Event Table

[John Cahoon]

I've been asked to attend and set up a table at an Off Road Vehicle event this weekend and wanted to show you guys my inventory. It's at a local winter lake camp (we affectionately call 'em snowbirds in the desert) where my business partner's Dad shows and sells for me. Can't even offer him anything in return either but I'll get him something anyway. I'd be interested in what you all like best (and more importantly the least!)

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The two with the hump-bump backs are not attractive to me ( middle two in second photo). In the first photo, the two smaller hunters (top and bottom left column), the thin medium hunter (top center), and the camp knife with the steel butt ( top right) are the best of the whole group.

I think most of the rest are too fat or two odd shaped. Curves and dips in the spine don't do anything to make the knife better, and are distracting to the eye of the buyer.

 

[Ian Fifelski]

I've been asked to attend and set up a table at an Off Road Vehicle event this weekend and wanted to show you guys my inventory. It's at a local winter lake camp (we affectionately call 'em snowbirds in the desert) where my business partner's Dad shows and sells for me. Can't even offer him anything in return either but I'll get him something anyway. I'd be interested in what you all like best (and more importantly the least!)

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What Stacy said^ It looks like you were looking for something unique in the style for some of the knives, and it didn't turn out.

In comes the phrase, "why reinvent the wheel?" There is more to a unique style than the profile of a knife. Go with a tried and true profile, maybe tweak it slightly and let your style shine in the finishes, materials, etc. Like those nice brass bolsters

 

[Horsewright]

I'd agree with Stacy's picks on the blades. The others don't float my boat at all. However, your handle finish looks really good on all of them. You're rocking that, you really are, bolsters, wood, choice of combos etc really well done. The only thing I can see there in these pics is that little sliver of the handle on the bottom right blade, first pic, will sooner or later break off in use. Its just gonna. But that is the only one ya did that on. Even stabilized wood (that looks like Mark's red oak), its gonna break.

Your figure carving has really improved. Well done. I think you shine your best at the more abstract symbol carving ones, the Egyptian and Native American ones. They keep drawing my eye. Not keen on the painted wolverine going over the fold of the sheath. I try not to do any tooling over a fold as it weakens it in years to come. Same with the cut and bevelled border, try to keep those on the flats. Your sheaths are good and just a few steps down from great. Work more on the edges. That could be done even now. They need rubbing, particularly the butterfly ones. Ya need to work on your stitching too needs to be straighter and more distinct. I would switch to white too. colored thread in an application like this tends to be seen at amateurish which you are not. But it is a draw down. I use colored thread all the time but as a design element not as a standard. What leather and thread are you using?

Two things with all this being said:

1) I really applaud you for this post. You have the confidence to take constructive criticism and learn from it. You will get a lot better because of that. I've noticed that in the past too from you.

2) Just because we/I don't like something doesn't mean you don't take it to the show. You do. You never know what is gonna work or what other folks like. Some of your blade shapes seem almost novelty ish. Pic one, row one, top or bottom, the guy that buys those knives will be a returning customer. The guy that buys the Bear knife, not so much, he will already have it. No business is built on single sales. You need those guys to come back and buy pic 1 row 1 top and bottom again and again and show it to their friends.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

I've been asked to attend and set up a table at an Off Road Vehicle event this weekend and wanted to show you guys my inventory. It's at a local winter lake camp (we affectionately call 'em snowbirds in the desert) where my business partner's Dad shows and sells for me. Can't even offer him anything in return either but I'll get him something anyway. I'd be interested in what you all like best (and more importantly the least!)

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Your first mistake is asking a bunch of know it all knife makers what they like & don't We aren’t buying them! What I did years ago was take everything I had to the show and see what sells! Some of what other makers had said” Not a practical Design” were the first ones to sell and asking if I could keep it on the table till they were going to leave resulted in orders! My Rhino Chop for instance .. blade was too tall & too short! I’ve sold over 2000 of them over the years and it’s still one of my best sellers!————————————— Let the customers decide. Build from there!

 

[John Cahoon]

Stacy, Ian, Dave and Laurence, thanks so much for the replies, I think you are right on. The ones described as your favorites are grind styles I've been focusing on recently, I've had no trouble getting them out the door. Though I'm sure I'll get the rebel bug from time to time, I'm just that way. Many of the rest have never been to market so we'll see what happens. After Dave's warning on the pic one bottom right scales encroaching too far down into the finger choil area I think I'll hold that one back for now and try to revise, it's not worth the risk so thanks a ton for that observation.

