Is this Extreme?

C

church&son

Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
583
Three times in as many weeks I have been asked if my knives are usable as knives because they really don't look like the others or are they the kind that you just look at. So today I sent the last one this pic. I beat it in the stump with the hammer. It's an old Gum stump and is pretty hard, it flattened the spline a little but I beat it flat again. No damage to the edge. I tell everybody if you break it using it, send it back and I'll make it stronger......Randy

"Blacksmith Gone Wild"
bbtest.jpg
bbtest1.jpg
 
I love your style man. One thing I did notice from the exchange postings where you offered up some pieces was that the info on HT etc seemed a little sparse, which may be what makes some people ask if they're just display pieces.


Next time, maybe just say "heat treated as such, etc, etc, ready to be used". Or something to that effect?

How far from my area are you guys btw? Would love to meet sometime.
 
Funny, as the top pic was loading the buttcap and end of the handle looked so much like a deer hoof that I expected to see a dead deer attached to it, belly up at the bottom of the pic. It's pretty cool, I like the chaotic sort of design there.
 
I'm not really sure what is extreme about chopping into the end grain of a stump? Am I missing something? :confused:

I do like the overall lines of the blade though.
 
Thanks for the comments Gents.
I'm not really sure what is extreme about chopping into the end grain of a stump? Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
No Sir you didn't but I did. Sorry , I didn't clarify my question. Is this extreme to send a pic like this to a potential customer because they asked if it was a wall hanger? I also chopped through a piece of rebar with it. I have sold and traded many knives and tools I've made at Trade Shows, Gun and Knife Shows to Reenactors , Cowboys and hunters, but very few on the internet. My "real job" has eaten up most of the trips to these events and selling without handling is something I'm having a hard time adjusting to. Old Dog , New Tricks sort of thing. But thanks again for the responses........Randy
And Mr . Straub, it does look like a deers foot, it is the bottom of a broken hatchet handle.
 
church&son said:
Is this extreme to send a pic like this to a potential customer because they asked if it was a wall hanger?
Click to expand...

No, not at all. It's a good-looking picture of a hard-working knife in it's natural environment if you ask me. :thumbup:
 
church&son said:
...I didn't clarify my question. Is this extreme to send a pic like this to a potential customer because they asked if it was a wall hanger? I also chopped through a piece of rebar with it. I have sold and traded many knives and tools I've made at Trade Shows, Gun and Knife Shows to Reenactors , Cowboys and hunters, but very few on the internet. My "real job" has eaten up most of the trips to these events and selling without handling is something I'm having a hard time adjusting to. Old Dog , New Tricks sort of thing...
Click to expand...

So you are looking for a photo that will tell your customers that the knife is intended to be used not hung on the wall. Looking at your website you seem to be aiming at a specialized market, historical re-enactors. How about getting pictures of your knives doing what they were designed to do or how you intend them to be used, along with testimonials from satisfied customers talking about how they USE their knives.

below is the description of the above knife from your website:
"I thought it was done and then the sheath made me crazy so I redone it. I was in one of my minimal tool moods, in other words, what this Cowboy would have around a camp, all I used making the sheath was my “Old Timer” pocket knife to cut it out and the very primitive scroll carvings, a sharpened nail to make the holes for stitching, harness needle, linen harness cord, “Vinegeroon” dye and warmed Beeswax for a finish. It’s a big one, 19 inches from butt of handle to tip of sheath. Needs a home, make me an offer…….Randy"

What I don't read is anything that would tell me this is a "user", things like the steel used, tempering the steel and how it will hold an edge, or how the patina will form AS IT IS USED, or the things that a person will use it for. Though your knives certainly look like users I see little that gives me evidence that they are in fact intended to be used and not just some misc steel make to look old and antique like.

It's just my uneducated opinion.

