demographics of custom knife world

bandaidman

bandaidman

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there was an article in the WSJ 10 years ago that related the number of knife collectors to be about 100k. i am unsure how they arrived at that number and it appears to be a sum of ALL knife collectors, not just custom knives.

there is a paucity of data online, i could not even find subscription numbers for the major knife magazines.



any one have any informed data as to the number of knife collectors there are today? is the number growing or shrinking?

how about the age and socioeconomic status of the typical collector..... ie is it a wealthy retiree or is it a middle age/middle class person?
 
HI Bandaid,

No one has a clue how many collectors there are.

First, define a collection.

Now seperate by factory and custom.

The WSJ used WAG to come up with 100K.
 
Blade Magazine reported in an issue not too many months ago that their research revealed the average collector was a white male in their mid 50s.

I remember as it depicted our own Paul Kessler as their example of average Joe knife collector. Though I believe those of you who know Paul do think of him as well above average. ;) :)
 
Exactly how did they come to that conclusion?

Were they talking about factory or custom. Surely the demographic cannot be 55 year old male for both.

Come on Kevin, you were the one in the past always asking for exact numbers.

Now you are quoting a Blade magazine that does not break it down on how they came up with that number.

Take a look at the Blade Show the next time you are there. The average person in the room is not a 55 year old Male.

Ten years ago when the factories started promoting their knives through their association with custom knife makers. Their target was 21-35 year old buyers. One side affect of that type of market strategy was the introduction of custom knife makers to a much younger audience.

Subsequently, buyers of custom knives became younger...not older,

A good guess of mid 50's in the 1980's probably would have been a good guess. Just based on my clients and those you see attending shows around the country. The average age of a custom knife buyer is probably more in the mid 40's.

However, as I said early...nobody knows for sure...nobody.

Any answer is pure speculation on that persons part...to include me.
 
Les Robertson said:
Exactly how did they come to that conclusion?

Don't know, however I find it interesting that it's basically the same as reported for Corvette and Harley Davidson owners.

Were they talking about factory or custom. Surely the demographic cannot be 55 year old male for both.

Believe they were addressing custom collectors, however I couldn't find the issue. I'm sure Paul has it. Perhaps he can share additional information.

Come on Kevin, you were the one in the past always asking for exact numbers. Now you are quoting a Blade magazine that does not break it down on how they came up with that number.

You are right Les as I have always been surprised at the lack of information regarding the custom knife community as to who and how many make and collect custom knives. We don't even have a clue as to how many custom knives are made each year, average cost or anything for that matter.
The need for this information is simply "marketing 101" in that it's important in promoting interest and bringing in new collectors. I have never expected exact numbers, however it would be nice to have ballpark figures with perhaps a little data to support them. In addition, I was only identifying the Blade article, not stating I agreed or dis-agreed with it.

I hope the CKCA will be in a position in the not to distant future to start gathering some statistical data to start down the road of taking custom knives to the next level which should be good for everyone involved.

Take a look at the Blade Show the next time you are there. The average person in the room is not a 55 year old Male.

Ten years ago when the factories started promoting their knives through their association with custom knife makers. Their target was 21-35 year old buyers. One side affect of that type of market strategy was the introduction of custom knife makers to a much younger audience.

Subsequently, buyers of custom knives became younger...not older,

A good guess of mid 50's in the 1980's probably would have been a good guess. Just based on my clients and those you see attending shows around the country. The average age of a custom knife buyer is probably more in the mid 40's.

However, as I said early...nobody knows for sure...nobody.

Any answer is pure speculation on that persons part...to include me.
Click to expand...

I agree, we can ALL speculate, however until someone or some group starts capturing data it will only be that. I would like to have Bruce Voyles's opinion on "average Joe collector", as he sees it from publication, shows and sales prospectives.

*************************
 
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Les Robertson said:
HI Bandaid,

No one has a clue how many collectors there are.

First, define a collection.

Now seperate by factory and custom.

The WSJ used WAG to come up with 100K.
Click to expand...

Kevin Jones said:
Blade Magazine reported in an issue not too many months ago that their research revealed the average collector was a white male in their mid 50s.
Click to expand...

Well, I fit right in with that white male in his 50s demographic.

On the other hand, I had a drawerful of knives before I was 10 years old.
(None of those were by Tony or Reese Bose, Ed Schempp, Warren Osborne, Ron Newton, Bailey Bradshaw, or Joel Chamblin.)

So Les' comment about defining a collection and sparating cusotm form production seems a pretty valid point.
 
The collectors I know would average being in their mid 40s. Most of them are in middle income to upper middle income range, but a couple are in the upper income range. However, I only know about 20 collectors personally. I know a lot more through the internet, but am not sure how old they are, or how much money they make.
 
Demographics Studies are done as a marketing tool. A true study would cost money and then would be utilized by whoever did the study to increase their sales.

In order to have a truly accurate assessment of the "custom" knife buyer a fair amount of money would have to be spent to create the questions, implement/gather and analyze the information.

I think all of us occasionally fall into the Internet Forum trap. Where many like minded individuals congregate to openly exchange ideas. I think what you are finding is that those who regularly participate on the forum fall into a certain group. They would generally have to be people who are computer literate, collect, make or sell custom knives, have enough disposable income to buy custom knives. Much past that you would see the demographics start to skew.

Excellent question...the only answer is someones best guess.
 
Hi David,

Welcome Back? I know I haven't been posting a lot, but I was here.

I had a great December and just finished up my 8th article in 4 weeks for Blade and Knives Illustrated.

Most of the posts were picture posts and enough people said "Beautiful", etc. :D

Any way, the information gathered by Blade Im sure is used for their marketing and would probably not be given to others. Also, there is probably no way to seperate factory from custom collectors.

I have no doubt that the factory collectors substantially outnumber the custom knife collectors.

BTW, what do you feel is a "Big Time Collector?"
 
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