Open question to all.

B

BReid126

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Aug 11, 2010
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At what point did you/do you start selling knives here or elsewhere? I think I'm going to try to make 8 of the same knives of the utility/edc variety and hopefully sell them. This is purely a hobby for me and I've given away most of the knives I've made so far. It would be nice to make a little cash from that hobby, but I'll make knives no matter what. Looking for input. Thanks.

Brian
 
The answer of course, is highly subjective. However from my perspective: "Whenever you feel like they're good enough to sell." Whether or not you're honest enough with yourself to know objectively or not, that they are, the market will decide.


That of course, assumes someone has the desire to sell their work, which, obviously you do.


GL!
 
Hello,

Great topic. I've made around 25 fixed blade knives for fun and the only one I still have is my first. I've given 3 as gifts to family members and the rest I sold to friends, friends of friends, and a few random people that I met at bbqs or parties I've had. I had some previous experience working with metal and basic machining tools so its been less of a uphill battle learning how to make them. I wasn't looking to make money off this hobby but its awesome when someone wants to buy something you made. First thing is make a few and pay someone who knows how to heat treat do it for you. Test the shit out of them, if they break or have problems figure out why and start over on that design with your new information. Keep at it until the knife works for it given purpose. Then when YOUR completely comfortable with your workmanship sell it. Its your name on the blade and you should stand behind it. Oh start simple and have fun!!!!!!! Hobbies are meant to be enjoyable.

Good luck,

Chris
 
Heck, as long as there's nothing functionally wrong with a knife, there will be people willing to give it a try, including me.

If you want to make them for fun, by all means at least cover your costs so you can play for "free"
 
The first time I sold a knife was simply when somebody saw one and asked "how much?". It was actually after they saw a finished knife I had posted on my youtube channel.

To be honest, I wasn't planning on selling any knives in the immediate future at that time, much less taking custom orders, but it just kind of took off from there.

Sometimes you just have to jump in with both feet and see what happens.
 
I have yet to sell a knife. I have made knives for auctuons which I have donated, and for friends as gifts as long as use the knives and give me feed back on how they work, how they hold an edge, and how they are to sharpen...etc..etc. I feel I am ready to sell knives, but I am not looking to make a living at it. I do have a few people that want to pay me to make them knives, and I am working on that list right now.
 
I agree with all of the above, but I would give you a bit of advice. don't make 8 of the same thing. let each knife take shape how it will. trying to make all of them turn out the same will be more frustrating than letting them flow. also, if the design sells like hotcakes, then you are in buisness. if not, then you have a lot of money and time sunk into something that will turn into more of a hassle than a joy. find a general type that you like, eg. 5 inch bushcraft/choppers, and then start with a piece of steel, a pattern, and a open mind. you will end up with something that you are either proud of or learned something from.
 
thegeek574 said:
I agree with all of the above, but I would give you a bit of advice. don't make 8 of the same thing. let each knife take shape how it will. trying to make all of them turn out the same will be more frustrating than letting them flow. also, if the design sells like hotcakes, then you are in buisness. if not, then you have a lot of money and time sunk into something that will turn into more of a hassle than a joy. find a general type that you like, eg. 5 inch bushcraft/choppers, and then start with a piece of steel, a pattern, and a open mind. you will end up with something that you are either proud of or learned something from.
Click to expand...

I see where you're coming from, but I have to disagree.

I think it's excellent practice to try and repeat a design. Not only is it necessary, should somebody see a "prototype" or a past design that they want duplicated, but it also gives you somewhat of a gauge to go by on whether or not you are truly ready to start taking custom orders or have some things to work on.

For example, anybody can screw up a scandi or a sabre grind and turn it into a full flat grind, or change the shape of a knife because they messed up the tip. Sure, you can mess up 5 or 6 times on a given design and still come out with a very functional, well made, (albeit, probably completely different) knife. The question eventually becomes whether or not you can grind a perfect scandi, and then do that 4 or 5 more times in the same fashion.

Now, I will agree that 8 might be a few too many to sink all that time and money into if the design may not sell well. Even if it's a traditional design, I'd still encourage the OP to break things up a little and make 3 or 4 of a given design, then moving to another.

Then again, you still get practice on 8 more blades, and even if you have to give them all away, you're still paying yourself with experience. ;)
 
Ok. I can see both sides of those suggestions. I want to make sure I can repeat the same design but eight times might be a little much. Thank you for the input.

Brian
 
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