Question for Knifemakers - To Specialise or Not ?

J

Jason Cutter

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Oct 9, 2002
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I'd like to hear some feedback and opinions from fellow knifemakers. I also hope this is the correct sub-forum to post this...

Would you make a wide range of knives, or would you specialise in a few restricted types ?
Of course, some makers only make folders, only hard-core tacticals, only forged bowies, only hunters, only art knives, etc. etc. ...

I find myself possibly trying to do everything and not sticking to one style or focussing on making one "line" of knives. My website has bowie-styled, tactical, hunters, kitchen, personal / gents', neo-japanese, scandi, persian, and now folders.

Is diversity a good or bad thing for you ?
Whats your own knifemaking situation and how did it come about ?
How much of a choice did you have in the decision ?


Thanks in advance. Jason.
 
looking at your site I'd say why try to stick to one line? everyting looks fantastic! I have the same troubles with pretty much everything I try to do, I can never stick to one thing and I find it hard to complete anything. :rolleyes:

If your not like me (which you don't seem to be by the numbers you have completed) I'd keep your style wide open.

Great stuff btw.;)
just my opinion, Steve
 
I've always had a love for the outdoors and hunting. My interest in knives started as a result of these two pastimes. More hunting then anything else. I decided I wanted to make quality heavy duty tools for the outdoors person. My style and design is based on knives that will be used, hence "Nothin' fancy, purely functional" I've tried all different types of knives for game work and feel I have experience in designing what will work for the hunter. I have over twenty years of big game hunting experience, mainly whitetails, but all big game are basically handled the same. I felt instead of trying to make a little bit of everything, I'd specialize in making knives for what I enjoy doing.
Scott
 
To me it's a matter of the heart. If you can put your full heart into making many different styles of knives, then you should do it. I can't find it in my heart to try many of the styles and types out there. I find myself resonating with only a few specialized types of knives so that's all I try. I think both types of knifemakers sell knives. Look at Ed Fowler's knives. He's pretty focused on a certain style yet he sells lots of knives. And there are many others making a wide variety of styles and selling them. Follow your heart and passion. Work for joy and the rest takes care of itself. todd
 
Generally I think of myself as not having matured as a knife maker yet because I'm still all over the place in terms of what I get interested in making. And there's still a ton of different stuff I want to do. But I believe that when I do find my stride I'll settle on a particular theme and pretty much stick to it. So long as the creative juices keep flowing I don't think that would be a problem but as soon as one starts repeating himself it might begin to feel like work...
 
Jason,
Make everything, at least once, and take a picture of it. When you've finished that task, make what is popular and sales best. Keep a good representation of those pictures on your site.

I've been doing this 33 years and haven't finished that task yet, so I decided to just go ahead and make what sales. It's what I like to make anyway. :)

Go thru my album site and you'll see what I mean.
 
Yes. My belief is it best, while you still can, to learn all you can about all you think within your facilty. Take it from me; had I not been swayed by circumstances into going full time sooner than I thought myself matured enough my hopes were to learn several other styles. As it is I seem to be locked into three specific catagories of knives. All of which I do like doing very much but I am limited now in that there is little time left to expand the line except by customer demand. As one example: it does not look good for me being able to learn none fixed blades.

RL
 
As some of you know, I make about everything. I don't make knives only for income. I don't do production work, either.

For me, variety and new ideas are the spice of life. I'll make any kind of knife if it's a practical, useful design.

That said, I'm almost 71 years old. Old enough to do as I please, and it pleases me to make all kinds of knives.
 
Make a wide varity of knives and handle styles. it improves your skills and attitude. it also lets you say YES I can make that. You never want to turn down a client/customer. Little hunters and slab tang knives pay the bills but do not get stuck in a rut. Always push yourself to your limit and beyond. nothing humbles you like getting your ass kicked on a new design. If bored ask another maker to dream up some weird stuff and see if you can build it. Have fun. :D
 
Make a variety while learning.If a particular thing doesn't work for you,move on to the next thing.As time goes by you will find certain patterns that you do well,and they are your best sellers.You will start to make more of these styles,and will develop certain personal traits that only you do on them.This will become what you are known for.I made a little of everything at one time or another.Now I make mainly fillet,professional cutlery, and bowie styles.But I still get the desire to try something different.
 
Kit summed it up for me. The pluss side is that if you have enjoyed making it, it will show in the work, and that makes a better product. If you CAN make a variety of styles go for it but be prepaired to make what people need at the time. Then go back to making what you want ;)
 
I'd have to agree with most here and say make everything you can at first, to expand your skill base. Try new and different stuff, as long as it's functional. You may decide to specialize later on if you discover a particular style you enjoy making. But I also think this decision will have something to do with building your customer base. At first, you'll be making whatever anybody wants, 'cause ya got bills to pay. Later on, if you have a waiting list, you can be more selective of the jobs/commisions you take on. I have chosen to specialize because I'm only a hobbiest maker, and don't have time to make everything, so I'm happy with a smaller customer base.
 
Thank you for all the replies.

I've been told its sometimes a hindrance to think too much about what you're doing at the time, but I can't help it... :)

Perhaps its the particular market in Australia, or rather, marketing my knives FROM Australia. Tne ones that end up paying the bills are the higher-end pieces that end up with collectors, etc.

