Knife packaging

Packaging doesn't do much for me. They all sit in a drawer. I actually appreciate the more minimalist approach sometimes. G&G Hawk tends to ship their stuff in a small drawstring bag. That is it. Gavin did include a torx wrench with the deadlock, but it still came in a black drawstring. It has a certain charm.
 
valknut said:
From a collector and user standpoint this makes ALOT of sense. Just a basic pouch with my name embroidered in a basic cardboard box with business card, COA, and warranty sounds like that'd make everyone happy
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That is what I would do in terms of packaging a handmade knife. I would think primarily of protecting the knife and secondary considerations are long term storage use. The pouch works for this and can be used for other knives. Keep it simple but nice.

Fancy boxes just make the customer feel that they need to save it and it often is only good for your knife.
 
Basp2005 said:
Give me a simple cardboard box. I don't care about packaging at all. The simpler the better. I'm paying for the knife, not your fancy pouch I'm never gonna use.
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I agree, if it were the case that you paid for packaging. However, most of the knife makers I've spoken to don't include packaging in the price, and pay out of pocket for the simple case/pouch. It's only a couple dollars unless you're going full display-case mode anyways.
 
gadgetgeek said:
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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marchone said:
Apple packaging is smart looking, economical and ecological-minded. They know most people are going to throw it away.
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These two posts are spot on. As someone who's been around design and marketing my entire professional life, and whose job it is to make someone else's product look good, let me tell you, packaging matters.

It makes a phycological connection between your customer and your product. It's their first impression they have of you when they receive their knife - not the one they saw online - not the one the handled in the store - but their knife! If you packaging looks and feels cheap, it sets a tone. If it looks like you put some effort into the packing, they will make the connection that effort went into the final product.

Look at other, higher end products, and how they are packaged. Sunglasses, watches, personal electronics.... all of them come in something that makes a statement that says "this is a product worthy of more than just blister packs and cheap cardboard". Even if it's just subtle and inexpensive.

Someone mentioned Apple, and they are the prime example. The box my new work computer was shipped in is engineered around the computer. Instead of styrofoam inserts, there's pressure molded compressed cardboard to hold everything in place. The power cord is in a separate box, instead of just wire tied into a plastic bag. And that box, along with the one for the keyboard and paperwork, sits in its own molded in spot. Even the coating and print quality on the box looks and feels nice. It would still be a great computer in a cheap box with styrofoam, but you feel more confident about how Apple feels about its product when it's packaged like such.

I'm not suggesting you go all out, but definitely put some effort of some sort into the packaging. Spyderco' may just come in a cardboard box, but it's made from quality stock, and the printing and coating is nicely done. People notice things like that, even if they don't realize it.

What you use is up to you. A pelican case, magnetic box, sunglass bag, wooden 'cigar' box, pouch, or some combination can all work. Just figure out what you want the perception of your knives to be, and let that dictate the style. And it doesn't have to be expensive, but just look and feel of quality.
 
I don't disagree with jaseman, but some packaging is over done. It does make a statement, BUT I think it's a matter of scale.... sometime knife maker versus big manufacturer. In the case of Apple, you are certainly paying for that packaging.
 
Man seriously great points being made. I appreciate all the suggestions and input genuinely.
So my plan is for my folders to come in a black pouch with my name embroidered on them. And a black magnetic box with a vinyl decal of my logo. In the pouch is gonna be a business card, and a card with warranty info on one side, and COA on the other that has steel, date, and signature on it . That seems to be the best happy medium for everyone.
And I wouldn't charge extra for this that doesnt make alot of sense to me.
 
As others have noted, having your packaging align with your product is important. My own focus is on low-cost high-value user knives and tools, and the packaging that I choose is based around this. As such, I opt for simple, utilitarian packaging that is either biodegradable or reusable (and actually useful, not just durable, but provides actual utility value.) If something is going to be purchased and any packaging it may come in immediately discarded, I'm going to try to minimize the use of plastics. However, many of my sharpening stones come in ultra-heavy-duty ziplock bags that serve as water-tight storage to keep water or oil off of your possessions if carried in a pack or tool kit, and keeps stone from abrading things you don't want abraded. I have plans in the works for similarly utilitarian packaging for other items. If I were producing high-end pocket jewelry, however...my current approach would be quite inappropriate for that context.

