Production Knives

[bluefish2000]

Hello. Newbie here. Not sure where else to turn so I thought that I might be able to get the advice from this group.

I want to commercially produce a new type of kitchen chef's knife that I have designed. And I would like it Made in America. I already have American Steel and handle material and packaging in place, all in America. But I can't seem to find someone to grind/heat treat the blanks into knives here in the States. I have been working with a group in China who will accept my shipment of steel, grind and heat treat them, and send them back. But I would like to find someone to do this "locally".....if possible. I am looking at an initial run of 3000 pieces.

Can someone steer me in the right direction or is this a lost cause at a reasonable price?

Thanks!

 

[Ajack60]

Welcome to BFC Bluefish !!!!!!!!
You'd have a whole lot better luck for your question in the knife makers sub forum. Some of the makers send their blades out for heat treat.
You can click the black triangle at the bottom left of your post and ask the mods to move it instead of making a new thread.
Good Luck

 

[Cobalt]

Hello. Newbie here. Not sure where else to turn so I thought that I might be able to get the advice from this group.

I want to commercially produce a new type of kitchen chef's knife that I have designed. And I would like it Made in America. I already have American Steel and handle material and packaging in place, all in America. But I can't seem to find someone to grind/heat treat the blanks into knives here in the States. I have been working with a group in China who will accept my shipment of steel, grind and heat treat them, and send them back. But I would like to find someone to do this "locally".....if possible. I am looking at an initial run of 3000 pieces.

Can someone steer me in the right direction or is this a lost cause at a reasonable price?

Thanks!

What you ask is a lot and it will not be someone, but a large knife maker, like Gerber, Buck etc. You may need to break up production. You may have to send the steel to a CNC Mill shop that will cut the blanks out of your steel. Once you get it back, you may need to send the cut blanks to a heat treater. Then once that is done you have to find a knife company that will finish them. A lot of work. And the end cost will be high. Which means your knives will be expensive. You have no known name or history in the knife world, which means you will have a very hard time selling them. You may end up taking a loss until your products name gets out there, if it is something that is so much better than what is already out there, which I seriously doubt it is. Sorry, just being realistic. Good luck.

 

[bluefish2000]

Thanks Cobalt. I realize it will be a lot of work and I am willing to price it out. True, I do not have a name, but I do have a patent. Maybe that doesn't mean much, but it should indicate that this knife is unique. So I am trying for made in America.....not machined in China. I recognize the steps I have to take, but dont know who to approach for the milling, the grinding, and the heat treatment. I am willing to do the footwork.....just need to know where to start.....or even if I can! Thanks for the help.

 

[knarfeng]

3,000 knives is not a job for a custom maker.
I agree with Cobalt. You need to contact a largish cutlery company. It would be up to you to contact them, rather than them contacting you.

I hope you have your funding all sorted out. Going to be pricey. You would have to pay them part up front and part on delivery.

Look in this forum for names of largish cutlery companies. Many of them are US companies:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/673-Manufacturer-s-Forums