Economy, Good for knifemakers?

oh the drama!!! this is worse than a bunch of complaining women sometimes.

Hi Les,

Thanks for sharing ur knowledge yet again!

KJ keep doing your thing. It's good to ruffle feathers sometimes.
 
Kevin Jones said:
A few of you old timers just can't stand to have a new guy question the status quo, get a little print and try to progress things a little? I guess new collectors are fine with you as long as kept in their place.
Pretty sad actually.
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Oy. Unbelievable. :rolleyes::rolleyes:: I'm reading it and still can't believe you just wrote that. Wow.

Roger
 
Roger, I am sure there will be a last word. With a conjoining new thread started about the last word along with the obligatory corresponding poll. I also predict a new organization will be founded just for new knife collectors who are against the grain. you know, against the man.
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
Roger, I am sure there will be a last word. With a conjoining new thread started about the last word along with the obligatory corresponding poll. I also predict a new organization will be founded just for new knife collectors who are against the grain. you know, against the man.
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No more discussion from me on the subject.

We can discuss it further at BLADE if you like? Probably have a more productive conversation.

As you're the type that beats their chest and throws out insults from behind a keyboard, but friendly face to face. Lots of those on internet forums as well.

I thought folks enjoyed my threads as there usually seems to be many posts/views. Perhaps not?
 
you know, this is really none of my business...
But I just have to say that Kevin seems to be a pretty decent, albeit outspoken, (something I can relate to) guy in general, and it's really unfortunate that some of you guys are being so hard on him here in this thread.
:(
 
Lorien said:
you know, this is really none of my business...
But I just have to say that Kevin seems to be a pretty decent, albeit outspoken, (something I can relate to) guy in general, and it's really unfortunate that some of you guys are being so hard on him here in this thread.
:(
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Thanks for the back-up Lorien, but it doesn't bother me at all. I have been putting up with this crap here form these few guys for two years.
 
Kevin Jones said:
No more discussion from me on the subject.

We can discuss it further at BLADE if you like? Probably have a more productive conversation.

As you're the type that beats their chest and throws out insults from behind a keyboard, but friendly face to face. Lots of those on internet forums as well.

I thought folks enjoyed my threads as there usually seems to be many posts/views. Perhaps not?
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Why would I insult you face to face? The times I met you you certainly didn't have BS spewing out of your mouth like you do know. Keyboard courage is what typicaly gets you into these types of discussions Kevin! Sorry you find it insulting. Your skin must be very thin.
 
I think you all take this stuff too seriously. I like all of you guys but I can see that your comments are often not meant to be aggressive and if they were said in person, one could maybe see the smile on your faces and not take it so badly. Its so easy to misinterpret someone on the internet.
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
Why would I insult you face to face? The times I met you you certainly didn't have BS spewing out of your mouth like you do know. Keyboard courage is what typicaly gets you into these types of discussions Kevin! Sorry you find it insulting. Your skin must be very thin.
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If you aren't willing to insult someone to their face you shouldn't from a keyboard or behind their back.

Yes, real thin. That's why I deal with mega contracting companies and union officials almost daily.
 
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jonathan brand said:
I think you all take this stuff too seriously. I like all of you guys but I can see that your comments are often not meant to be aggressive and if they were said in person, one could maybe see the smile on your faces and not take it so badly. Its so easy to misinterpret someone on the internet.
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Unfortunately, Jon....it isn't that we take it too seriously...it is that we find the necessity and ability to tear each other down to be too seductive....I frequently fall victim to it as well...I think it is one of the ugliest aspects of collecting, rooted in competition.

Anthony, Kevin and Roger are all parents...they know and teach right and wrong.....they are all authors, all respected by the community in different ways, all VERY respected by society at large.....but here, in the public eye, they are all like school kids who need time out, competing for what?...I don't know.

