Knife types ranked by consumer demand.

J

JZknives

Joined
Feb 7, 2013
Messages
204
Hi , newbie here.

I am just wondering what the market is like for buyers of custom hand made knives.

Based on type of knife (skinner , bowie ect.) what seem to sell the most and what seems to be more of a specialty niche?
 
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There's a market for everything. Quality flies out the door, half-vast stuff collects dust.
 
james terrio said:
There's a market for everything. Quality flies out the door, half-vast stuff collects dust.
Click to expand...

what are some indicators of a quality knife? I read somewhere that synthetic materials like dymonwood are frowned upon when compared to natural materials like exotic wood.
 
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Fit, finish, and overall design are way bigger influences than materials.
Surfaces should be completly flat and evenly finish, there shouldn't be any gaps between parts, grinds should be consistent and even, the design should flow well without aesthetic breaks and should be well proportioned, etc.

A well made knife with $3 worth of micarta will sell easier than an ugly knife with $300 worth of mammoth ivory. I think diamond wood doesn't sell well because it's ugly, not because it's cheap.

That said, it would be interesting to see some real market data. You won't find that though because it's near impossible to collect that kind of info on a large scale. The closest you'll come is probably asking a large retailer of custom knives.
 
fumbler said:
Fit, finish, and overall design are way bigger influences than materials.
Surfaces should be completly flat and evenly finish, there shouldn't be any gaps between parts, grinds should be consistent and even, the design should flow well without aesthetic breaks and should be well proportioned, etc.

A well made knife with $3 worth of micarta will sell easier than an ugly knife with $300 worth of mammoth ivory. I think diamond wood doesn't sell well because it's ugly, not because it's cheap.

That said, it would be interesting to see some real market data. You won't find that though because it's near impossible to collect that kind of info on a large scale. The closest you'll come is probably asking a large retailer of custom knives.
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ah this is a good thing to bring up. Recently my knives are having a bit of a spacing problem. I make full tang knives and use JB weld and pins to put them together. The problem i am having is the JB weld acting almost like a spacer between the handle material and there being a thin grey line. Is there anyway to solve this ? am i just using too much jb weld?
 
Since this isn't a shop talk subject, I am moving it to the General Knife Discussion forum.
 
JZknives said:
ah this is a good thing to bring up. Recently my knives are having a bit of a spacing problem. I make full tang knives and use JB weld and pins to put them together. The problem i am having is the JB weld acting almost like a spacer between the handle material and there being a thin grey line. Is there anyway to solve this ? am i just using too much jb weld?
Click to expand...

Stop using JB Weld and use a clear epoxy. JB Weld is thick and dark, so would act like a spacer.
 
West Systems G-Flex works very well and is widely suggested. I love the stuff and won't put anything else on a knife.
 
From what I have seen with the knives not made to order, the majority of them are made as EDC fixed blades. Blade length 2.5-3.5", many having a drop point blade. Granted, this is just what I have seen at fun & knife (intentional, as I am not into guns so I just focus on the knives there) shows checking out the hand-made knives, and looking at the work of people on the custom sales forums among the knife-community websites.
 
I am going to interpret this question as you asking what seems to be in vogue at the moment. My personal opinion, choppers are big right now. Big Bowies continue to be made and sold, but not at the heated pace of a few years ago. For folders, heavy duty tactical variations. Traditionals, GEC is lighting the field on fire.
 
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