Dave, the two wolverine ones were Tandy because that's what I had at the time, the rest are W&C russet side that I got your outstanding advice on over in sheaths and such quite a while back, truly superior leather. My more recent edges are better but not great, think I'll experiment with a light machine buff as a final step, currently saddle soap and a burnishing stick is last. I'm using a waxed maybe nylon black thread I got many years ago but I really admire the red and white threads I've seen around here. Tandy is very close to me but they don't have exactly what I'm looking for. Where do folks get those threads and if they have a proper name or type of to look for?

I'll report back around Monday sometime.

thanks again,

John

 

[JTknives]

Top and bottom left. But really the bottom left. I don’t Normaly care for things that force my finger to be in a particular position.

 

[Ian Fifelski]

After Dave's warning on the pic one bottom right scales encroaching too far down into the finger choil area I think I'll hold that one back for now and try to revise, it's not worth the risk so thanks a ton for that observation.

With a little care, you can take that little piece of wood off. I made a knife and got similar feedback in that the wood was too thin at the ricasso.

What I did is got a razor blade and carved off the thin wood. Then I cut a piece of painters tape to match the shape of the wood and laid it on the ricasso flat to keep from scuffing the blade. Then I sanded the little spot smooth and oiled.

 

[Adam Buttry]

Where do folks get those threads and if they have a proper name or type of to look for?

Ritza Tiger thread (1mm) is the best I've used for hand stitching. I also use and prefer John James needles (002). Neither are easily sourced, but an Etsy vendor from Canada carries both. Just do a search on Etsy and you'll find him.

 

[LCoop]

I think you have a incredible amount of talent for making knives. You have the talent without a doubt. BUT you haven't quite put that talent to the wall of real life on what works in a knife. Keep it basic. There's not much that came be improved on what makes a knife work for basic needs. A lot of your deigns make no sense and a lot of your designs are perfect user knives

 

[John Cahoon]

Adam that stitching is spectacular (the whole package is) Thanks for the info.

 

[Busto]

Stacy, Ian, Dave and Laurence, thanks so much for the replies, I think you are right on. The ones described as your favorites are grind styles I've been focusing on recently, I've had no trouble getting them out the door. Though I'm sure I'll get the rebel bug from time to time, I'm just that way. Many of the rest have never been to market so we'll see what happens. After Dave's warning on the pic one bottom right scales encroaching too far down into the finger choil area I think I'll hold that one back for now and try to revise, it's not worth the risk so thanks a ton for that observation.

Dave, the two wolverine ones were Tandy because that's what I had at the time, the rest are W&C russet side that I got your outstanding advice on over in sheaths and such quite a while back, truly superior leather. My more recent edges are better but not great, think I'll experiment with a light machine buff as a final step, currently saddle soap and a burnishing stick is last. I'm using a waxed maybe nylon black thread I got many years ago but I really admire the red and white threads I've seen around here. Tandy is very close to me but they don't have exactly what I'm looking for. Where do folks get those threads and if they have a proper name or type of to look for?

I'll report back around Monday sometime.

thanks again,

John

Rocky Mountain Leather Supply carries the Ritza Tiger Thread in all the colors of the rainbow...

 

[Horsewright]

Adam hit it. I was trying to remember what the thread was that the hand sewers like and couldn't but Tiger is it. His pic is an example of what I was talking about. The stitching becomes part of the overall picture of the sheath, not just a method of holding the sheath together. Very professional looking. Get ya some Wyo Quick Slik from Barry King to help with your edges. Are you "slicking/glassing your leather before tooling?

 

[Drew Riley]

I agree with most of what's been said so far. The handle finishing looks great. The only critique I'd have there is pin placement on a few of them. I'd like to see them placed more along the center lines of each handle. Some of them seem to favor the spine/back of handle a little too far.
For sheaths, sometimes I think "simple" can be better. It's good to try different stamping and engraving techniques an all, but I think certain styles can limit your customer base a bit, versus just keeping things simple/plain. Like others, I don't really get the "horns" on the back of the wolverine blades. I'd personally grind at least the forward horn off of the one knife (top rightish), but like Laurence says, we're not the ones buying them, and somebody else may love it.

