Making a career in the knife industry/field. Possibilities, recommendations?

You might research just where the knife manufacturers are located and hopefully you will be somewhat close. It's one thing to just drive to a different job versus moving to another state where you have no connections or know anyone. It can be done of course. I have moved more than a couple times with or for jobs.
 
I've been making knives for 7 years...

Only in the last 3 years has my reputation grown from "that crazy veteran on drugs that waves stuff and makes shanks" to "that crazy veteran that goes to meetings who only does chisel grinds" LOL.

I use rudimentary equipment and don't attend shows. I don't rub shoulders with "industry" types. My reputation is solely based on word of mouth and 2/3 of my sales are repeat customers. Every knife sells. If it isn't a custom order (most are), it will have a buyer before its completed.

Building a "brand" (ymmv) takes time. I've been on this forum for almost 20 years and my "antics" have made me a pretty memorable dude. Sure, there's the "insta-famous" that pop up overnight and suddenly start selling $1k+ knives but I've only seen a few of those types do well over time. Most of them are well connected in the "industry" already and likely already had access to CNC equipment.

I live off VA service connected disability compensation and I do this as a hobby only. If you factor in consumables, I don't do much better than break even. I started making knives to "legitimize" my obsession with weapons. It has worked well in that regard.
 
Charlie Mike said:
....I live off VA service connected disability compensation and I do this as a hobby only. If you factor in consumables, I don't do much better than break even. I started making knives to "legitimize" my obsession with weapons. It has worked well in that regard.
Click to expand...
The VA disability income is regular and I suspect the "hobby" just fills in the gaps. Takes time to build a reputation. This is why a lot of the knife makers are older. Folks commented on this with regard to the Blade Show in one of the show threads. It is hard to turn a hobby into a business, but it can be done. Most are part time bladesmiths and have a regular job if they are younger. Fiddleback Forge and Fletcher knives in Atlanta are sort of exceptions.

Working for a knife company is not such a bad thing either especially in a factory. You learn what is done. Gerber was the training ground for more than one new successful business. You learn by doing. Hopefully you make enough money to live a normal life.
 
Depending on where you live, go look in the knife maker's forum, they have sit ins and offer knife making weekends.
Attending a function will give you an idea of what knife making is about, listen to stories and really see if you want to get into that field.
You know, I enjoy a good meal in a restaurant and have been in the kitchen when meals are being cooked, I like to stick to eating the meals. ;)
 
I live in florida right now I just relocated down here from jersey a couple months ago, I'd like to get into making knives even at a basic level so I'm gonna try and get my hands on a belt grinder and maybe a drill press and maybe try to cobble together some type of forge of some type and make something that hopefully I could call a knife lol I really wanna make folding knives which just seems a lot more involved than fixed blades but I gotta start somewhere. I wouldn't mind working for one of the bigger production manufacturers either but that would require a major relocation. I'm gonna swing over to the makers forum and see what itd take to start making knives of my own. I'm very mechanically inclined and can fix just about anything and don't think I'd exactly enjoy doing any type of marketing or sales work. I wish I could've been at blade show but it wasn't exactly financially possible right now. I appreciate everyone's responses a bunch, i don't know exactly where I'm gonna go with this whole endeavor but I gotta start somewhere and somewhere is better than nowhere:) im gonna check out the big manufacurers websites and try and make a few calls and just pick some brains. On YouTube channels and Instagrams that I see I've been dropping comments and asking questions. I'm mostly just trying to educate myself on the whole thing and where I could start directing my efforts towards. I must say tho it's gonna be difficult to save money for equipment tho instead of buying another knife off my wish list lol i know theres no shortage of gun shows and stuff down here in florida but i havent seen too much as knife shows or knofe clubs down here or none at least that I could find on Google. I've gone to a few gun shows down here to check stuff out and all I saw was the occasional bayonet and Chinese flea market crap that I wouldn't give even a glance. But everyone's gotta start somewhere and I have the drive and determination to make it happen I feel. Wish me luck guys :thumbsup:
 
A few people made a good poont tho about losing the passion to a degree when working in the field. Cause I work in a restaurant right now as a server and the last thing I wanna do after work is go out to eat lol same when I was working as a mechanic, the last thing I wanted to do after work was turn a wrench... some good food for thought
 
I'm quite sure that there are knife makers who do well financially.

