Please Help me Sell Knives

My suggestion would be to tap into craft fairs and sports shows in your area, and then go to them. Perhaps add a fishing knife to your line.

I know that when I go to the WV Pumpkin Festival there are always 4 or 5 knifemakers selling stuff in the crafts tents and also at the WV Hunting and Fishing Show a number of custom makers are present. Also gun shows can often be a good place to sell knives.

However the craft fairs and hunting shows people have a lot of money and it's easier to sell stuff. You could print some of the online reviews of your blades and put them up behind your table and I'd bet you'd sell some.

But there's a LOT of people making knives now. Plus the whole waterjet semi production thing allows makers to put way more knives into the market. Also can't comment on anybody's specific area but at least in my area the market for knives over $100 is limited. For instance Bark River puts out amazing knives that are beautiful. But I question if there were no internet knife sales if they would be able to stay afloat selling to stores. Not in my area. Nobody would pay like 80 bucks for a Mikro or close to 200 for a Gunny even though I think they are worth it. There's a bit of a bubble as far as knives on the net and with all the people getting into knifemaking it may be partially bursting. I could take any gun I have bought in the last 10 years and go out and sell it locally and make a profit. I could not do that with my knife collection.

That said not all are created equal and your stuff has some of the nicest handles and immaculate edges of any. I think as more people become more discriminating, it will weed out a lot of the more crudely made blades and open more market share for folks llike you.
 
Last edited:
I think posting the available knives on your web site is the first step,i just looked at your
available knives page and its empty.Hang in there Andy,your knives relly stick out and are top notch,things will get better,and i would try and list a couple on ebay and see
what happens.
marc
 
Something that may be good idea locally for you, would be to contact a local newspaper or magazine. I know the town my parents live in, even though fairly small, puts together a magazine and paper about local events and people. Could get yourself known locally and it may be picked up by another source.

Could either suggest a story about tough times in the knifemaking scheme of things or just a general article on yourself.

Send a couple samples to be reviews by higher end magazines that cater to the more luxurious side to things. You make some very useful and classy knives, would be well paired with a fine cigar/watch/wine/etc.

Just some ideas for ye.
 
G'day Andy

For what it's worth, have you thought about talking to Derrick at knivesshipfree.com to see if he would be prepared to offer your work on his website.



Kind regards
Mick
 
I agree with selling your knives on your website. The first time I heard of you through candlepower forum I went to check out your website and was very disappointed to find I could not buy anything there.

I have just starting using http://www.fortune3.com/ to build on online shopping cart for myself. You should check it out, if that is something you are interested in.
 
I would also check out your small Collectibles Shops in your area. A friend of mine owns a Coin and Antique Shop. He was telling me I could display some of my knives I want to sell in one of his cases. Most of use collectors get into more than one thing. I know I am.
 
Two comments:

1) I have a few financial obligations, but in the near future (6 months or so), I plan on buying one of your smaller fixed blades - the pictures alone on the site convinced me of that.

2) The "2009" way to publicize would be to get on twitter, start a youtube channel, etc. I know some people scoff at it but there is a huge market. I love seeing the way the knives are made, the way they are ground, heat treated, the way handles are put on, etc. Seeing several videos on how you make your knives, how much care goes into them, etc. would be really cool, and something to show my friends after I pick one up...

Good luck to you :)
 
That is awesome Okbohn! Get in the camp knife challenge over in WSS Andy. More exposure can't hurt.
 
You already heard my thoughts Andy, you'll get lots more exposure there too. Everybody loved your craftsmanship.
 
I'm in the process of trying to get a forum on USN as well!!!
 
I don't know why, but I just read through this thread....

If possible, you might hold off on the ebay thing. I have done a few knives--customs as well as BRKT and others. They are a tough sell.

They generally go low dollar and you run the risk of setting the price for your knives below what you want. As others have indicated, your knives are worth more than you are charging, you would hate to have the world decide to pay less than they cost you!

Just my .02.
 
I think if I did ebay, it'd have to be a buy it now thing.
 
FYI the fees on ebay tend to add up rather quickly, especially if the item doesn't sell. Have you posted your available knifes for sale at Candlepower ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top