Question about getting started.

rmp1911

rmp1911

Joined
Nov 15, 2012
Messages
52
Hello All,
I have a few questions about getting started as a knife maker. I made my first knife at age 14 in my fathers machine shop that would be in the 80's. I have done a lot of research about knife making such as different grinds, styles, selling features and the market itself. I have recently started started making knives again and have sold quite a few and have a couple that are my own designs. So my questions are, how do I get the business end started. Some folks are suggesting that I need an LLC and to get licensed and registered, start putting patents on my designs, sell them on ebay first before you dump a lot a money into the business etc. You get the point. LOL! Anyway, I know the shop portion of the business now I need help with the business part of the business. I would really appreciate any advice and suggestions that anyone might have. I am trying to keep this as simple as possible and want this business to be about "custom knife making" not production stuff.

Thank you,
Rick
 
Don't start with ebay. You get robbed on fees. Make a website, it's very easy and cheap to free, depending on your host. If you're not tech savvy, there are plenty of people that are, and I would be happy to help. I cant help with the llc or the patenting, but I'd be happy to talk web design and hosting. From there, try getting a membership here that lets you sell to other members. The more pictures of your work that show up here, the more people will see on a google image search, and that's a very good place to start. You can also set up shop on some of the other fora like knifedogs. I'll leave it to the professionals to tell you what they do, these are just my impressions from lurking around here for years
 
Thank you Rsq. I agree, I do not want to sell on ebay. At all! LOL! I do have a compnay name and logo. I do need to sign up on BF as a maker. Then I'll start posting some pics and my website. Thanks again.
 
What is the licencing and registering about? Why not just go with it? Yes, the web site would be a good place to start, but get some knives made sand start getting out to shows. Until the collectors and buyers see your work it will be a tough haul to build sales since you say you want "custom" work. There is a sale thread hear in this forum you can use.
It sure would be great to see your work !!! Frank
 
Hi Frank,
Thanks for your response and advice. I will get some pics up as soon as I register as a maker. In the meantime, here is a little teaser. LOL!
Pileri Knives.jpgPicture1.jpg
 
I need an LLC and to get licensed and registered, start putting patents on my designs

I don't see much reason for this, I had to do a fictional name advertisement to open a checking account in the business name, I do suggest doing that. The bank gave me a credit card with a pretty good amount so I did upgrade some of my equipment and paid it off with knife sales. That lead to the city finding me and requiring a business license. Which is cheap and has not been any trouble. I also suggest you set up an accounting system so you can log your purchases and sales, this will help evaluate if you are making money or not and adjust accordingly. I started with a few sheets of 8 column accounting paper, worked fine now I use NCH Express Accounts.

If you are going to declare the income (which is required by law) you can deduct expenses, this is where the accounting system pays for itself.

The website cannot be overstated, that is where you will get business even if you do shows and other sales efforts, everything is directed to the website.
 
I wouldn't waste time trying to paent anything. Unless you are on the Gavin Hawk level, I would think there is not much you could design that hasn't at one time or another, already been done. It will just be extra money to try it, and even more money to even attempt to enforce it. This isn't meant as negative, simply that there isn't much patentable in this field, and what is is mostly already gone. Besides that, until you have some very serious name recognition, it's not likely to make any difference business wise.
 
If you start doing huge sales, an LLC can be beneficial in lower taxes - but no one starting has that.

LLC is supposed to protect you against lawsuits, but they can just name both you personally and the company in the lawsuit - no advantage


Unless you can some up worth a different folder locking system, there is not much to patent - utilty patent


Most of the stuff is trademarked, like Busee's holes in the guard, or Spyderco's thumb hole.



Here there are limits on sales before you have to collect the state sales tax - $30,000
It's pretty easy to stay under that limit and avoid all that filing and registration. - Your rules will be different.

A website with good photos is important.
 
Hey Guys,
THANK YOU SO MUCH! This information is very helpful. This is exactly what I wanted to hear. I wanted this to be a fun business and keep all the corporate BS out of it. You all just saved me a bunch of headaches and money. To Patrick Knives, I will definitely take your suggestion under advisement and open a checking account under a business name and keep accurate records. Good Call. Anyway, Look for me in the near future as "Pileri Custom Knives". Have an Awesome day!
Thanks,
Rick
 

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I've got some comments about that logo

I understand the Jesus fish origin and it's an identifier of you as a "Christian" and that's important to you.


I say skip that on your knives.

The purpose of a logo is to ID you and differentiate you from everyone else.

There are already lots and lots of makers with the fish logo already.
In my eyes, all it does is force the size of font your name is in to be so small that it's hard to read.



You may see some support from other Christians, because that's important to them - but you may be excluding other sales from people of other belief systems.

If you and a customer connect on that religion level, they will know it by talking to you without the logo

My religion is classified as a christian religion, but not what I would call "Christian"
I will never buy a product littered with those symbols


How is a Muslum, Jew , JW, Buddest, atheist...whatever going to buy and use a product with YOUR religious symbol on it; when it's not theirs?
Why exclude anyone ?
 
Thanks for the advice however, that's my logo. The logo will not be on the knife.
The logo will be on my BF page and business card. The writing on the knife will be
pileri custom knives on the spine of the knife in the handle area.
I'm not trying to offend anyone it's just my faith. God gave me a
gift and if I can't make Him a part of my business then I won't have the business.
Bottom line is, if someone doesn't want to buy my product for whatever reason,
then don't buy it. Someone else will.
Thank you and have a great day.
 
I see the points both you and the count make. I understand you wanting to incorporate your faith into the logo. I also see where the count is coming from with the potential image to people of other faith. Personally I would not buy anything with religious symbols of any faith on it, due to my own beliefs but I am not here for that topic and don't want to get into it on your thread. I think the faith side of things is quie evident in the statements and sig lines of HHH knives, but because it's not plastered on the knife, I would own one of them in a second if I could afford to do so. If it's not on your knife, I wouldn't have a problem carrying one either. If you have the logo made and feel strongly enough to stick with it then I say stick with it. It's is after all your work
 
rmp1911 said:
Thanks for the advice however, that's my logo. The logo will not be on the knife.
The logo will be on my BF page and business card.

The writing on the knife will be pileri custom knives on the spine of the knife in the handle area.
Click to expand...

Nevermind then, I took that logo as being your ricasso stamp.
 
I'd be more likely to buy with the logo as it fits my beliefs, but I think restricting it to your cards, avatar and website is not a bad strategy.

I'm not well educated on the law in any capacity, but from what I know about feature protection on (production) knives (such as the Spyderco hole) it is largely regulated by the buying community. Design theft is *highly* frowned upon, at least by informed enthusiasts. That may or may not make any difference with your designs, but I think the only time a patent is necessary is when a new and innovative folder lock is designed and defines the company like with Benchmade and their Axis lock.

Other than that, welcome to BladeForums. I like your knives and look forward to seeing more of your work.
 
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