Economy, Good for knifemakers?

My thanks to STeven, and to Bastid and to James as well. and to all who love freedom of expression.

Two of my top employees voted for Mr. Obama, I did not fire them nor have I ever dumped a ckustomer who did not want to see the back of me. I am too freeking old to give in to any twit that thinks that our Constitution is disposable.
 
brightred said:
it's hard to believe that most people who participate in this thread are US citizens. i have always thought (and history backs this opinion up) that disasters bring the best out of americans, optimism and confidence, belief in your abilities, skills and your strenghts.

but there is so much defeatism and pessimism in this thread, it's just saddening. this is not the america i defend against all the morons over here! some gentlemen should really get a grip on themselves! thanks!

best regards,
hans
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Who's being defeated?

We're discussing the state of an economy that's very sick. This isn't a "negative" attitude. It's a fact.

No one can ever fix this, or prepare for the impact of this, if we can't accurately diagnose it. That may require using "negative" terms to describe it. The very nature of any conversation involving a negative event is going to appear like we're all negative, and that isn't the case.

Look, If you had a severe illness(I hope and pray that no one here does) and you diagnosed it as a simple cold for the sake of being "positive", you're going to be screwed.

There's a huge difference between an attitude, whether it be positive or negative, and an accurate assessment of a bad situation.
 
A. G. Russell said:
I am too freeking old to give in to any twit that thinks that our Constitution is disposable.
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I dont think anyone here thinks the constitution is disposable. However I do think many are fed up with old timers and their old, played out ideas that have totally messed up this country. Its time to give new blood and new ideas a chance because God knows everything else has failed miserably.


Stop the language and show respect!
 
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severedthumbs said:
I dont think anyone here thinks the constitution is disposable. However I do think many are fed up with old timers and their old, played out ideas that have totally ***** up this country. Its time to give new blood and new ideas a chance because God knows everything else has failed miserably.
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You're a failure. What should we do with you, you bird-brained knucklehead?
 
A. G. Russell said:
My thanks to STeven, and to Bastid and to James as well. and to all who love freedom of expression.

Two of my top employees voted for Mr. Obama, I did not fire them nor have I ever dumped a ckustomer who did not want to see the back of me. I am too freeking old to give in to any twit that thinks that our Constitution is disposable.
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AG, please add me to that short list you have there. I would hope this does not offend any of my customers, for several reasons. Number one, I just don't like to offend people, but like AG, I believe what I believe and that's that. Also like AG, at 76 years of age, I'm not giving in either.

Per STeven and me....
Best Regards,

Paul
 
Um.... er... ahem...
back to the original thread here...

I'm back making knives full time BECAUSE the economy tanked and my "real" job (mineral exploration geologist) has fallen off due to lack of investment capital.

I took a dozen or so years off from knifemaking and am just now getting back in, so my case may be atypical, but my new knives are doing quite well. The main thing here is that instead of pursuing some idea of what customers want (mostly guided by what somebody ELSE is making)... I am pursuing my own dream of making the knives that I want to make. I seldom got to do that in the old days... it was always "make this" or "make that" and except for those few precious "angels" that let me try something new, my own ideas of what made a great knife always had to go on the back burner. After all this time it's rather wonderful to finally get a chance to make what I actually like. And if other people like it too, then that makes it kinda fun. So even though the economy has been rough on me with the "real job"... it's been very good for the knifemaking side of things.

In case you have not seen any of my recent knives, there's a thread posted by a customer here at:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=613005

I maintain an archive website with all the knives or swords I ever made listed by serial number and giving a rough description of the style and materials.
http://www.shirepost.com/BladeList.html

Tom Maringer
 
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I'm certainly not an old timer but I am sick of hearing that we need "new ideas". I have a chronic illness and I'm terrified because these "new ideas" are exactly what is going to make it much more difficult for me to get treatment. I am all for new ideas because times are changing but that doesn't mean I want to change the face of the country.

