Wow, there are several misconceptions and a good deal of misinformation in this thread, let me try and set the record straight.
Ive been designing and making knives for almost 20 years. And a lot has changed in that time, not only with me but in the knife community as well. But since this thread is about me and my work, thats what I will address.
One thing that has always remained constant with me has been the way I treat my customers: I treat them with honesty and respect. If there is a problem or if I make a mistake, I take care of it. This is one reason I have so very many repeat customers -- many of whom have been buying stuff from me for years.
I began designing and making knives purely as a hobby, but thanks to the internet, I also started selling them almost immediately. I also lost money on just about every knife I sold. Didnt matter though, because it was a hobby. I enjoyed it.
Over time, knife making for me went from being a hobby to being a business; it became my job and I had to either make a living at it, or give it up altogether because I couldnt afford an expensive hobby like that anymore.
So I started looking at knife making like you look at any business, and trying to make profit at it. Products that were loosing money had to be rethought. Production techniques that were money losers had to be restructured. So over 10 years ago, I decided to make the jump into CNC machining to make new products possible, hopefully also more profitable and allow me to increase production while still doing as much as possible myself. Back then many makers were already having parts made by outside vendors but only a very, very few were actually operating their own CNC machines.
CNC machining has been very successful for me, and now I have 2 Haas CNC mills and more than $100,000 invested in my shop. If I had not gotten into CNC machining when I did, I would have had to shut down in 2008 at the latest.
It is not true that I no longer make folders or no longer make the Leafstorm model.
It is true that my folders dont come onto the secondary market very often. Most people who buy them, keep them.
It is true that I generally only sell products that I have in stock and ready to ship. Prices for knives start at 99 for a knife that will ship as soon as the payment arrives. No waiting lists, order books and excuses or any of the crap we all see happening all too often.
99 (about $110!!) That doesnt sound like price gouging to me. Hell, I have Ryback Carbon Damascus Chefs knives made from Marcus Balbach Damascus for 400. Those knives are a fantastic value. And Im bringing out new stuff all the time. Take a look at my MT_Nova small sheath knife ground from Elmax with a european-made leather sheath for 149. And yes, sometimes when products sell out, that means they are gone and if somebody waited to long to buy one, sorry about that. I wont take your money for goods I cannot deliver within a few days.
I have a very tough time making folders at a price most folks can afford. $550 for a folder from me? That isnt possible it wont be possible in the future. Overhead and materials costs just wont allow it.
In recent years, when I make a few folders I sell them online on a first come, first served basis at the best price I can manage. Whoever emails the first Ill take it and pays for it, gets the knife. I am strictly honest about this: whoever is first, gets the knife, I dont put anybody at the head of the line. Usually there is more than one potential buyer for each knife and so I have to turn some folks down.
Most people understand; some people dont and get really mad. However I wont be intimidated into canceling the sale for whoever was first in line and selling to somebody else who wasnt first it line. If that makes some people never buy anything from me for as long as they live, etc., well, so be it. Some of you would flip at some of the stuff I have heard from angry people who werent first in line. I dont think being honest and fair with everybody has hurt my reputation, not here in Germany or anywhere else. Quite the contrary.
One business lesson I learned the hard way was that making a knife to exact specs as custom order takes a LOT more time than making the same knife and deciding the specs myself -- often as I make the knife. You may not believe me, but like I say, I have learned that the hard way.
So today, when somebody really wants a custom knife made for them, I can do it, no problem. But it is expensive. Very expensive. Too expensive for most folks. I understand, I dont blame you. But dont get mad about it. Theres lots of stuff I want and cant afford, but I dont get mad at the pople who make it. Maybe some day Ill go buzzing around town in a Porsche? I kind of doubt it but the fact is, it is mostly the folks who can afford the Porsche who can also afford for me to make them a folder.
One thing that takes a great deal of my available production time is producing my line of WilkinsGRIP products for Benchmade and Spyderco folders. I am one of the original designers and manufacturers of replacement knife grips. Ive been doing it for years and have many, many happy customers, a great many of whom are also repeat customers. I like designing and making the grips. My customers love the product. Why not keep at it? I plan to.
As many of you know, I was forced to move my workshop in 2014 and that cost me a great deal of time and a lot of money. Still, now that I am up and rolling in the new space, I have a number of new projects in the works. Right now Im 57 years old and plan on making knives and grips for as long as I can and as long as folks are willing to buy them.
So in closing, heres a big Thank You to the thousands of customers over the years who have supported me and continue to do so. I will try not to let you down.
If you want to know more about my work, please see my website, there are over 300 pics to look at and a lot to read or follow me on Facebook to stay up to date on what Ive currently got in the works.
