Knives Sent Back to the Maker?

Peter Atwood

Peter Atwood

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
2,468
How many knives does the average maker get sent back for sharpening, tuning up, etc? Probably the vast majority leave your table and are never seen again......but if you are a maker producing 50 knives per year let's say, are many of them being sent back? I realize this is a tough question because some might think it implies poor workmanship, but I would think that there are many possible instances that are perfectly honorable and not at all embarassing to admit. So let's hear it!
 
:) Actually Phil, that was what got me thinking about this. Also, the thought that if I sell a bunch of knives that they may come back to me over the years for service of one sort or another. Just wondering how other makers deal with that. Who knows, in ten years I may not want to do knives anymore...but they may come back my whole life!

Plus I may not be able to remember things like complicated anodizing processes, etc. I'm thinking of issues like models that you might have thought were great when you first made them but eventually phased them out and now you just hate the sight of them....etc.
 
I do not get to visit too many of my knives once they are sold. When they do come back, maybe 4 a year, it is always interesting to see what they have experienced. I can always remember the knife, some are very beautiful to me, in some I can see things I should have done different, with the benefit of hind sight.
 
peter, i also offer lifetime(mine:D ) sharpening and refub, on my knives. its a great way to see a known knfe buyer.it has led to orders.i market in my own area of califorina and have not done any out of south cal, shows. i would say about 10% of my buyers take me up on this, but i also make culinary knives. he home chefs here my tend to not be real great at sharpening. i tell you peter. it is great to see their faces light up when i hand them back there knives all buffed up! and sharp!
 
Peter,I rarely get to see my knives after a sell,I do have a few customers that will bring there knives by the shop at the begining of hunting season and ask how much I would charge to give it one of my sharpenings.This I tell them is a free service on a knife I made.It lets me here stories of what the knife has done for them and how good or bad:eek: the edge held on different tasks.If I hear of someone having trouble with sharpening one I will contact them and offer my help.Boy can it remind you of past blunders when the real old ones come in,you want to say here let me give you a new knife ( which I have offered before) but they won't part with that one,as they usually have a history with it.I know one guy that has 3 and one of them is his lucky knife (he says) as he has only killed big buck when he carries it,he will let a friend carry it once in a while and they have always killed a buck when carrying it.He has had lots of offers for it but won't take anything for it,when I see it every once in awhile,like if it gets a rust spot on it and he brings it to me to clean I think man you need a better knife,but it has a history and he won't let it go for nothing.
I think in 10 years I have replaced one handle and I just got one in last week to fix but neither one was my fault,and I gladly fix them for material costs.I like to see my knives after they have been used and abused and here that they have stood up to what the customer expected and more,Makes you feel proud kind of like when your children do something and get recognition for it and you get that warm proud feeling inside,makes the reason to make high quality knives all worth it..
Bruce
 
Peter,

I also provide a resharpen/touch up program for my customers. Many take advantage of it after their hunting season ends! I also work on my knives that have been sold on the secondary market. I only charge for shipping and it really doesn't take much time to work on them. It keeps me in touch with my customers and provides feedback on how the knives are performing.

Sometimes I'll get one of my very early knives back, that can be scary !! :rolleyes:

Neil
 
I also provide free tune-ups and sharpening. There are a handfull of local loyal "Bump" users that bring them back each hunting season. Its a good way to chat and hear about camp-outs and bear stories. I got one back with hammer mardks on the spine but the fine edge was still straight and unchipped. That was when I decided that ATS 34 was alright. One of my JS knives is carried daily by a christmas tree farmer. He uses it in case of a couger attack. I told him "I almost hope he is attacked because it would be good advertisement." He didnt laugh.
 
Well, I'm really glad to hear all these positive responses. I never thought about all the great stories that people tell about their knives. And I'm relieved to hear that folks get so attached to their old favorites - even if they might be the early (and ugly) ones to you! ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top