How many knives in a month?

Batch work is definitely the key for production, also eliminating duplicate steps. A quick example is I often see people before hardening take the time to finish the tang up to a 220-400 finish when they are likely going to start at a much lower grit to start their handles after hardening. On average I can make 50-100 knives in a month start to finish, that’s without outsourcing heat treating or having blanks cut for me. The only thing I don’t do is leather sheaths that I’ll buy to pair with a knife. Most of what I make are full tang knives and mostly kitchen knives.
 

you guys are serious workers

The most I've ever made is 15 in a month, but now I do maybe five a month, but my prices are significantly higher. And I do about eight classes a year, which I really enjoy.

four years ago I was getting $400 for this knife and now I can get $1200

qFCYkpG.jpeg
 
When I get the feeling that I can do something routinely, I find new challenges.
It is the joy of making, the journey of getting better, the satisfaction of "having made that".

I think I average one a month, with sometimes finishing three after each other and sometimes not finishing anything for a few months.
 
I make slipjoints so i heat treat 10-12 at a time. Usually takes me 2 days to get them cut out and heat treated, then build them out 1 at a time from there...i can almost get one done per day if i'm out in the shop with nothing else to do. Right now during volleyball season i'm lucky to get one done every 2-3 weeks (chasing my wife who is the coach and 2 daughters and i ref when not watching my girls)
 
If I’m doing everything in house by myself. 48 knives in a month as long as they’re all the same model, and stock thickness.

I’m going to assume an 8 hour day but I would work 6 days a week.
 
Went from here yesterday

n5cHWo5.jpg


To here:

Ye7lqNd.jpg


To here:

NOEyJFi.jpg


To spine and tangs machine finished to 600 grit and handles machine finished up to 400 grit and then hand sanded from 320 up to 600. Ready to buff:

ipeNRFY.jpg


Wooden handles have been hand sanded to 600 too and then wet sanded with danish oil. Amount of coats dependent on type of wood. They dry overnight.

XUauuEQ.jpg


That took up most of the day, didn't get around to the chaps:

SwnjfUz.jpg


Won't work today. Its our Anniversary, I'd get in trouble if I tried.
 
Dang, you got it going on there Dave, looks great. Happy anniversary, I just had #38 myself.:D
 
Oh, I love that idea of the magnetic strip for letting handle finished dry! I'm coming up to my 4th Anniversary later this week!
 
They're great had em for years. I've got two. Prior to 1/7/16 I'd use them for flooding mammoth tooth with super glue. Now days Danish Oil. Congrats on your 4th!
 
Last edited:
Horsewright said:
Went from here yesterday

n5cHWo5.jpg


To here:

Ye7lqNd.jpg


To here:

NOEyJFi.jpg


To spine and tangs machine finished to 600 grit and handles machine finished up to 400 grit and then hand sanded from 320 up to 600. Ready to buff:

ipeNRFY.jpg


Wooden handles have been hand sanded to 600 too and then wet sanded with danish oil. Amount of coats dependent on type of wood. They dry overnight.

XUauuEQ.jpg


That took up most of the day, didn't get around to the chaps:

SwnjfUz.jpg


Won't work today. Its our Anniversary, I'd get in trouble if I tried.
Click to expand...
You make some great looking knives, Dave!
 
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