charging my friends? What do I do?

Don't be afraid to charge a fair price. If they are your mates and want one of your knives because they think they are good they will be happy top pay.

In the end if you don't charge enough you may resent it latter. I made a knife once to a friends requirements then asked what I thought was a far price and he backed away and said I had not used the type of steel in the blade he wanted. It did not cause a rift . I was happy to keep it myself. I just saw it as practice. He did not think I was a bas%$#@*&^$%$ he just did not want to pay that much.I sold it to someone else for more that I quoted him.

As far as your girlfriend goes, I always believe in keeping the cook happy. If she is not happy you know your not going to be happy. I mean that in a nice way. You are spending time away from her on someone else. That can make them feel not appreciated. You deserve a fair price what ever the case that is all she is saying. Don't make her the bad guy. I have listened to my wife a couple of times and got a higher price I have always enjoyed the extra money. It was still a cheap price.

If your mates want a cheap knife tell them to buy the materials and give them a lesson or 2. The time you spend with them in the shed will probably be cheaper and more fun than a trip to the pub or similar.

I have given knives away for free and been happy about it. I have sold a few and thought I should have charged more.

The only guys I get annoyed with are the ones that give you a $1 piece of steel or wood for a handle and expect you to make them a free knife. They are not neccesarily bad people they just have know Idea what they are saying or how much effort is involved.
 
Good topic.

I have been making knives for twelve years. Started out with a vise and some files and sandpaper. I have learned a few things along the way that I wish someone would have told me at the beginning. These are just my opinion but they have been proven over the years.

NEVER charge by the hour. If you think about it, as you get better at knifemaking, you will also get faster. Therefore, your customers would get a better knife for a cheaper price as you mature as a knifemaker. Can't pay the bills that way.

NEVER charge according to materials. Just because it cost you $12 for a piece of steel and a piece of micarta does not mean you can't make a $400 knife out of it.

NEVER give discounts. If your friend does not respect your time and talent enough to pay you for it, he does not respect you as much as he claims he does. I would not sell him a knife. Ask him if he would overhaul your truck engine for $12 and he will understand where you are coming from.

NEVER tell anyone how long it takes to make the knife. People automatically do the math in their head. If you want $400 for a knife and tell them it took you 10 hours, they will automatically do the math and probably think you don't deserve $40 per hour and won't buy the knife. However, if you tell them $40 for the knife and it took 10 hours, they will not complain that you are only making $4 per hour. They look out for themselves, not for you.

NEVER let someone else run your business. Just because the wife or girlfriend thinks the knife should be cheaper or more, does not make it true. My wife used to think that my prices were too high. Not because she thought the knives were not worth it but because she had trouble herself with spending several hundred dollars on a knife and therefore thought that nobody else would be willing to do so either. She now knows that I price them pretty good and does not try to get me to change the prices.

NEVER sell a knife you are not happy with. If the finish is not right or you just think it looks funny in some way, don't sell it. Use it yourself to see if your heat treatment is correct. Use it as a test piece and make another that is better.

There is a saying that I heard a long time ago and it applies to anyone that is buying anything. It goes like this; "If you are not embarrassed by the offer you are making, your offer is to high." If you want to buy a car and the price is $5000, you should offer $3000. MAYBE the guy will take it. If not, at least you can go up from there. If he does take it, you got a hell of a deal. The people that are looking to buy your knife may completely agree that it is WORTH $400 but they want a deal and will offer you less or want a discount because they are your buddy or just because they know you. You just have to be willing to NOT sell the knife.

Make the knife. Then just look at it. Is the quality there? Is the design right? Is the materials of good quality and fit the knife design and use? Is the heat treat right? If all of these answers are positive, ask yourself; What is it worth? If you think it is worth $400, then price it that way. If you think it is worth $125, then price it that way. If it sells, great! If not, keep it. You will at least have the value of the knife, if not the cash. Someone will want it later.

Compromising yourself for a couple of bucks is bad business. It tells your customers that you either don't believe in yourself enough to stand firm with your price or you don't have confidence in your work.

After saying all of this, I can tell you that I have gone from files and sandpaper to a complete fully equipped shop. I have all the tools I need and almost all that I want. I have a building dedicated to knifemaking and forging and have never had to get into the family cash to do it. Knives bought and paid for everything. The principals above have served me well and I personally won't change them. Maybe some of them would be good for you to adopt, maybe some won't. You don't have to agree but it works well for me.

Just something more to think about.
 
Very well said, Bob.


Originally posted by mattd
do you guys use a platen when stropping? I don't use it with 320-800 belts but with the leather belt in bounces to the point where the belt looks like its 3/4" when grinder is on. Nice video Dan, I have really been trying to let my arm hair grow back. What are some other sharpness demonstrations like that?
Click to expand...
Matt - I use the leather belt against a platen when sharpening. Slack belt sharpening on a leather belt is almost worthless. (something you've probably already noticed ;)) Don't be afraid to push hard at first, just lighten with each pass.


You should be able to pass the scrape test:

Scrape Test

Turn the blade perpendicular to your thumbnail and lightly scrape it away from your finger. If it slides - you need more stropping. If it scrapes - you know you at least have a burr. If it scrapes both directions, you are done! :D



There's also the "Bang and Slice" test...:rolleyes:

Bang and Slice Test


Oh yeah, and the "Run your fingernail down the edge Test"...

Do this to check for any nicks in the edge. It should feel like glass. If it's rough, go back to the strop.

Scrape + Edge Test
(in this one, I found a lil' nick and had to go back and fix it)
 
Bob,
your words are inspiring, thank you.

Dan,
I will put the platen on when stropping. I took my knife to work today. The first thing some of my co-workers did was run the knife on their thumb to see if it is sharp and then they asked if I would sell it and how much. I said that I would not sell this one but if they would like one, I could make another with any changes they might want. One lady wanted a price and I told her that she would have to tell me excactly what she wants. I'm thinking that I could use a drill press but stayed away from numbers form now. I will try and post a picture of my first knife tomorrow. I will take pictures tonight.

Matt d.
 
Originally posted by pendentive
Very well said, Bob.



Matt - I use the leather belt against a platen when sharpening. Slack belt sharpening on a leather belt is almost worthless. (something you've probably already noticed ;)) Don't be afraid to push hard at first, just lighten with each pass.


You should be able to pass the scrape test:

Scrape Test

Turn the blade perpendicular to your thumbnail and lightly scrape it away from your finger. If it slides - you need more stropping. If it scrapes - you know you at least have a burr. If it scrapes both directions, you are done! :D



There's also the "Bang and Slice" test...:rolleyes:

Bang and Slice Test


Oh yeah, and the "Run your fingernail down the edge Test"...

Do this to check for any nicks in the edge. It should feel like glass. If it's rough, go back to the strop.

Scrape + Edge Test
(in this one, I found a lil' nick and had to go back and fix it)
Click to expand...



I hate how that feels when it bites into the nail!
 
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