Expensive Materials - Business Notes

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

Knifemaker
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I've for the most part avoided using very expensive handle materials on my knives. This has been for two reasons. Firstly, I make working knives and I want them to get used. In addition though, I just never thought my work was good enough. Things are changing though and you can expect to see some more expensive handle materials being used and experimented with before Show Season this year. I paid $55/block for a box of burls yesterday. Two years ago that would have been $35/block. Be aware that those will add $75 to the cost of the knife. I also bought a $90 piece of handle wood, so that one will be $120 on a handle. The normal woods, like Cocobolo, Wenge and Osage will stay at $30. Shadetree phenolics I have raised from $30 to $40 on a knife.

While those will affect the price, the base prices remain the same for now. We have not raised them in 3 years now in an effort to stay in the user knife domain. Please expect though that things like minimum wage hikes are going to necessitate the raising of these prices. This is going to happen to businesses across the board.
 
Man...it makes me wonder what is coming if the stuff you have been using was "middle grade"

Seriously, how do you improve from this? (photo from Andy Zhu)
nessmuk_01.jpg


There is some cool stuff out there. Jared put this stuff on one of his knives and i'm fascinated by it. Some kind of Epoxy, called 'Juma':
422463_370878832935274_562736382_n.jpg
 
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Awesome, Andy. Can't wait to see the new handle material and the sharks circling on fridays. By the way, your work is good enough for whatever handle material that you choose!
 
velosa said:
Awesome, Andy. Can't wait to see the new handle material and the sharks circling on fridays. By the way, your work is good enough for whatever handle material that you choose!
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My thoughts mirrored exactly.
 
A wider range of materials to choose from certainly opens new perspectives for an ambitious craftsman. Many of the more exotic materials (desert ironwood, ebony etc) often come at a cost – not only pricewise. It would be nice to know where these materials come from (certified suppliers etc.). This would certainly help Fiddleback to stand out from the crowd.
 
Andy,
I am another that admires the fact that each batch contains more economical materials as well as upgraded materials for those that prefer them and can afford the extra scratch. My knife are more basic but I LOVE seeing the more exotic choices.

Bill
 
solid4ever said:
Man...it makes me wonder what is coming if the stuff you have been using was "middle grade"

Seriously, how do you improve from this? (photo from Andy Zhu)
nessmuk_01.jpg
Click to expand...

I can buy that Lacewood in bulk, then have it stabilized. It comes out a bit cheaper. I have maybe 20 dollars in that piece of wood. I'm talking about a handle scale of Mamoth Tusk that would add hundreds to the price. In addition, some of the burls nowadays are ~$100 each!!!! I want to use those too, but I wanted to warn and not scare folks when they see a $600 Bushfinger.

Stornoway said:
A wider range of materials to choose from certainly opens new perspectives for an ambitious craftsman. Many of the more exotic materials (desert ironwood, ebony etc) often come at a cost – not only pricewise. It would be nice to know where these materials come from (certified suppliers etc.). This would certainly help Fiddleback to stand out from the crowd.
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Right. The Ironwood clear and straight that I've been using I charge $30. I have Ironwood burls on this weeks batch that cost me $55 each. I have to pass that on, and I CANNOT believe how gorgeous this stuff is.

lmalterna said:
Andy,
I am another that admires the fact that each batch contains more economical materials as well as upgraded materials for those that prefer them and can afford the extra scratch. My knife are more basic but I LOVE seeing the more exotic choices.

Bill
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Thank You Bill. I plan to keep doing just that!
 
Andy

What are your thoughts on bone? I know you dabbled in it briefly. The bone Hiking Buddy you did for me is probably my favorite Fiddleback.
 
Fiddleback said:
I have Ironwood burls on this weeks batch that cost me $55 each. I have to pass that on, and I CANNOT believe how gorgeous this stuff is. !
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Have at it Andy! Your work is worth every cent of both the time and materials you put into them and I would venture to believe that we are all looking forward to this next evolution of your craft!


And on a final note, ironwood burl... DROOL:eagerness:
 
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MajorD said:
Ya I'm not even mentioning this to my fiance'. Fiddlebacks with burls??! Good Lord... I've sold the dog more than once and I'll do it again!
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What kind of dog? I might be interested:). I know that I'm interested in some Ironwood burl.
 
Tomorrow's batch is HUGE and pretty. 3 knives with Ironwood burl!
 
I have no problem using a knife regardless of what it, or its component materials cost. I really like the gem quality woods, I think they are my favorites among what I currently have. They have an odd hologram type look to them and I guess I just don't form the 'omg it's so expensive I can't use it attachment' to things. A knife is a tool, sometimes tools get used up and you go get another one.

I would love to see some mammoth handled blades. Some of the dyed burls are absolutely stunning to look at.

Besides if they start running 4 or 500 I might not have to sit here and refresh all day, fridays really kill the productivity level around this shop. :D
 
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