Knifemakers - how can your customers be of help?

[golok]

I know it is the business of knifemakers to take all kinds of orders and sometimes some strange requests from their customers, so I was wondering how the customers can make life easier for knifemakers.

I really don't know how or what knifemakers would expect from their clients.

Perhaps a checklist of sorts may smoothen the deal between both parties.

Now, what would some of these things be?

 

[Danbo]

Know what you want from the maker, and try not to change your mind midway.

Oh yeah, spending lots of money helps too.

 

[RDT]

1. know what you want from him or her and have it drawn out if possible. Especially if it something unusual. Do not be pissed if the maker chooses not to make your design or would prefer to alter it. Understand that the knifemaker as an artist has his or her own vision as well and must realize his or her vision in everything they do.
2. Understanding and patience. That knives aren't always delivered or even finished exactly when predicted to be. Sometimes life gets in the way and that will delay your knife's delivery to you. It is unfortunate but all too common in the custom made world. We only have two hands.
3. Pricing is conducive to the cost of materials and amount of labour involved. This changes as the availability becomes slimmer unfortunately.
4. Trust, that the maker of your choice will do the job and do it well. This goes back to Patience as some customers will often get very impatient and continually email and or call you though the knife isn't supposed to be delivered for another month...LOL Understand that we understand the impulse to buy and own a new exciting knife ! Trust that we are getting to your knife at every available moment and trust that we have not forgotten about you.

Good Idea Golok !.....RDT

 

[SharpByCoop]

We can always count on Golok for the questions with depth. You risk and stick your neck out there--and it's a good thing. Thanks.

I'll offer advice from the other side of the table. I have never had a poor transaction, maybe because I followed these three rules.

Here's a typical example: I just had a *very* enjoyable transaction with Tai Goo. Although we talked via email a bunch, I also called and chatted with him often.

Rule #1: The next best thing to being face-to-face is to hear words. Real human tones.

I told him what I thought would be nice and he sent me some sketches to choose from. We agreed on a price and deposit and once rec'd he went at it.

Although I made suggestions, right from the start I made sure I let him know that HIS ideas and methods and styles were priority. Anything too contrived and it wouldn't be a 'Tai Goo' knife. In other words, I wanted him to enjoy making this MORE than I wished to have it 'my way'. At that point the project became fun for him, and that kind of vibe shows in the work. It'll show forever.

Rule #2: Trust the artist. Give them some freedom.

Tai apologized for being a WEEK late of his initial estimate. Huh???

Rule: #3 Be patient. Good work takes time. If #1 and #2 are followed, #3 may not be an issue, like for me.

(I've been very 'lucky'. Luck does have a way of following you around. So does bad luck. Sometimes we create it.)

Coop

 

[Ivan Campos]

Well... placing orders is a good start! Had to say that...
Knowing what you want and THAT you really want it also helps a lot - just as much as it happens to makers, sometimes life gets in the way and the customer has to cancell the order - that is understandable - but to cancell the order because "you were not sure abut wanting the knife or not" when it is about to be ready will make any maker very upset.

 

[Ed Caffrey]

Speaking strictly for myself.....I love it when a customer says something like... "I want a mosaic bowie, with approx. a 10" blade....and the rest is up to you." Now that is a knife that I can really get excited about building! What I'm saying is that when the customer gives me the leeway, within a given set of parameters, I always seem to reach the next level, and those kinds of customers often get the very best knives I've ever produced.
I also agree with RDTs inputs...very realistic and very well put.
The biggest turn off for me in building a knife is when I get a customer who sends me an actual blueprint (yep, it happens), with everything marked to the thousandths, including finished edge thickness! OR someone who will not budge on design changes. Actually, those type are not my customers...I just flat refuse to build a knife with those kinds of restrictions. I think we all do the very best job we can to ensure the customer gets exactly what they want, while allowing ourselves as makers to keep reaching for the next level.

