Knivemakers web presence sucks

Fish30114

Fish30114

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I have been thinking since conclusion of BladeShow, and after reviewing several makers and retailers websites, I have come to the conclusion that Knifemakers web presences suck!
First there were several makers that had new releases at the show, and still don't have them on their websites. A few that come to mind are Brous, Brad Southard, Hogue, and ZT. Also there are several retailers that had knives on display at the show, which were not and still aren't on the web. One that specifically comes to mind is the ZT 801 Blackwash CF that Smokey Mountain Knifeworks had at the show, and not only is it not up on their website yet, the people at the store in Tennessee don't even know about it. ZT doesn't have any info about the Blackwash 801 or the 392 at all. Brad Southard has been 'working' on a new website for close to a year, and of course there is nothing there yet about his new midtech knife.

I just wondered what other folks view of this was, in this day of widely available internet, and how efficient of a medium it can be to communicate, plus the fact that many knives--even or especially customs, are sold completely through interaction via the net, it seems...well slack, that knifemakers aren't more proficient in keeping there websites current.
 
Who uses webpages anymore? Forums and instagram are much better mediums to reach people.

Everyone you mentioned has a large web presence even without up to date websites
 
I've noticed that a lot of makers have very old and un updated websites, it's a bummer. I guess if you are busy non stop making knives because there are so many people who want them you might not have time for a website. I agree with Scurvy092 Instagram is where it's at if you want up to date info on makers.
 
It's an epidemic of sorts. Just kidding somewhat but it is an issue and the measure of outdatedness varies quite a bit. Another one that I keep checking is Spartan Blades. If you have a website without currency of information it's somewhat useless.
 
Smoky Mountain had the Brown Wash Carbon Fibers not the Blackwash as that doesn't exist. I know they sold quite a few at the show not sure if they had any left. Model # is 0801BRWCF.
 
They don't show on their website either way, nor did the folks at the store know about either option. Which is pretty much my point.
 
Have you never been to the Spyderco website? They just released the midyear supplement that has some stuff that probably won't get out until the end of the year. Also the forums on the Spyderco site are full of info on upcoming models and prototypes. Sal, the head of spyderco is on the forums practically daily answering questions and participating in the discussions.

Grizz
 
Scurvy092 said:
Who uses webpages anymore? Forums and instagram are much better mediums to reach people.

Everyone you mentioned has a large web presence even without up to date websites
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I do, and so do many others. Instagram is like learning to speak Russian at my age.
 
Akapennypincher said:
I do, and so do many others. Instagram is like learning to speak Russian at my age.
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I still am pretty up to date on tech, and I haven't joined the instagram movement yet.

As far as Spyderco, they are one of the better makers out there for current info, but as an example still no mention of their big winner 'the Rubicon' on their website.
 
Well it's a lot easier for a maker to take three seconds and snap a picture and post it for free on an app or forum than it is to upload it to a website or pay someone to do it and then also pay for the band width.
 
Fish30114 said:
I still am pretty up to date on tech, and I haven't joined the instagram movement yet.

As far as Spyderco, they are one of the better makers out there for current info, but as an example still no mention of their big winner 'the Rubicon' on their website.
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You gotta go old school and look in the Spyderco Catalog for that one.


Also, the 0801BRWCF was a non-catalog item, hence why it never went on the website. Spyderco and most other major makers do the same thing. The 'Bento Box' Spyderco PM2 never made it to a catalog or website.
 
Also, i think most knife makers, if they even offer knives for sale on their site, sell for MSRP, so most people don't buy directly from the site,
they buy from a dealer like BladeHQ or KnifeWorks or whatever.
Most of the time, BladeHQ has pics up (when available) of these new knives that are just coming out.

So there doesn't seem like there's much incentive for the knife maker to keep their site up to date since they don't sell many knives on the site, and other sites already have the pics up.
I dunno, maybe I'm way off...
 
