New and Improved?

george tichbourne

george tichbourne

Joined
Apr 19, 1999
Messages
3,560
I was sitting in the office today talking with the marketing manager of Tichbourne Knives (my wife Carol) and the question of how to increase interest in my work came up.

I held that constantly producing new models is the only way to keep the interest of the buying public. Carol pointed out that coming up with new designs all of the time is pretty difficult especially while trying to market our existing lines, about 35 at last count, at the same time.

What gets your attention, a steady string of new products or well tested styles?

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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com


 
Hi George,
This is only my point of view, but it is usually a combination of the work and the maker. I usually am drawn to work that illustrates that the maker is always striving to learn and to keep reaching. If the decision was mine I would go for new designs, but I am not the type that asks a maker to make one just like "that" one.


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" I am continually reminded of the rewards of dealing with custom knife makers and the custom knife community." Jeff J.
 
Well, yes and no. I keep buying more Darrel Ralph knives because every new model he comes out with, I gotta' have. On the other hand, I own at least one of just about every model that Ernie Mayer of Black Cloud Knives makes because they are all superb designs. So I think, both good, solid basic design, and something fresh will keep the repeat business coming.
 
Don't know if this will help. I keep visiting the sites of makers whose standard models have always caught my eye, but my first stop at their site is usually the what's new department. I guess I like to see that they are trying something new whether it works or not.
smile.gif
 
Thank you for your support. Now the question is where to go from here. When I was in Austin a week or so back I spent a lot of time with makers of slip joint folders trying to learn the basics, I want to start making a line of small gent's folders in exotic materials and then expand to scale locks. In the meantime I will continue with the integral fixed blade program that I have already started.



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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com


 
George, what I usually do is strive to improve current designs and when forging, I will let the steel start a new model. If I like it, I finish it and see if it is saleable. I usually will make a wood pattern for reference just in case I need more. My best patterns were accidents or designed for a specific purpose or some one would say, "if that ?" was just a little different, I'd buy that. Guess what? He bought it. I guess you could say I was in a constant state of improvement or change, depending on how you look at it.
I look at some of the patterns that I made 8 to 10 yrs ago and some of them sure look funny. Our tastes changes as well as some of the styles of knives we make and I consider this a growing process and in time you will have a certain style of knives that you are comfortable with (today). In 10 yrs some of them will look funny. (like bell bottoms)
smile.gif

I say sure, make a new model once in a while but don't just set a goal to make X-number of new models every year. (I have produced and Edsel or two but it wasn't a very high no.)

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Ray Kirk
http://www.tah-usa.net/raker
 
I have seen people at shows with several different models on their tables but on closer inspection they turn out to be the same model in various sizes and handle or guard treatments. What I mean by "new" models is a complete departure from anything that I have done in the past. That could be a daunting task in a short time.

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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com


 
George,
I think one of the big reasons knifemakers are knifemakers is because of the challenge that knifemaking presents. So I think it is a natural progression for knifemakers to pursue more challenges in their knifemaking and every maker usually decides a path on what those challenges will be. I have been making fixed blade knives for over 5 years now and I am looking to branch out into making some liner locks, slip joints, and some assisted opening knives and boy howdy am I going to be challenged.
George, mentioning about visiting with some knifemakers in Austin who build high quality slip joints. These gentleman very generously share their wealth of knowledge which will be a great spring board in the building of these knives. This just goes to show you the great giving people who are involved in this knifemaking community.
George, as soon as you get one of those beauties built, let us see a pic. I look forward to it.
Chris
Top of Texas Knives
www.toptexknives.com
www.toptexknives.com/christman.htm


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[This message has been edited by ToTKnives (edited 08-17-2000).]
 
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