Good luck at your first show!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I didn't comment on the sheaths While I must say your carving looks good, I don't like the motifs used ... except the wolverine. A simple basket weave background stamping, or just a cam stamped border is all that you really need.

 

[John Cahoon]

1) I really applaud you for this post. You have the confidence to take constructive criticism and learn from it. You will get a lot better because of that. I've noticed that in the past too from you.

Hi Horsewright , getting criticized is no problem for me,... I'm married

Well I had a heck of a nice weekend with the offroader crowd. I was showing 15 knives including 5 already out there and the 10 pictured in the OP. Told myself 4 would be good and 6 spectacular, ended up selling 5 including a couple of surprises per the conversations above. Could have been a couple more but I couldn't take credit cards, one guys wife pooched the deal and I'm hoping a 6th will email me with a paypal deal. I did hand out a lot of business cards though and hope that will widen my visibility in that subset of knife users. We'll see.

They actually use those big heavy blades for clearing trail and a few guys were carrying my knives purchased in past seasons. That was cool. Anyway actually talking to real people about the knives was a lot of fun.

Oh, forgot to mention one guy who bought a "surprise" one used to work with D'Holder's son. He told me the son's name but I won't type it here online ya know. Said he had been given a couple of the great one's knives that were considered "seconds". He knew they were treasures and I was in awe.

 

[Horsewright]

Hi Horsewright , getting criticized is no problem for me,... I'm married

Well I had a heck of a nice weekend with the offroader crowd. I was showing 15 knives including 5 already out there and the 10 pictured in the OP. Told myself 4 would be good and 6 spectacular, ended up selling 5 including a couple of surprises per the conversations above. Could have been a couple more but I couldn't take credit cards, one guys wife pooched the deal and I'm hoping a 6th will email me with a paypal deal. I did hand out a lot of business cards though and hope that will widen my visibility in that subset of knife users. We'll see.

They actually use those big heavy blades for clearing trail and a few guys were carrying my knives purchased in past seasons. That was cool. Anyway actually talking to real people about the knives was a lot of fun.

Oh, forgot to mention one guy who bought a "surprise" one used to work with D'Holder's son. He told me the son's name but I won't type it here online ya know. Said he had been given a couple of the great one's knives that were considered "seconds". He knew they were treasures and I was in awe.

Good deal glad ya got some sold. Thats cool. Couple of things, get that Square deal for taking cards. It works really well and is handy at places like a camp or a roping or rodeo like we do. Maybe ya found your niche with these guys? Develop a couple of designs that works well for them, then make em better. It is cool to go someplace and see a guy wearing one of your knives. Congrats again.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

Hi Horsewright , getting criticized is no problem for me,... I'm married

Well I had a heck of a nice weekend with the offroader crowd. I was showing 15 knives including 5 already out there and the 10 pictured in the OP. Told myself 4 would be good and 6 spectacular, ended up selling 5 including a couple of surprises per the conversations above. Could have been a couple more but I couldn't take credit cards, one guys wife pooched the deal and I'm hoping a 6th will email me with a paypal deal. I did hand out a lot of business cards though and hope that will widen my visibility in that subset of knife users. We'll see.

They actually use those big heavy blades for clearing trail and a few guys were carrying my knives purchased in past seasons. That was cool. Anyway actually talking to real people about the knives was a lot of fun.

Oh, forgot to mention one guy who bought a "surprise" one used to work with D'Holder's son. He told me the son's name but I won't type it here online ya know. Said he had been given a couple of the great one's knives that were considered "seconds". He knew they were treasures and I was in awe.

Congrats on the sales! Another vote for Square Card. For mobile sales there is nothing better I know of. Used it for around 20 years. I also use PayPal for online stuff. Both have their place! Sounds like a fun weekend and listen to those off roader’s, ask questions, dial in for that market and others!

 

[Drew Riley]

Congrats on the sales!

 

[Jonathans]

Nice looking set. I also like the humpbacks the least. My go to skinner/game blade would be the bottom left in the bottom photo.
Nice upturned blade and a handle that can be held comfortably in different positions.