How many hours to make a knife

[smcjoecohen@yahoo]

I'm curious how long it takes to make a knife like a XM-18 or 24, or a Strider Custom SMF w/all TI scales. Does anyone know how many hours of labor goes into one of those?

 

[fetzer85]

Interesting question but since we're all buyers, not manufacturers, I suggest you contact each specific company and ask them.

 

[FullyTorque]

Might want to ask some of the folder guys in the Maker's forum. They could probably estimate what it would take to hand fit and assemble a custom knife like those.
From the WIP threads I've seen on folders in the KnifeMaker's forum, I completely understand why their prices are so high. The time and precision it takes to make a true custom folder is insane.
However, I would imagine that Hinderer and Strider use CNC, water-jet, ect to produce parts and greatly cut down on constuction time. Since they're models and not one-off's they could do batch cuttings for liners, locks, blade blanks, ect.

 

[Gottmituns78]

Fetzer gave you the best responce you will probably get. If you take into account focus groups that larger companies put into place and the design hours that go into folders in particular, pre production I can only imagine we are looking at 100s if not 1000s. Once a consent is finalized and ready for the masses most larger companies have their manufacorinving so stream lined that they can probably have a folder ready to ship once the footwork is done in 2-3 days depending on materials used. Probably not the answer you wanted but it's the best I got.