Fulltime Makers: Fears and Satisfaction

Going fulltime is something I've always dreamed about. I worry about it becoming a job that I feel forced to do other then what it is for me now, fun and creative. It is a business, for me, part-time that is. I started my business 8 years ago as a knife dealer selling factory knives at gunshows. I gradually have gone from dealer to knifemaker but still operate as a knife business. I still order and sell factory knives but on a much lower scale. I'm trying to be just a knifemaker and not a dealer but I still have requests for factory knives. Being a dealer has really helped me form a customer base for my handmade knives. I plan on retiring from my present job and then going fulltime to supplement my pension. I think I did quite well last year, making and selling about 40 to 45 knives as a part-time maker. I usually run with 3 to 5 orders pretty consitently. I really don't like to take special orders because it mentally puts pressure on you even though the customer is not bugging you, "How long before my knife is done?" I like to make them and then sell them. Less pressure = more enjoyment. I respect you guys that are fulltime because it is a big jump to try to motivate yourself into making knives for a living. All of the fulltime makers should be commended, it's a tough desision to make. My wonderful wife and kids are my first love, knifemaking and deer hunting are my second loves in life. All I can say is the mind is very powerful when it comes to something you truely love.
Scott
 
I probably shouldnt post here, i have no plans on going full time, although I have considered it. I am a union millwright, and I make things by hand all the time, my first knife was for a friend and everyone who saw it wanted one. I made a skeleton handle combat knife, maybe my fourth or fifth and it was comparable to some custom knives I have handled. Not bragging, Im as self critical as the next guy, part of the reason I give my knives away is fear of an inferior product. I have no training and no plans on getting any. I want to make matched sets, of fishing poles and fillet knives, when I have built both. Or a combat knife and rifle that I made the stock for. Its not just the knife for me, although Im a forge nut, dont get me started, Its the function of the tool and, well ... I guess I love it all. I can lose hours filing or grinding, It upsets me when I have to urinate. What a bother! But if I hold it, I shake. I guess I want to make what I want, when I want, and I think going fulltime would be a mistake, and maybe take some of the joy away. Its what I do to relax. That, and babble to you guys. :D Respectfully as always, Levi
 
I think J. Nielson made some good points on this subject. It's all about lifestyle and "are you in a position to take financial risks in your life?" I have long wanted to be a FT knifemaker. My father did it as a hobby for 25 years, and I picked it up 10 years ago. I make about 2 a month, and mostly give them away as gifts. However, I don't have the same kind of freedom that Nielson does. I have to support two households. A third of my take-home pay goes to child support, plus I have my new family to support. I make $80k in computer programming, which is all I know. My wife only does part-time work because we have children at home. At some point in my life I may be able to live on less, and that's when I'll take the risk. If you're in a position to cut the cable TV, the expensive dinners out, travel, etc. and live day to day, I'd say GO FOR IT! I wish my life had been different, but I'm still happy making knives just for fun. My father always planned to do it FT when he retired from the education field, but by then his hands didn't work anymore! That's why I got all the machinery. If you're young, have few or no children, no debt, then speaking from hindsight--I'd go for what you want. Good luck!

Mark
 
I just finished reading this entire thread and the thoughts and ideas presented are almost overwhelming.
Presently I am at a crossroad in my life. I am unemployed and trying to figure out, again, what I want to be if I ever grow up. I have made knives for a good portion of my life, mostly as an employee of Randall knives. I also had my own shop for a while and made some nice stuff but the overly optimistic plan I had for marketing them never panned out and I soon had to go back to the day job.
I have experienced many of the fears and satisfactions I've read here. The joy of creating a beautiful and useful work of art. The burnout of having to produce the same thing over and over. Resentment at having some one else tell me what to do and when to do it. The joy of having someone admire your work. The worry over how your going to pay the bills and what is going to happen to you if you get sick or seriously injured in the shop.
When I was first hired by Gary Randall (Bo Randalls Son) one of the first things he told me was that if I was looking to get rich I was definetly choosing the wrong career. While there may be some exceptions to this idea it basically holds true. We make knives because we love to make knives.
I am trying to get a shop set up again. When I closed down my last shop I got rid of a lot of equipment and loaned most of the rest to my dad who is just learning how to make knives. I am basically starting from zero.
I had planned to go back to full time but after having read this thread it has brought my feet back down to earth and got my head out of the clouds. A sucessful knife "business" does not just appear overnight. Even if I had the money to set up a decent shop, which I don't, I don't have a name in the business yet and it takes years to establish one. Gee I guess I'll have to do it like everyone else and start small and work hard and try to come up with a plan for success and then stick to the plan. :rolleyes:
In one way I am both fortunate and unfortunate in that I don"t have any children. If I did I don't think I would ever have the courage to give up the security of a day job for full time knifemaking. My hat's off to all of you who do. Then again I am pretty much free to do as I please and if I screw up at least I won't have to worry that my kids will suffer for my stupidity.
I am glad there are so many talented makers out there, especially the ones on this forum who take time to help each other and all of us just starting out, because I see there success I know it is possible for me to be successful.

