New Magazines

joshsmith

joshsmith

Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Messages
646
Sometimes we talk about trying to expand our exposure to new people but at times it's difficult to figure out how. What non-knife magazines do you think an article about knives or a knife maker who be good for the knife world to be in? I'm thinking art magazines or magazines about other high end collectibles. I'm thinking about magazines with subscribers that have the means to become collectors in our market. Thanks,

Josh

www.joshsmithknives.com
 
I was recently contacted about doing an article on hunting knives for a "men's lifestyle" type of magazine. I'll let you know how it pans out.

Roger
 
Robb's Report, high end hunting mags, Cigar Afficionado, WSJ
 
This is an interesting compliment to the thread on delivery times.

You guys are complaining about makers delivery times...and you want to bring in more "Collectors with means".

Interesting.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Great idea, though possibly a tough pitch. A friend of mine freelances for a few magazines here in Arizona. I got her to pitch an article about high-end knives for a 'guy's toys' edition of a southwest regional magazine (and with Larry Fuegen and Tim Hancock both being from AZ, it would have fit perfectly, IMHO) - zero interest from the magazine though.
 
Les Robertson said:
This is an interesting compliment to the thread on delivery times.

You guys are complaining about makers delivery times...and you want to bring in more "Collectors with means".

Interesting.
Click to expand...

Not all makers have more business than they know what to do with. Looking at ways to attract new collectors is always a good thing, even for those that are really busy. Who knows what the future will bring.
 
Les -- collectors complain about makers delivery times. Makers want new markets and collectors that have more funds which to use for higher end knives. Wait times won't change partiuclarily, just access to some makers but then again if a maker is moving his knives into a higher echelon then many collectors are not going to be concerned with his wait time in any event.

The germain question would be to most collectors is "how much access to knives I generally purchase will the makers gaining higher end collectors affect my access?"

Probably not much effect at all. While some collectors move their level of purchase up over time due to their financial abilities, many don't and therefore find knives that they enjoy in a price level to which they are either accustomed or comfortable.

Others of us move up our level of collection but still likely never move to the higher end knifemakers simply because a $1000 knife in 1980 is a $3-5K knife today as an example. The same collector may purchase a knife today that he might not have 20 years ago because a good deal came along based upon the abiltiy to purchase.

As new makers come to the field, then folks of all financial abilities will generally have the ability to expand collections until some of the makers move to a higher price point that what a collector wishes or can afford to meet.

Again, no matter what, wait times likely won't change a lot simply because makers at all levels will try to match their product to the collectors ability to purchase their products.
 
Hi Keith and Murray,

I understand what Josh was asking. I have heard makers and their organizations talk about expanding the market.

What the makers and the organizations don't understand is that they are missing the obvious answer to that question.

With the answer right in front of their face...they ignore it and continue to ask the question...how do we expand that market.

If you really want to expand the market...again the answer is simple. But few if any makers want to do what it takes to find/create new markets and then create or improve their position.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Les Robertson said:
This is an interesting compliment to the thread on delivery times.

You guys are complaining about makers delivery times...and you want to bring in more "Collectors with means".

Interesting.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Click to expand...


Sir, you, above all others, realize that expanding your customer base is the key to growth and continued success!!!!




ooops.......just saw your second post......TM
 
Les Robertson said:
What the makers and the organizations don't understand is that they are missing the obvious answer to that question.

With the answer right in front of their face...they ignore it and continue to ask the question...how do we expand that market.

If you really want to expand the market...again the answer is simple. But few if any makers want to do what it takes to find/create new markets and then create or improve their position.
Click to expand...

Which is work harder, offer great value, and continually position themselves to be appealing in the market, and rising.

When you have makers continue to charge insane amounts of money for the product that they offer, without comparing themselves to peers, you have position failure.

For me, at the top of the heap....the question is "what does the maker offer that Larry Fuegen does not?" If it is something different that appeals to me, while offering a similar value, and prestige, it is a go.....otherwise, it just better simply be quite affordable.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Hi Tom,

Yes I understand Josh's point and your point.

Hi STeven,

Excellent suggestions. However, I was referring to increase and expanding the presence of custom knife market.

Your suggestion was for a single maker...again, excellent suggestion.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
And I meant 'Knife' magazine. :D

A couple of months ago, Simon Lytton offered to introduce my work to Natsuo Hattori, the editor of Japan's prestigious magazine titled 'Knife'. He did, and I had a couple of emails with Mr. Hattori, ultimately sending him a link to my 'motherload' of photos online. ;)

Mr. Hattori sent me back (13) of my images which he wanted more info on, and wished to include in the pending (April) issue. So, I sent him (13) hi-res files by email and the contact info of the makers in question...

This magazine just came out, and he sent me 10 copies. There it is: An eight page spread of my client's work and info. Plus a small photo of me at my studio table and a nice kit knife I also built (for Dr. Darom's third book).

All of this took work on my part, with little immediate gain from any Japanese collectors OR makers. But, imagine how it feels as a US maker to have your work admired by an international audience. Someone may get a call. I hope.

Makers whose work was displayed (in alphabetical order):

  • Donald Bell
  • Tai Goo
  • Jot Singh Khalsa
  • Joe Kious
  • Mark Laramie
  • Wolfgang Loerchner
  • Jody Muller
  • Lourens Prinsloo
  • Richard Rogers
  • Josef Rusnak
  • Buster Warenski

Apparently they liked it SO MUCH, that I have been asked to be included in a monthly 2-6 page series for one year!

As a professional, I am doing my part to expand the audience. :thumbup: :D

I'll try to scan the pages and post it later this week.

Coop

PS: I am incredibly honored with this opportunity as well. Anyone who has seen the incredible photographs presented in this magazine will recognize what talent is included.
 
SharpByCoop said:
All of this took work on my part, with little immediate gain from any Japanese collectors OR makers. But, imagine how it feels as a US maker to have your work admired by an international audience. Someone may get a call. I hope.

[*]Wolfgang Loerchner

[*]Buster Warenski

As a professional, I am doing my part to expand the audience. :thumbup: :D

.
Click to expand...


I'm sure that Buster will appreciate the exposure:eek:, and Wolfe needs more exposure like WE ALL need a hole in the head....he sure isn't going to increase production, and his work is quite spendy right now.;):foot::foot:;)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Personally, this is something I have been thinking about for a long time. I cannot remember the names of the many art magazines, but maybe Art Forum. The problem is that collectors will not know when their favorite maker is featured so it will be the makers job to inform them (on a website or newsletter). I think it would be a great way to interest more people who were not necessarily knife fanatics. I also think digital photography magazines could include some well done knife images from time to time.
 
The best thing that could come from expanding venues and the base overall by going into other publications would be the ability to offer some education about knives, their uses in general etc...

Outside of the collector's/user's market, there's still that nasty stigma of knives as being weapons for assault, not tools for use. As a maker, this is something that does concern me, because fear and lack of knowledge is worse than anything out there...

My wife is the managing editor for a couple of magazines, so we've oft wondered about avenues not explored. I always figured that cooking/chef's publications would be good, of course the obligatory hunting publications, livestock magazines (ranchers appreciate good knives as much as anyone), LEO publications and military are kind of a given as well. I'm sure there's others, but that's just off the top of my head.



MT
 
Hi Joss,

I've never see an issue for sale. I was gifted a few before from a maker at a show. Maybe there is a source? I dunno.

Hi STeven,

PM sent.... :grumpy:

Coop
 
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