Finished my first two knives!

R

rockfishbrewery

Joined
Jan 24, 2012
Messages
35
Hello,

I was finally able to complete my first two knives this weekend.

Top knife:
- Intended Purpose = Kitchen Paring
- Steel (from Aldo) = .070 CPMS35VN @61rc
- Handle = Stabilized spalted red gum
- Etc = While grinding the handles, the corby rivets got quite hot. For some reason, I decided to grab the knife by the handle and burned myself pretty good. I also dropped the knife, and it hit the concrete floor of my shop, tip first. I thought for sure that the tip would break off, surprisingly it did not. I’m not sure my VG-10 kitchen knives would have fared as well if it hit my shop floor from 5 feet up, tip first.

Bottom knife:
- Intended Purpose = Kitchen Paring
- Steel (also from Aldo) = .070 CPM154CM @61rc
- Handle = Stabilized tulip-wood

Impressions:
- I made both knives using both CPMS35VN and CPM154CM, to see which one I liked better. So far, the crown goes to CPMS35VN. I found that CPMS35VN ground and sanded easier than CPM154CM. I also found that CPMS35VN took a hair popping edge with a lot less fuss than CPM154CM.
- I plan on using both equally in the kitchen over a 2-3 month period, to see which one stays the sharpest. However, I think I will use CPMS35VN for my future builds.

Questions:
- If I were to make more of these to sell, what would be a fair asking price?
- Have you noticed CPM S35VN to be easier to work with, and taking a sharper edge than CPM154CM @61rc?
- In my experience, CPMS35VN seemed to be much easier to work with than CPM154CM, has that been your experience? Or am I way off?


http://s1172.photobucket.com/albums/r566/Rockfishbrewery/Knives/?action=view&current=IMG_3039.jpg
 
Good firsts, fine paring knives.
You need to improve finishing techniques and grinding before thinking about selling.
 
Good firsts, fine paring knives.
You need to improve finishing techniques and grinding before thinking about selling.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, thanks for the input, I definitely need more grinding practice. Once I get finishing and grinding techniques refined, how much could I sell them for?
 
when you feel that the knife is up there with any other knife on the market and you look at selling, well, sell them at what you think is fair, there your knives, your future customers, you made the knives, sell them for what you think is reasonable they arnt up there with the seasonal makers who have been in it for years though, so how bout maybe just enjoy making some knives, hone in on your skills and then when you feel your knives can match those who are selling then its your choice, but no one here will tell you a price (atleast no one really should) there your knives and you made them

just curious is there any kind of grind on the blade or have you simple just cut out the shape heat treated then put an edge on it?
 
I may be speaking out of turn here, but it appears nobody is really interested in answering the question of what the knives could sell for. I can suggest a few reasons that might be the case.

1) These are your first two knives. This means your skill level is effectively unknown and presumed to be low.
2) All they have to go on is your description and a single rather low resolution image of one side of two knives. That's simply not enough information to give you an informed opinion.
3) They don't want to hurt your feelings or discourage you.
4) They don't read threads entitled "Finished my first two knives" because experience tells them such threads are not interesting.

All that said, I think I can offer a suggestion that might be of value to you. I know of a couple of knife specialty stores that sell custom and handmade knives, and the good news is they aren't THAT far from Bothell.

Epicurean Edge is in Kirkland, and they sell a lot of custom knives. Take your knives there and show them to the staff. Ask them if they would be willing to sell them, and what they think the knives are worth.

Another shop is the Excaliber store in Bellveue Square mall. I mentioned to the proprietor there that I made knives and he asked to see them. I declined because I don't sell, but he seemed interested enough to look at what local knifemakers produce. Take your knives to him and see what he has to say.

There's a big difference between staring at a low resolution photo and holding a knife in your hands. My hope is that the local proprietors will offer you a straight opinion.

- Greg
 
I think bladeforums TOS states unless you are a gold member you are not allowed to ask "what are my knives worth"

on the other hand you just gave birth to twins, they should be priceless ;0)
 
I'm gonna play Dutch Uncle here,
First I was going to send you an e-mail instread of doing this in open forum but it's not enabled,if you don't want your regular e-mail known set up a yahoo or gmail free account.Priceing could be discussed in private.

Greg made a lot of good points in his post.Also never sell your first knife you will regret it later.I still have my first,butt ugly as it is.
Looking at the picture they seem to be convex ground with and edge put on,if that is true they won't cut as well as the should at that thickness.IMO they should be flat groung thin with almost a zero edge.Also they look belt finished,alittle hand sanding in line with the knife would have shown you if you have dips,valleys or high spots in your grind.
They are a nice design and should be useful in the kitchen,for your first two you are off to a good start.
Better pic's would have been nice.
On priceing,when I started a maker told me to price my knives as double the cost of materials,that way you can make two more,it's like someone paying you to learn.
Also it would be nice if you would sign your posts with atleast your real first name.
My hope is none of this is taken in the wrong way,as I want to to get better and enjoy the craft.
Stan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top