Paul Meske
 
Thanks Mr. Terrio and Mr. Meske.
What I don't read is anything that would tell me this is a "user", things like the steel used, tempering the steel and how it will hold an edge, or how the patina will form AS IT IS USED, or the things that a person will use it for. Though your knives certainly look like users I see little that gives me evidence that they are in fact intended to be used and not just some misc steel make to look old and antique like.
Click to expand...
Thank You, a lot to think about from your thoughts......Randy
 
Salem Straub said:
Funny, as the top pic was loading the buttcap and end of the handle looked so much like a deer hoof that I expected to see a dead deer attached to it, belly up at the bottom of the pic. It's pretty cool, I like the chaotic sort of design there.
Click to expand...

Salem, I thought the exact same thing when I saw the butt cap.
 
Randy,

Please, please, please, don't interpret my comments as a criticism of you or your work. Large corporations spend millions of dollars on advertising agencies and market research to do what you are doing in the best way you know how. If it was easy they wouldn't spend so much money. It just seems to me that the bottom line is that for some reason the message you want to send to your prospective customers isn't getting through. You can't control the receiving end of the communication, only the sending end. Understanding the receiver, in theory, helps you to tailor your message so that they understand it correctly.

I know BEANS about marketing, but I spent 30 years working with instructional media (audio visual). The first rule is to "know your audience" (customer), and then to tailor your message to them. You were able to do this effectively when you could deal face-to-face with them, but something is different when marketing over the internet.

It's just my best guess. I want you to succeed. If they don't buy YOUR products they may end up buying some cr_p from someone else that may look authentic but won't perform. If you don't sell them YOUR stuff, then the terrorists win! (Oh, is that maybe a little too strong?!?!?) ;-)

- Paul Meske
 
The first rule is to "know your audience" (customer), and then to tailor your message to them. You were able to do this effectively when you could deal face-to-face with them, but something is different when marketing over the internet.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your honest remarks Mr. Meske.
Marketing eludes me. If I read "Hand Forged", I don't expect to see grinder belt marks or perfection. Adding hammer marks for that "Forged Finish" to a stock removal is, well, I can't play both sides of the same fence.

I think my new marketing statement is " I don't add hammer dings, I leave them"
 
Last edited:
That you chopped into a stump? Meh. Batoning with a sledge hammer? Yeah, I'd assume that's a helluva useful knife.
 
Up from the dead lol

I didn't read many posts after my comments but I question the whole "hammer mark" statement. I forge close to finish since I use files to finish and shape. I rarely leave a hammer mark in a piece when it comes off of the anvil. It's the way I was taught and the way I teach. Although my current student will have to live with his hammer marks on his first knife, there's no saving the steel otherwise ;) I told him he could hammer for a bit longer or file longer later.... he chose poorly.

I think he's saying that batoning with a sledgehammer would be extreme lol

My marketing statement is "Made by Will Leavitt." ;)
 
Paul raises an interesting point that I hadn't thought of in a long time. When I see a knife like that, I damn well expect it to be a user, not just a wall-hanger, because I'm spoiled by seeing so many in that style and others that are definitely built for work, not just show.

BUT! A re-enactor or casual knife buff might not know the difference; there's a lot of cheap junk out there that looks cool but isn't good for much. It couldn't hurt to point out that yes, this is built to be used and I guarantee my work.

Example: a few years ago a friend wanted to remove a small stump from his yard, and knowing I was an outdoorsy-type knife guy asked if I had anything he could use. I let him borrow a Cold Steel Rifleman's hawk that I had removed the horrible coating from, patina'ed, scorched and oiled the handle, etc. He was aghast... "you want me to use this to dig out the roots?"

I said well yeah, I take it camping all the time, it should do the job.

He said, "oh... well it looks like a museum piece or something, I don't want to mess it up."

I said naw man, it's a tool, use it like one. He did and it worked fine. It needed sharpening afterwards, no big deal. I still have the hawk and still use it in the yard and for camping. It wil probably outlive me :D
 
I'm saying it sends the message well enough: Not a dainty wall piece. Got it.

Extreme? I don't think I care.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top