It saddens me that customers can be lost due to A.G.'s politics. Its the same way around here (NY) in the social scene and something that worries me about future generations. Its hard to make friends or get a date if you admit to being more right of center. I don't mind different view points but can't we respect one anothers and not lose friends over it?


I guess this has nothing to do with knives.. sorry :(


By the way.. Welcome Cliff! Its strange but awesome to see you here.

And Don, lay off the dennys its not good for you.
 
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Les,

I should have also said on my reply that focusing on your clients and addressing there wants desires and needs is some of the best advise a person can receive and for that I thank you

Take care
Cliff
 
Somewhere in this thread (I have searched page by page 4 times and not found it) I said that: . . . anyone who has not read the book 1987 should do so. That is what you face if America does not wake up.

My friend Tom Maringer was kind enough to remind me that the Book was "1984" by George Orwell. More of you will know of his other well known book. ."Animal Farm" and the most famous quote "some pigs are more equal than others"
 
I haven't read "1984" since... 1984 when I was in high school. Another one with a similar cautionary tale is "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley.

Now then, back to knife business, please? ;)
 
Thank you!

It may be rude to double-post, but I think this kind of got lost in the shuffle on the other page :rolleyes: I really would like to hear y'all's opinions:

James_Terrio said:
Exactly what I'm thinking; a couple of standard designs, available with options, 100% handmade after having the blanks (waterjet) cut. Just to keep costs down, but still offer the highest quality I can. I'll continue to make (one-offs) what I please as well, both for fun and to address the higher end. Do you all think this is a reasonable approach?
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(items in parentheses added for clarity)
 
I'm certainly not one of the big boys around here, not even close, I've only spent over $1,500(USDollars) twice for knives, so competing with someone with a dozen Loveless' or Morans is out of the question.
That said, I would gladly double the amount I've spent previously on one knife for the right piece from a certain maker if I could be fast enough on the available knife email notification, I would just have to slack off buying new knives for a while. ;)

I do enjoy the time I've spent here and the knowledge gained is immeasurable, the petty squabbles are disheartening but I feel they are a true revealer of character and they usually get resolved amicably, if not quickly.
I don't know Roger or Kevin personally, just from posting on various knife forums on the net, I respect them both quite a bit.
Have joined the CKCA as well as posted in threads where Roger's input was sought by several of the top makers in the world.
That's enough about Kevin and Roger, except for something Roger told me a while back:
Everyone helps everyone. :cool:

AG, Sir,
Your political views and mine are identical:thumbup:, also, I have you to thank for leading me here, my real name is Doug Castor,
I ordered from you quite a bit in the past but I'm sorry to say I haven't ordered anything for a long time, it hasn't been three years though as I still receive your wonderful catalogs and you will receive an order from me tomorrow, please don't thank me.
Thank you for all you do, have done and continue to do for the fantastic world that is the knife community.

Doug :)
ps Sorry so long winded, I believe this is my longest post ever on Blade Forums and no editing because I wanted to get it all out there without deleting anything.
Yes, I know I don't write as well as some.
 
Les Robertson said:
Cliff, my advise to you and other makers would be to focus on your knives and your position in the market(s) you compete in. Forget about other knife makers...THEY DON"T BUY KNIVES. Focus on your clients...address their wants, desires and needs.
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This is the best piece of advice I've ever seen posted on BF. I've always followed this mindset in my business from the very beginning.
Scott
 
Doug C, I think you write beautifully!!.....and say all the right things, therefore you MUST be a gentleman and I thank you for your participation here.

Paul
 
A. G. Russell said:
Somewhere in this thread (I have searched page by page 4 times and not found it) I said that: . . . anyone who has not read the book 1987 should do so. That is what you face if America does not wake up.

My friend Tom Maringer was kind enough to remind me that the Book was "1984" by George Orwell. More of you will know of his other well known book. ."Animal Farm" and the most famous quote "some pigs are more equal than others"
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here is the post AG, #151. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6572214&postcount=151
 
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