Gents....let us not bicker amongst ourselves for the amusement of the unwashed masses(insert sarcasm)....no fingers pointing, no blame being assigned....everyone step away from the keyboard, with dignity(still) intact.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
Hey STeven,

F**K YOU!

Your friend,

Anthony
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Did you play a Ouija board, and get your soul highjacked by the spirit of D.E. Henry?

You sure you wanna go there? You can edit your post, you know?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Back on subject..although I am not a knifemaker...I will say that I think that high end knives are going to be tough sells. Most makers in my opinion are savvy enough to realize this and will focus on some lower prices or more economic styles and models..

those that dont...wont..
 
A.G,
I would be happy to work with you, however I am busier in the last year than I have ever been. Thanks for doing business with William Henry, they are partly the reason I am so busy now. Thank you also for all your efforts in the knife community.
Thanks,
Del
 
Back to AG's original post.

What we are seeing now in the custom knife market is what we see all the time.

Expansion and contraction.

When the economy went south after 9/11 that was a major excuse for slow sales.

There are more makers now then there have ever been. A very small percentage are full time makers...even fewer than that would list the making and selling of custom knives as the "Sole Income Support" for their family.

Most makers who get to that point have already become successful and have a substantial waiting list for their work. Consequently, they will see things continuing to go well, even as it slows for others.

Makers who are part time or part part time will be the first to feel the "pinch". Of course this is true even during great economic times. A great microcosm of this is the Blade Show. Lots of makers selling out....many times that are not. Take your emotions out of the equation and look at what causes some makers to sell out and others not to.

Price, Materials used and Designs are the three main knife related reasons why the knives are selling or not. On the "intangible" side...Maker position in their chosen market, after market performance (or lack their of), supply and demand for their knives.

The intangibles are often promoted by some semblance of a business or marketing plan. Check with those makers not selling...they will not have a business or marketing plan. Nor will they realistically question why their knives are not selling.

It is much easier to say..."It's the economy".

Prior to leaving on Thursday for the NY Show, I sold 7 knives (always happens prior to shows), Friday at the show I sold 9 and on Saturday sold 2. Chatting with my fellow dealers I had what they termed to be a "Very good" show. Now ask the question, why did I have a good show and they did not. I know why I had a good show.

BTW, the ECCKS had pretty good attendance on Friday. Saturday by 2PM it was over.

When times get tough...merely hoping you will sell knives just doesn't cut it (no pun intended).

You had better have a plan. Or not...you can always blame the economy.
 
Well Gentleman,
I cant stand it any more here is my 2 cents.This is what I know. Now I am only talking for myself ,the makers and dealers I know and can believe what they say so you go where you want with this.
The Paris show was slow,The Chicago show was slow,The Malian show was slow,The November NY show was slow, The SCI convention in Reno was down 40% and people these guys have money , This NY show was down all you had to do was walk around on Sunday and look at the Really Good makers that still had knives on there table.
I will say The ones that seemed to sell the most knives were the people in the 4 to 6 hundred dollar range.
Keep in mind for some reason some peoples egos are way to big to tell you they had a bad show or they will bow all up and tell you how they sold out but wont tell you they only brought one knife.
I am not going to try to tell you why things total package are are slowing down you can try to figure that one out on your own but I am telling you they are.
I do very much believe Don "the man" Hanson when he said he thinks these times are going to weed out some dealers and makers alike but only time will tell.
Also if I have pissed any one off with this post I am sorry that was not my intention
Best of luck
Cliff Parker
 
Kohai999 said:
...I think it is one of the ugliest aspects of collecting...............

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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That statement saddens me to no end.
How can something that is such a labor of love for me, as well as many, many other makers, turn into something "ugly" down the road?
Because someone made it so, that's how.
These knives, that are at the heart of this discussion, as well as so many others, are created with love and care and attention and passion and many times, literally, with blood on the floor.
To have them end up as one of the "ugliest aspects of collecting" is to do nothing short of a disservice to them and the people who make them.
Stop whinin' and bickering.
Have fun.
 
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