Business subforum for knife makers, dealers etc

Chris Larrikin

Chris Larrikin

Joined
Jul 19, 2012
Messages
1,774
Over the few weeks I’ve been asking around to gauge interest in a business sub-forum for knife makers, dealers and others interested in the industry. Responses have thus far been very positive and I understand it’s doable, so I’m throwing it out here in general view to see if people would be interested.

My idea is for a restricted forum, with access only for the higher levels of paid membership (my idea would be that you need to wear platinum, orange, green or red pants). The purpose of the forum would be for knife makers etc to talk about business practices like marketing and advertising, expanding markets, finding efficiencies and other good things to make the creation/sale of sharp pointy stuff profitable. The membership restriction would be absolutely necessary so people could talk business without it being completely in public view.

I’m plugging away on a bit of a plan, but want some input before I send it on to everyone’s favourite site owner - just to make sure I'm not wasting my time and suggesting the creation of an empty forum :D So, knife/sheath makers, dealers and others; what do you think? Would this be a useful resource for you?
 
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I think this is a superb idea and a natural for this type of forum.

I only have a couple of knifemaking contacts off-forum that I can discuss these sorts of things with. It means I'm either gouging other makers or cheating myself most of the time without intending to. It would be great to have an 'out from in front of the customers' place to talk business strategies and pricepoints.

I consider myself somewhere in the middle of full-time and hobby level simply because I am incorporated with a legitimate business structure, and house both day job affiliated stuff like training in with knife and tool making. This is a business I'm trying to grow, and would love to be able to bend the ears of the more experienced as well as others in the same place I am.

Good idea. I'm all aboard.
Good on ya' Chris.


-Eric
 
I am in favor of such a place.
I think it could definitely be a benefit to service providers, whether makers or purveyors.
 
Yes, absolutely.

This checks the boxes on a long wish list that I've had since going orange. The ability to discuss sensitive issues with our peers would be a huge boon for all of the craftsmen here on BF. I cannot speak for anyone else, but there's always a nagging desire to censor myself when discussing things in the open. Certainly this won't mean anonymity, but I think it's a huge added benefit/value to those that wish to get more in depth with their conversations and learning.

Great idea Christian. I hope it happens.
 
In a perfect world it would be a GREAT idea. I don't see myself in that perfect world any more. If access was strictly restricted to the professionals, no general population outsiders, I would be more for it. Even at that, anything you say here is out there for the world to find IF they want to. I guess Im saying be careful what you wish for…..you might get it.

Paul
 
sheathmaker said:
In a perfect world it would be a GREAT idea. I don't see myself in that perfect world any more. If access was strictly restricted to the professionals, no general population outsiders, I would be more for it. Even at that, anything you say here is out there for the world to find IF they want to. I guess Im saying be careful what you wish for…..you might get it.

Paul
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I think there still needs to be a modicum of restraint applied for those obvious reasons... Our other sub-forums have rules, this should too. For instance if two makers want to contact each other about design details, especially for something proprietary in nature (the first example that comes to mind is Timascus...) it should be done via PM and email. However just having the place to ask the first question and find out if anyone else is working on something similar is extremely valuable.

Same goes for things like direct speak regarding pricing, materials cost, profit margins. Just like an industry meeting anywhere else, generalities are fine in a crowded room, but specifics are saved for the boardroom, office, bar or golf course.

The biggest plus factor in Chris's idea for me is further paring down of the boobery that tends to follow the open forums. Like it or not, someone who pays for a membership here is far less likely to shoot their 'mouth' off or ask a retarded and basic question multiple times expecting a different response. It allows for a more fluid forum like exists here in the restricted forums, but directly addressing business practices.

(I'm not calling all free members boobs, just saying it is easier for a free member to maliciously join and rant, and harder for the mods to police it. I will say they do a darn sight better here than some other forums I read...)

-Eric
 
sheathmaker said:
In a perfect world it would be a GREAT idea. I don't see myself in that perfect world any more. If access was strictly restricted to the professionals, no general population outsiders, I would be more for it. Even at that, anything you say here is out there for the world to find IF they want to. I guess Im saying be careful what you wish for…..you might get it.

Paul
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One of my main reasons for making this suggestion is because at the moment these discussions take place in general view. I'm not talking about those makers who ask the opinions of their customers - customer engagement is a Good Thing. I'm talking about discussions on things like marketing, working out pricing or seeking advice on improving customer service which are in my mind best kept from public view.

As Eric said, participants would need to be mindful and probably not discuss specific proposals or make deals there.

Access would absolutely have to be restricted. My idea of allowing platinum members access is to take into account people who have a business interest or business knowledge to share but don't fit into the dealer or maker/service provider categories. A strict non-disclosure rule where breaches lead to instant ban should keep the integrity of the place intact.
 
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Are there non disclosure type rules already in place here in any capacity? Would be interesting to see how that might play out, or what would lead to discipline. I'd hate to see that happen though.

One place that doesn't seem to get tapped much is the chat room. I have trouble with it because I do the vast majority of what I do from my phone or tablet.

