Custom Orders; How much information do makers NEED or WANT?

[Kevin Jones]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed Caffrey
My favorite collectors are the ones who give me freedom. By that I mean a collector who orders a knife by a "style". Something along the lines of saying.... "Ed, I'd like a Mosaic Damascus Bowie, with blued fittings, and keep it under $XXXX." An individual like that will always get my very best work because he/she has given me the freedom to envision something and make it become reality.
The ones who really get under my skin are the ones who want to send me a blueprint. (yes it has actually happened) or those who start out by saying "Your the Knifemaker, so I'm not going to put too many restraints on the design." But then they call me every other day, wanting to talk for hours, and keep adding to the things they want. In that situation I quickly loose all enthusiasm for making the knife, and in a couple of cases have even told certain individuals that I was canceling their order.

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Ed's post above to the "Makers - What do you look for in a Collector?" thread brings up a very important question as to how much information, specification and/or detail a collector needs or should communicate to the maker. I'm sure maker's opinions vary quite a bit.

I have done the "blueprint thing" complete with specification, dimensions and details as I thought I was helping the maker. And as it turned out, I specified the handle width too narrow and the Bowie ended up looking a little odd and didn't fit my hand as well as it could have. I'm sure the maker noticed my design error but figured he better stick to the drawing.

So now, I usually present the maker with a list or outline (style, dimensions, steel make-up, handle material, damascus pattern, type engraving and such) of my thoughts and seek his or her opinion and/or ideas. I think communication is very important here. You want to give the maker room to be creative, however the maker should deliver what the collector is expecting. I imagine it would be a very awkward moment when the maker presents the knife and gets that "what the hell were you thinking look" or reaction from an anxious and excited collector.

One collector shared with me recently that his turn was up to have a knife made from a very popular maker. His only instruction to the maker was to make whatever you want within this price range using the best materials you have available. I would imagine this is one of the best complements you could give a maker. Stating complete confidence in his taste and ability.

Makers, what are your thoughts as to how involved the collector should be in creating a special order custom knife?

Collectors, as it's your money and your knife, how involved do you think you should be?

And last, makers and collectors please share any experiences you deem appropriate or related to this subject.

 

[Tanguay Custom Knives]

Here's what I ask for: from my web page
Ordering:
When placing an order, please refer to our Available Knives and Price List sections for available knives, options, and prices. To ensure you receive THE knife you desire, please be as specific as possible on your order form. For custom orders please try to include a sketch, picture, or internet link to a similar knife. We will calculate a price based on the scope of the job at that time. Change orders should be made in writing as soon as possible after placing your order. Changes can not be made after production on your knife commences.

TANGUAY CUSTOM KNIVES ORDER FORM
Please read the Terms and Conditions Section prior to placing your order.

Please fill out the following information and email or mail to us.

email: magua1@midmaine.com
phone: (207)-735-6511

Tanguay Custom Knives
561 Fort Knox Road
Prospect, Me 04981

Name:

Shipping Address:


Email Address:

Telephone Number:

PLEASE REFER TO THE PRICE LIST PAGE FOR ALL AVAILABLE OPTIONS

Model:

Blade thickness: 1/8 3/16 1/4

Blade Length:

Blade Finish:

Black Oxide Coating: yes no

Serrations Full/Half/Where:

Thumb Notches: yes no

Handle Material/Finish:

Pin Material/Size:

Skull Crusher: yes no

Sheath Color: black OD grn tan red orange

Sheath Right hand/left hand/vertical/horizontal, etc:

Belt Attachment: None Sm Tek-Lok Lg Tek-Lok Kydex Belt Clip Kydex Belt Loop

Lanyard/Color: yes no black tan OD grn orange

OtherRequests/Options:

 

[rosconey2]

my first custom was a daniel prentice fighter-i was a pain in his azz i bet-may still be i dont know-lol

next was a 3'' xm18-just asked for all ti with anopaint-became a pain in his azz after the sale-lol

right now i have a yuna hard 2-the only request was orange and blue g10-
my avatar is a pic of what he has done so far -minus the blade,its out for heat treat-am going to try like heck not to be a pain in his azz-

 

[Steven Roos]

Be especially careful when ordering something the maker has little experience with. I ordered a slipjoint, specifically a Doctor's Knife, with a spatula instead of a second blade, and got a spatula that was ground like a blade instead of tapered lengthwise. Doh!

Guess it just goes to show you should never assume anything!

 

[Ed Caffrey]

Kevin,

Thanks for bringing this to the forefront! I can't speak for anyone other than myself, but I've had several bad incidents over the years when a customer/collector gets too detailed on a knife. Generally what happens is the customer/collector has a wild idea, or sees something they think will be really cool, and then try to apply it to a specific type/style of knife that it just won't work with. I did several of these types of things during my JS years, and in almost every case, I tried to talk the individual out of it, but relented, and did as I was asked. As it turned out, the buyer(s) were not happy with the results (as I knew they would not be) and it created a lot of unnecessary re-working for me, and a lot of delays for the customer. As I've matured a little in my knifemaking, I've fallen back on something my first mentor tried to teach me. When I would ask him a question about should I do, or not do this? He would reply. "Your the expert now. You know what will work, and what won't."
Some Makers need to have everything spelled out for them, but if done to others, it only cramps their creativity. I think the key is communication between the Maker and the Customer/Collector. You've already heard my personal thoughts, so I won't repeat them here.
I do think one huge thing to remember is that when you order a true Collector Grade Knife, you're ordering a piece of art. Give general parameters...but let the artist do the creating.

 

[lwrhea]

Your the expert now. You know what will work, and what won't."

Very sage advice. Joe Keeslar told me the same thing not long ago.

His point was right in line with Ed's. Stretching your skills to a new level is a great thing. But, taking on too much without knowing if it's really possible will lead to disappointment almost everytime.

Collectors are wise to allow this comfort zone for the maker.

Lin

 

[Kevin Jones]

I do think one huge thing to remember is that when you order a true Collector Grade Knife, you're ordering a piece of art. Give general parameters...but let the artist do the creating.

Ed, I think the above is real good advice.