply put, the work is top notch, prices are more than fair if not under priced, full of passion, and inspiration to many of us.

Keep up the great work Andy and I look forward to my next visit!
 
I had meant to post on this thread when it first came out but never got around to it. I have been self employed for 20 years and have 16 employees. One of the things I have learned in that time is that price is ALWAYS more of an issue in the business owners mind than his customers. If your product or service has always been good, the vast majority will be accepting or not even notice. From a business perspective, if your Knives are selling as fast as your making them, your not charging enough. You can always have a sale of some sort if you start to build up too much inventory. The rate at which you should be compensated is directly proportional to demand.
On another note besides liking your Knives, I really respect the way you handle negative comments. I have seen other forums where such comments would have been deleted with no response. That always struck me as immature and lacking in integrity. I am happy to say we both have the same political leanings. At this point in my life I don't mince words. After all we have seen from our Government over the last 50 years if your not a Conservative your either misinformed, uninformed or half an idiot. Keep up the good work.
 
In my humble opinion, yourself and the Martin family from Texas, make the best custom/ handmade knives I've ever seen or held. I will continue to support you, hopefully for many years to come. I frequently surf ebay and buy knives like Busse's and turn around and resell them to make a little money. I have never considered selling of one of yours, and I won't. They are treasures to me. I hope you have many years of success.
 


Andy, wherever you evolve in your business, know that you have developed a very loyal follower in me. It is up to you where you want to take your business, and it is up to us to determine the value. There are those who would love your knives now, and simply cannot afford them. What I have come to love about your creations is that they are art with a purpose. Priced to use and appreciate. You have done very well so far, I am here to support you in any way I can.
 
Briefly, Andy himself, and his products, have shown integrity and quality of the highest standard from the very beginning.

The product and the person reflect each other.
 
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