Market Research/Requesting opinions

Jarrett Knives

Jarrett Knives

Joined
Oct 5, 2006
Messages
937
THE TALLY SO FAR IS IN THE MOST RECENT POST/UPDATE

If I may, I would like run a little informal focus group here. I know there is a way to add a "poll" to a thread but that really limits the way the questions are answered. And I know there are a ton of friendly, yet opinionated folks on here which will work to my benefit regarding getting answers. ;)

For the benefit of all custom makers, I'm trying to determine what attributes are most popular in the eyes of buyers of custom knives. The best way to do that is by asking those who use and/or collect them. Please think about your preferences and what you would have if you were able to roll them all into one affordable fixed blade knife - let's say a max of $300 value. I guess I'm saying that we're not talking about a D'Holder here but more so a better than average user or a nice mid-grade collector piece.

Size?
Steel?
Style?
Grind?
Bolster or no bolster?
If bolster, what material?
Handle material?
Thong hole with tubing?
Pin material preference?
Filework or no filework?
Tapered tang?


There are eleven selections and some are a yes or no answer but feel free to elaborate. I think this will be of service to all custom makers. Yes, we like to put our spin into the artwork side of the piece but ultimately, the preferences of you the buyer, dictate "why" you buy one piece over another. I hope that Keith and Kevin will lead the charge. :)


I really appreciate the quality of folks that hang around here in BF... so thanks in advance for your answers.
 
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Well, I think you will get a lot of variety with this, and I suspect that I will be in the minority regarding style of knife, but here it is anyway:

Size? 4"-5" blade, 8.5"-9" OAL
Style? hunter
Grind? flat
Bolster or no bolster? bolster
If bolster, what material? SS
Handle material? desert ironwood
Thong hole with tubing? no
Pin material preference? SS (anything but hollow tubes)
Filework or no filework? no
Tapered tang? yes, with liner please

My choices are made not with beauty as the top priority, but with functionality and durability as the main goals. Secondarily, ease of caring for the knife over its life as it is used. Finally, aesthetics do play a part, and thus the DI and tapered tang with liners. Simple, functional, attractive, and hopefully cost effective.
 
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Thanks Chris. :thumbup: A perfectly concise answer - just what I'm looking for. I realize that there is no one "Holy Grail" answer but this input is valuable to the makers that understand just who is in charge. ;)
 
Size - 4" to 4 1/2" blade...8 1/2" to 9 1/2" total length.

Style - Hunter/utility.

Grind - Flat or convex.

Bolster - No

Guard - yes

Guard material - Stainless steel.

Handle material - Canvas Micarta or a nice wood.

Thong hole with tubing - Doesn't matter.

Pin material preference - Stainless steel.

Filework or no filework - No filework.

Tapered tang - Yes.

I also like the handle to have liners.
 
Wayne, here's my preference for a knife in the $300 and below range:

Size? BL 4 to 4-1/2" OAL 8-1/2 to 9"
Steel? Forged - W-2 or 52100 or Stockremoval - CMP-154
Where does Damascus play in the mix? Though I strongly prefer Damascus blades, I feel in the $300 and under price range one has to sacrifice too many other important elements in regard to cost to get it.
Style? Hunter/utility
Grind? Flat/convex
Bolster or no bolster? Bolster
If bolster, what material? Preferably stainless, not strongly opposed to nickle silver in this price range.
Handle material? Ironwood. Really prefer nice stag, however I again feel other important elements may need to jeopardized to get the quality stag I would want.
Thong hole with tubing? No.
Pin material preference? Stainless. Not opposed to mosaic pin/pins to jazz it up a bit.
Filework or no filework? No, as while I appreciate tasteful filework, in this price range I would rather see the $$$ spent on steel and handle material.
Tapered tang? Yes, with liners.
 
NOI to ; thong hole, screws, bazar shapes and non natural scale material. Also, NO to filework and mirrow polished finishes. I find damascus bolsters & blades on the same knife "To much" -- especiaslly if of different patterns. Two different patterns together is alike wearing plaid & stripes with a polka dot tie --- poor taste.

YES to any type of grinding/forging, hand polishing to satin or med. high finish , tapered tangs, integrals, Damascus or otherwise fine with me. I love the classics & won't buy anything that differs to far --- just my taste.
 
Here are my thoughts on a basic using knife. There was no sheath option but make mine Kydex.


Size? 4"-4 1/2"
Steel? D2
Style? Utility/Hunter
Grind? Hollow Grind
Bolster or no bolster? Bolster
If bolster, what material? 416SS
Handle material? Micarta
Thong hole with tubing? Yes
Pin material preference? Stainless
Filework or no filework? None
Tapered tang? Yes

I feel a bolster and a tapered tang are the signs of a "finished" knife. Although I carry a knife that has neither.;)

Win
 
Thanks gentlemen. This is great info. I realize that this is akin to asking what type of sandwich is best - it's all personal taste - but I really appreciate the info. Keep it coming!
 
This type exercise could be of benefit to makers and collectors at a variety of price milestones. What collectors want/expect @ $300 is a good start.
 
