Are You Serious?

Les Robertson said:
As for your enjoyment being less..if you don't thoroughly love what you are doing while working for yourself....you will fail.


I was part-time for 8 years before I went full time. I would recommend that path (of doing this part time first) for anyone whether they are a maker or a collector wanting to become a dealer.
Click to expand...

Thoroughly useful advice:thumbup::cool:
 
Hi David,

Before I got out of the Army I paid off all my debts (except my mortgage). Funded all the IRA's and College Funds, etc. I finished up my MBA in May 1995.

Let me say here, that having a well thought out viable business and marketing plans were a key to my success. No, it does not take an MBA to do a business plan.

I went full time April 1995 and by August I had the ole resume out and was fine tuning it.

September 1995 I had an ad in the first issue of Tactical Knives. This when tactical folders were really starting to gain momentum. My business took off after that first issue came out.

I took advantage of the things I learned in the Military and my good fortune to have Bob Neal as a friend and fellow dealer. We started LDC Custom knives in 1997 and that did exceptionally well. I remember Paul Basch telling me that "Nobody and I mean nobody thought that idea would work."

Shortly after that my Internet site went up.

There have been some years that were just spectacular. Most have been very good. Fortunately there have been no years that were so bad I had to go look for another job...I have been offered more than a few during the last 14 years.

It is amazing to look back and see everything that has happened. Perhaps the most surreal moment came at the Blade Show 1999. The very first knife show I went to in 1985 was the Blade Show, when it was in Knoxville TN. In 1999 Steve Shackelford asked me to be a judge at that years show. Myself, Paul Basch (who helped me immensely both with knife and business knowledge) and another person I can't remember right now. I couldn't believe I was being asked to be a judge at Blade Show...and with Paul no less!

Some years I make a little less than other years. But the ability to travel to shows, meet collectors, makers and other dealers. Talk, sell, buy and trade knives easily makes up for any down year monetarily.

I still can't sleep the night before the Blade Show. As well my table faces the doors and when they open...every year it takes me back to 1985.
 
Admittedly, I've yet to read the entire thread, so if my answer seems ill timed I'll apologize in advance.....

I basically consider the moniker of a collector, super collector, serious collector etc... to be determined by their knowledge in the products they are buying and their participation within the industry. This pretty much covers any industry where "collectibles" are made today....

I honestly don't believe that you can limit a person's validity or stature as a "avid collector" by the amount they spend, but that seems to be where the battle line is drawn... I know guys that simply don't have the money to spend on vast collections, but they have the knowledge and experience to surpass quite a few folks...

It's kind of a hard determination, but after all the shows I've gone to and all the years I've spent in this industry, I've learned to NEVER discount someone standing in front of your table... The guy who looks like Gomer Pyle may be the foremost expert in the field of Combat Knives under _____ inches but larger than _____ inches and you'd have no clue...

I guess the gist of what I'm saying is that the status of a maker/collector/dealer etc... shouldn't be determined by monetary resources... It's not a coincidence that the guys who make more money tend to have nicer shit...

Guys who are at the top of their game (knife collectors, makers, dealers etc...) generally don't announce it to the world, so this is an industry where legends are lurking about.....everywhere.... That's part of what makes it so great...

What I said above is just general rambling, so it's not meant to slight anyone or refute anything anyone said on here.... Just wanted to make sure I put a vanilla wrapper on it.... :)



MT
 
Today, from a purveyor's website...

"No serious modern custom knife collection is complete without at least one of Bob's knives. And you will never find this hard to get knife in more pristine condition.

Status: In Stock!
Price: $11,500 ($US) & Shipping"

Now there's another opinion on the matter! :D

-Michael
 
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