Number of Knifemakers?

W

Wargoat

Joined
Jun 16, 2002
Messages
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Since this is my first post, I think I'll briefly introduce myself. I've been lurking here on the forums for over a year and have found a wealth of information. Most of my questions and interests have been addressed by others.

However, I've always wondered how many knifemakers of all kinds including custom, production, high-end production, hobbyists, full-time knifemakers and others exist. I've searched the forums for posts relevant to the number of knifemakers and did not find what I was looking for, although I may have missed a relevant post. While browsing through the annual knife publications carried by the local library, I found lists of thousands of knifemakers both custom and production (some of whom are BF members) but many more makers are not listed. While many U.S. makers were listed, few foreign makers were listed. I realize the number of hobbyists, new knifemakers, and knifemakers who decided to quit making knives precludes an accurate count of knifemakers. Still, I would like to have a general idea of how many knifemakers of all kinds exist.
 
Welcome to the forums, Wargoat.

There is probably a few hundred companies making knives around the world, but there are thousands of makers. In knives 2002 there are over 2000 listed and I would bet there are at least two or three times that many not listed. If you include hobbyists there could be tens of thousands. This is only a guess, since to tell you the truth, I don't really have a clue as to even a somewhat accurate number.
 
Best estimates of makers who make more than a dozen knives each year in North America at about 3000 to 4000. Most are in the US, Canada has about 200 in that catagory. There are at least 3 or 4 times that number if you count hobby makers who make less than the one dozen threshold.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm surprised that the number of North American knifemakers is that low, but think the benchmark of more than a dozen knives made per year proves useful in distinguishing knifemakers from hobbyists. I wonder if other countries have as few knifemakers per capita? Sweden, Finland, and Norway seem to have quite a few makers for their small populations, but I don't know that much about Central/South American, African, Middle-Eastern, Asian, Central/Eastern/Southern European, and Russian makers.

It is unfortunate that more makers do not maintain an online presence, but I understand the hassle of responding to e-mails, maintaining a website, etc can take a large amount of time away from making knives.
 
Most of the knifemakers in our Knife collectors club don't use the Internet at all. They do however get out there and press the flesh every chance they get and do very well.
I find that it is the younger ones who actually use there computers that use the Internet...Go figure.

I find it much easier and increases exposure dramatically to use the Internet.
 
It won't take you very long to figure it out as you meet and talk with more knifemakers....we are pretty close to being hermits. Most knifemakers are happiest when they are working in their shops and anything that takes them away from the shop is avoided. That includes computers.

Those of us that have gone on line realize the benifits of having our product on show 24/7 with people from around the world dropping by to take a look.
 
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