Price of Fame?

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The question I have is: What is the price of Fame?

This is NOT a question about the equipment or supplies. How long did it take before you were able to pay the bills on time?

Be brutally Honest on this one
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RHankins Available knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=205453
 
I have been making knives for almost 9 years now with 2 1/2 of this as a full time maker.And If it wasnt for my wife working and making sure the bills are paid on time there are allot of months that we wouldnt be able to pay the bills still....It takes a long time (they say 3 years ) before people really even start looking at your work,and then it takes years to get a good reputation and any kind of name.Unless you are one of the lucky ones out there that has money they can spend up front on advertising and marketing and going to shows (without selling anything for a long time)Or you get lucky enough that you start getting in magazines real quick after starting so people see your work.....I was told at the begginig " Don't quit your day job" as it's tough out there.....Bruce

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Bruce Evans Handcrafted Knives
The soul of the Knife begins in the Fire!!!!!
Member of,AKTI#A000223 and The American Bladesmith Society
 
this has been discussed time and time again. There are SO many elements to factor into this equation it is unbelievable...but the fact remains.....making knives full time is NOT an easy life. I made surfboards for 22 years.....surfboard shapers are everywhere (in the beach communities) and like a lot of business' 10% of the guys get the lions share, while everyone else works for a wage. Its like that in a lot of craft oriented occupations.....NAME and REPUTATION mean everything.....Bob Loveless gets 5 times what I do for a hunter...but for MANY MANY years he struggled to make ends meet...a lot of people dont ever think about that....It wasnt until the late 70s that his business took off to the point where he could start charging more than the average knifemaker for his product.....when he was almost 50! Think about that.....many famous artists lived only because they had a sponser who would buy their art and take care of them, musicians too. I know a LOT of guys who are full time because they are retired from their original jobs....have their house paid for, have a nice steady retirement check, and can make knives all day long and not worry about the bills. Then there is the location factor. The guys who live in their grandfathers house in the south dont have the bills that the guys on the west coast or around new england have. Where I live the cost of living is 40% higher than the south. I guess the bottom line is.....you BETTER be sure. During the last 20 years I have seen more makers drop out or go back to their original jobs than not.....and the guys who are doing the best out there are not just making a good product, they have a good marketing scheme too.
 
YEA marketing, thats really one of the key things (Making great knives won't hurt).
What kind of advertising budget would you need to start with to go full time in say 2yrs?
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You never plan to fail, you usually fail to plan!
Again you can't meet goals if you don't have a plan either.

Of course I need a lot more practice making blades first!!!


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RHankins Available knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=205453
 
I have to agree with George. Worry about the knife first, then advertise. When you get a couple knives that you think will distinguish you from the pack, start advertising.

I've been making knives for almost 20 years, professionally for about 8, fulltime for 3; thank goodness my wife has a good job.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
 
for me being single and no kids to provide for has made it easier than others. but you still need to have your own WOW factor. and that is not going to happen making copies of other makers knives.imo, no disrespect implied.one of the things that i learned in my own marketing and sales company is that your cost of sales is more important than your selling price. meaning that its great that your getting $800.00 for the knife but your hard cost from materials,show fees,hotel, etc. adds up to $700.00. what i've done is concentrate all around where i live keeping costs down so i can sell knives with a higher margin and build local clients that are easy to stay in touch with and build more sales. i am far from having it all perfect and the great part is there is more to learn every day. i thank god that i found my hearts desire in knife making and make a modest living at it.

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Laurence Segal www.RHINOKNIVES.com
 
I am taking your advice to heart!
Thanks
Please keep it coming..

Where is the right place to look for trends?

Magazines, knife shops, big makers or maybe the production knives? Although they usually follow US and steal our ideas after we have done all of the footwork for them
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the term trends, can mean several things, but you can see how it when from fixed to folder to some that are basicly fixed folder looking blades.another is size.in the last six months i have had more custom orders for over 9" blades than in all of my previous 3 years plus of making now am i just getting a little name or are people moving to fixed blades?



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Laurence Segal www.RHINOKNIVES.com
 
Bob
This is easy.
When you have enough orders with the proper amount of profit in them and you see more on the way , sit down and figure what you spend in costs.

As for trends you can lead or follow. To follow is easy to lead is costly, BUT
to lead IMHO is better.

The point always takes the heat.



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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
Happy Holidays!
 
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