Bridging the gap - Collectors of Custom and Production

eastvillage said:
Great thread! I live in the Netherlands but I can see the same things over here. The tactical market is huge and I can say that within that market their is a sub-market of people who really use there knives. The last 7 years I've been trying to cater towards the user market. I like to forge, love bowies, love wood etc. So how can you make something that is appealing to this young market and you also like to make? Another trend that has been mentioned in this thread is that the production knives are of very good quality these days. So what can you deliver as a custom knife maker that is worth the extra money? In my case I've focused on a couple of themes: design, technique and sheath system.
Design is very important and as a custom knifemaker you have the benefit that you can come up with different designs,very fast. Having contact with your customers it is possible to make changes that fit your market. I think Jason Knight, Nick Wheeler and Sam Lurquin are some great examples of custom makers who are well known for their design. ABS members but with a different style than the standard ABS bowie (which I like btw).
Technique: I have been thinking what I as a forger can offer that is not readily available. I choose the forged integral, selectively hardened, cera coated with a hardened pommel. This is what I choose, but there are more ways to go. The point is that you have to offer your market something different than is readily available in my opinion.
Last I think that when a custom maker is moving towards the tactical market he has to think about the sheath. Maybe the most under estimated piece of kit.
This is what I have done, I'm not saying this is the way to go, but I do think a custom maker has to offer something more than is already available. I'm sure that the forged blade can have a bright future in the tactical market.
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Good points and I agree sheath work is paramount
 
So, I think the bottom line here is that if custom knife makers will make fewer Damascus dogbone Bowies with walrus ivory scales, and instead start making more tactical folders with "super steel" black blades and G10 handles, then sales will improve.
 
The Virginian said:
So, I think the bottom line here is that if custom knife makers will make fewer Damascus dogbone Bowies with walrus ivory scales, and instead start making more tactical folders with "super steel" black blades and G10 handles, then sales will improve.
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Oooooooh Noooooo..Tell me it ain't so....

John
 
The Virginian said:
So, I think the bottom line here is that if custom knife makers will make fewer Damascus dogbone Bowies with walrus ivory scales, and instead start making more tactical folders with "super steel" black blades and G10 handles, then sales will improve.
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I hope not

It all depends on the maker

I'm not about to tell Jerry Fisk or John White to do a tactical line like Winkler , who buy the way isn't really even doing much of his custom work because his mid tech stuff in busy busy. John and Jerry will always have their patrons. I wish they both would do a run of user grade combat knives :)

But for a young maker intent on feeding his family............ For them it would be a mistake I believe not to look at what the largest and the upcoming buyers are into

If makers want to interest the up and coming collectors they need to make work they want

Price is not so much an issue because I have seen this new fold spend 16 + grand on a flipper you and I would chuckle about

To also do some runs that are not cost prohibitive is also really nice

Jason ,Nick and Burt are not wrong in letting wonderfully affordable high performance knives get into the hands of people that will be their upper end buyers in time

Its a big knife world and my problem is many of you guys as in makers are my good friends and I want the best for all of you and your families
 
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You guys do realize the world is going through a recession, right? I own custom knives, a folder from J Oeser, quite a few Gossmans, two Laconicos, a J Neilson and a Baublitz. I've had tons of bushcraft knives, mostly customs. There will always be a market for custom users, traditional and tactical.
 
I should say that I was very lucky to stop by Scott Gossmans table at a local gun show. I am proud to call him friend. I was looking for a Randall and he said that I should take a look at custom knives. I ended up buying one of his Tuskers and that was it. The difference in quality with production knives is there. My Oeser is on par with my Case Bose annual knives and a few custom slipjoints I've owned. The Oeser is far and away better than my GECs though, I consider GEC to be the pinnacle of regular production.

I gave a Goodpasture fixed blade to a friend, gave Gossman PSKs to my brother and brother in law. I loaned my one off micro Kephart and UNK from Scott to the buddy that got the Goodpasture. All like the custom knives but aren't really seeing the need to jump to the custom market. Most of the people I know that like knives would rather spend big $ on guns than knives. Blind Horse Knives, a company that straddled the custom production line, had interest because of their prices.

So, you have to show the prospective new owners why they should buy the customs over production . I was in Walmart, looking at their junk/knife counter. An employee told me I shouldn't buy those junk knives. A little taken aback, I told him I had a 450 $ knife on me, my Sebenza. He said his unit in Vietnam carried Lile knives. We had a neat conversation about Jimmy's knives. He knew they were in production again and that Jimmy had passed away and knew the subsequent Rambo knives were designed by Gil Hibben. Custom knives were appreciated but just can't be justified. I am beholden to three Labradors so I have disposable income. I just don't see the art knife growing in popularity amongst other price ranges.

I'm 34 by the way and don't see many collectors younger than I am at shows. Gun shows are falling off too.
 
there is a big demographic shift underway. Looking back on these days might prove instructive and interesting. Looking forward is anyone's best guess.
 
The Virginian said:
So, I think the bottom line here is that if custom knife makers will make fewer Damascus dogbone Bowies with walrus ivory scales, and instead start making more tactical folders with "super steel" black blades and G10 handles, then sales will improve.
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Well thats no fun!! I am just starting to get my feet wet in the world of walrus handled dogbones!

Great thread guys. I really had nothing to add after starting it, but am enjoying sitting back and reading your thoughts!

I can only agree with everyone about the tac market taking over and especially attracting a younger demographic.

But how can we turn more production knife buyers into custom owners? Lower prices? Thats never going to happen. I can't really think of another reason people don't get involved.

EDIT- Joe after reading your post I gotta say you are correct about tacs bringing the big bucks. But are they from much younger folks? I know they are a bit younger then the ABS collectors but what about teenagers or guys in their twenties that love knives like I did starting at age of 13 or so.

Maybe some abs guys like don can do a larger series of tacs with his special steel but synthetic materials. I kinda want one from him! More useable knives form some of these guys.
 
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