Cause of the exponential growth of knife market ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RH
  • Start date Start date
R

RH

Joined
Jan 31, 1999
Messages
2,094
Developments in "pocket knives" have been more in the last 5 years than the last 100. Materials, designs, market growth - phenomenal.

I think we could credit a few makers with helping that along (this would be a whole 'nother thread) - Buck (110), Gerber (LST, Ez-Out), Spyderco (Clipits). I think they're being surpassed in time to market and innovation by people like CRKT on the low end, and Microtech, BM, and others on the high end. Buck is trying to play catch-up, but still has very conservative management behind the designs. Gerber is also trying some new things, and making some inroads. People complain about the AUS8 in CRKT knives, but Spyderco still uses AUS8, and charges a heck of a lot more.

Back to the origianl premise - since the 110, the EZ-out, and the Clipits have been around at least 10-15 years already, what has caused the knife market to explode in innovation & market penetration in the last 5 ?

Or is it just that I'm spending too much of my thought life on knives and too much of my time HERE ??
 
When you consider that you can't buy a knife mag anymore without seeing at least half a dozen references to things that were first aired here at BFC, I have a sickly suspicion that it's US!
The Knife Knuts of BFC are the main reason for the explosion!
biggrin.gif

LOL
Actually, I think it's mostly the new concept of giving customers what they want rather than the same ol' same ol' as happened for many years.


------------------
I cut it, and I cut it, and it's STILL too short!


 
Given the relatively small number of people you see walking around with pocket clips showing, there's room for more growth.
 
I think in part, people are learning that bladed weapons are a decent alternative to firearms, especially in states where gun laws have gotten totally out of control..

....and the fact that it's hard to find "hobbies" where everyone is helpful and generally nice......
 
Education is the main reason. The availability of instant information, sharing of knowldge, schools, nice magazines with beautiful knife pictures, stories of common cutting tools that save time and lives, designing or ordering what you want for a special job, and knowing that not every one is paranoid about "killer weapons with 2 inch blades". Knife makers and knifeknuts are more than willing to inform "any one" about the properties and proper uses of the "tools".
All these things add up to an increasingly larger group of people that are more informed and more demanding in the quality of their "tools". The extremely large number of different shapes, sizes, weights, positions carried, uses, and all the different kinds of blade material, handle material, sheaths, etc. ALL of this equates to satisfying the customers needs.
Is it any wonder that knife owners are increasing daily.
Twelve years ago a man quit making knives and let me have his simple equipment. He said at that time that there were too many knifemakers already and it would be too hard to make a living making knives. There are a great many more today and they are behind and some have even quit taking orders. There really is a great increase in the knife market.

------------------
Ray Kirk
http://www.tah-usa.net/raker
 
People have finally waken up and realized that what mom said was wrong...sharp, shiny, dangerous objects are fun to play with!
smile.gif


----------------------------------------
If it stops moving, poke it with a stick to make sure!
-----------------------------------------
 
Bladed weapons ... In a perfectly non-violent world, I would carry a bigger knife than I'm carrying now, because nobody would be afraid of it. We'll be able to exponentially grow the market if we can get the message across that even people whose karma will not allow them to carry a weapon may still want to carry knives because it's so convenient to have one handy.



------------------
- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
Didnt it have something to do with Al Gore....Oh nevermind,that was the internet
smile.gif


------------------
 
I always had an interest in pocket knives since I was a kid, but I would have to say the internet had the biggest influence on me getting into knife collecting. I kind of had an interest in fine knives before the internet, but the ability to find such immediate and detailed information on knives really helped. Also I think in any hobby people want to be able to discuss their hobby with other people. The ability to discuss, ask questions, talk to knife makers and designers, the sharing of information and pictures, all without having to leave your home is an incredible advantage the internet gives to any hobby. I think this is the biggest reason for the growth in the knife market in the last five years IMHO.

Badger
 
Originally posted by rdnzl:
I think in part, people are learning that bladed weapons are a decent alternative to firearms, especially in states where gun laws have gotten totally out of control..

....and the fact that it's hard to find "hobbies" where everyone is helpful and generally nice......
Click to expand...

Ditto.



------------------
Dennis Bible
 
A lot of credit goes to Sal and the folks at Spyderco. They brought medium/large, quickly accessable knives to the masses.Common sense says that this type of tool/weapon is easy to obtain, maintain and justify to those who are a little bit too tuned into political correctness. These people have naturally progressed to more expensive knives, having been "turned on" to the basic concept.
The rapid distribution of information on the internet has fueled this, but let's not kid ourselves. There are only about 7,500 registered users here on the biggest internet site for knives there is. And that includes a lot of people who have signed on early and have not been active. That is only an extremely well informed drop in the bucket in the overall scheme of things.Simply put, smart folks have realized that knives are extremely effective CQB weapons and serve other functions as well. Combine this with the fact that the are relatively inexpensive (customs notwithstanding), readily obtained and not regulated, and you have the wonderful smorgasboard we now know as knifedom.
David
( a custom knife-knut that started with a Spydie)



------------------
AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top