However, I have never met one.

Most break even if they are lucky, and many barely scrape by.

Selling a knife for $500 sounds great until you calculate the cost of labor/materials/consumables, along with the fact that you don't have insurance or any kind of retirement.
 
Mitchell Knives said:
I'm quite sure that there are knife makers who do well financially.

However, I have never met one.

Most break even if they are lucky, and many barely scrape by.

Selling a knife for $500 sounds great until you calculate the cost of labor/materials/consumables, along with the fact that you don't have insurance or any kind of retirement.
Click to expand...
I feel sure the big names in the business do fairly well after many years of building a reputation. I read that Stalone approached Bill Moran (very respected knife maker/bladesmith and now deceased) and didn't want to pay anything for a knife for one of his Rambo movies. On the insurance thing.... get married and hopefully have access to your spouse's medical insurance. I know you're young and you probably think medical insurance is something you don't need. I had three kidney stone procedures last fall (the doctors call it surgury)... cost $30K in round numbers. I am very healthy, but stuff happens. Same goes for a couple hernia operations when I was a lot younger. Again, I have always been healthy and take no medication on a regular basis (not even aspirin). On retirement savings.... well, do the best you can.
 
Michael Coulon said:
Just wondering if it's at all possible to make a career of any type in the knife industry and how to go about doing so. I know it's not the biggest of industries and our community isn't the biggest either. And I know there are people who do work in this field.

I just find myself completely encompassed by knives and the overall community as a whole. If it were at all possible I'd like to make more of it than just a full time hobby. In a perfect world id be able to spend a small fortune on forging/milling/machining equipment and I'd start making knives but that's not exactly possible. I'm wondering what other avenues are available to someone to have a job or make a career in this field aside from custom knife making.

Does anyone have any insight on this or reccomendations they can send my way or is this just a pipe dream of mine lol
Click to expand...
 
Michael Coulon said:
Just wondering if it's at all possible to make a career of any type in the knife industry and how to go about doing so. I know it's not the biggest of industries and our community isn't the biggest either. And I know there are people who do work in this field.

I just find myself completely encompassed by knives and the overall community as a whole. If it were at all possible I'd like to make more of it than just a full time hobby. In a perfect world id be able to spend a small fortune on forging/milling/machining equipment and I'd start making knives but that's not exactly possible. I'm wondering what other avenues are available to someone to have a job or make a career in this field aside from custom knife making.

Does anyone have any insight on this or reccomendations they can send my way or is this just a pipe dream of mine lol
Click to expand...

I have 2 things that may help:
Today as always, buy cheapest materials so you make more profit.
2) recycle for example ,car springs ,because people like the idea of recycled """
make a few very pretty looking knives of great quality,and go knocking on some doors like spotshops...
wish you great luck in establishing a good reputation!
just remember: the first time buyer is not where the profit is, but when he comes back for a second time you really clean up cause he may bring a friend with him.
 
scottyj said:
This thread made me curious. I just checked a few of the big guys.........Benchmade, Spyderco, and ZT. All three have links on their websites for "careers/employment". Maybe start there, and fill out an application? The way I see it even an entry level position at a big company is a foot in the door, and could lead to bigger things. You wont know if you don't try. Good luck brother. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
This is good advise but don't just fill out the application on line and wait for them to contact you with a job offer. Show up with resume in hand and ask if anyone is available to speak with you about employment opportunities. Good luck Michael Coulon Michael Coulon !
 