Dwight Hazelett
Ocoee FL
 
Probably already been said here on this thread but, and I ask to be over looked for this, I have not spent much time reading this thread. Seems I have been too busy at my new plunge to read the good advise. Anyhow my 2 cents worth for now is the email takes up a very good portion of the day. I find I need to keep it up or I fall behind and prospects, if like me, are anxious for answers. So I try to always make time regardless of the hour to catch up on all emails daily. There have been occassions where I have left them or a few of them until next day but it does not allow the next day to have as much time left over as the previous. The email is part of the front office stuff and being a one man band leaves me to do all parts. In effect email is my front door. The door should be open or I don't sell a knife. Email is a time over head for me and one I know I enjoy but also know keeps my hands away from the grinder.

RL
 
I have a bit of a different perspective on this.
I got out of art school 16 yrs ago and have been fortunate enough to work in my field ever since (plus a lot of crappy jobs as filler).
Im a potter/ tile maker by trade. Did i become this to get rich? Nope.
Thats not in my definition of success. I went full time just over 2 yrs ago.
It took me 14 of those yrs to save and properly equip my shop.
I now run a gallery/ studio situation. Still not rich, but I dont punch anybody's time clock. :)
compromise is another big issue in the art world
Ive often wanted to print a shirt that says "artwhore" on it.No matter how ridiculous a customers request, just smile and say, what color did you want that?
Iguess my point is, you have to seriously consider your motivation and what you're willing to do to get where you want to be.
One thing I know is there is very little as frightening as making that jump from steady income, to sink or swim. The only thing worse to me is never jumping.
On the advertising end
NOTHING has worked as well for me as an article in the local paper(s)
Sorry if this is a little disjointed. this looms large in my mind all the time.
Pat
P.S. I do have a wonderful wife with a "real job".Would it have stopped me if I didnt,? hell no.
 
Another thought, I have always dreamed of making the ideal knife, or knives as they will probably turn out. I have been saving the ideal ultimate materials for these projects,until my abilities reached their potential.

Then all of a sudden a 30 minute war with a buck sheep resulted in a shoulder that does not want to work without a lot of pain. I come to realize that I may never make those knives. Are they that important? Should I have made them sooner, or as is many times the case, it is up to those I have shared and will share thoughts with to make the knife I always wanted to make. A good friend tells me this is the ulitmate goal of those who dream of the ultimate and seek to teach others.

How much time do we have? No one knows their future and this is a good thing, just live each day the best you can.


There are many variables to consider, what is most important to you?
Take Care Friends
 
This thing is so long and too much for me to keep up with fairly but at the expense of repeating others thoughts, I find it most important for me to give the most honest appraisal as to delivery window I can. The further it goes out the more difficult it seems to give accurate estimates as to time of shipment. That is a big concern of mine, delivering when expected to. It is something I will have to learn as time passes - being able to reliably estimate an honest delivery.

RL
 
Myself after 30 years of woodworking and building up a successfull business have come to retirement. The need for money is not the object of my passion. It is my love for knives that has given me the drive to persue knife making. Though the idea of success or failure does not play a part of who I am anymore. I still have a passion to make the best knives I can with the hope someone would like what I will make enough to buy one.

With the funds to make a mistake or two what would you suggest be the path for someone like me.

Is my passion for my hobby worth the time and effort to be a valuable endevor I'm going to make knives one way or the other and it doesn't matter to me if I sell them or not. I just want to make the best knives I can.

What say you?

Fish
 
I say it shall likely happen you have little to no time except to make customer requests.

RL
 
this thread reafirms my belief that knifemakers have the soul of a poet. some beautiful sentiments expressed here.from a personal standpoint as a part-timer , i like to be able to say"i think i'll go out to the shop and make a knife".rather than"i've got to go out to the shop and make a knife." luck to you all.
 
Well I have taken the plunge again.It seemed to be allot harder this time to leave the security of a paycheck,at least this time I have orders on the books.that was what really made the decision for me.Donna said I can make more money in the shop than working at the scrap yard,plus I wasn't getting the orders done like I should have,so she gave me a shove out to the shop and said that is your job out their not in the junk yard.I reminded her that we would be broke for awhile as I had to get the shop all back in order so I could work effetively,sh said that was Fine with her,she and the girls didn't need all the spoiling or dinners out,this way when we do go out or spoil the girls it will be a treat and something special instead of a expected thing.Man I LOVE this Lady ;) I now have a computer in the shop to do some of the work of designs on,and can keep up with emails during the day as a break when needed and check in here on the forums as time alowes.There are things I will do differently this time as last time I didn't know allot of what I was doing business wise,maybe I know a little more now.I was warned a long time ago to not get into the trap of only doing higher end collectables and forgetting the working knives,which are the bread and butter for the shop and house while the hig end pieces are the dessert,great to make them and sell them but more people can afford a lower end user than higher end collectables,and I think I will start making a few folders along the way also.

