Is it possible to be a knifemaker yet not be part of the "knife industry"?

I agree with others and you that you can be a knife maker, but stand apart from the industry. You don't have to be a member of any guild or the ABS, nor does being a member necessarily mean anything about you and your skill set versus someone who is not a member.

A few years back, I was at a relatively small show and had the opportunity to speak to Joel Chamblin for a few minutes. Why? Because he had nobody at his table!!!! I was astounded to say the least given that IMO, his knives are every bit on par with those of many of the best makers out there. Indeed, he IS one of the best makers out there, yet he still had a table of knives. Go figure.
 
CM, you've been in Blade Magazine, right? Did you willingly participate? Do you think you might have gained some customers as result? You might not be following all the current trends, nor be as active as many knifemakers on the social media scene in the broadest sense, but you do have a presence. Your nearly 26000 posts on this Forum are definitely part of today's social media, in my opinion. It might not be as flashy as Instagram, but it is a presence, just the same.

You've decided why you're doing this, but by virtue of putting your name and work out there, you're part of the "knife industry".
 
I believe it is most certainly possible to me a "maker" and not be part of the greater "industry", without question in fact. Small (as in business size) Artisans most properly fit this profile. The "industry" today, as you correctly note, is mostly about profit, this is fine as it serves the greater - by far !!- proportion of the consumer base (lemming like at times certainly). However there is always be a person who wants something different, special and to their taste, this is where Knifemakers ;) like you CM come in. You are making the blade for the enjoyment of the process and the sense of fulfillment that comes with doing so while at the same time serving a niche market of consumers.
 
I've heard that sometimes fit and finish of M.S. knives is poor in comparison to knives from makers unknown in the wide world selling their knives under $150. Don't know about their* performance because they're collective items.

*M.S. knives
 
ourgon said:
I've heard that sometimes fit and finish of M.S. knives is poor in comparison to knives from makers unknown in the wide world selling their knives under $150. Don't know about their* performance because they're collective items.

*M.S. knives
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I have not personally found this to be true, though there are many Mastersmiths whose knives I have never seen in person.
 
I'm tracking knife trends around the world almost 10 years. Maybe I'm wrong but In my opinion customers buy expensive knives more often because fame and personality of a maker [and because he's from USA]. You can making very simple knives, but if you're well known personality and good friend with some western special forces or ex operator himself, you're A MAN, you can making big money or just bigger than not so known knifemakers.
 
I guess being an infantry vet and former meth dealer doesn't quite cut the mustard :D
 
Charlie Mike said:
I guess being an infantry vet and former meth dealer doesn't quite cut the mustard :D
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I can't speak for others, but as far as I'm concerned, I have a lot of respect for you as a Veteran, and as someone who rose above his personal demons. No one did it for you, brother. I've also watched your work go from a very basic level, to knives which have a stark, clear purpose and show you have a real grasp of ergos. Hell, there are companies putting out knives in mass numbers which display less of an emphasis on how they feel inhand than your knives do. That says a lot about how you've given your knives a lot of thought.

A lot of guys are out there right now on IG and FB who just slap together design cues from other, more storied makers/brands and just shuffle 'em out.
 
This mirrors trends in every trade and art. I saw the same thing when I took guitar building to a full time endeavor. A lot of the current fanboy trends in guitars were not things I was into with my craft, but it's still a rough business. To make a profit, I had to continue full time repair and setup business, and do customs as a secondary part of my business. Some guys found a new popular thing...i.e. arm rests, fan frets, side sound ports, laminated non traditional bracing patterns....those all became the new "it" thing to have at different points, and they could charge astronomical prices for them. Their booth at shows were packed, while traditional builders that built incredible instruments got little attention. Selling in a niche market helps makers make a living with less of a hassle. Traditional builders have to do more to make ends meet, and for me at least, it robbed the joy out of what I loved doing.
That said...trade shows are an important part of it for all people with a booth though, because the customers are coming to you, and it's an opportunity to put your best stuff out there with a decent price tag and make a living.
The trend CM described there always bummed me out, but I get why it happens too. I always wish other builders well, and am happy when they find a niche that captures people's excitement, even if it's just a fad for a season.
 
I feel sorry for the suckers left "holding the bag" after the bubble bursts. Anyone remember when a production Hinderer fetched $800+... Now they gotta be under $300 to move.
 
Charlie Mike said:
I feel sorry for the suckers left "holding the bag" after the bubble bursts. Anyone remember when a production Hinderer fetched $800+... Now they gotta be under $300 to move.
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I can tell you who doesn't feel bad, Hinderer.

If I told you I could buy a S30V knife from a well known company with a lifetime warranty for <$50 would you be surprised?
 
Amoo said:
I can tell you who doesn't feel bad, Hinderer.

If I told you I could buy a S30V knife from a well known company with a lifetime warranty for <$50 would you be surprised?
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Buck!

My first "quality" knife was a Buck/Strider 880 that I paid $140 for in 2000, shortly after joining the forums.
 
Charlie Mike said:
Buck!

My first "quality" knife was a Buck/Strider 880 that I paid $140 for in 2000, shortly after joining the forums.
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Right on buddy, Buck 0342 Vantage Pro. S30V Steel, Buck's lifetime warranty, <$50, I mean can you really beat that? Ok so it has a nylon handle and not something like G10. Either way I'm not sure I can think of another knife within double the price that has S30V steel and a comparable warranty.
 
I think anyone that makes or sells knives is part of the knife industry. People or companies that are into the industry for its commercial aspects is the "real industry", but those that make or build knives for themselves or a few others for the self satisfaction are fringe elements that will disappear eventually.

There seems to be a race to use the newest super steel and have people like us tout it as being the berries and who can charge the most (and get it of course). Titanium is the material that makes me scratch my head as far as handles go.... I just don't get the love. Metal handles are cold and impersonal. I like personal.

There are so many knife makers (hand made knives) and few actually desire or are willing to spend the money for "custom". I feel if it works for most people, it will probably work just fine for me, so why consider "custom".

The industry will reach a saturation point. We might be there.... We knives make me think we're there.... They appear out of now where, have a nice booth at the Blade Show (2016) and all of a sudden people are talking about and buying these knives and they aren't cheap. Brous is another one....

I have hand made knives for makers that most have never heard of here. Good knives overall. I think the retiree making knives and selling is a pretty cool thing if they have the ability. Make a few bucks. Get to talk about a hobby we love.
 
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