I wonder, is there a way to archive for a given time? If the record fell away after 6 months or whatever, it might help, or it might not. Not sure. In any case, I don't want to architect a new forum, I'd just be happy to participate.
 
Strigamort said:
Are there non disclosure type rules already in place here in any capacity? Would be interesting to see how that might play out, or what would lead to discipline. I'd hate to see that happen though.

One place that doesn't seem to get tapped much is the chat room. I have trouble with it because I do the vast majority of what I do from my phone or tablet.

I wonder, is there a way to archive for a given time? If the record fell away after 6 months or whatever, it might help, or it might not. Not sure. In any case, I don't want to architect a new forum, I'd just be happy to participate.
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I think the only real non-disclosure stuff in place here is by-proxy (in other words the decency rules imply it). And I have yet to see it happen here (at least in the maker's subforum) where one member hoses another.

The more in depth and detailed the conversation gets, the higher the risk I guess.
Personally, I work like the mob and the cartels do. Any proprietary design, invention or innovation ideas I may discuss with someone are dealt with in person. Sure, it limits the depth of my 'brain trust' but if someone screws me I know who and where to find them... lol.

-eWreck
 
LucyCustomKnives said:
I think the only real non-disclosure stuff in place here is by-proxy (in other words the decency rules imply it). And I have yet to see it happen here (at least in the maker's subforum) where one member hoses another.

The more in depth and detailed the conversation gets, the higher the risk I guess.
Personally, I work like the mob and the cartels do. Any proprietary design, invention or innovation ideas I may discuss with someone are dealt with in person. Sure, it limits the depth of my 'brain trust' but if someone screws me I know who and where to find them... lol.

-eWreck
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There is one restricted subforum within BFC with a non-disclosure policy, so there's precedent. Having said that, I don't think the business forum would be a place for specific deals to be done between knife makers. The reason for non-disclosure would be more for conversations about how makers figure out their hourly rate, the argument whether part-time makers undercut full-time makers, when a maker is worried about not being able to keep up with current orders and wants some advice etc. I figure if makers feel they can talk a bit more freely with each other everyone will learn and share more :)
 
Just a question but if this forum did exist why would platinum members be allowed to view it? Being a "Business subforum for knife makers, dealers etc" wouldn't it make sense only those with business subscriptions to view it?
 
gimmejr said:
Just a question but if this forum did exist why would platinum members be allowed to view it? Being a "Business subforum for knife makers, dealers etc" wouldn't it make sense only those with business subscriptions to view it?
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There are some Platinum members here who do have a business interest in our industry. I know of at least two that have helped me with supplies who aren't necessarily knifemaking related businessmen.

A lot of us who make knives and tools also do a lot of other fab work. Once you know how to shape materials aside from wood a whole little niche market opens up to you. I have fabbed up everything from trolling motor mounts to period looking hinges for a cellar door. And like the case with the hunk of G10/FR4 I recently procured, I had to speak to boating industry people. They may be lurking here, want to support us and maybe play in our market but aren't yet what we would consider a KSP or manufacturer/distributor. I would like for them to be able to pipe up if I am looking for a means to a unique end.

One of the things I like about this site is the membership structure. I may not agree with every tier or the benefits assiciated, but I like the fact it allows some filtering. As I said earlier, free memberships are hard to police and welcome someone showing their backside whereas one is less likely to pay for a membership with a fraudulent identity associated and then participate in subversive behavior. It happens, it just cushions it.

Like Chris mentioned and I wholeheartedly agree, any specific discussion of proprietary information; stuff that would later be deemed trade secrets or patentable material, shouldn't be done on an open forum no matter how restrictive. The forum is a good stepping stone to head into a private conversation of that nature but not a venue for the guts of it.

Of course scams can happen anywhere and do happen everywhere, there just is no way to completely stop someone from being a total DB, it just trims the fat...

I don't know if that helped or not. It sounded more concise in my head.

-Eric
 
Has Stacy been tapped for moderation? I would love it if he would moderate the thing. He qualifies for all of the attributes that would be benefitial (fair, knowledgeable, long standing, etc) but if he won't do it, who would?
 
I think the overall idea sounds good. As far as being fully restricted I can debate that either way... maybe a restricted subforum for businesses discussions would be good along with a paid members knifemaking forum. It would be nice to have a place to talk business but then again I wouldn't way anything there I didn't want everyone to see.

We could probably get rid of Hammers and Tongs to simplify things... I'm seeing mostly forging related stuff there and that wasn't the original purpose.

I think it is great we have a lot of aspiring makers here and I do my best to help every day... maybe a paid forum would help sift the more advanced topics from the "unknown steel" and other threads like that that we seem to be seeing a lot more of recently.
 
It'd be restricted to KnifeMakers / Craftsmen level & Dealers & Materials Suppliers.
 
Spark said:
It'd be restricted to KnifeMakers / Craftsmen level & Dealers & Materials Suppliers.
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That works too. There are probably pros and cons to either but if that level of restriction makes people more comfortable in talking that's the most important thing. No point in a forum where people won't talk :)
 
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