How long does it take?

Bailey Knives

Bailey Knives

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2004
Messages
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I get asked this question more often than any other when it comes to making knives. I don't have a decent answer for it, because I make knives in batches and I don't think just dividing the time by the number of knives is accurate. I do a lot of stuff in the "downtime" while knives are tempering or I am waiting for epoxy to set.

I usually say between 8 and 15 hours, depending on the complexity, but I may be overshooting a bit.

So, how long does it take you to make one, from rough steel to out the door?
 
I get asked this question all the time. I answer that I have knives that average less than 30 minutes work time each, and others with more than 100 hours in them. Then I say, "Guess which ones are the cheap ones?"

If I had to guess, I would say the average basic knife (kitchen blade, fillet, hunter, skinner) has about 3-6 hours work time.
 
If I count actual hours worked on a basic hunting knife, it would be somewhere around 8 to 12 hours.
 
Well, Don, I'm slower than that but not as slow as I thought I was. BUT my standard answer is "whatever it takes", and I'm pleased I have the time to do it. Frank
 
Matt, like you I work in batches. When I get asked that question, and yes I get asked that question a lot!.....I usually say between 10 and 15 hours total depending on the complexity of the design/finish/etc.
 
I work in batches too but seldom complete a whole batch before starting a new one. I tend to get bored making the same knife over and over so I try to mix it up a bit to keep it interesting. I average about 1 completed knife per week. I know I'm slow but I don't go into the shop unless I'm in the mood. Sometimes I'd rather be fishin :D
 
Thanks guys. I guess I am in the ballpark when it comes to knife time. Don, I guess if I want that mastersmith status, I have to start spending more time on my knives making with anywhere near the style and technique that you do.
 
After the, "You made that?" "How did you make it???" "You sell those?" "How much does one cost???"

I'll say, "Anywhere from $90 up to about $3,000."

Then their jaw drops, which is ALWAYS followed by, "How long does it take to make one?!?"

"About an hour or two." ;) :D


I think the best answer is, "It's hard to say, there are so many variables. How fast do you drive a car?"

Usually you'll get something like, "Well I don't know, it depends!"

"Exactly." :)
 
If my $35.00 bird and trouts take more than an hour I am losing money on them, Damascus billets take 20-50 hours before they even start to become knife shaped which is why I am building a press

-Page
 
I started telling people it takes me forever. It seems to satisfy them, an I don't have to explain about batches an variables.
 
I usually say 4 to 20 hours, depending on the complexity of the design. Then I try and explain a little about the batch building process, and how I never work on a single knife straight through, and how I work on one while the glue dries on another, etc.
 
I work in batches of 4 - 6 knives at a time. Its a good number to make and fit into the HT oven. Hands on the average hunting knife will take 3 to 5 hours of my labor, the fancy ones take much more mainly due to the complexity of the handle construction. Working with pommels, guards and pin work take much more time than pinning on two wooden scales with rivets.

The finish of the blade is another thing that determines the length of time. A simple satin finish is quick to do, while a mirror polish requires several more steps using finer grits, plus the buffing process which can become time consuming if I find scratches and have to go back and forth between the grinder and buffer until it meets my satisfaction.
 
Like everyone else has said, it really depends on the knife. Don may take 60 hours or more to make a knife, but he rarely makes what you would call a simple piece anymore. The most common number that I have heard is that it probably takes 8 hours for the "average" knife maker to make the "typical" custom knife. Who knows who this person is or what he is making, but there you have it. :D
 
I love watching their faces as they do the mental math when I tell them I can do about 2-3 folders in a good week.
 
In knifemaker time I have all of them done in just a few days!
 
Bailey Knives said:
Thanks guys. I guess I am in the ballpark when it comes to knife time. Don, I guess if I want that mastersmith status, I have to start spending more time on my knives making with anywhere near the style and technique that you do.
Click to expand...

It really comes down to what type of knife and how complex..

I used to be faster on simple ones and slower on fancy ones. ;)
 
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