Knife Industry Trends and Reports

[thinker62]

Hello all. I am new to this forum. Great to be here. I am hoping that some of you can help me. I do not work for or represent any company related to knives. However, I am seeking employment in this arena. I am trying to find out background information for that purpose.

I did a quick search and was unable to find what I am looking for. So I am hoping that some of you can please direct me to Knife Industry Reports. I am specifically interested in tactical knives for military, law enforcement and firefighting applications. I would like to find out thigs such as:
--The size of the market
--Growth or decline in the market
--Market share of manufacturers
--Quality and customer service comparisons
--Dealers and retailers who sell to these markets
--Any other general trends and information

Thank you in advance.

 

[Nathan Ihrke]

As far as I can tell the industry is only growing. I'm not sure if the recession hit them hard or not. Your best bets for employment are going to be the larger us based companies like benchmade out of Oregon and spyderco in Colorado. A.G. russel is pretty big also, they are in Arkansas

 

[jimnolimit]

I do not work for or represent any company related to knives. However, I am seeking employment in this arena.

do you have any experience with producing knives or working for a knife company?

what knife-company related job are you planning on getting?

what skills do you have and how do they relate to knives?

 

[thinker62]

do you have any experience with producing knives or working for a knife company?

what knife-company related job are you planning on getting?

what skills do you have and how do they relate to knives?

My experience is in Product Management, Product Marketing, and Business Development for companies in military, law enforcement, and firefighting markets. I have identified some companies and I am actually preparing for an interview as we speak. Which brings me back to my original inquiry. I have the skill set and know the customer. What I need is background information on manufacturers, distribution, market share, etc. Anyone know where I can find background information on the knife market?

 

[jimnolimit]

it sounds to me like you're looking for a "winning team" to join. i doubt you'll be able to find figures on market share for any individual company (or the market in general). the closest you'll probably get is to look at individual company's total sales figures and see who's doing more business. in my opinion, it's more about finding a company that's profitable and looking to expand (especially in the US). you might want to take a look at companies like buck or KAI/kershaw.

 

[thinker62]

it sounds to me like you're looking for a "winning team" to join. i doubt you'll be able to find figures on market share for any individual company (or the market in general). the closest you'll probably get is to look at individual company's total sales figures and see who's doing more business. in my opinion, it's more about finding a company that's profitable and looking to expand (especially in the US). you might want to take a look at companies like buck or KAI/kershaw.

I guaranty such information exists as it does for virtually all large markets. Someone somewhere is writing a Consumer Reports type study of this market. Finding it is the trick, and finding it for free may or may not be possible. Here are examples in the ball park:
China Scissors & Knives Industry Profile. http://www.companiesandmarkets.com/Market-Report/china-scissors-knives-industry-profile-cic3424-337681.asp
The World Market for Paper Knives, Letter Openers, Erasing Knives, and Pencil Sharpeners: A 2011 Global Trade Perspective http://www.marketresearch.com/product/display.asp?productid=2791056

I have an upcoming interview with a respected company. So I am not looking for opportunities here. I just want to learn about the market. A marketing person from one of these companies will know where to get this information.

 

[jimnolimit]

looking at knife companies total sales (over the last few years) will give you "some-what" of a gauge. because there so many different types of bladed tools and so many companies that make them, it's going to be extremely hard to gauge the whole market. factor in massive amounts of knock-off's/chinese imports (not from major known companies) and the true size of the market will be further skewed. knives don't have to be registered and they're not closely regulated like cars or guns, so there isn't going to be a more formal number. i wish you luck in both finding the answer to your question and with your job interview.