Off Topic Let's see the boxes your handmade knifes come in.

[Didgeridude]

So, as business has picked up and I am starting to ship out knives, something has come to my attention. The circumstances with which knives are packaged and presented seems (to me) to be fairly overlooked, or at least not talked about. With so many awesome makers and smiths on here I would love to see how you box up your knives to be sent to those who bought it.

My thoughts are that if someone just paid 400 to 500+ for a custom knife, it should be presented and received in something impressive or unique.

If y'all have pictures I would love to see what you ship your knives out in. Thought it might be fun to talk about a lesser known facet of the custom knife game.

 

[Ian Fifelski]

I believe the most used method of shipping is in those zip-close knife cases. It is relatively easy and cheap. It also looks nice and gives the customer something to put the knife in.

Another method I like (I use this for knives too big for the 10 inch knife cases) is to get 3 pieces of firm foam and stack them inside a box. With the middle piece, cut a simple outline of the knife (and sheath if it has one), slightly undersized to firmly hold the knife. Sandwich that piece with the knife in it between the other two pieces. Another measure I do to keep things secure is if you get 3 pieces of 1 inch thick foam, package it in a 2 1/2 inch thick box to compress it a bit.

Sorry I don't have pictures. I will get some of the next knife I ship.

 

[Don Hanson III]

I use Bills custom cases in a card board box.

 

[Didgeridude]

I use Bills custom cases in a card board box.

oh wow, i did not know this was a thing, this is awesome!

 

[daizee]

I once delivered a matched pair of petty-chef and paring knives in a Pelican 1075 pistol case with the foam plucked to recess the handles (these days they advertise them for tablets instead). The customer shows up at private cooking gigs with a pistol case full of knives. LOOKS like he's bringing a gun to a knife fight/job.

 

[MBB]

Dovetail boxes are fairly fast and easy to make with modern jigs (or by hand), and will definitely "pop" when compared to, say, rolling your $500 knife up in shop towels and bubblewrap.

 

[HSC ///]

 

[weo]

A little late to the party here, but I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to be discussing commercial activity here without a Knifemaker membership, Didgeridude.

 

[jdm61]

Harbeer, where do you get those boxes? I have looked numerous times and never found any like that.

 

[Didgeridude]

A little late to the party here, but I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to be discussing commercial activity here without a Knifemaker membership, Didgeridude.

Thank you for the heads up. But I'm pretty sure that since no advertising has been done and since no one here is trying to sell their goods, and it is a non profit inducing discussion about a facet of the knife makers trade, I am confident that it is not infringing on any anti commercial or anti advertising rules as it pertains to the levels of membership. If I am wrong I do apologize and will delete this thread if informed so by a mod but I am simply interested in how those who make custom knives choose the ship their creations.

 

[Didgeridude]

I once delivered a matched pair of petty-chef and paring knives in a Pelican 1075 pistol case with the foam plucked to recess the handles (these days they advertise them for tablets instead). The customer shows up at private cooking gigs with a pistol case full of knives. LOOKS like he's bringing a gun to a knife fight/job.

Well we all know not to bring a gun to a knife fight!

 

[HSC ///]

Harbeer, where do you get those boxes? I have looked numerous times and never found any like that.

I also looked for a long time and got various quotes and researched how to get these.... then I found out one of the benefits of being a student of Murray Carter is I can get these boxes from him

 

[jdm61]

Ah. So the answer is "the same way that I get Hitachi steel?

 

[Didgeridude]

These are awesome. I do love the fact that they mostly fit their individual knife perfectly.

 

[RedFury]

F

These are awesome. I do love the fact that they mostly fit their individual knife perfectly.[/QUOTE

For smaller knives you might look at bracelet boxes from Rio Grande Jewelery Supply.

 

[RedFury]

Jantz offers some walnut boxes that might work for you. Price depends on size of course, but they might not be out of reason on a $500 knife. Also carry soft zippered cases too. Didgeridude, you are correct in asking this question. Bubble wrap in a free box from the Post Office is so low rent. It just screams "I'm new at this and I'm just playing around." Dedicated packaging is always part of merchandizing and sometimes it's the whole deal. Crap in fancy packaging sells every day. Stroll through your local WalyWorld and you will see plenty of examples.

 

[butcher_block]

i fall into the cardboard sheath and paper schread group. im not selling a brand im sellling a tool

 

[cotdt]

i'm looking for nice packaging for knives also

 

[john april]

interesting viewpoint. i sell knives in the 4-500 range, and collect in the several thousand dollar range, but never thought the packaging should be unique or impressive on either. i will agree it certainly wouldent hurt. here is one of mine
DSC_0627 by john april, on Flickr

 

[milkbaby]

I think a nice box is a nice touch. However I prefer to provide a nice sheath and wrap in towels and bubble wrap over no sheath and a nice box. There's nothing wrong with providing both a nice sheath and nice box, but for me the boxes would probably have to be custom sized, so I prefer to skip that put my time and energy into the knife and sheath making.