Presentation Boxes

[M.McAlevy]

Looking for comments on something I have been working on. I have a friend who makes traditional shaker boxes. Over a couple beers one night we discussed doing a custom size for my knives. The aspect ratio is a little challenging on these for fitting knives but I think we came up with a pretty good fit. The first size completed is good for knives in the ~7-9" range which covers a high percentage of what I make. Using Maple and Cherry. Note: pictures show first prototypes. Some adjustments are being made to the next group including a reduction in box height.

Maple (bird's eye top):



Cherry



So what do you guys think? Have you seen anyone else using this style box for knife presentation? I plan on offering these as an add on when selling a knife. I think they would be good for knives being bought as presents or ones you want to set out to display.

 

[gdpolk]

While I think it is a very clever idea, I wouldn't buy one and I doubt the majority of your customers would either. To most folks, even those buying expensive handmade knives, knives are tools meant to be used...not decorations for your home. Also to have a knife in a presentation box means it likely isn't in its sheath which is a more tradition, functional, and appropriate storage solution for a good fixed blade knife. As a customer of high end knives, I would always opt to have a nicer sheath with perhaps better fit/finish and/or tooling on it over the option for a basic sheath (necessity for a fixed blade) and a presentation box.

All of that said, I expect that you will sell a few presentation boxes here and there. I expect most will go to those buying the knives as gifts. And, I think it's awesome that your trying to collaborate with a friend and local craftsman of another trade to bring forth options and products between you guy's respective markets for your customers. Your friend's woodworking skills appear to be very nice. I would urge you guys to have each of your logos/makers marks made into a brass woodburning stamp for these boxes and put his woodshop logo on the bottom and your knife maker's logo on the lid.

 

[M.McAlevy]

Thanks for the comments.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Knives should never be kept in their sheaths.

 

[JGguns]

While I think it is a very clever idea, I wouldn't buy one and I doubt the majority of your customers would either. To most folks, even those buying expensive handmade knives, knives are tools meant to be used...not decorations for your home. Also to have a knife in a presentation box means it likely isn't in its sheath which is a more tradition, functional, and appropriate storage solution for a good fixed blade knife. As a customer of high end knives, I would always opt to have a nicer sheath with perhaps better fit/finish and/or tooling on it over the option for a basic sheath (necessity for a fixed blade) and a presentation box.

All of that said, I expect that you will sell a few presentation boxes here and there. I expect most will go to those buying the knives as gifts. And, I think it's awesome that your trying to collaborate with a friend and local craftsman of another trade to bring forth options and products between you guy's respective markets for your customers. Your friend's woodworking skills appear to be very nice. I would urge you guys to have each of your logos/makers marks made into a brass woodburning stamp for these boxes and put his woodshop logo on the bottom and your knife maker's logo on the lid.

I’ll offer a different take to this. Storing a knife in a leather sheath isn’t always the best idea.

And a lot of people who buy knives are collectors. Sure maybe they use them but a lot of times they have so many that it doesn’t get into use often.

If the fit an finish an design is dialed in, and the price point is good I think it could be a potential.

There is cheap options for storage but if I had some really high end blades that didn’t see a lot of use I would consider something like this for storage(probly wouldn’t keep the lid on them, to allow air flow) with a good amount of oil/wax.

That being said for my personal taste I am struggling to see where these fit in my collection. But my knives get used(I don’t have enough money to collect lol).

 

[E.Carlson]

I like them and think it would be a nice way to deliver/store your knife. It's also unique.
I would just factor it in to the price of the knife though, I don't see many people opting of an add on.
I deliver my knives in a hand made waxed canvas pouch with the customers initials stamped on a leather tag. Most don't expect to get this and sometimes I have to remind them that they get a knife too!

 

[M.McAlevy]

Thanks for the comments. Keep them coming.

 

[HSC ///]

Looking for comments on something I have been working on.
So what do you guys think? Have you seen anyone else using this style box for knife presentation? I plan on offering these as an add on when selling a knife. I think they would be good for knives being bought as presents or ones you want to set out to display.

why is it so tall? deep?

 

[gdpolk]

Knives should never be kept in their sheaths.

That's what I've been told, but we all know that isn't the reality of how the vast majority of knife owners/users do things (even consumers of hand made knives). Only the most dedicated knife owners and/or collectors are going to take the time, effort, space, and monetary investment to come up with some sort of dedicated storage system for their knives separately from their sheaths.

I've also been told to remove the slings from my guns in the off season for the same reasons...leather traps and holds moisture. That doesn't happen either; they just get a coat of oil and placed in the cabinet.

 

[M.McAlevy]

why is it so tall? deep?

Good observation! The pictures show the first prototypes. Several minor adjustments are being made in the next batch including the height. Getting the strapping to look right gets tougher as the height is decreased.

 

[M.McAlevy]

That's what I've been told, but we all know that isn't the reality of how the vast majority of knife owners/users do things (even consumers of hand made knives). Only the most dedicated knife owners and/or collectors are going to take the time, effort, space, and monetary investment to come up with some sort of dedicated storage system for their knives separately from their sheaths.

I've also been told to remove the slings from my guns in the off season for the same reasons...leather traps and holds moisture. That doesn't happen either; they just get a coat of oil and placed in the cabinet.

Thanks again for your comments. To clarify, these boxes are by no means meant to be a replacement for a good sheath.