No idea whether I am good, average or below average.

[NBblades]

Hello everyone..
I am what you might call an advanced beginner in knifemaking. All in all, I've made about 20-30 knives. I'm trying to find out what the tolerances are for mistakes.
My question is, how did you know that you are good enough to call yourself a knifemaker and confidently offer your knives for sale?
Here is one knife that isn't yet finished. It's made from scrap I had left over, since during this quarantine I can't buy suitable steel in my town. It's a 5160 leaf spring with a walnut handle and stainless bolster with a pin in the bolster. I made the bolster from two pieces of stainless steel, and I welded them from the sides after putting them on the knife. That way the bolster fits perfectly, and it looks like a single piece. If you zoom in, you can see the pin. I hope you like it.

The mistakes are that one plunge line is slightly more rounded, and that the bolster is just a tiny bit asymmetrical. Also the micro bevel is a little bit thinner on the middle than at the tip and the base. I noticed it after heat treatment. If you don't know it, you might not notice.
Bear in mind that it's not finished, it still needs some sanding and polishing. I also might force a patina on it. Opinions??

 

[Elgatodeacero]

Nice knife.

I think the best way to determine if your work is good enough to sell, is to try and sell it!

 

[Richard338]

It's hard to be sure from one photo. It is probably best to show two or three angles.
I suggest looking closely at what is for sale in the makers' sale area. You can see what sells, and what the prices are relative to the fit and finish.
People like to be confident of the heat treat, and have an idea of the hardness.
Looking at your photo, for me there are a few easy tweaks that would make it more valuable. The flats have some pock marks and the transition from the bevel to the flat is not crisp. I would get a good finish on the flat before grinding the bevel, and be careful during hand sanding not to wash out the transition. Also, the bolster to handle wood has a tiny gap. Using a spacer would make this more forgiving and possibly give a visual pop.
Polishing the wood to a nice finish will really elevate the piece.

Disclaimer: I have never sold a knife...

 

[DevinT]

You’ve got a ways to go. Find a mentor and get some honest feedback.

Make 1000 knives and your perspective will change.

Put $1000 worth of work into the blade, $1000 worth of work into the guard/bolster, and $1000 worth of work into handle, then you’ll have something worth $1000.

Hoss

 

[Drew Riley]

Well, for starters, you'll find that knives work better when held by the handle rather than the blade...

In all seriousness, if you're making knives, than you're a knife maker. End of story.

Are they good enough to sell? Personally, I think that's a two part question. Part one: is it good enough to put your name on? Is it a knife that you yourself would be proud to own and use? If the answer to that is no, then toss it in the scrap bin and move on to the next one.
The second part of the question is: Will somebody pay what you think they knife is worth? Well, the only way to answer that is to list it and see what happens. If it sells, or if it doesn't, you'll have your answer.

You listed a number of problems that you already see with the blade you showed. That's good. Fix those issues, whether on this knife or the next, and then see where you're at. The moment you make a knife that doesn't need improvement on at least one thing, you might as well stop making knives. There's always something to do better or differently.

One thing that's for certain, with pretty much every knife maker: One day you'll look back on the first knife you sold, and cringe. In other words, nobody every starts off selling their best work. Don't take that the wrong way though. NEVER settle for selling less than the best you can do at that point in time. Just know that it won't be the best you will ever do, as long as you're trying to improve with each knife, accepting criticism, and acting accordingly.

 

[weo]

I'm trying to find out what the tolerances are for mistakes.

None.

I've heard it said that true masters don't make mistakes, they make design changes.

 

[NBblades]

You’ve got a ways to go. Find a mentor and get some honest feedback.

That is the biggest problem, I can't find a mentor. You would cringe a LOT if I told you who is the only possible "mentor"
About the other part of your reply. That is one of the wonders of the internet.. I see a guy like you, and I have my perspective changed. That's why I've never given away a knife even as a gift to a friend. You kill my confidence.

 

[HSC ///]

To give you some perspective , i’ve been a full-time maker for over 2 1/2 years and probably made and sold more than 250 knives and I’ve just started to feel like I’ve gotten better in the last six months.... maybe I’m still average

 

[NBblades]

Well, for starters, you'll find that knives work better when held by the handle rather than the blade...

In all seriousness, if you're making knives, than you're a knife maker. End of story.
Just know that it won't be the best you will ever do, as long as you're trying to improve with each knife, accepting criticism, and acting accordingly.