Size 6-9" for subhilt, 6-10 bowie and 8-10 for recurve (I'm compensating:D)
Steel W2 or maker suggested (I have to trust the maker and what steel he thinks would work the best, strength, durability, edge retention are my main factors, maintenance is not since I have no problem taking care of my knives).
Damascus? Yes! It is beautiful.
Style? Bowie, Subhilt, Recurve
Grind? That is really a toss up. Probably flat for function. But I do really like a hollow grind.
Bolster or no bolster? bolster
If bolster, what material? Stainless
Handle material? African Blackwood, Stag (I love stag)
Thong hole with tubing? no
Pin material preference? stainless, like mosaic
Filework or no filework? File work, adds the "extra" touch something simple
Tapered tang? Depends on purpose of the knife, a purpose built knife I like to see a big heavy full tang (it gives me some assurance that it is capable) add some filework on that and it is awsome.

Now, I only have two knives from other people. One is from Jason Knight (I love that knife, it is a user and goes everywhere with me!!!!) and the other is a cable knife believed to be made by my great great grandfather in Canada, the rest of the handmades I own I made (and they suck(the knives I made) asthetically as well as functionaly!!!!).
 
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Stefan - perfect breakdown. Thanks.

Kevin - I totally agree but I wanted to set some sort of parameter to start with. If anyone wants to elaborate up and down the pricing spectrum, feel free - like you said, it all adds up to useful info for both makers and collectors.
 
Size? blade 4 1/'', oal 9''
Steel? forged W2, 1095 or O1; no damascus
Style? drop point hunter
Grind? flat to slightly convex
Bolster or no bolster? yes (but SS guard preferred)
If bolster, what material? SS
Handle material? wood
Thong hole with tubing? no
Pin material preference? nickel silver
Filework or no filework? no
Tapered tang? yes (when with guard: mortised)

best regards,
hans
 
Jarrett Knives said:
Stefan - perfect breakdown. Thanks.

Kevin - I totally agree but I wanted to set some sort of parameter to start with. If anyone wants to elaborate up and down the pricing spectrum, feel free - like you said, it all adds up to useful info for both makers and collectors.
Click to expand...

IMO, your $300 and below does set an interesting parameter for a custom user discussion. Will be interesting to see what collectors expect and what makers can provide inside that range.

I was more suggesting different threads for different prices ranges, to help keep things more focused and easier to follow.

Just a suggestion.
Good thread here.
 
Great Idea! Would you lend a hand in that direction? I'd appreciate it especially from your point of view. ???
 
Jarrett Knives said:
Size?
7 1/2"-8 1/2" OA

Steel?
doesn't matter to me as long as the heat treat is done properly, but at 300 bucks if it's stainless, it better be wonder steel:D. If forged, I like 1084 or O1 or better yet laminated

 Style?
straight EDC

Grind?
flat or hollow, depends on the steel and stock thickness, blade width, etc.

Bolster or no bolster?
no bolster

Handle material?
wrap, wood, bone, horn/antler, stone, (if stone, I like a bolster)

Thong hole with tubing?
yep, or without tubing if wrapped

Pin material preference?
NS or stainless, brass if it fits the look

Filework or no filework?
no

Tapered tang?
only if not wrapped
Click to expand...

For that price, the knife had damn well come with a top quality, well designed sheath, (I prefer leather). It ought to come with a nice lanyard as well, (braided leather is nice). I don't care if there are skulls attached to it, but better for me if there aren't any, (I'm no hipster:p)
 
I would hazard a guess that the name on the blade will have a significant impact on the "bang for the buck" ratio, will it not?

I.e., if I were to try to sell a large, nicely-finished bowie, I imagine I'd have to charge around $300 for there to be any takers. But a similar (though likely much nicer! :D ) bowie from one of the many luminaries who frequent this joint would easily pull 3-7x that number using the same materials and design specs.

I'm not saying this to somehow invalidate your question, but rather that you have to keep the maker in mind. I think to meet your price point a top-shelf maker would have to go the mid-tech route?

That said, I'll just list out the fixed blade knife I'm craving right now:

Size? 6" blade
Steel? Differentially heat treated high carbon steel
Style? "Fighter"
Grind? Full-height convex
Bolster or no bolster? Guard
If bolster, what material? Mild steel, iron, wrought iron, etc.
Handle material? Some sort of wood
Thong hole with tubing? Nope
Pin material preference? Nope
Filework or no filework? Nope
Tapered tang? Hidden

Good grief, I think I just spec'ed out a mostly-traditional Japanese kwaiken. Good luck getting one for $300....shrug.
 
Brightred - good stuff, thanks.

Lorien, Aaron - you both bring up excellent points. That's the whole purpose of this thread. And again, per the mini-discussion above with Kevin, depending on the participation on this thread, I may just do the same thing with say, a $500 to $750 range. I just picked the $300 mark as a starting place because IMHO that's been the high end of what's been selling in the Knifemakers for sale forum.

To quote Lorien..."Steel? doesn't matter to me as long as the heat treat is done properly" - AMEN to that my friend!!!

And James - don't just watch...jump in here brother! The water's only waist deep at this point! ;)
 
Good idea for a thread. Here's my preferences:

Size? 7.5-8.5"
Steel? 01, 1084, CPM154, Damascus if decent and available at that price point.
Style? Utility/hunter
Grind? flat/convex
Bolster or no bolster? I prefer a guard but at minimum a bolster
If bolster (guard), what material? SS
Handle material? Ironwood, Stag, other woods if I like what I see
Thong hole with tubing? no
Pin material preference? SS or mosaic or a mix
Filework or no filework? I like a serrated thumb ramp like Fisk uses or Primos used to use
Tapered tang? yes
 
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