Customer Input. Pricing

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I'm a little late but I'll still give my opinion: Everyone knows you could ask more for your knives, and everyone knows you eventually will.

If now is the time, if you feel it is. Do it. Nobody will blame you.

I'm just glad I already have my first Fiddleback :)
 
I like that you refer to it as your first.
 
I dont mind paying some more. I dont have one of your knives yet, but I plan too :). Even if it means saving up and not buying that BK-9 I really want.

I think it was mentioned before, but you need to really advertise how great of a deal your product is. Explain how much effort you put into every handle and grind. Maybe even make a video. You need to make your non-BF customers understand how much time and effort is put into your knives. Also keep in mind your customers are also affected by the economic troubles, increase prices carefully.

btw, I sent you an email.
 
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After getting my hands on 2 Fiddlebacks now I am sure a 15%/$20-30 increase would not be too bad, as your skills are also growing and you deserve to be compensated for making a better quality product (as the type of perfectionist you are).

I would suggest that instead of making a budget line to go to the opposite end and make the occasional high end Fiddleback. Add Damasteel, or other functional high end materials (Stag?) to 5-10 knives per year and charge accordingly. Your customers/fanatics will pony up if they can, and it will introduce your work to high end collectors who always have the extra money on hand, and by simply changing to a more high end material should not add too much extra time for your bottom line. Of course this opens you up to becoming a boutique maker, but somehow I don't see that making you happy.

I also agree on how many of my custom knives have been shipped, a little info is nice beyond a business card. I just finished my 11th knife (Wow- I'm a pro now and can charge what you do now right??:foot::eek:;)) and sent a sheet with it describing what it was: made of, designed for, care... as well as a bit about myself. I wrote it so that it is easily adaptable for new knives and plan to use it with each subsequent knife. If you would like I'll send what I wrote (by no means a final copy), as I feel it gives more "soul" to the new gift.

Just an amateur trying to learn from those in the know, and help if I can.
 
Guys, I really appreciate all the input you've given me in this thread. I've come up with new pricing using 15% as a guide, then rounding down to the nearest 5. Some knives did not get an increase.

Karda - $85
Runt and BLJ - $115
EDC and BLBK - $150
Small Nessmuk and Small Sock Knife (was Whittler), and KPH (price in run won't change) - $155
Bushcrafter, Terrassaur, Ladyfinger, Boot Knife (larger handled whitler) - $180
Snubnose - $175
Lg Nessmuk - $190
Hunter - $200
Woodsman - $225
Sandokumuk - $250
BLC - $350

Again, thanks for helping me with this, it was stressful to make this decision. I don't want to leave the user knife market in any way.
 
Only thing I might ask is upcharge prices such as sheath, bolsters and so on, but they seem like very fair prices. This is hopefully the beginning of a very productive and happy new year for you.
 
I'm leaving the sheath prices as is unless I get an increase from JRE. I charge whatever JRE charges me rounded up to the nearest $5. I'm still going to charge $75 minimum for a sheath made by myself. If I get where lots of folks are asking me to do this, that price will go up a LOT. The point of that price is to limit demand.

Features like stabalized woods, custom phenolics from FOD at Shadetree Phenolics are going to cost extra based on the situation.

Bullseyes, and corby's are included. I found a new middle layer for my bullseyes recently. Black carbon fibre. Can't wait to use it!
 
I was thinking along the same lines as Cuts like a Kris. Instead of maintaining the budget line, that doesn't really decrease your time investment in your knives, you should add an ultra premium (I consider your existing line to be of premium quality) line using higher end materials and your own sheaths. I know the sheaths take you as much time as a knife, but they look incredible and I've been eager to get one ever since you posted the one you made for your father's Woodsman.

I also don't think the modest price increase you've just posted will affect sales. As you said, the skills have increased considerably in the past year and it is time the prices follow suit. Everyone knows material prices have increased during this time as well.
 
The large Sandoku kitchen knife with the nessmuk tip.
 
This may not be the right place to sat this but...

Please start a new sticky with a picture of each knife, the general specs, price, etc.

I also think you should try to do a picture with examples of woods you keep on hand and the price line they fall into: no extra cost, $10 upcharge, $20 upcharge, etc. Same with your G-10, phenoleics, etc.
 
You had me worried with all this talk of price increase. But the prices you posted are still affordable by the average Joe. :thumbup: I hope this small increase in price helps you and your family to have a good 2010. I am definitely lookin forward to getting another Fiddleback knife. Just waiting for you to make some more Kardas. ;)
 
Thanks for posting your price list. I think that the new prices are more than reasonable. I'm planning to own my first Fiddleback in 2010.

Good luck this year!

Brandon
 
Andy,
If you read my post in the your Nessmuk thread, I'm thrilled with your work. At $150 I almost feel like I stole from you. I could see this knife and sheath going for a lot more but probably would have never paid more for a knife that I was unsure of (the Nessmuk style). I'm glad you offered it at such a low price but do hope you charge enough in the future to stay profitable and happy. Don't under charge yourself right out of the business.

Even though this is my most expensive knife, I have no hesitation about using it and hope to purchase another one of your creations in the future. Your new prices look very reasonable and it's probably something you should re-evaluate on an annual basis.
Good luck!
 
GhostWolf said:
You had me worried with all this talk of price increase. But the prices you posted are still affordable by the average Joe. :thumbup: I hope this small increase in price helps you and your family to have a good 2010. I am definitely lookin forward to getting another Fiddleback knife. Just waiting for you to make some more Kardas. ;)
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For a small increase, I sure did fret. Last thing I wanna do is have knives sit unused.

bkduckworth said:
Thanks for posting your price list. I think that the new prices are more than reasonable. I'm planning to own my first Fiddleback in 2010.

Good luck this year!

Brandon
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Awesome!! I hope to make a sweet one for ya.

hoopster said:
Andy,
If you read my post in the your Nessmuk thread, I'm thrilled with your work. At $150 I almost feel like I stole from you. I could see this knife and sheath going for a lot more but probably would have never paid more for a knife that I was unsure of (the Nessmuk style). I'm glad you offered it at such a low price but do hope you charge enough in the future to stay profitable and happy. Don't under charge yourself right out of the business.

Even though this is my most expensive knife, I have no hesitation about using it and hope to purchase another one of your creations in the future. Your new prices look very reasonable and it's probably something you should re-evaluate on an annual basis.
Good luck!
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Thanks bro. I love hearing this kinda stuff. I hope you use the snot out of that knife. No reason to keep a Nessmuk pretty!!!

Guys, this thread has run its course, and I'm going to close it. I have really appreciated all your input!!
 
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