I am trying to get better, that's for sure. I was limited by the tools I didn't have, but recently I got a 30 meters per second belt grinder, I bought a drill press, and I am currently waiting for a bandsaw. I didn't spend all that money for this only though, I am not that crazy. It's for our business. I'm not good enough to offer the knives for sale yet, but I will do it at some point I hope.
Someone stole a knife I made at a car wash, so I am pretty proud of that.

 

[Willie71]

That is the biggest problem, I can't find a mentor. You would cringe a LOT if I told you who is the only possible "mentor"
About the other part of your reply. That is one of the wonders of the internet.. I see a guy like you, and I have my perspective changed. That's why I've never given away a knife even as a gift to a friend. You kill my confidence.

Don’t take what Devin says as an insult. I was going to say something similar, but couldn’t find the right wording. I’ve made over 300 knives, and mine suck compared to Devin’s. That’s just reality. I do sell mine, but don’t make much profit, if any. Sales are largely driven by name recognition, not by other factors. Name recognition comes from making good knives, but I see popular makers who use lousy heat treat and geometry, and less known makers who use great heat treat and geometry. To be at the top of this game, you need great design, pleasing esthetics, and for users, great heat treat and geometry. I’ve been doing this part time for seven years, Devin has been doing this for 30 or more years. I consider myself an intermediate. I have a long way to go. I feel shame posting many of my knives.

This is one I made last month. I was embarrassed about the flaws in it, but it’s going to a 15 year old kid who’s dad is an avid outdoorsmen. He gave me a budget, and materials took up most of it, so fine finishing was not in the cards. The knife will last a lifetime, but it needed work to be “right.” I have a separate makers mark for my budget line to differentiate these from my better finished knives.

93BBD2F8-2962-4149-A16D-AE6BBAD6881D by Wjkrywko, on Flickr

 

[NBblades]

Don’t take what Devin says as an insult.

I meant it as a compliment.. I love the guy's work and I look up to him. I used the wrong words. I wanted to say that when I see his work, I wonder whether I have the talent to become half as good.

Make 1000 knives and your perspective will change.
Hoss

I realized that it looked like I was saying that you kill my confidence with your words. I meant that I want to become like you, and I probably won't. That's why you destroy my confidence. It is a compliment, I hope you didn't take it the wrong way.

 

[NBblades]

This is one I made last month. I was embarrassed about the flaws in it, but it’s going to a 15 year old kid who’s dad is an avid outdoorsmen. He gave me a budget, and materials took up most of it, so fine finishing was not in the cards. The knife will last a lifetime, but it needed work to be “right.” I have a separate makers mark for my budget line to differentiate these from my better finished knives.

Well, I've always favored function, so this is a perfect knife for a guy like me who frequently destroys things. I've never been able to keep my wooden handles intact after camping. I like to use my knife, not babysit it.

 

[daizee]

You've got a good start. Learning to SEE is the hardest part. Once you can SEE, you can make things to what your eye demands.
I made about 24 knives before I was confident I could make what I intended with no major flaws, and then was willing to sell. I started my prices low to reflect my experience and lack of recognition. Quality and prices slowly inched up over the years. I still don't sell all I make. I'd consider myself 'intermediate', and in that weird market segment between the well-known accessible (not fancy collectible) makers and entry-level.

There's a huge scratch (it appears) in your plunge. That's gotta go. And that's the worst part to sand. Sandpaper is your friend. Whom you will curse...
But certainly don't be shy about gifting knives as you go on your journey, and solicit feedback from your friends/users.

Design knives to your available tools and techniques, rather than trying to reproduce a design from someone who already has more sophisticated equipment.

Although someone stole a knife I made at a car wash, so I am pretty proud of that.

That's awesome, you should be.
(once you get over being angry)

 

[Willie71]

Well, I've always favored function, so this is a perfect knife for a guy like me who frequently destroys things. I've never been able to keep my wooden handles intact after camping. I like to use my knife, not babysit it.

I do a lot more g-10 and micarta than I used to. Especially for the budget line, or outdoorsmen. This one is z-tuff with a scotchbrite finish. For budget knives, scotchbrite is a godsend.

The knives I’ve posted recently have been much rougher than I used to do. I’m trying to keep cost down as much as possible with changes in the economy this year. Efficient tool is highest priority, with pretty being lower on the priority list.

