My first Craft Fair for sharpening, advice?

Fantastic set up you have there!

There are many things to this that I never thought of. I hope I'm not asking a question that's already been answered, but how are you charging? Also, do you have a way to accept CC's and debit?

Neat thread!
 
Yep, get a credit/debit card reader that plugs into your smart phone (if you have one?)

Also, if someone pressures you to get a blade done fast or they bring you something rare/sentimental that you don't want to worry about screwing up, offer to take it home so you can spend more time on it and make sure it's done right/carefully. You can also respectfully say NO and pass on that particular blade.

It wouldn't hurt to take pictures of blades before and after sharpening so you can show your work AND prove that you didn't cause any preexisting damage.
 
Well the fair went ok today. We had a good amount of traffic come through. Only had 35 or so take a business card. Of those, two said they would be dropping off items. Only one asked what I charge and told me that I was charging a lot less than another guy who gave her a quote. The fair was about 500 yards from an established sharpening business so I can only assume she was talking about him. That guy does saw blades etc along with small engine repair, not really a knife guy.
Anyway, I did 12 knives for the Church to keep busy. The guy running the table beside me ran home and brought me three of his knives to do. $16.50 covered the table and gas to get there so I am ahead a few dollars:) I heard a lot of " I wish I knew you were going to be here" etc.
I am charging .75 per inch for knives and $1 per inch for scissors. The other guys in my area charge x dollars for knives inside a bracket, like 4-6 is $4 etc. I took an average kitchen set and calculated out what they would charge and took the average for my fees. I make a little more on some and a little less on others but it averages out and makes it easier to tell someone what I charge.
My next step is to advertise more locally. I had fun today and look forward to the next adventure. Thanks for the help!
 
Thanks for the update and glad you covered your expenses. I ran off and forgot all of my business cards. I sharpened a few, covered expenses and all were very pleased with the edge which was the most important part to me. The craziest thing was the 2nd customer of the day never coming back for their knife. I knew to get contact info from this thread and didn't, I couldn't imagine anyone doing that with a really nice knife. They Do!

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread.

I get another shot at it tomorrow so hopefully will:
1. Make a few dollars.
2. Return the knife to it's owner.
3. Do better at following the recommendations. :-)
 
What kinda knife did he leave behind hmmm? :D

Sounds great guys. It would be nice to make enough to cover the costs of equipment, but that would take a looot of knives!

Honestly, after hearing horror stories, I'd be very unlikely to have someone else (that I don't know) sharpen my knives. If I saw some equipment that I recognized I'd be far more likely to do it. Yours qualifies. ;)
 
TAself, mind if I ask what your charging for rates and running for a setup?

My "issue" today was lack of space so I only had room for my Tormek grinder. I chose that one because I had the church knives to do and they needed a lot of work. The three knives I did for the guy next to me were done on the tormek graded to 1000 grit, polished on the on board leather wheel and then hand stropped with green rouge on a leather strop. While this edge will cut phone book paper it is a bit corse to shave with I think. I have never had anyone not happy with that edge on a kitchen knife. The Guy took a knife I had done, licked his arm and proceeded to try to shave with it. Kinda weird to me and he said the knives were sharper than before but not razors. Guess I need to clarify what my "sharp" is before hand. Live and learn I guess. Next time I will have my paper wheels to make a razor out of a kitchen knife for guys like this.
 
Bill,
I didn't think you were kidding, I just didn't think it would happen to "me".:) Yesterday after it had been a couple hours I started taking names/numbers and didn't have an issue after that. Today they were all Johnny on the spot and a lot of them were so intrigued with the process both days they were willing to wait as long as it took to get to their knives and just watched. I won't make that mistake again Bill; thanks for the tips!

Strigamort,
He left a discontinued (maybe sprint run?) SPYDERCO MILITARY foliage green in CPM D2; it was very nice.:thumbup: The buddy he was with when dropping it off was a vendor; so it's getting back to the rightful owner. After gas, food, coffee, electric etc...I made a whopping $41. However I did hand out a bunch of business cards today and sold one of my Damascus knives so overall it was a good show. Networking, the "If I'd have known you'd be here's" all combined it was WELL worth it for me. I wasn't looking to pay for my gear because I use it to sharpen the knives I make. I think I might be able to nearly buy a year or mores worth of belts for my grinder with the $41 though. Everybody seemed thrilled with their edges and the knife dealer I'm teamed with used the opportunity to show and sell knives including mine. CWME does have some of the nicest gear I've seen as well.

CWME,
Happy to share, this show I charged $3 up to 4" and $1 an inch over 4. I put a note at the bottom that tip damage up to 1/4" would be repaired free during the sharpening process and all other services price on request. I got a $2 tip and a $1 tip on top of my asking prices so feel like I'm on the right track. Next show I do will be $4 up to 4" and $1 an inch over. Hoping the "buzz" will make them willing to move up with me. I did as many Vendor knives as I did paying show goers so hoping for referrals. Not sure about naming brands but will PM you all the info on my rig.

I've got a lesson learned to share now that I'm "experienced". I got the vast majority of my sharpening jobs WHILE I was sharpening throughout the weekend. If I wanted to work all I had to do was strop one of my knives or sharpen one of my buddies. Anytime I was actively sharpening I got at least 1 and usually 3-4 more jobs in waves. Once those were over I'd usually talk/rest for a minute. If I didn't get a "Can you do anything with that?" when I was ready to go again I'd get up and "do something" and didn't ever not get at least one more job. Hope that helps someone.

Thanks to all that contributed to this great thread, it made for a really nice weekend for me.

Edit to add: CWME Looks like I can't PM so if this isn't ok mods please delete this part. I use the Real Sharp Sharp Machine.
1461171_557825004294932_1412486530_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
Sounds like you had a lot of fun sharing what you are loving to do with people.

Thats what it is all about.

Making money is a good side bonus.
 
TAself, Sounds like you had a good amount of action! Congrats!

That setup your running is very interesting, does that use the 1X30 belts? I am thinking I might order the knife holders and convert one of my Harbor freight jobs to use them. Looks like the slide section on the front is a piece of wood with some cove's routed into it. I think I even have the bit needed to do the routing... Oh the possibilities=) Thanks for sharing!
 
CWME,
Thanks, It was a good time! It does use 1x30 belts and I am quite pleased with the performance. The reason I got this machine instead of building my own from a HF is this one moves at less that 900 SFPM and the HF is listed at 3260 SFPM. Helps keep the heat down and with the glass platen upgrade is as close to my 2x72 knife grinders as I could find. I considered trying to slow down the HF turning a smaller drive wheel etc...but by that time I might as well just buy the SM so I did. With the guides I get consistent repeatable edges so if I modify anything in my heat treat/steel selection the testing is consistent. Still using the original 120 ceramic and 600 Silicon Carbide belts that came with the system but have added Zirc belts in coarser grits for machetes and first edges. The zirc is more friable than the ceramic helping keep things cool and will end up with nothing but Zirc in coarse grits and Norax in the fine grits if the belts that came with it ever wear out. After that the Norax fine grits really should last forever. :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top