I'd note that while you keep saying you'd not charge for any of the packaging...you have to. It's part of the cost of the product. If you're saying that you won't increase the price when adding the packaging, that means you're absorbing the cost in your margins. If that's a step you want to take, that's fine, but functionally it's the same as charging for the cost of the packaging and offering a discount on the product itself equal to the value of the packaging. Unless you're coming up with packaging for free somehow, it has to be taken into account in your overall pricing, either by being passed on to the customer, or being absorbed from your pre-existing margin.
 
22-rimfire 22-rimfire you are definitely paying a bit for the Apple packaging. But at the price I pay for a workstation, I expect it. But I also don't expect that from a knfemaker who's not shipping thousands of units a day like Apple is. Just that they value their own product enough to present it to the customer well.

Justin Schmidt Justin Schmidt i think that's a good plan. I don't know what kind of volume you plan on doing, but if you can afford it, I'd recommend having you name embossed or printed on the box as well, instead of just a sticker. May not be an option, but it's a thought.

(Sorry, as a designer, I obsess over these types of details...)
 
My 2 cents. Depending on the material used for packaging, it involves costs. A knife, whether its a folder, fixed knife etc its a tool for me. Therefore once the tool is used, there is no need for its packaging. Suffice to say that a simple cardboard box with branding and the tool in a plastic baggie is all it needs. I would rather have the costs more towards the tool rather than to its packaging. An example would be like a Hinderer. Maintenance tools is a different matter. Example, CRK comes with its own cloth, grease, hardware tools and depending on models, locktite or even leather sheath. These are always welcomed.
 
jumpstat said:
My 2 cents. Depending on the material used for packaging, it involves costs. A knife, whether its a folder, fixed knife etc its a tool for me. Therefore once the tool is used, there is no need for its packaging. Suffice to say that a simple cardboard box with branding and the tool in a plastic baggie is all it needs. I would rather have the costs more towards the tool rather than to its packaging. An example would be like a Hinderer. Maintenance tools is a different matter. Example, CRK comes with its own cloth, grease, hardware tools and depending on models, locktite or even leather sheath. These are always welcomed.
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If it's purely a tool that people are looking for, they probably wouldn't go to a custom maker. While one might use a custom knife as such, there's a reason you pay more for custom, and that's because you want a piece that's nicely finished and aesthetically pleasing (among other luxuries). Packaging factors into that, though I do understand wanting to get the most you can out of your money for the actual product.
 
re marketing via packaging. I'm nearly 60 and can't recall ever being swayed by packaging. I need a product that will do well what it was designed for and last/endure. I have dozens of knives. Some bought new. Some used. I have only a couple of boxes stuffed in a closet somewhere.

I think the world of Victorinox. They have a well deserved worldwide reputation. I own several and carry one daily. Their packaging is practically nothing. A cardstock box meant to be tossed. Fine by me. Victorinox has to be the most successful knife maker on the planet.

I often see fancy packaging for products selling for much more than they should. Perhaps that's where marketing folks work their magic. Trying to get us to pay more for their product. This is especially true of what most of the world would consider luxury products.

My custom and handmade knives came in no special packaging whatsoever. I bought them directly from the makers, face-to-face, and as far as I know, they had no special packaging for their knives.
 
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Someone here mentioned a nylon pouch. That’s how the Massdrop Laconico Keen arrived yesterday. In a plain cardboard box. It works. Doesn't have to be printed. Plain white is fine.

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If I bought really expensive knife, it would not hurt having a nice package but I would not have any use for it afterwards. That being said, I would not want any kind of zippered pouch for it.
 
My Medford came with great packaging. The Pelican case is quality. It was impressive during unboxing, but I haven’t even looked at it since. It will collect dust unless I ever decide to sell it.

I prefer packaging that protects the knife. If it is elaborate, cool - as long as it isn’t adding a ton of $$$ to the cost.

A nice bag/sheath with the company logo in a sturdy box, warranty info, a business card and maybe a cert of authenticity would be perfect IMO though.
 
Packaging is an art in Japan. I’d never been so blown away by the simplest products’ packing. From food to artisanal products of all types. Google what you can find. You’ll get lots of ideas. How to execute then is another story.
 
You can skip to 50 seconds to see the pckaging that I have decided on.

Similarly priced as a zipper pouch and I ad some bubble wrap inside the box and outside when shipping.

It gives a bit of a personnal touch.


 
I think the packaging works well. Nothing too extravagant, but shows you care enough about your knives to make ME willing to care about them.

Like the knife too. Nice clean design.
 
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