 

[evergreensSequoiaseucalyptusandOaks]

Hello everyone..
I am what you might call an advanced beginner in knifemaking. All in all, I've made about 20-30 knives. I'm trying to find out what the tolerances are for mistakes.
My question is, how did you know that you are good enough to call yourself a knifemaker and confidently offer your knives for sale?
Here is one knife that isn't yet finished. It's made from scrap I had left over, since during this quarantine I can't buy suitable steel in my town. It's a 5160 leaf spring with a walnut handle and stainless bolster with a pin in the bolster. I made the bolster from two pieces of stainless steel, and I welded them from the sides after putting them on the knife. That way the bolster fits perfectly, and it looks like a single piece. If you zoom in, you can see the pin. I hope you like it.

The mistakes are that one plunge line is slightly more rounded, and that the bolster is just a tiny bit asymmetrical. Also the micro bevel is a little bit thinner on the middle than at the tip and the base. I noticed it after heat treatment. If you don't know it, you might not notice.
Bear in mind that it's not finished, it still needs some sanding and polishing. I also might force a patina on it. Opinions??

 

[Willie71]

Hello everyone..
I am what you might call an advanced beginner in knifemaking. All in all, I've made about 20-30 knives. I'm trying to find out what the tolerances are for mistakes.
My question is, how did you know that you are good enough to call yourself a knifemaker and confidently offer your knives for sale?
Here is one knife that isn't yet finished. It's made from scrap I had left over, since during this quarantine I can't buy suitable steel in my town. It's a 5160 leaf spring with a walnut handle and stainless bolster with a pin in the bolster. I made the bolster from two pieces of stainless steel, and I welded them from the sides after putting them on the knife. That way the bolster fits perfectly, and it looks like a single piece. If you zoom in, you can see the pin. I hope you like it.

The mistakes are that one plunge line is slightly more rounded, and that the bolster is just a tiny bit asymmetrical. Also the micro bevel is a little bit thinner on the middle than at the tip and the base. I noticed it after heat treatment. If you don't know it, you might not notice.
Bear in mind that it's not finished, it still needs some sanding and polishing. I also might force a patina on it. Opinions??

So, feedback on this knife. It looks like you took a bar of steel and removed minimal steel to put a tip and handle shape on it. Knives typically have a gentle curve along the spine. Handle sculpting and guard shape are areas to look at. I have some pics on my tablet that I will post later that we’re part of a similar discussion from a few years ago.

 

[Drew Riley]

Someone stole a knife I made at a car wash, so I am pretty proud of that.

Now that's funny. I made a neck knife years ago, that I kept around the rear view mirror in my car. It got stolen (along with several other things) while my car was sitting in my driveway one night. Part of me hope it's still getting used somewhere. Part of my hopes that whoever stole it, also cuts their finger off with it.

Don't let lack of fancy tools keep you from making great knives. I've seen knives made in third world countries with homemade and make shift tools that would put to shame other knives I've seen coming out of shops with $30k worth of tools. You can do a lot with a file and some sand paper. The tools don't make the knife, they just make some parts easier or faster.

As for whether or not you'll be as good as one maker or the next, forget about that. Just focus on making every knife better than the last.

 

[Houlahound]

As a knife consumer it must kinda suck to be a new knife maker. TBH I would buy by name before I would risk a purchase at custom prices to a new maker.

I think you have to generate some hype and get recommendations from influencers and established big names.

This has more to do with marketing and less to do with what your knife is. Having said that if your first sales have any faults in the workmanship I think you are screwed.

Disclaimer I know nothing about selling shit or making shit.

I am just a mindless knife junkee and consumer who buys more knives than I could use in three lifetimes.

If you are not a resilient person with thick skin you probs gonna have a bad time for a while.

 

[Willie71]

Here is an example of taking a rectangle, and adding some flow.

Design1_mod by Wjkrywko, on Flickr

 

[NBblades]

Don't let lack of fancy tools keep you from making great knives. I've seen knives made in third world countries with homemade and make shift tools that would put to shame other knives I've seen coming out of shops with $30k worth of tools. You can do a lot with a file and some sand paper. The tools don't make the knife, they just make some parts easier or faster.

I built a 30 m/s belt grinder, I have some sanding disks and I think I am ready to go. Still waiting for my bandsaw, but I think that it's not essential. Angle grinders are good enough. The thing is that I am at university, so if I spend a lot of my time filing, I don't have time to improve the other aspects.
I have a question.Do I need ceramic belts, or are zirconia as good? They are much cheaper around here, and I will be going trough a lot of them on other projects.