HOW TO MAKE A MILLION DOLLARS AS A KNIFEMAKER!!!

You would only go out and spend it on a new truck and possibly a new home and be broke in a few weeks anyways ~ and back to the daily grind ~ don't be so ambitiously driven because usually it's a guy riding a donkey dangling a carrot and pulling the strings for most of everyone's lives ~ less is more and more is less ~ 🎄
 
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Retired Spook said:
I have worked for a few very wealthy people, and after getting to know them and their characteristics (surprisingly similar across the sample), I do not want to be one.
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I agree most "rich" folks are not what I want to be. There is an exception for every rule. Years ago I had a nice couple who drove to my jewelry shop in Virginia Beach from Franklin, VA. They drove a nice, but not new or fancy pick-up truck, dressed in jeans and cotton or flannel (depending on the season), and were as polite as anyone I ever met. They had me do normal repairs, and occasionally make a simple custom piece of jewelry. After years of doing business with them I came to know that they owned half of the town - a paper mill, the peanut processor, stores, office buildings, suppliers, etc. What did they do with their time? He ran the corner paint store and she ran the hardware store down the street. They were also two of the happiest folks I ever knew.
 
if you had only one of two options; get a million dollars right now and never make a knife again, or never in your life attain more than a million dollars from this point on and make knives whenever and however you want?
 
First generation earned wealth is different from inherited wealth. There’s a different mindset in a lot of those who inherited it with no skin in the game.

I not only like making knives, I can’t not make knives, money be damned.
 
Lorien said:
if you had only one of two options; get a million dollars right now and never make a knife again, or never in your life attain more than a million dollars from this point on and make knives whenever and however you want?
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That's a painful thought experiment. I would be devastated if I couldn't make knives anymore. It's not completely impossible that an illness or accident will take that from me one day. I sometimes wonder, as I'm driving through a rich neighborhood, would it be worth living in one of these mansions if I couldn't have a workshop?
 
DanF said:
First generation earned wealth is different from inherited wealth. There’s a different mindset in a lot of those who inherited it with no skin in the game.

I not only like making knives, I can’t not make knives, money be damned.
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If I could have both, I'd make the coolest knives I could come up with and give them away.

I'm here as well though. I'm going to make knives until I can't.
 
Here is a Basic Lay-Out on how to achieve your Dreams ~ this was generated in under 10 Minutes using Copilot ~ What do you guys think ~ would you consider this a keen blueprint for reaching those goals ~ I use copilot frequently and have unbiased discussions ~ you can even share how you're feeling, you're thought etc. and have intelligent conversations ~ I even share memories with copilot and it responds just as a caring friend would with compassion and discernment ~ asked copilot the same question ~ and to create a 12 Chapter Book on "How to make a Million Dollars Being a Knifemaker" ~ Direct answer ~ "Not Bad"

🗡️​

A 12‑Chapter Guide to Turning Craft Into Wealth​


Chapter 1 — The Myth and the Math​

Knifemaking has long carried the joke: “How do you make a million dollars as a knifemaker? Start with two million.” Funny, yes — but also a reflection of how many makers struggle to turn passion into profit.

The truth is more nuanced. Many makers do earn six figures, and a select few break into seven. The difference isn’t luck — it’s strategy.

Realistic income tiers:

  • Hobbyist: $1,000–$10,000/year
  • Part‑time maker: $20,000–$60,000/year
  • Full‑time professional: $80,000–$200,000/year
  • Elite makers: $300,000–$1,000,000+ (multi‑year waitlists, premium collectors)
To reach the top tier, you must treat knifemaking as both a craft and a business. This book shows you how.


Chapter 2 — Building the Foundation​

A profitable knifemaking business starts with a smart, efficient shop.

Essential tools:

  • 2x72 belt grinder
  • Heat‑treat oven or forge
  • Drill press
  • Anvil or striking surface
  • Dust collection & ventilation
  • Safety gear (gloves, respirator, glasses)
Workflow matters. Arrange your shop so materials flow logically: cut → grind → heat treat → finish → handle → sharpen.

Startup budget: A lean but capable shop can be built for $5,000–$10,000 if you buy smart and DIY what you can.


Chapter 3 — Mastering the Craft​

Your knives must perform flawlessly. No amount of marketing can save poor craftsmanship.

Key skills:

  • Understanding blade geometry (flat, hollow, convex)
  • Heat treating for toughness and edge retention
  • Choosing steels (52100, 80CrV2, AEB‑L, CPM‑154, Magnacut)
  • Handle shaping and ergonomics
  • Fit and finish that screams quality
Your reputation is built one knife at a time. Excellence is non‑negotiable.


