Important News - Please Read!

JK Knives

JK Knives

Moderator
Joined
Mar 6, 2001
Messages
28,094
This is something I`ve been thinking about for quite a while, but have hesitated to post it. Effective September 30th, I will no longer be taking orders, instead I will be posting a selection of knives for sale each week, some new designs, some old designs, and some with new features I won`t mention at this time. There are many reasons for this, but some of them are the hassles of ordering special materials, having orders changed after the initial order was placed, cancellations, and my favorite, after literally spending days emailing back and forth about an order, answering a million questions, then finally getting it firmed up, only to never get a reply back when I contact the customer that it`s ready to start.

This will not affect my collaborations with RGrizzleLeather, KYenglish, or gradall5200, these resupply orders can still be placed. I`m sorry for any inconvenience this causes, but I feel it`s time to put this in effect.

Basically what this means, is if there is something you really want, and you don`t want to take a chance on not getting one, now is the time to order.

Thanks, hopefully this will work out well for everyone.

John
 
Sorry to hear this John. Would you still take orders if people paid up front? I know you don't do business that way, but at least you know if someone's serious if they send payment beforehand.

I'm sure that any knife you make for sale will sell, but what happens if it doesn't? That's no different than someone that doesn't pay, you are still stuck with the knife.

What about repeat customers? Will they still be able to commission work from you?

Really bummed to hear this, John.
 
glennbad said:
Sorry to hear this John. Would you still take orders if people paid up front? I know you don't do business that way, but at least you know if someone's serious if they send payment beforehand. No, I won`t do this because it puts too much pressure on me. I never know if an emergency may come up, or I may get sick, or hurt.

I'm sure that any knife you make for sale will sell, but what happens if it doesn't? That's no different than someone that doesn't pay, you are still stuck with the knife. I admit, that`s a risk

What about repeat customers? Will they still be able to commission work from you? I think that for customers that have shown their support, yes, but I may not be able to commit to a firm delivery date.

Really bummed to hear this, John.
Click to expand...

You make some good points, and I highlighted my answers..
 
I think those are fair answers and make sense. I know you have struggled with this possibility for some time now. Just sad to see it actually happen...
 
glennbad said:
I think those are fair answers and make sense. I know you have struggled with this possibility for some time now. Just sad to see it actually happen...
Click to expand...

The truth of the matter is that orders are not coming in anyway, or trickling in at best. I thought it might be because of summer, but it`s not looking like it. Most blame it on the economy, but I see other makers are not having this problem. I have contacted several of them, they say not taking orders is the best thing they did for business. I was really torn about making this post, but it was time.
 
I know you've hinted at it before, but it still seems sad in a way. Hopefully this will work out for the best for JK Knives.
 
It does suck, true. But you have to do what's in your companys best interest. Wish you much success either way.
 
John,

Are we still on for the custom job that we talked about for November? I'd really like to follow through with it, but if you feel it does not meet your new direction, I'll understand. I love "The Tool" & would love to have a JK version of that custom as well. We can do it sooner, if that makes it easier on you.

Your call. I'll understand no matter which decision you decide to make. :)
 
I just hope you're still in business when I get back on my feet,cuz I still want another JK Hudson Bay XL dang it.

Good luck with the new plan,I really hope it works out for all our sakes.
 
SaintlyBrees said:
John,

Are we still on for the custom job that we talked about for November? I'd really like to follow through with it, but if you feel it does not meet your new direction, I'll understand. I love "The Tool" & would love to have a JK version of that custom as well. We can do it sooner, if that makes it easier on you.

Your call. I'll understand no matter which decision you decide to make. :)
Click to expand...

All orders that have already been placed will be made.
 
mykel m said:
I just hope you're still in business when I get back on my feet,cuz I still want another JK Hudson Bay XL dang it.

Good luck with the new plan,I really hope it works out for all our sakes.
Click to expand...

I have some doubts that I will be in business by the end of the year, but I figure this is worth trying. If it does not work out, I won`t bother renewing the forum in January either. I think one of the problems is that BF gets much less traffic than it used to, if you have doubts about that, just check out the Wilderness forums. Used to be a lot more activity there.
 
JK Knives said:
All orders that have already been placed will be made.
Click to expand...

Great!

If doing it sooner helps you in any way, just let me know. Since things are (unfortunately) changing for you, I can be flexible if that helps.

JK Knives said:
I have some doubts that I will be in business by the end of the year, but I figure this is worth trying. If it does not work out, I won`t bother renewing the forum in January either. I think one of the problems is that BF gets much less traffic than it used to, if you have doubts about that, just check out the Wilderness forums. Used to be a lot more activity there.
Click to expand...

And that is not so great. :( I hope things work out better as time goes on.
 
JK Knives said:
I have some doubts that I will be in business by the end of the year, but I figure this is worth trying. If it does not work out, I won`t bother renewing the forum in January either. I think one of the problems is that BF gets much less traffic than it used to, if you have doubts about that, just check out the Wilderness forums. Used to be a lot more activity there.
Click to expand...
Yeah,I've noticed the decline of posts over there myself.
I'm kind'a doubting the company I worked for will be in business at the end of the year too,they are hoping for a big order from overseas,but it's still up in the air.
 
JK Knives said:
I have some doubts that I will be in business by the end of the year, but I figure this is worth trying. If it does not work out, I won`t bother renewing the forum in January either. I think one of the problems is that BF gets much less traffic than it used to, if you have doubts about that, just check out the Wilderness forums. Used to be a lot more activity there.
Click to expand...



Sorry to hear this new my friend, I hope the changes work out for you.

It seems that business model is working for Andy.


When it comes to the Forum, traffic is typically down this time if year.

Any I totally agree about the W&SS, it's been neutered since they split that forum up,

...I too miss the old days in the W&SS.




Big Mike
 
I can certainly understand the new policy. It's sad in a way but it makes sense. I suppose it takes a lot of work and time to hammer out a new design, and then to get radio silence when you're ready to build it must be infuriating. Even if all does go well it's got to be less profitable do one-ofs from scratch. It's probably better to focus on the best selling knives and just produce them.

Hmmm...I was kind of thinking your forum membership was paid up for a couple years? I hope you can continue running HK Handmade full time. Your knives are beautiful!
 
I hate hearing all of this but I believe you're making the best decisions you can, and I really dislike that some have made this necessary, I don't feel exact;ly warm towards the people themselves either :mad:.
 
I haven't visited the forum or posted in quite a while, but I was wandering by today and thought I would offer a few thoughts.

First, if handling special orders is creating a problem, it makes sense to discontinue this option. That being said, it was precisely the option of ordering 'your design or mine' that drew me to JK Handmade Knives in the first place, and I'm sure that this goes for others as well. To this day, the combination flat ground / scandi camp knife that John made based on my sketches remains my favorite custom knife and my go-to hiking companion. The opportunity to have a design realized by a talented craftsman sets JK Handmade Knives apart from other knife makers (and keeps me coming back to this forum).

That's my $0.02.

Perhaps it would make sense to adopt a policy of limiting custom orders to repeat customers only, or to take them on a case-by-case discretionary basis.

Ultimately, do what you have to do, and good luck with it.

Best,

- Mike
 
JK Knives said:
I have some doubts that I will be in business by the end of the year, but I figure this is worth trying. If it does not work out, I won`t bother renewing the forum in January either. I think one of the problems is that BF gets much less traffic than it used to, if you have doubts about that, just check out the Wilderness forums. Used to be a lot more activity there.
Click to expand...

Ya wilderness forum is not the same I check out a diff forum for that now
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top