Prices

Karl B. Andersen

Karl B. Andersen

Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Messages
5,689
Why would you undersell yourself like that?!?!
The sheath is worth a $100.00 in time alone!
The ivory $50 - 75.00! Minimum.
Stabilized?
How about the steel?
File work?
Your time?
Belts?
That's a $450.00 knife if I ever saw one.
If you don't get paid for your time and expertise, is just a disservice to yourself and the other knifemakers that depend on income to survive!
That knife is gorgeous!
If about 1/3 to 1/2 of your customers don't complain about your prices, but buy your knives anyway, you're not high enough.
Don't give 'em away.
 
kbaknife said:
Why would you undersell yourself like that?!?!
The sheath is worth a $100.00 in time alone!
The ivory $50 - 75.00! Minimum.
Stabilized?
How about the steel?
File work?
Your time?
Belts?
That's a $450.00 knife if I ever saw one.
If you don't get paid for your time and expertise, is just a disservice to yourself and the other knifemakers that depend on income to survive!
That knife is gorgeous!
If about 1/3 to 1/2 of your customers don't complain about your prices, but buy your knives anyway, you're not high enough.
Don't give 'em away.
Click to expand...


I usually don't get involved in this kind of thing but in the last few days I have seen several people telling Mr. Wilson that his prices are too low. Full time knifemaking is just like any other form of self employment. You find your niche and get in it. You know more than anyone what you have to have for your product in order to make it work. I am sure that Mr. Wilson is like all of us that have been in it for a long time. You continually search for bargain material and time saving practices in order to stay competitive. I know he has been making knives for at least 25 years and would have long since quit if he was going broke at it. He makes a very good knife and charges what he feels is fair and still be able to make a living. If he was selling them for $5.00 each I would not feel that he was doing me a "disservice". Its all about how much "clear" money you have at the end of theweek. I think it is called Free Enterprise.
 
Where is the piece about the overpriced knives that all look alike. It has been a buyers market for a while, and it will not change until the discreationary income is back in Joe Americas pocket. Feed the family, pay the fuel bills, and there is not a lot left for most. Competition will set the price no matter where you trained or who you are. A mans business is just that, his business. If he goes broke then the bar was to low. If it is a get to know the community ,then he feels everything has a price. If the work is quality then the price will follow. If Mrs. America agrees that dad needs a new hunting piece, but the family will come first.

Happy New Year
Floyd
 
I have made a comment or two about a knifemaker underpricing his knife in this forum. It was meant as a compliment to the maker, not a dig on his price. Mr. Wilson is the maker of his art and he better than anyone knows the value. Besides he is getting a LOT of his blade art in the market.

Also maybe some of us who may think a certain piece is underpriced may be putting too much value on some of the things we do and make.

Just my humble opinion.

QS
 
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