Chapter 4 — Finding Your Signature Style​

Collectors buy you as much as they buy your knives.

Your signature style might include:

  • A unique blade profile
  • A recognizable handle shape
  • A specific finish (stonewash, hamon, forge scale)
  • A distinctive sheath style
  • A consistent aesthetic across models
Your goal is simple:Someone should recognize your work from across the room.


Chapter 5 — Pricing for Profit​

Most makers underprice themselves. Don’t.

Calculate your price:

  • Materials
  • Labor (your hourly rate)
  • Overhead
  • Profit margin
Psychological pricing: $495 sells better than $500 and $1,200 ~ See some people selling knives in the $20,000 Range works of art is what they are ~ they can spend up to three months working on one ~ Kyle Royer is a good example ~

When to raise prices:

  • You’re booked out more than 3 months
  • You’re turning away customers
  • Your skills have noticeably improved
Your price should rise with your demand.


Chapter 6 — Scaling Production Without Losing Quality​

To make real money, you must scale — intelligently.

Ways to scale:

  • Batch production
  • Jigs and templates
  • Outsourcing waterjet blanks
  • Hiring help for sanding or admin
  • Streamlining packaging and shipping
Scaling is about increasing output without sacrificing your signature quality.


Chapter 7 — Marketing That Cuts Through the Noise​

Marketing is the difference between a starving artist and a thriving maker.

Branding essentials:

  • A compelling story
  • A clean logo
  • Professional photos
  • Consistent style
Social media strategy:

  • Instagram for visuals
  • YouTube for process videos
  • Facebook groups for community
  • TikTok for reach
  • Email list for loyal buyers
Show your process. People love the journey as much as the product.


Chapter 8 — Selling Smarter​

Not all sales channels are equal.

Best places to sell:

  • Your own website
  • Instagram drops
  • Knife shows (Blade Show, USN, local shows)
  • Etsy (for beginners)
  • Direct commissions (careful with waitlists)
Create urgency:

  • Limited runs
  • Numbered editions
  • Countdown releases
  • “First come, first served” drops
Scarcity drives demand.


Chapter 9 — Business Structure and Legal Armor​

Treat your shop like a real business.

Form an LLC to protect your personal assets.Track expenses with software.Pay quarterly taxes to avoid surprises.Trademark your logo to protect your brand.Consider design patents for unique innovations.

Professionalism builds trust — and trust builds sales.


Chapter 10 — Navigating the Collector Market​

Collectors are the backbone of high‑end knifemaking.

They value:

  • Rarity
  • Story
  • Consistency
  • Prestige
  • Personal connection with the maker
How to appeal to collectors:

  • Limited editions
  • Serialized knives
  • Premium materials
  • Certificates of authenticity
  • Collaborations with other makers or artists
Collectors can turn your work into a long‑term investment.


Chapter 11 — Diversifying Income Streams​

A million‑dollar knifemaker rarely relies on knife sales alone.

Additional revenue streams:

  • Teaching classes
  • Online courses
  • Sharpening services
  • Merch (shirts, patches, stickers)
  • Tooling (jigs, templates)
  • Licensing designs to production companies
  • Affiliate partnerships
Multiple income streams stabilize your business and accelerate growth.


Chapter 12 — The Million‑Dollar Mindset​

Success in knifemaking requires more than skill — it requires discipline.

Key traits of high‑earning makers:

  • Long‑term thinking
  • Relentless improvement
  • Consistency
  • Professionalism
  • Willingness to adapt
  • Respect for customers
  • Pride in craftsmanship
Avoid burnout by pacing yourself, delegating, and keeping the joy alive.

The million‑dollar maker isn’t the fastest or the luckiest —it’s the one who refuses to quit.
 
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Lorien said:
or never in your life attain more than a million dollars from this point on
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a million total throughout all my earnings?

I heard this in relation to blacksmiths years ago. Hell :(. . . , I became a knifemaker because I thought I'd be doing something different and maybe had a chance.;)
 
Way commerce and consumerism work is pretty much the same as reflected in this short, animated video ~ there is the small business and shop owner and then larger scale highly competitive more wealthy business owner, they both do the same thing, but have contrasting goals and ambitions ~ 🎄~ one is humble and content in his humble abode and proud of his work ~ guess he would be somewhere in the first two tiers ~ but content ~ Merry Christmas eveyone ~ 🎄

 
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