Good practices when commissioning handmade knives

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
20,039
After reading about the knife makers in TGBU that have been paid in full and have not sent out their orders, I have a few questions for the respectable knife makers out there. Now, I am saving up for several handmades, I may have to commission two of them, and after having met both of the makers in question, I do not foresee any problems in getting my knives. Both men are very respectable in my opinion.

I will ask these makers how they want to handle the transaction before I agree to a transaction, but I have a general question. I have bought about 4 walking sticks from a maker in PA, and have always paid half up front, and the other half when it was completed. No problems. I thought that this was common practice for buyers and makers who are unfamiliar with each other, or for every transaction for that matter. Pay for the materials up front, and put a fair amount of money down up front is another obvious option.

Second, I plan on giving my address, my PO Box address, my email, my Bladeforums name, my phone number, my cell number, hell, even my fax number!

I'm just puzzled by the stories in TGBU about deadbeat makers and deadbeat buyers.
 
Sorry. Is it common practice to pay for the materials and then half of the labor etc, and pay the rest when the knife is done?
 
Everybody does it different. I wont charge for materials up front unless it's something very expensive. I dont usually ask for anything until the project is complete, unless I dont know the customer at all.
 
When I take an order it all depends. Do I have the material in stock? Is it expensive? Do I know the customer via forums? I can always put a knife up for sale if the buyer backs out and its a godd clan design(not taking partial payment or no payment at all).
At the same time some guys want to go ahead and pay full price just to get that out of the way. Either way I treat the money like it isnt mine untill the knife is shipped. Dont count your chickens before they hatch theory ;) :D

I also was greatful that David Beck let me pay him in payments...... now I do the same for others.
 
I don't take any money up front either unless its an oddball design that the buyer wants made. If its a knife design that will sell rather easily then I complete the knife and then send pictures to the buyer for his approval. I've only had one knife rejected, and I really don't think that person intended to buy it when he ordered it, but it wasn't until the knife was made that he made certion statements that led me to that conclusion. It didn't matter for the knife sold about a week later. 99.9% of the people are serious when they order and are very happy and eager to receive the knife, when the knife is complete. So I like the no money up front plan, less pressure on me. ;)

Bill
 
Bill - Your knives are too awesome NOT to sell :p
 
if a customer wants a design that's similar to something I already make, no problem, pay when I'm done, if you want to commision something that's completely different, unless I know I can sell it (seems like a good design to me) I ask for a 50% deposit, the deposit is refundable if I can't complete the order for any reason or you back out before I start making it, the deposit isn't refundable if you change your mind after I've started making the item, or if I can't get ahold of you for 45 days after the item is completed.

That's just how I do it, your mileage may vary (Most of my custom orders aren't knives, but tools, custom woodworking tools)

Tony
 
I usually leave that up to the customer. I would really prefer not to take a deposit unless the customer insists. If it is a knife that is not my typical design or needs high priced materials that I have to special order then I will ask for something down. If it is a standard design tweaked by the customer then I would rather not take a deposit. It all depends on the variables involved.
Scott
 
Thank you fellers, I really appreciate it. Brian, I'm just following in your foot steps. You've made Blade mag and the Blade show, I would say I need to start running to catch up.

Bill
 
It's my preference NOT to take a deposit. I feel guilty when I put a customer's knife aside to work on something new for an afternoon. Having a customer's money up front would be too much for me. I understand makers taking deposits on expensive materials or unique designs, in fact it seems reasonable.

My policy has always been the customer gets the knife and looks it over for a few days before sending payment. That procedure doesn't work for all makers, but it makes me feel better :).

Matt
 
B . Buxton said:
I don't take any money up front either unless its an oddball design that the buyer wants made. If its a knife design that will sell rather easily then I complete the knife and then send pictures to the buyer for his approval. Bill
Click to expand...
What Bill said........Money up front puts too much pressure on you........Unless it is something completely "wild", it will eventually sell to someone else if the customer backs out.

My $.02 worth.

Robert
 
I've told my deposit story, no need to do it again. Suffice to say, I don't take deposits. So far I haven't had anyone else back out on an agreement, but if that happens I'm confident I can eventually sell the work elsewhere. Frankly, I've quit taking orders until I'm caught up and had a chance to make a few of those projects that are burning my imagination. I make knives for me, really, and get frustrated doing the same old stuff all the time... It feels great to show someone something they've never seen before and watch them want it. :D But I haven't been able to do that for far too long. I too feel guilty when I try to slip something in between orders, especially when I'm behind. So I'm clearning my list and then going to see what I can make. Like sometime in 2006... :rolleyes:
 
Personally, I don't take anything up front because I never know what sort of time I'll have to put into the knives. It makes a big difference that my knives are basic and sell just fine. If it was a weird design or used some really high-end materials, I might think differently about it.
 
I had a lady pay for two knives up front the other day it's what she wanted to do. I don't have a problem with that..

the problem comes when the maker spends all the money and gets into a bind
for money then he or she needs to make others to foot the bill for the one paid for ..

if you get into this situation it a very bad practice you'll feel like your now
making the knife for nothing ,, of course,, your not it's been paid for,,

you see this in all sorts of other jobs too.

I want 25% ( new customer)when I start the job, it keeps the guy or gal serious and on the list..I don't like making a knife and then have a bozo yanking your chain..
there are some out they..this takes time from another buyer and his knife..
just my opinion.. :)

edited to add
I should mention there are some honest reasons that are excepted
for cancellation and that is done on a situation basis..before the job starts..
if after I start I will put the deposit on account for him..
 
Razorback - Knives said:
Dan, you should be rolling in money from that order you got a few weeks ago. :p :D
Scott
Click to expand...


:D he's still trying :D I got 9 card numbers so far from him... :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top