Knife packaging

Justin Schmidt

Justin Schmidt

Joined
Feb 18, 2016
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2,209
When receiving a custom knife does packaging matter? I came across a jim Skelton video where he talked about it and wanted to get everyone's thoughts on it. Just finished my first folder (kinda finished) and I've been thinking about what sort of packaging I want to send my folders in once I'm ready to sell them. I've thought about a micro pelican case like the 1015 or a nice black magnetic gift box box. Do you care about the packaging or does it not really matter?
 
My opinion is this. Neat packaging is part of the deal when you buy an expensive knife, as it's part of the experience to open a nice box and see your new knife shinig at you. However, there is a point of diminishing returns. As an example, the small Pelican case you mentioned. Both my Medford Praetorian, and multiple Ziebas I've purchased came with them. Once I've taken the knife out of them...that's about the end of their usefulness. Well, for me. It's possible that others use them to hold small valuables, and so on. But for me, I probably would have been good with the knife being a little cheaper instead. That's just my take on it.
 
valknut said:
When receiving a custom knife does packaging matter? I came across a jim Skelton video where he talked about it and wanted to get everyone's thoughts on it. Just finished my first folder (kinda finished) and I've been thinking about what sort of packaging I want to send my folders in once I'm ready to sell them. I've thought about a micro pelican case like the 1015 or a nice black magnetic gift box box. Do you care about the packaging or does it not really matter?
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I definitely care much more about the knife than the packaging! Jim Skelton is definitely more into asthtics more than anything else and probably needs a new gimmick to increase sales IMO.
 
I don't buy customs but packages end up in the reclying bin or trash 99% of the time.i don't buy stuff because the box is pretty I buy it because I want the product. For a high value item I expect it to be properly packaged and we'll protected preferably without packing peanuts. I hate those things.
 
valknut said:
When receiving a custom knife does packaging matter? I came across a jim Skelton video where he talked about it and wanted to get everyone's thoughts on it. Just finished my first folder (kinda finished) and I've been thinking about what sort of packaging I want to send my folders in once I'm ready to sell them. I've thought about a micro pelican case like the 1015 or a nice black magnetic gift box box. Do you care about the packaging or does it not really matter?
Click to expand...


Depends on the price of the knife and what the goal of the knife is. If it's a utility piece meant to be used, then maybe a nice cloth pouch in a cardboard box with the specifics of the knife written on the box.

If it's a presentation grade piece like a beautiful slipjoint made with more or less natural, old school materials like micarta, bone, or wood, then maybe a nice wood box with your makers mark burned into the top.

If it's a modern design that is kind of meant to impart the idea of being a utility knife with materials decidedly NOT meant for hard use, like zirconium and timascus but with a beefy blade, then a pelican type of case would be nice.
 
I think a decent pouch is as far as you need go. It will keep the knife protected in storage or between uses at a reasonable price. That is what most my customs came with. Some with the makers name some without. I like the name, so I can find the right pouch for the knife latter.
 
Justin, i just looked at your Instagram. Some of your pieces, at least your fixed blades, are definitely worth having in a nice presentation box to set on a desk or mantle. Some of your knives seem obviously to be workhorses where if they sat in boxes thatd be a shame.

Your craftsmanship seems nice. Maybe having a nice presentation box as an option would be welcomed by your customers, especially for the obvious show/presentation grade pieces. One thing that's always disappointed me when paying for a nice knife is opening the outer box and finding peanuts and a knife wrapped simply in bubble wrap. The little cloth bags make it so much better, even if the bag is wrapped in bubble wrap to protect the knife during shipping. Don't know why the little bag makes a difference, but it does.
 
packaging takes up room and costs more money. that makes zero sense to me. why spend more and take up valuable room for packaging. I highly dislike packaging. collectors love it. never understood that. to me it's just stuff that ends up in the trash or takes up valuable storage room.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I really appreciate this insight.
This is the box for my nicer pocket knives I was thinking
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Someone1 thank you for the kind words
 
Packaging matters. Take a tip from guys who spend a lot of money to get theirs right. A card like CRK has with the model, materials, and date of manufacture costs little and adds to resale (and total) value. A nice soft case is a welcome addition. A number of custom makers have their names on cases like that. For folders a pocket slip is good too. A printed copy of your warranty is a good idea also. Make sure you put a business card in at a minimum.
 
Zipper pouches are great. The Kizer ones would be great in black, or the Massdrop style. I use them for storage after. The Olamic pouch is nice, as well.
 
In my experience WE knives come with the best packages. A nice zipper pouch with a cloth included. Next I would say Benchmade is a far 2nd place ,but I like how they have the DOB on the box along with model numbers etc... ZT knives are my favorite but I wish they did something more with packaging like WE. Not a deal-breaker for me though. I’ll take a premium knife in a cheap box over a mediocre knife in a fancy box any day.
Edit: never bought a custom knife, but anything over $300 should come with more than just a paper box/bubble wrap imo
 
Think about what it is that you are actually selling. I know that seems vague, but its something I thought about when helping a band put together an album. The packaging does say something about who you are, and how you view your product. Some guys sell an edge, some a status symbol, some an "investment" and some an identity.
Packaging that is overdone, or is in stark contrast to your brand (the irony of a US made knife inside a made in China pouch) will come off as a bit tryhard. GEC and Helle paper tubes let the knife do the talking, even though they are often collected knives, they are users, where as there are brands that would be more suited to a wood display case even if they were tough as nails knives, because that's the brand identity. It also depends on who your main customer is. If he's a guy with a four rack watch winder and a carbon fiber EDC dump tray, you might go with something different than for a guy who's corrosion prevention method is the used oil soaking through his pant leg. Nothing wrong with either, but they will appreciate different things. Your insta link wasn't working for me, so I'm not sure which would be the way to go.
 
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