Customer Input. Pricing

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Fiddleback

Fiddleback

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Guys, the times are terrible and I'm loath to do this, but I haven't raised prices on my knives since I started making them, and I think the time is coming. Please give me your opinion regarding this. My knives aren't tactical, but they're good tools, and I think they're worth a bit more. What say you?
 
I fully agree Andy, they are worth more ( most of them ) than you are currently charging. The problem is that they are already more or less outta my price range and I'd imagine many others are in the same boat.
Maybe you should do a budget line and a high end line.

Budget line, Basic micarta slabs, basic flat grind.

High end line, fancy wood slabs, handle liners,scandi or convex grinds etc.

Just a thought !
 
pitdog said:
I fully agree Andy, they are worth more ( most of them ) than you are currently charging. The problem is that they are already more or less outta my price range and I'd imagine many others are in the same boat.
Maybe you should do a budget line and a high end line.

Budget line, Basic micarta slabs, basic flat grind.

High end line, fancy wood slabs, handle liners,scandi or convex grinds etc.

Just a thought !
Click to expand...

I'm with Pit. Your knives are beautiful, functional, pieces of art. I feel they are definitely underpriced, but that has always been good for me, because I can see eventually getting one, or three. Of course, I think you deserve more for them. Pit's idea of different "trim" packages sounds like a winner to me.

Buy the way, got my eye on the Ladyfinger and the Nessie. Some day...
 
Id agree that your knives are priced a little low, but being the customer I like that. But I also see how the price going up would help a knife maker out, seeing as how it is your source of income. If you do raise them I can't see that making your current customers not want to buy your knives. Your craftsmenship/character, I think, keeps people coming back for more. It would be kind of nice if you took a page out of spydercos book and made a byrd line of sorts.
 
I think you deserve to make a little more off your work than you are right now. While I haven't handled your work yet (hopefully that'll change in the next few days when that Collins shows up!) every picture I've seen has been stunning and every review has been a glowing one. I think you can raise your prices to a level more commensurate with the quality of your work without chasing customers away.

Pit's idea about introducing budget and premium lines sounds brilliant, too. :):thumbup:
 
Ditto what Pit said. I for one would love to see some bare bones ladyfingers around 100 or 125. I love the looks of your multi-layer handles, but they seem too pricey to use. I had to sell my Nessmuk cause it was too much money into one blade.
 
Ok guys, this is my first post so please indulge me. I grew up with Andy and have been reading this forum after reconnecting with him and placing an order.

That being said, I think you buy/order a custom made knife because you want just that, a custom knife. I have a box full of production knives that I have collected over the years. Do I need a new knife? No. But I have always wanted a custom and when I found out Andy made them, I couldn't have been happier. I have been saving for ahwile to get one and knowing it is made especially for me means something.

I don't know what kind of cost or man hours goes into doing this, so I can't accurately give an opinion there. I can say that I would be willing to pay a little more for one of Andy's creations. My only concern is that the cost goes up enough to make Andy's knives cost prohibitive for some people. I think the trick is to find the happy medium that keeps business steady and gives Andy what his skill and time are worth.

By the way Andy, how is my order coming?

Joey
 
Seems to me that what they're worth/what Andy should get for his work is one very important part of the equation.

The other part is what the market will bear, and a bit of a business strategy question: sell more cheaper knives or less expensive ones. A significantly cheaper line could increase volume to make up for the loss in the higher custom line.

In my case, it's a real stretch to buy a Fiddleback. That said, for me I'd want the cheaper line to be equal in functionality ie, same grind, same handle shapes, same fit and finish. Could and would sacrifice in the layered handle/nice wood department to get a lower cost.

My two cents, worth about the same.
 
Andy, have you ever tried to figure out just what you're hourly pay would be on a knife? I'm sure there's a lot more that goes into one knife from inception to shipping than most would think. I know on my sheaths I make probably $4.00 an hour but I enjoy it. You're knives have a much higher threshold as to what people will pay. I feel your knives are a bargain and hope you can keep it that way (at least until I can score one) but I think most people understand that you have to stay profitable enough to make it worth your while to continue your work.
Do what you think you have to do and let the market determine whether you made the right decision or not.
 
Your knives are a bargain. They are worth every penny and that would not change at a higher price.

I have handled a lot of knives. Yours are among the best.
 
pitdog said:
I fully agree Andy, they are worth more ( most of them ) than you are currently charging. The problem is that they are already more or less outta my price range and I'd imagine many others are in the same boat.
Maybe you should do a budget line and a high end line.

