- Joined
- Dec 3, 1999
- Messages
- 9,437
Ian- Sorry my reply probably came off a little like I was shaking my finger at you. I didn't intend it that way. Andy said what I was thinking with a lot less words. 
You're doing exceptional work already... you are way above the curve for sure. The only major thing I'd critique you on at this point is edge thickness. I think everybody starts off with thicker edges.
Well, my first 5 or 6 had a nearly zero grind, but then I started worrying about symmetry and plunges and stuff, and I lost sight of edge geometry for awhile.
So I'm not really nit-picking on you about the edges... that will come with experience in front of that fancy grinder you built and confidence in heat-treat.
To answer your specific question about pricing--- IME, the short answer is yes... longer blades won't earn as much for a guy, early on. Where you're at right now in the grand scheme of things, you will have (as a general rule) a much larger audience looking for small to medium sized fixed blades. Which is actually pretty nice, because you can typically make more smaller knives in a given amount of time than you could large knives.
Ironically, that flip-flops later on down the road. Because of my tools and techniques, it isn't a hell of a lot more work for me to make a small fighter than it is a hunter, but the fighter will sell for significantly more money.
FWIW- I'm really pleased to see a new maker come along that is striving so hard to succeed. Just keep doing what you've been doing and Ian Hall will be a familiar name in knife circles. :thumbup:
You're doing exceptional work already... you are way above the curve for sure. The only major thing I'd critique you on at this point is edge thickness. I think everybody starts off with thicker edges.
Well, my first 5 or 6 had a nearly zero grind, but then I started worrying about symmetry and plunges and stuff, and I lost sight of edge geometry for awhile.
So I'm not really nit-picking on you about the edges... that will come with experience in front of that fancy grinder you built and confidence in heat-treat. To answer your specific question about pricing--- IME, the short answer is yes... longer blades won't earn as much for a guy, early on. Where you're at right now in the grand scheme of things, you will have (as a general rule) a much larger audience looking for small to medium sized fixed blades. Which is actually pretty nice, because you can typically make more smaller knives in a given amount of time than you could large knives.
Ironically, that flip-flops later on down the road. Because of my tools and techniques, it isn't a hell of a lot more work for me to make a small fighter than it is a hunter, but the fighter will sell for significantly more money.
FWIW- I'm really pleased to see a new maker come along that is striving so hard to succeed. Just keep doing what you've been doing and Ian Hall will be a familiar name in knife circles. :thumbup:
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