Knife Making Startup Costs....Need Input/Help

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madupree said:
Don't worry everyone, after I get the first blanks back from wire edm and put em to the grinder I'll post pictures and all that good stuff and will probably have quite a few questions that will hopefully be answered to improve my grinding skills
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I would safely say that no one is worried about your situation. they are just pointing out how unrealistic it is based on your knife making experience. stay positive and show us what you have when you get it. and don't be one of those that posts something like this and then takes their ball home and disappears forever. good luck to you and may 2015 be a great year!
 
madupree said:
Haven't made one yet but once I get everything together I'm going to set aside 4-8 blanks to get it right. Only thing I have to perfect is grinding the blade, everything else is going to be manufactured locally by others
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Man plans---God laughs. Ask me how I know...
 
$47,500 is the bottom line/incoming first year.$10,000 invested with that kind of return ,sounds like a good buisness plan to me.Good luck,I hope you pull it off.Oh and dont keep us hangin.We love pics,I have seen it right here a thousand times[PICS OR IT DID NOT HAPPEN]
 
You can do it!

Start up tool list looks good but there will always be runs to Home Depot/internet ordering here and there.

Please come back and post your work when you get it going.
 
Good luck, I think it is good to see a pure business approach to knife making. There was an artical in Blade a few years ago about someone who did a similar approach and was successful. Keep us posted. Your could consider using a simple carbon steel for a few of the first trial knives to cut down cost.
 
Shaw Blades said:
You can do it!

Start up tool list looks good but there will always be runs to Home Depot/internet ordering here and there.

Please come back and post your work when you get it going.
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Thanks!! and yea my startup list is still fluctuating now, startup cost was down to $2,800 now it's back up to $3,100.....
 
Patrickknives said:
Good luck, I think it is good to see a pure business approach to knife making. There was an artical in Blade a few years ago about someone who did a similar approach and was successful. Keep us posted. Your could consider using a simple carbon steel for a few of the first trial knives to cut down cost.
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Thanks again!! Yea i'm going to buy some 440c and use that to start out with, i don't want to make too many mistakes on the S35VN (have decided to swap from the S30V to S35VN)
 
True dat, we can pontificate all we want on the probabilities for this working out, but in the end you are one with the contract and putting your cojones on the line. It just seems like an awfully big promise to be making for reasons we have already beat the death.

Good luck!
 
Updated Costs....

Belt Grinder (chassis)
$840.00
(www.beaumontmetalworks.com Model-KMG-PL)

Belt Grinder Motor & VFD Combo Package
$800.00
(www.electricmotorwholesale.com)(Carl ext.14)
(2hp Leeson 1750rpm 3phase TEFC Model-171647)
(115/230VA VFD Model-KBAC-27D 9520

Belt Grinder Addt'l Components
$325.00
(www.beaumontmetalworks.com)
(Small Wheel Attachemnt Model-SWF)
(Aluminum Spare Tooling Arm Model-STA-ALUM)
(1/2"-1" Small Wheels Model-SWR-500, 750, 100)

Grinding Belts
$400.00
(www.trugrit.com *assortment*)

Drill Press (craftsman)
$200.00
(www.craftsman.com Model-ZJQ4116D)

Granite Surface Plate - 12" x 18" x 3"
$55.00
Rex Supply www.rex-supply.com (Houston, TX) Model-NS50C12180

Etching Machine
$180.00
(www.usaknifemaker.com Model-*Personalizer*)

Sheath Press & Rivet Press
$150.00
(www.knifekits.com)
(Rivet Press Model-KYRD-PRS)
(Sheath Press-Handmade with 1" Standard Foam)

Personal Protective Equipment
$150.00
Respirator
Gloves
Safety Goggles
Fire Extinguisher

TOTAL STARTUP COST $3,100.00
 
monkapotamus said:
True dat, we can pontificate all we want on the probabilities for this working out, but in the end you are one with the contract and putting your cojones on the line. It just seems like an awfully big promise to be making for reasons we have already beat the death.

Good luck!
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thanks!!
 
xXBackyardCrafterXx said:
A cheaper alternative to a huge, expensive grinder is a craftsman( ewwww!) 2x42 belt sander. It is about $150 and it has lasted both me, and my mentor a very long time(we both have one). I don't know if you would want this but if your wife is...not happy, a cheaper grinder may help. Belts are cheaper too I would assume.
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Actually the last time I divided the belts by the square inches, the best value for abrasive belts was in 2" X 72" belts.

You also want a machine that can take a small wheel adaptor for cut outs/ finger choils. Also variable speed is a huge improvement.
 
Rhinoknives1 said:
Actually the last time I divided the belts by the square inches, the best value for abrasive belts was in 2" X 72" belts.

You also want a machine that can take a small wheel adaptor for cut outs/ finger choils. Also variable speed is a huge improvement.
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that's the main reason i'm going with the 2x72 KMG
 
madupree said:
i really get a kick out of condescending people, makes my day go by extremely fast
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Mad,
And I get a kick out of people that have never made one single knife that say they are going to produce 50 of them, sheaths etc before hunting season starts in Sept, 2015

Knife making has always been a brutal business with it being Labor intensive, high part cost, scrap rate and amount of consumables used.
I really do wish you luck no matter how unrealistic it is that you will have 50 knives completed, boxed and shipped in 6-7 months in time for hunting season 2015 when you don't have even 90% of the stuff in front of you to start learning to grind the blades and then there is something called lead time for all of these parts you are out sourcing and that puts you at other peoples time lines.

If you had everything in your shop, everything outsourced and ready today, It might be possible.

As others have mentioned your best bet would be to have someone build ALL of it for you. Then there's the part about making any money on this venture?


Good Luck
&
Keep us posted.
 
I'm having a hell of a time getting a reply posted. GRRRR. Guess I'll try again when I get home.
 
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