 

[Jason Cutter]

Most points have been covered. I find it hard to deal with someone who keeps trying to haggle the price down. While I think theres no harm to get the best deal possible, custom knives are not the most lucrative "business" for the craftsperson to be involved in. In reality, the price is likely to go UP, rather than go down. Esp with the "effort" of doing the haggling.

Communication is important and having an understanding of whats deisred is crucial. I think it is also important for customers to realise that most knifemakers are not business conglomerates with secretaries and assistants to respond immediately to emails, send out packages exactly on time etc.

Most of my dealings have been most rewarding and I think I'm making friends as I go. Forgive each other for our individual quirks and I think we're on good footing. Jason.

 

[RDT]

Ed hallalujah ! I also can no longer take an order with such restrictions. Well put, that we always have to take it to the next level, even with another persons design ! Here, here. One must understand that we also have a style and want to leave our mark on this tiny industry that is plainly ours and no one else's if we can do so. We may have design preferances that are seemingly small but will alert the original design enough to be noticeable. Those design preferances come from experience with making and using. One must remember that most knife makers were knife users before they made their own. We found certain things about certain knives more comfortable to hold, more useful in practice and more pleasing to the eye than others. As an artist you will absorb what you feel is useful and throw out what you feel isn't and expand on the new useful design you have made and try to keep growing with that as years go by. Or, you will be comepletely satisfied with what you came up with and that will be your "trademark" style. I too have had many people send designs that are drawn out to the very last thousandth in the customers mind should have been made exactly as drawn. I found them to be impractical, esthetically unpleasant as well as maybe structurally unsound. So, I have to pass on it. What I usually do now is ask for a rough sketch and then offer to "tweak" it from there. That usually goes over well. Or even better, if they are local to me I can meet with them and I bring the pad and paper and sketch out the rough design...that goes over best in my opinion as I have a lot of creative control over the design and they are happy that their design is taking new life before their eyes on paper. I have also had customers send me pics in email and when I decline or give them the critique they requested.....they never email again !....LOL That there appears to be some offense taken due to my hesitence or critique though I am as cordial as I can possibly be. For instance GUARDS ! I am into the users safety. I like guards ! Some form of at least the smallest guard, all my knives must have one. I prefer thumb ramps as well as they offer great forward/saber grip ability and can also be a top guard in hammer fist and it will give the user that extra purchse in hand. So whenever possible I throw in a thumb ramp and a lower guard even if tiny. I don't make an entirely straight knife. I have found alot of potential customers with designs want a knife without a guard ! I make comment on that as politely as possible and sometimes it is heard and understood but sometimes they get offended as their own personal vision is not being realized either. It's really touchy giving critique, no matter how delicate you are.
As makers we open ourselves up to Public scrutiny in every way. In our own designs, in customers designs, in our fit and finish, our edge abilities, our production time and ability or inability to meet deadlines, our opinions to our customers, our overall CQ and business practices. It's a lot to take on for one person if you think about it. Coupled with actually running the business and keeping it smooth as well as coming up with new knives and new systems of making and keeping up. Throw on to all of that having a family ? having another job ? maybe owning a home ? other responsibilities that any person would have...Phheeeeew ! Who knows, maybe all these things combined are transfered somehow to each knife we make so as to give it character and life and actually make it a part of us and show in it's style ?

 

[kile]

I guess to answer the original question in the thread title, as a new maker customers are vital to my advancement. The more feedback I can get from the people using my knives, the more I will understand each design and how other people use and see them. With that knowledge, I can improve and change to meet what my customers are wanting. As a new maker I also appreciate honest feedback from potential customers. In the past I have made knives that I thought were my best designs yet, but nobody seemed to really fall in love with them. I have also made knives that I was not really excited about the way the turned out design wise, that people have absolutely loved. I never know until I get a few differing opinions whether I should make more of a certain style.

As far as custom orders from customers. It helps if they stick to a knife that is close to my comfort zone. If they ask me to do a bunch of things I have never done before, it makes me a little nervous. I really don't like it when people send me a picture of someone else's knife that they really like, and ask me to make one just like it. I won't do it, and it annoys me.
Kyle Fuglesten