Rasco said:
Also, i think most knife makers, if they even offer knives for sale on their site, sell for MSRP, so most people don't buy directly from the site,
they buy from a dealer like BladeHQ or KnifeWorks or whatever.
Most of the time, BladeHQ has pics up (when available) of these new knives that are just coming out.

So there doesn't seem like there's much incentive for the knife maker to keep their site up to date since they don't sell many knives on the site, and other sites already have the pics up.
I dunno, maybe I'm way off...
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Or you maybe exactly right. Letting somebody else do work for you is always cheaper than doing it yourself--not always better though!
 
"Knifemakers web presences suck!" If you are referring to custom makers, I can see your point. But then they are putting 99% of their effort into the KNIFE, not the website. If you are referring to manufacturers, distributors, dealers... then I can see your point, as more than 50% of those websites pretty much aren't where they should be. (or where they could be)
 
No offense to most knife makers but I have found most have mediocre marketing and business to business skills at best. With that said I have zero ability to make a knife. It has to be hard making knives and then finding time to market them. The custom makers who balance these two sides of the work usually succeed the best. Once they get big enough then they don't have to do much of the marketing anymore, they just take orders and put you on a list.
 
"Zero Tolerance, ESEE, Buck, Becker, Kershaw, Tops, Spyderco, Fiddleback Forge, Fletcher Knives, Dogwood Custom Knives and More!

FREE SHIPPING ON ALL PRODUCTS!"

While FREE SHIPPING is a good marketing tool, its really not the number 1 thing I am most concerned about when considering what is usually. a high end, fairly expensive, and exclusive item.
 
I really like how John Grimsmo videos his work on You Tube. It not only shows you that he's currently working and taking orders, but you also get to know him and see how he makes his knives. Gavko too.

I think if knifemakers put themselves out there and provide would be customers a chance to get to know them and see them in action, they'd have an easier time making a name for themselves.
 
It's not like you can get any of their knives direct anyways, so IMO it doesn't matter if their sites are always up to date. The sites you need to check often are the major online dealers that carry those custom maker's knives.

Something I would like to point out that I find very interesting is that often times the knife makers don't NEED to have good customer service or good communications because they know that regardless their stuff will sell. On a major knife forum that I won't mention by name I have seen people do some hardcore brown nosing to the custom knife makers in hopes of becoming "buddy buddy".

So the bottom line is if they are the big names and their knives are desirable... they don't need a good website, they don't need good customer service, they don't need to be on top of answering emails. Heck they can even be DICKS and you'll STILL buy their knives. It's kinda like a chick who gets treated like crap by his D-bag boyfriend but refuses to break-up with him.

Oh... and for the knife makers who are not so big name but want to have more exposure.... all they have to do is make a deal with youtube knife personality "Jim Skelton" to do a review and they'll go from being an unknown to being backlogged for 3 years. True story bro!
 
The Logical One said:
It's not like you can get any of their knives direct anyways, so IMO it doesn't matter if their sites are always up to date. The sites you need to check often are the major online dealers that carry those custom maker's knives.

Something I would like to point out that I find very interesting is that often times the knife makers don't NEED to have good customer service or good communications because they know that regardless their stuff will sell. On a major knife forum that I won't mention by name I have seen people do some hardcore brown nosing to the custom knife makers in hopes of becoming "buddy buddy".

So the bottom line is if they are the big names and their knives are desirable... they don't need a good website, they don't need good customer service, they don't need to be on top of answering emails. Heck they can even be DICKS and you'll STILL buy their knives. It's kinda like a chick who gets treated like crap by his D-bag boyfriend but refuses to break-up with him.

Oh... and for the knife makers who are not so big name but want to have more exposure.... all they have to do is make a deal with youtube knife personality "Jim Skelton" to do a review and they'll go from being an unknown to being backlogged for 3 years. True story bro!
Click to expand...

This made my night.
 
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