AS much as I'd hate to admit it, the "selling" factor does have a bit of influence on what I make - After all, it would not be a good thing for one's morale to have a whole stack of knives piling up in your storage cupboards because noone is interested in them, other than yourself. Fortunately, I enjoy making the ones that sell.

I do enjoy the variety and the release that one style gives from another. As much as I love forging, a switch to eg.- stock removal and folders, gives me opportunity to break out of a rut that is GOING to happen (based on experience).

Another thing I realised - when trying out new patterns and styles, there are always new and interesting techniques to discover and/or learn. These can then be extrapolated across the board to your existing patterns and enrish them.

I suppose its a case of ... SO MANY THINGS TO TRY, SO LITTLE TIME...

Keep 'em coming. Jason.
 
Jason,
Simple advice...You need a recognizable style/signature to your knives.
When after time someone sees a blade and recognizes the maker by the style or a particular UNIQUE characteristic of each blade, then you gain a presence in the marketplace.
Be it a hole pattern, a file pattern, blade curve...Whatever...something you use on every blade you make from now on so people associate it with YOU!

Limits you somewhat BUT the toughest part is figuring out something unique that stands out and hopefully no one else is using in the same manner.

Make what sells...or you will go broke doing this
 
Myself, I'm just a newbie and a hobbiest that someday hopes to turn knifemaking into a business. At this point, I can't see specializing and forsaking all other types of knives. There's just too much that I want to try. I just like to make all kinds of things, whether it be knives, furniture, or doo-hickies.

The closest thing that I have to a specialization is kitchen cutlery. I sold Cutco knives one summer, but had too much honesty and not enough salesman in me. I did learn a lot more about knives then, and since then I've revamped most of the family's cheap wood handled knives with new handles.
 
Blinker said:
Jason,
Simple advice...You need a recognizable style/signature to your knives.
When after time someone sees a blade and recognizes the maker by the style or a particular UNIQUE characteristic of each blade, then you gain a presence in the marketplace.
Be it a hole pattern, a file pattern, blade curve...Whatever...something you use on every blade you make from now on so people associate it with YOU!

Limits you somewhat BUT the toughest part is figuring out something unique that stands out and hopefully no one else is using in the same manner.

Make what sells...or you will go broke doing this
Click to expand...
Well said Blinker. This is what I'm trying to do, establish a style or look that will eventually be recognized as mine without looking for the maker mark. I've always been a no frills basic type of person and that's what goes into my knifemaking. So far so good since almost everything I've made has sold.
Scott
 
I'd agree with this too. I think you'll find all the successful makers do have a recognizable style. Whether it was a conscious effort or an effect of the maker's innate artistic bent is open for discussion. I suggest that those who are truly successful are driven by a unique vision that shines through all their work, and that it isn't necessarily by design. I think everyone here that's made more than a handful of knives has begun to exhibit their own style. Just two more cents. Good thread.

Edit to get back on track: A personal style will carry through (my opinion) any specialization or variety one attempts; it's an approach to using one's tools, even a result of the tools a craftsman has chosen to use. I really believe that a mature maker will find a groove or a style or pattern that suits him (generic pronoun) and work mostly in that vein. Blinker for example makes many fighters and you could spot one of his knives across the room; Scott makes outdoors knives and you'd know his work as soon as you saw it. Me, I've no clue what I'm up for and continue to make all kinds of stuff - orders permitting - but I'd bet most of you would point to the DL knife among a dozen others on any table. Why? Because my guard fit sucks! :D
 
Dave, you need to post more pics of your work. You keep teasing me with your descriptions and not enough pics. :D From what you have posted, I think you knives are first class. ;)
Scott
 
Make the styles you enjoy making, but that sell.
I need to sell the knives I make to keep this wonderful craft going.
Two of the successful dealers who carried my knives, but currently don't have any, did a great job selling my linerlocked folders, especially the "one-of-a-kind"knives. One of the most recent dealers I work with has purchased my little slipjoints and has quite successfully sold those, and will be receiving more soon.

A majority of the orders I have received recently are all for slipjoints made to be in the usable to collectable price/fanciness ranges.
So for me, I love to trick out a linerlock with filework, fluted handles, jeweled gold thumbstuds, Damascus, Timascus.....BUT, my last dozen or so orders and/or sales have all been for slipjoints.....so I will continue to make those, which makes me just as challenged and happy to work on as the others.
ITs a sorta "can't loose" situation...just leave enough room in what you make that you can put the creativity into your work that keeps your "juices" going!
I don't normally do straight knives as I personally really like those in a forged version and I don't currently have the experience or facilities to forge blades.....also my neighbors are close enough that operating a smithy with hammer and anvil or a "Little Giant" in my shop could test my "welcomeness" in our neighborhood. :D
 
Razorback - Knives said:
Dave, you need to post more pics of your work. You keep teasing me with your descriptions and not enough pics. :D From what you have posted, I think you knives are first class. ;)
Scott
Click to expand...
Sad to say Scott, but I do post pics of most of what I'm doing, as long as I haven't posted a bunch of the same thing before. I'm about the least prolific knife maker around! Except of course Guy Thomas, who will never even see this post... :D
 
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