Man it is great to be back in the shop and doing what I really Love and not having to get up and drag myself off to a job I didn't want to be at anyway.

Wish me luck :eek:
Bruce
 
Bruce Evans said:
Well I have taken the plunge again.It seemed to be allot harder this time to leave the security of a paycheck,at least this time I have orders on the books.that was what really made the decision for me.Donna said I can make more money in the shop than working at the scrap yard,plus I wasn't getting the orders done like I should have,so she gave me a shove out to the shop and said that is your job out their not in the junk yard.I reminded her that we would be broke for awhile as I had to get the shop all back in order so I could work effetively,sh said that was Fine with her,she and the girls didn't need all the spoiling or dinners out,this way when we do go out or spoil the girls it will be a treat and something special instead of a expected thing.Man I LOVE this Lady ;) I now have a computer in the shop to do some of the work of designs on,and can keep up with emails during the day as a break when needed and check in here on the forums as time alowes.There are things I will do differently this time as last time I didn't know allot of what I was doing business wise,maybe I know a little more now.I was warned a long time ago to not get into the trap of only doing higher end collectables and forgetting the working knives,which are the bread and butter for the shop and house while the hig end pieces are the dessert,great to make them and sell them but more people can afford a lower end user than higher end collectables,and I think I will start making a few folders along the way also.

Man it is great to be back in the shop and doing what I really Love and not having to get up and drag myself off to a job I didn't want to be at anyway.

Wish me luck :eek:
Bruce
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welcome back Bruce :D
you know you can count on me if I can help business wise or other wise

oh does this mean we get Dona back too :D
good luck to you..
 
Yep Dan,She said that she would be glad to start modeling the knives again,as long as I get to work and start making them :D

Thanks for the offer of help Dan.

Bruce
 
Bruce Evans said:
Yep Dan,She said that she would be glad to start modeling the knives again,as long as I get to work and start making them :D

Thanks for the offer of help Dan.

Bruce
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what have you gotten her for new swim wear lately,
she makes most anything good looking doesn't she? :D
has the girls been in the competition's lately?
their probably all grown up now aren't there..I'll bet it seems like it..
OK make some steel dust and slag...and turn out some cool stuff
 
That great to hear Bruce. It is tough trying to make knives your sole income but, if you love 'em, well then it's worth all the hard work. Even though it can get annoying after every holiday and weekend when foks say "hey what did you do" and you say "worked" for the 900th time but, it stil beats a regular job (I never handle bosses well anyway). Having a good woman at your side is one of the best things you can possibly ask for, too. I'd be lost and destitue without Tess. All our best to you Bruce. If we can be of any help at all, don't hesitate to let us know. We'd be glad to help out.
J.
 
Well as of today I am a fulltime knifemaker. I was planning to wait until an early retiremert but I was downsized (after 16 years) from my job as an aircraft mechanic and I outprocessed today. With 26 weeks of severance, I decided this would be a good time to get my feet wet.

Fear's: The title of this thread mentioned fear's in full-time knifemaking, well I've got a few of those. 1) Pricing, Its Been a hobby that paid for my other hobbies for over 10 years, I've been told that my prices are too low but the fear of raising prices and losing too many sales has prevented me from doing anything about it. I'm working on this problem. 2) Burnout, I've read a little about this one. What if turning a hobbie I love into a job makes me start to hate it. 3) Finding show's and other ways to market my knives. When I 1st knew I was going to be laid off, I started looking for knife shows to do, I signed up for the Central Texas knife show not sure what I was in for but I had a free airline ticket to use so I figured I did'nt have much to lose. It turned out to be a great show, I sold almost everything i took, but many people couldnt beleive i came all the way down from Minnesota for their little show, I had no clue how big or small the show was or how the attendace was or if it was in a good location... you get the idea.
There are plenty more fears but those are the big three.

Satisfaction 1) Well I've been driving 100 miles (round trip) to work for the last 16 years and walking out the back door to my shop for the workday will be very nice. 2)Being around more for my family will be good 3) Being able to adjust my schedule, to work more or less (within reason of coarse) or change hours as needed.
I was tring to make more "Satisfaction" points than "fear" points but since I havent really experianced full-time making yet I'm coming up short. I'm sorry I rambled on so long, just thought i'd put in my two cents.
 
It sure is nice to be able to come back and read this thread every so often.

A million thanks to everyone who has responded.

It appears that my goal of the Spring of 2005 has come and gone............but.

It is now official that my companies contract where I work is over in May 2006.

I WILL be a fulltime maker in 2006. As others have said , Not by bravery , but neccesity. I wish it could have just been from having big balls :)

Mark
 
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