Collaborations: Who gets what share?

[lgliang]

Since I didn't any response from the Asian board, I figured I won't coop my inquiry to just where and I live and look up some suggestions and answers here.

I'm just a wee artist who aspire to make a good knife for all. Trouble is, here in Malaysia, resources and experts are almost non-existant. Metalsmiths who make steel woks and pots won't take custom orders or charge an arm, a leg and one lung for it; and there's no accounting for quality.

I can't patch together my own mini workshop either, I live in a highrise.

I'm brimming with lots of knife ideas, currently all my prototypes are just cardboard cutouts, and I've been asking around for guidance and help, no one has offered to yet. Assuming I do receive an offer from a professional knifemaker: what would be the fair payment / repayment / exchange for his / her time, expertise, and use of tools? I know how collaborations work but I have little to offer in this partnership, it makes me feel rather little about it.

I haven't patented any designs yet, but if I have to pay by giving them up, I guess I should with much reluctance.



If this is off-topic, mods, feel free to delete it.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

If you are truly set on becoming a knife designer,then you will have to rethink your location and training. Either move to a place where you can set up a shop,or go to where you can get training in knife making. Artists can draw anything,only a skilled craftsman can make a good knife. The gap between the two can be huge.
Read everything you can on the subject. Perhaps travel to the USA and take the ABS knife school two week course- these kind of things will get you more experience on the mechanics and design of knives.
Good Luck, Stacy

 

[lgliang]

While I appreciate the advice, it's not exactly what I'm looking for.

Perhaps my post wasn't clear, my bad, but I would like to know, if I collaborated with a knifemaker (I supply the design, knifemaker provides the tools, both us troubleshoot where necessary), what kind of compensation would make it fair, since all I bring to the table is a design and years of research papers?

If you are truly set on becoming a knife designer,then you will have to rethink your location and training. Either move to a place where you can set up a shop,or go to where you can get training in knife making. Artists can draw anything,only a skilled craftsman can make a good knife. The gap between the two can be huge.
Read everything you can on the subject. Perhaps travel to the USA and take the ABS knife school two week course- these kind of things will get you more experience on the mechanics and design of knives.
Good Luck, Stacy