Question about going full time

tidefan

tidefan

Joined
Nov 23, 2004
Messages
1,081
I'm sure this has been discussed before, and I've done searches and the responses are mixed. So my question is more narrowed. I was forced to retire from being a firefighting/paramedic and want to do something I love.

I've made a few knives in the past and I absolutely love it. I am always in my shop working on a blade or scales. So here is my question.

I have a rare chance to do this full time. I have a shot at fully equipping a shop in my garage with all the tools needed, getting a website, and going to shows.

Is it possible to make a modest living making knives? I have no dreams of being rich or famous, just paying the bills and enjoying life. I never again want to dread going to work because I hate the job.....Does this make sense? Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated....Thanks, Jim
 
There are only a few that are able to make a fair living at making knives. Now, if you have support financialy from say your wife or special person, that was male or female, then you could at least have a good run at it. Still, for a bit of time yet, it could be a good thing to find another job and work hard in any spare time you have making and selling. For most to survive in the knife making business, they must work a full day every day in order to survive.
The economy is very slow right now and people with money to spend on knives can be few and far between. I sure wouldn't count on a web site to bring in many sales. Yes, lookers but not sales at least until you became a bit "known". That can take years, of going to shows and often will require constant upgrading of your work to reach a high standard. Local business is great but most often within six months you have sold all that's there available.
You say you have the equipment, does this include one or more quality 2 X72 belt grinders, a surface grinder a good drill press, and say a couple of thousand dollars worth of materials including belts, steel, and more. Having to buy these immediately can put a strain on the home buget.
If you can make good money now making knives how about working into it in a more planed manner than taking a big jump? With respect and appreciation for your desire to become fully invoved. Frank
 
There are lots and lots of questions to consider.

Are your knives any good? Are they somehow better or more unique than what a couple hundred other established guys are already putting out?

Do you have to borrow the money to equip your shop or can you pay cash?

How much experience do you have in production/manufacturing... I mean actually making stuff all day every day... it's not for everyone.

What's your income (without selling a single knife) vs. debt situation (car/house payment etc.)? Do you have health insurance covered somehow? Are you prepared to slug it out for a year without paying yourself a wage before your knives and your name start to really catch on?

Are you prepared to be not just a knifemaker but also a salesman, customer service rep, materials buyer, janitor, maintenance guy, bookkeeper, bill collector, website administrator... just like pretty much any other small businessperson? There's basically no such thing as a 40-hour week, and there's no overtime pay.

It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock'n'roll! :)

Having said all that, someone would have to pay me a heckuva lot more than I make now, to convince me to go back to working for someone else. If you can answer those questions to your own satisfaction, go for it!
 
Yes, it is possible.

In time.

Providing you develop a following and subsequent demand for your knives.
 
Fellhoelter said:
Yes, it is possible.

In time.

Providing you develop a following and subsequent demand for your knives.
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This^^^

It took me almost a year of making knives 5-6 days a week, before I felt I had the quality and consistency to sell to the public. I worked with a Master Smith and tested, tested, tested. I felt that I fast-tracked into the custom knife maker's industry. Be sure you are ready.
 
I've been making knives for 20 yrs to get to the point where I can sell everything I make and I make a little bit of everything.

You will have shows that are a bust and have to find your niche in terms of style, market and price. It's all part of paying your dues.

Good luck!
 
I'm looking forward to the challenge. I will have a website and will be a regular at all the local shows. I'm able to outfit my shop without going into debt and my wife(God love her) is behind me 100%. I know about paying dues and I respect the makers who are out there doing this. I greatly appreciate the responses and advise. I'm sure I'll be asking for more very often as I begin this journey...God bless, Jim
 
It also depends what the cost of living is where you live, and if you rent your house and/or shop. It helps if you go into it full time after you've already built up the shops and tools, the skills, and a bit of a following.

Good luck with it! Show some work here when you get a chance...
 
First thing you have to do is make knives that other people want to buy...

Then you can decide if you want to do this full time. ;)
 
Fellhoelter said:
You gotta make stuff that folks want.
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That cannot be emphasized enough... and that's only the first hurdle in generating sales. Most designs that most people want are already available, in every price-range.

I ask myself every single day, "what need can I address that no one else can or will?"
 
Here's some screwy logic for you.

The money is not in things folks NEED.

It's in things folks WANT.

I do not make a single thing anybody needs.

We all need knives of course, but you can buy a wonderful Kershaw or Gerber for less than I have invested in the material for one knife...
 
Brian... very true, sir.

From the beginning, I made knives that I liked and wanted.... turns out, there are a few other folks out there with impeccable taste. Ha!:p
 
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You love knife making as a hobby. The big question is, will you love it as a job, when your family depends on it?
 
jonnymac44 said:
Well played, my brother from the great white north!;)
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Thanks, mon! Looks like I'm in for Blade 2013. Hope to see you there!



Tidefan...

I hope I don't mess up the wording and accidentally offend you... my intentions are sincere.