If you want to work for a good manufacturer pick one that is compromised of good hearted people.If I did not do as well in the skill set I have(19 year paintless dent removal master tech)I would love to work for Southern Grind in some respect--they are a great caring,giving company that just oozes goodness towards others.When working for a group that great you feel great about everything you do with them.
 
It is ironic to see this as I know KAI just put up a job posting for a social media specialist. This is an in house job so you could not work remotely.

There are all sorts of ways to get in to the industry. One of the best is in sales. Get on board with one of the manufacturing rep companies that sell guns/knives/gear and go work a territory. There are people in that business that make a good living and have benefits. They get to work knife shows and learn the industry. It is a start and once in the door you can go a lot of places. The other is to get in to one of the larger manufacturers at what ever level you are worthy of, and then work your way up. If you are a hard worker, willing to learn and can stay motivated you can work your way up the ladder quickly. Lastly is to start your own business in either making or selling knives. It seems easy looking in from the outside, but it is a very tough business. Be prepared to work long hours and be the CEO, Manager, Sales Rep, Social Media Specialist, Customer Service Rep and Janitor all in one. Also be prepared to be broke for a very long time. I think more than 90% of new knife makers who approach us about selling their knives are back to work in a new profession with in a year. It is very tough and they have bills to pay. The same can be said for all the knife dealers that come and go each year. It is just not easy but it can be done. Good luck!
 
Wanting to make knives and wanting to have a knife related job aren't the same thing though you may be interested in both. If you want to make knives, just start doing it! If you want to work in knives, see where you can get your foot in the door and keep on trying.

I love to make knives but I have zero interest in making and selling them as my occupation. Maybe when I retire from my paying job, which I love and am passionate about too by the way, I'll take making and selling knives more seriously. Until then though, I am happy making whatever knives I feel like making without any thought as to needing to sell them.
 
Definition of a hobby:
doing something you like,without expecting a profit
how many people start that way and made a small fortune?
just a thought
 
I think if one wants to take all the enjoyment out of knife making then start depending on the income from it. I personally think most people can make more money mowing lawns than knife making with a lot less effort and risk. Just my opinion. Of course you might find a great opportunity working for a knife manufacturer but that is not the same as making knives in your own shop. Good luck with your inquiries. Larry
 
Larry, as always, nailed it.

The only way to even possibly manage to make knives for money is to have already been making knives and know what you're doing. This is NOT something you're going to learn on the go. I've been making knives since 2005, but I worked a 'real' job during the bulk of that time, and figured out (a little bit) how to make knives. If someone were to ask me, I'd tell them that I'm a third year maker with twelve years of making.

I STILL do not make money at this. It is not a job, it's a passion.


LARRYZ10 said:
I think if one wants to take all the enjoyment out of knife making then start depending on the income from it. I personally think most people can make more money mowing lawns than knife making with a lot less effort and risk. Just my opinion. Of course you might find a great opportunity working for a knife manufacturer but that is not the same as making knives in your own shop. Good luck with your inquiries. Larry
Click to expand...
 
There has been a surge of different grinders in the last few years so there would be lots of competition trying to build and sell grinders. But I think the market could def use more options for a good quality hydraulic press or power hammer.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
I STILL do not make money at this. It is not a job, it's a passion.
Click to expand...
Well Stated! I never put making money before making knives. I spent 30 years with a great organization and my passion for the work was what got me up everyday to make money to pursue the same passion I had for making knives. I don't play "Pasture Pool" oh wait that is commonly known as Golf, but I do have a passion for knife making and yes I make a little money, but I'm not dependent on it for income. Once the hobby becomes more of a business the pressure to meet the bills takes away the pleasure of getting into the shop to relax and enjoy what you produce.
 
Any money I make from knives goes directly back into the shop. I imagine it will always be that way. I'm sure some people make a good living in knife making, just like some people make a living off playing basketball or being a rock star.
Bottom line is, if you want to be a knife maker, start by making some knives. Good luck to you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top