Knifemakers' websites - what do you like?

Wulf

Wulf

Joined
May 10, 2000
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Just curious what you guys look for in a maker's website.

For my part, I really like to see lots of good pictures, easy to navigate galleries, shop photos and WIPs. In other words, plenty of content to keep me engaged and likely to come back.

One of my favorite sites is that of Andre Andersson - http://www.northlandknives.se/pages.asp - which features lots of great photos of truly exceptional knives, some shop photos, and a blog format on the front page that is updated regularly with fresh content. I also realy like Don Fogg's content-filled website - http://www.dfoggknives.com/ - truly a wealth of information there. Mike Snody also does a great job with his site, with lots of fresh content, great photos, a forum, and lots of entertaining videos - http://snodyknives.com/ - no question, he has definitely created a major internet presence...

So what do you like to see on a maker's site? What are some of your favorites?
 
Easy to navigate is most important. Contact info easy to find.

Plenty of quality pics. Even some WIP and Shop pics always make the website much more interesting

I like when the Knives that have been sold are in a separate section.

And SALES!!, Lottsa Sales!!:D:thumbup:

Will you be attending Mace's HI November 27th?
 
I like Burt's too, but his is an unconventional navigation scheme. There's a lot of really good info on the site, it looks very professional, and Burt takes excellent photos, but navigationally it is somewhat labyrinthine. Burt did this on purpose by the way, and it's kinda cool in the sense that browsing his site is kind of a rabbit hole experience, but it does have its drawbacks - namely, that if you want to reference a specific page very quickly it can at times take you a little while to find it
 
Things I like about Burt's site in no particular order:

1) Highly legible and highly visual - each page has something that grabs your eye - high quality photos blend seemlessly with informative, well-written text.

2) Content - lots of good information on materials, methodology and testing. If I read his site I understand his approach to knifemaking. And I see beautiful photographs depicting both the process and several examples of the end result.

3) Ease of navigation. I think I get where Dick is coming from with the labyrinthine comment, but I don't see it quite the same way. The main tabs are all there right in front of you: gallery (already subdivided into design groups); available pieces; contact page; as well as pages on the craft of forging, steel and testing.

What you fin as you open the pages, though, is that the content is not only comprehensive, there is even more than you thought at first bluch, because individual terms are highlighted which take you by link to even more detailed discussion.

This might be what Dick perceives as labyrinthine, but I see it as an effective way to give the reader a comprehensive presentation, yet offer more to those who want to read further. On the one hand, you don't overwhelm with "too much" info, but you still provide it to those who want it.

But if I were to really boil it down, it comes down to three things:

1) Very high qaulity photos.
2) Very well written text.
3) Excellent and effective combination of the two: not reems of uninterrupted text on one page and galleries of uncaptioned photos on another - they are blended throughout.

Roger
 
I think in addition to the above points Base prices should be listed. nothing in stome that you are going to be held to, but just base prices.

I know when I come across a makers website that I may not know alot about i would like to know a ballpark price range his knives fall into.
 
I like websites with a navigator bar thing that stays on the left side or on the top.
 
Wulf......Thanks for showing our website some love.
It is our obsession and we are proud of the content and format.
Have a great weekend everyone...
 
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