However, I have a question to hobbyist knives makers who sell their knives. If you have to estimate, how much do the knives you sell cover the expense of your hobby?
I started doing custom handles on kitchen knives maybe 5 years ago as a hobby. Since then, the hobby has developed and expanded into making kitchen knives. Today I do a lot of rehandle work and full knives when I have the chance.
The hobby has really only afforded me the opportunity to continue the hobby expense free. However, at this time I have a 2x72 KMG, a 14" wood band saw, a HF 4x6 metal bandsaw, a 9" disc sander, a nice milling machine, a LN dewar, a drill press, countless 2x72 belts, and a myriad of hand tools and other things....all paid for by my hobby.
Even given having all of the equipment necessary to making knives, there is still:
Wood (or other handle material), metal, mosaic pins, corby bolts, belts, sandpaper, acetone, shipping supplies, epoxy, liner material, bolster material, drill bits, buffing supplies, wood finishing supplies, CA glue, filters for your mask, latex gloves, saw blades, etc., etc. etc. Then just when you think this knife is going to make you a little scratch....something breaks.
I don't ever expect to make money with my hobby, and I probably never will. But, somebody's grandson might one day be given a kitchen knife with my name on the side of it....just the thought of that makes it all worth while. Much less the satisfaction I get when someone gets something I've made and is happy with it. That is such a great feeling.