Budget line, Basic micarta slabs, basic flat grind.

High end line, fancy wood slabs, handle liners,scandi or convex grinds etc.

Just a thought !
Click to expand...

I kind of agree with Pitdog.

I only have one of your knives, but it is truely awesome. I feel you outdid yourself with it. The handle is one of the best, if not the best, wood I have ever seen on anything ever.

That being said, it was pretty much about the most I have spent recently on a non-forged knife. Worth every penny, but I was completely blown away by the pics I have seen of your handle treatments, and had to have one for myself.

I plan on my next one also being a premium wood model. Would I pay more/ think it is worth it? Absolutely. Anyone who has actually seen one of your knives would agree.

A 'budget' line might help those who would appreciate your workmanship and design, as opposed to a collector like myself who is equally interested in asthetics and would pay more/ wait longer for the artistic touch.
 
Your name on knife, Andy. Your time in creating them. Your sensibilities in creating them.

Don't know that a less elaborate knife would be of value to you. It is not like you can put a lesser artisan on the job...you still have to make it. In addition, it would have the Fiddleback name on it, and you have established a standard of excellence for that name. If asked, I'd say "don't make a lesser knife."

I can't speak to pricing of your product. Each is a custom blade. Other than your product, I have no interest in anyone's custom work. I'd make the conjecture that anyone who wants a Fiddleback blade, wants it for the quality, design, and honest effort that goes into it.

You have a family, a house payment, a dog (whose picture you haven't posted in waaay too long), and a sense of commitment to the excellence of your product. I suspect that any price you set will be a fair one. You are an honorable man.

BUT...it needs first to be fair to YOU. As a customer, I am just the grateful guest who got invited along for a bit of the ride.

When I was a consultant, I set my daily rate, plus expenses. Those who wanted my work, hired me. It was NEVER a question of cost. No one else did what I did with the insight and skill-set that I had. Many other consultants were less expensive, many more were far more expensive and came with a support staff and collateral costs.

If the client wanted me, the fee was just something to get out of the way so I could get to work.

You will always have my support, whatever decision you make.
 
I'm new to Fiddleback Knives - my first one should be here this week. Just from what I read about his quality and what I've seen in the pictures, it seemed to me that Andy's prices were just high enough to make it hurt a little - but still affordable enough to work if you just had to have that knife! Much as I hate to say it before I have all the knives that I need, I think there's probably room to raise the prices a little.

I like the plain handle materials for slightly less idea, too. I don't have to have fancy - that burlap micarta is beeyootiful! :)
 
I am subject to the current economy as much as anyone else and hate to pay more for anything. That being said, you need to get more for your time and goods. Your prices are low right now and I think it's time for you to pay yourself what your worth.
 
pitdog has a good idea.

In my humble opinion, after spending some time looking at your website and at knivesshipfree.com, your knives are worth more than you are selling them for.

I have read your contest rules also. I have seen the Snody Videos too.
His mentality is to keep production down to keep the price up.
That might work in certain demographic areas.

Bottom line is things are going to get worse economy wise and really, everything else wise too for the majority of people in the world.

If you look at jewelry store ads, their markup is WAY low on the flyer items, but that gets people into the store, where they either get that item, or, want better quality and trade up.

Since your knives are such good quality you might even want to take "trade-ins" on higher purchases and perhaps have another market for your used knives, just an idea.
No one knows better than you on what you need to do to survive in these times.

Bottom line I think you should raise your prices as others have suggested.

Even the Restaurant Industry is having to raise prices because of rising food costs, a small increase at this time would not be out of line and people would understand that as well, plus your stuff is custom as well, not production, you are a fine craftsman and your knives are truly works of art Sir.
 
Pit said it. Simpler handled blades that take less time to make and so can be priced accordingly, but which still turn a tidy profit.
Higher end handled knives will still be purchased by the collectors even if you raise the price 10-15%.
I think that there are two distinct markets, functional and plain (At a lower price) and polished and ornate (At a higher price).
You already make both kinds. The Bushcraft Jr with micarta handles I have is in the former category and the Woodsman with osage and cocobolo handles and bullseye lanyard is in the latter. Both are 100% FUNCTIONAL and have outstanding F&F, it's just that one is more beautiful than the other.
I think that most people know your work for it's beautiful, layered handles and many don't know that you also make simpler, micarta handled versions. Maybe these 'plainer' knives need more prominent display on your site. For some buyers, the 'ornate' looking knives that have prominence on your site, might turn them off because they want 'plainer' and cheaper. They automatically think that ALL of your work is out of their price range.
 
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