Economy, Good for knifemakers?

A

A. G. Russell

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Mar 10, 2001
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How is business? Is it slower than last year? Are you getting more orders?

Are any of your orders being canceled?

My handmade business is steady to slow and my catalog business is not good, so much so that we are lowering the prices on the commodity knives (those being sold by every body) I am also designing knives of our own that will sell for less than we have in the past.

In the handmade area I am planning new models aimed at several price points.

I am also looking for talented young knifemakers.
 
I like AG's stimulus plan...lower prices and hire more employees! Sort of a customer bailout...lol.
 
From what I have heard, only from one knifemaker (Eddie White), the economy is treating him well. He offers a huge variety of users for prices that me, a highschool kid, have really enjoyed! :D
 
For me as a maker it is good. But being at the low to mid range of the forged blade market i think i am picking up some orders that would have normally went to MS's and higher end style knives.
 
Surprisingly for me it has been pretty good. I am not as well known as a lot of makers are, but I am being "discovered" by more new customers frequently nowdays.
 
I've heard makers state their higher end pieces are selling better than lower end, which is consistent with what I've found in selling knives as a collector. Very nice knives I have listed @ $400-$1400 have not sold, yet knives, some of which I didn't even have listed for sale, have sold in the $3K-$7k range.

As far as my buying habits, I have always had certain criteria that knives must meet for purchase consideration. In this economy the criteria is just stricter in that I'm only adding knives to my collection that are truly exceptional and I'm looking for very good value.

Good thread AG.
 
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So, A.G., are you changing your business model a bit?

From what you've said, I take it the low to mid end mass production stuff is slacking while the interest in higher end and handmade is strengthening?
Are you getting back to your roots?

Are the days of low, low, low end imported crap coming to an end? Is this the era that will usher in the value of quality over quantity? Finally? Could this actually be happening?:eek:

This is a most curious thread. Very interesting. I've been hoping that someone would engage our dynamic economic times by way of some discussion which does not include phraseology regarding toilets;):). I can think of no one more knowledgeable of the subject, and I'm glad you brought it up again, A.G. This time, on a positive note:thumbup:
 
A few dealers have complained of very slow business lately. But that might just be them and not everyone.
 
I am selling everything I make!

I am getting a lot of orders and most of them are for my high-end knives.

The high-end knives are the first to sell for me at shows and at home.

The simple knives are selling, just not quite as fast as the high-end pieces.
 
jdm61 said:
Mr.Russell...are you looking to go the "benchmade" ( the technique, not the folder company..lol) route?
Click to expand...

Joe,

I focused on handmade knives for many years. I lost my knifemaker to a horrific accident in Jan 02 and only recently replaced him. Our new program rests heavily on handmade and shopmade® fixed blade knives with a few folders, folders made in the US, Imported folders and a few fixed blades.

Our plan is to have great designs in all price levels so that anyone looking for a knife will be able to enjoy the knife they can afford while availing themselves of the well known Russell service and guarantee. We will at the same time offer otherpeoples knives at some of the best prices available.

of course, this is a plan and you know what Robert Burns said about plans. . . .

This plan has been in the works for two years and we continue to work on it.

Look for knives from The U.S., Germany, Italy, Japan, Taiwan, China Whereever they come from they will be the very best that that country can turn out.

The business model has chaqnged and is a constant state of change as we recact to actions of the government and the economy
 
A. G. Russell said:
Joe,

I focused on handmade knives for many years. I lost my knifemaker to a horrific accident in Jan 02 and only recently replaced him. Our new program rests heavily on handmade and shopmade® fixed blade knives with a few folders, folders made in the US, Imported folders and a few fixed blades.

Our plan is to have great designs in all price levels so that anyone looking for a knife will be able to enjoy the knife they can afford while availing themselves of the well known Russell service and guarantee. We will at the same time offer otherpeoples knives at some of the best prices available.

of course, this is a plan and you know what Robert Burns said about plans. . . .

This plan has been in the works for two years and we continue to work on it.

Look for knives from The U.S., Germany, Italy, Japan, Taiwan, China Whereever they come from they will be the very best that that country can turn out.

The business model has chaqnged and is a constant state of change as we recact to actions of the government and the economy
Click to expand...

AG, It'll definitely be a challenging period of time for all makers and vendors for the next several years, at least a decade IMO of pretty severe economic conditions, with trying to stay one step ahead of these very tough times.

I wish you and your company the best during what I'm very confident will be your ability to successfully adapt to the hurdles ahead and come out on top. :thumbup:
 
I'm not a well known maker...mainly inexpensive, simple forged blades, I'm pretty busy with orders. I took a look at the market and decided that the best way to complete is to make an inexpensive knife. Most people that buy one from me follow up with an order for something more expensive. I'm not a full time maker so I don't have to charge a "real" shop rate.
 
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