News For 2015

greeenie said:
Do you ever do custom orders in other steels? cpm3v or b75p? Have you ever done a recurve?
Click to expand...

The only steels I offer are O1, 154CM and CPMS30V, and yes I have done recurves.

ayleg1.jpg
 
As much as I hate to do it, it`s starting to look as if I may have to stop taking orders by March. Orders are not coming in, not even inquiries, and it`s just not cost effective to order materials one at a time when, and if they trickle in, shipping costs would kill me. I will try a couple of sales, if that does not work I`ll be done.
 
sorry to hear that John.
you make good knives, I do not know why they do not sell better for you.
 
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don`t think there are any makers on BF that take orders anymore. Maybe it`s time.
 
I know James Terrio and TM Hunt both work primarily on an orders basis, but they also have a fairly restricted range of stock models.
 
I was not aware of that. My next step is revising my website. Lots more models will be going, I`m going to add a section for "past models" then put all that are still standard in a "current models' page. The forum will also be gone, that was a dumb idea that I thought might be fun.
 
What do you mean the forum will be gone? Blade forums? How about stop taking orders but offer what you want when you want? Can be creative at your own pace and offer them up, there are plenty who will snatch up one if they cannot order one as they come along. See what GL Drew and AA Forge are doing. I do know you have been trying to work out a solution for some time.
 
Really sorry to hear all the bad news. :( I'm super psyched about my one blade from you and was hoping that there would be time/money for future orders. Please keep us posted John. We'd hate to see your work let go. The best of luck to you
 
I still intend to order a XD XM Bowie this year but not before February and with this news from John - no later than for a March delivery. I know - all just talk now :rolleyes:. I certainly don't consider myself as a smoke blower so I will let you know John as very soon as I can once I am assured that I'll have the spare $$s. It would help if I could sell some of my own unused knives - man the secondary market is tough!!!

Having said that I think that cbach8tw has the right idea as how best to proceed. Those guys seem to sell every knife they offer. Work and sell at your own pace. You could still take custom orders but only with a minimum 50% deposit. I wouldn't waive the deposit unless you are very familiar and comfortable with the buyer.
 
I would love to see another XD out there - I am surprised that there were not orders for the XD/XM, since it was smaller.

I am going to be doing some batoning with my XT tomorrow - I'll take pictures.

Hope I don't break it......

corbin_yea.gif



best

mqqn
 
I sure hope it works out that JK knives can keep taking orders. Like GL Drew mentioned above for example, he makes great knives at a good price, but unless he has a model on hand you want, you're out of luck. My first knife from John had every little detail on it I wanted and I apreciate that. It's so rare to have a craftsman that is patient enough and willing to give you what you want, I was very impressed and hope that isn't lost!
 
What bothers me about orders is several things. Cancellations are a big one, asking me to postpone an order a couple of months is another. (I consider this cancelling an order). The time I spend replying to inquires, sometimes several times on the same inquiry, then never hearing back, can be frustrating, as well as time consuming. Then being told I want too much for the knife always pisses me off. All that being said, I do enjoy making a knife exactly how a customer wants it, which can only be done on an order. I really have no clue what to do!
 
1) Ask for a non refundable 50% deposit. At least the materials are covered and if the order gets cancelled or postponed for months you have a knife that you can sell at a good profit without having lost on the front end. No one who is serious will object to such a policy and if they do - it's their lost not yours - (unless you are desperate for business - always a bad state of mind (not unlike being desperate for a date :rolleyes:.

2) Final payment upon notice that the knife is ready to ship. You will hold a knife for up to 45 days before it is placed into your stock, unless you are notified in writing by the customer about a delay in final payment. The next 45 days (if required) starts after the customer notice.

3) Write up these policies in simple succinct language and post it clearly on your web site and/or on a "MUST READ BEFORE PLACING AN ORDER" sticky on this sub-forum. Even send a copy along with an e-mail acknowledgment of an order.

4) If you do custom work (as I do) you invariably spend time answering seemingly stupid and/or otherwise smart and essential questions. That's just the nature of custom. The only way around that is to offer a fixed product line with a limited options - handle material, grinds, steel thickness, for example. Even then you'll get questions - that's just how it goes. Your only other choice is to hire a front person who likes to talk or write e-mails and is knowledgable about your product. Otherwise it's up to you.

I would be happy to comply with these rules when I place my next order.
 
The only time I ask for a deposit is if the knife calls for unusual materials, things I would otherwise have no use for. As for payment, what I have started doing if it is someone I have not dealt with before is I ask for payment when I contact them I am ready to start the knife.
 
JK Knives said:
The only time I ask for a deposit is if the knife calls for unusual materials, things I would otherwise have no use for. As for payment, what I have started doing if it is someone I have not dealt with before is I ask for payment when I contact them I am ready to start the knife.
Click to expand...

That seems like a reasonable policy to me. It wouldn't be unreasonable to expect a deposit from all customers on every custom order.

Considering how many times you have been ripped off in the past, doing anything and everything to cover yer ass is completely understandable to me.
 
I think requiring a non-refundable deposit inoder to get on your list is reasonable. The deposit can be applied toward the knife's price, the balance of which is due at the time the knofe is started. If the order is cancled, then at least part of your time answereing emails/phone calls and the materials are covered. There are always exceptions to rules and you can always wave the deposit requirements for established clietns and special circumstances, but having policies like this in place can aleviate alot of stress on you.
 
Unless something changes, it looks like March 1st will be the end of accepting orders. :(
 
youngcurmudgeon said:
i think requiring a non-refundable deposit inoder to get on your list is reasonable. The deposit can be applied toward the knife's price, the balance of which is due at the time the knofe is started. If the order is cancled, then at least part of your time answereing emails/phone calls and the materials are covered. There are always exceptions to rules and you can always wave the deposit requirements for established clietns and special circumstances, but having policies like this in place can aleviate alot of stress on you.
Click to expand...


Exactly!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top