What concerns me with your intent to go full time is that I feel you are not giving enough attention to the skill/experience part of the equation. To me(and forgive me if I am simply misreading your posts) you are putting more emphasis on a fully equipped shop, website, and the availability to hit local shows than the fact that you have only made a handful of knives. Some would say it is a balance between talent and equipment... I say talent trumps a well endowed shop, any day of the week. I could take away all of Don Hanson's equipment and replace it with a $50 gift certificate at Home Depot. I have no doubt that within a week, he would be posting pics of his latest eye-popper and nobody would be the wiser.

I'm not implying that you aren't talented(frankly, I have yet to see your work) but I got a knot in my gut when you started your list of qualifications with "I've made a few knives in the past and I absolutely love it." If you have some cushion, that can afford you the time and money... I would hit every opportunity to get with professional makers and take classes. Don't rely on a shop and the internet. It is awesome that you are so intent on doing what you love to do... but to make a living at this, OTHERS have to love what you do, even more.
 
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A fully equipped shop, and frequenting shows are great but you may be better served by finding an additional part of full-time job in the interim. If you are truly interested in making a career as a knife maker, I would locate a well-known maker who has done just that and done it successfully, who is willing to take you under their wing. Names and who you are matters greatly in this industry, as much as the actual product you sell. You will find many makers who are "big time" but even still do not make knives full-time.
 
Rick Marchand said:
Thanks, mon! Looks like I'm in for Blade 2013. Hope to see you there!



Tidefan...

I hope I don't mess up the wording and accidentally offend you... my intentions are sincere.

What concerns me with your intent to go full time is that I feel you are not giving enough attention to the skill/experience part of the equation. To me(and forgive me if I am simply misreading your posts) you are putting more emphasis on a fully equipped shop, website, and the availability to hit local shows than the fact that you have only made a handful of knives. Some would say it is a balance between talent and equipment... I say talent trumps a well endowed shop, any day of the week. I could take away all of Don Hanson's equipment and replace it with a $50 gift certificate at Home Depot. I have no doubt that within a week, he would be posting pics of his latest eye-popper and nobody would be the wiser.

I'm not implying that you aren't talented(frankly, I have yet to see your work) but I got a knot in my gut when you started your list of qualifications with "I've made a few knives in the past and I absolutely love it." If you have some cushion, that can afford you the time and money... I would hit every opportunity to get with professional makers and take classes. Don't rely on a shop and the internet. It is awesome that you are so intent on doing what you love to do... but to make a living at this, OTHERS have to love what you do, even more.
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I've been looking for classes of any sort in my area, haven't found any... Tidefan, if you get the chance, do so! Learning from a pro would obviously be a huge help.

When my father started his old company, which tied in with his regular job, he knew the business inside and out. He knew what people would want and need, and for 17 years, it served him well. Mind you, he has about 25 years of experience, with 8 years before starting his company. Now, he's transitioning back into his OLD trade of being a draftsman, something he already has 10 years experience. He is talented and very knowledgeable in his fields. So my question to you would be, 'Do you think your current product matches up to what you want it to be?'

My dad knows that what he can provide is above and beyond what people are looking for. What about your product, your knives? You may not need the 10 years experience, but you certainly need a sizable amount in order to decide if you believe you can really commit to this.

Like NStricker said...

NStricker said:
You love knife making as a hobby. The big question is, will you love it as a job, when your family depends on it?
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Regardless, good luck if you do indeed go through with this. I'll be looking out for your knives here on the forums in the future!
 
Rick Marchand said:
Thanks, mon! Looks like I'm in for Blade 2013. Hope to see you there!



Tidefan...

I hope I don't mess up the wording and accidentally offend you... my intentions are sincere.

What concerns me with your intent to go full time is that I feel you are not giving enough attention to the skill/experience part of the equation. To me(and forgive me if I am simply misreading your posts) you are putting more emphasis on a fully equipped shop, website, and the availability to hit local shows than the fact that you have only made a handful of knives. Some would say it is a balance between talent and equipment... I say talent trumps a well endowed shop, any day of the week. I could take away all of Don Hanson's equipment and replace it with a $50 gift certificate at Home Depot. I have no doubt that within a week, he would be posting pics of his latest eye-popper and nobody would be the wiser.

I'm not implying that you aren't talented(frankly, I have yet to see your work) but I got a knot in my gut when you started your list of qualifications with "I've made a few knives in the past and I absolutely love it." If you have some cushion, that can afford you the time and money... I would hit every opportunity to get with professional makers and take classes. Don't rely on a shop and the internet. It is awesome that you are so intent on doing what you love to do... but to make a living at this, OTHERS have to love what you do, even more.
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Thanks for the plug Rick, but that might be pushing it a bit. :o You might be able to pull it off better than me...
 
What it really boils down to, is a person has to already be making and selling knives, before deciding to go full time or not.

Start small and build it to what you want. Ya don't just start in the middle, or top, you have to start at the beginning...
 
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