How often are you surprised by good ideas by your customers? Is it often that you say "gee that's a good idea" or "wish I'd thought of that"? Or do you find yourself having to steer to customer to what would look good or perform well? Just asking because I've worked with a couple custom makers and I'm not sure who is steering who or if it really is two minds working together.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Question for makers
- Thread starter ravenQ8
- Start date
Raven,I am not often surprised by customers.With the information available to them on the forums and in magazines, they are quite educated and usually know want they want.But by the same token,the makers know their abilites, and the materials.Also being artists means wanting to interject your ideas of design.In the end it is usually a good meeting of the minds and a melding of ideas that works.Dave
- Joined
- Apr 19, 1999
- Messages
- 3,560
Most great ideas are the result of consultation or discussion between individuals bouncing ideas back and forth. In large corporations it is usually between marketing (who think they know what the customers want) and manufacuring (who understand the materials and manufacturing methods available). The result is usually a workable compromise.
When I work with a customer who wants various elements incorporated into a knife design I try to find that workable compromise. That is about all that you can expect when you begin to push the limits of the knifemakers production capabilities. Most of us are limited by the design parameters of the material to be used, the equipment and experience available to us.
When I work with a customer who wants various elements incorporated into a knife design I try to find that workable compromise. That is about all that you can expect when you begin to push the limits of the knifemakers production capabilities. Most of us are limited by the design parameters of the material to be used, the equipment and experience available to us.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 1999
- Messages
- 716
Other then the above-mentioned collaborations, I had one potential customer who sent me a drawing of a folder he wanted me to make. I looked at his drawing for a couple of days and then called him to work out the actual design. He had curves and angles going every which way and some of them did not fit into the mechanical limits of a folder. I made every effort to collaborate but he wanted his drawing made into a folder. I had to decline the project, but suggested that he call another maker who made knives somewhat like his drawing. I also heard him being interested in making knives and I gave him some ideas about getting started. Of course he wanted to start right in on folders. 
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2001
- Messages
- 8,474
This was a customers 99% Idea some guys are good and some
some just don't under stand.
I got one guy that makes wooden models to go by
and then I put a little of me in it,
he should be making knives, they are that good.
some guys write music but can't sing a note.
some just don't under stand.
I got one guy that makes wooden models to go by
and then I put a little of me in it,
he should be making knives, they are that good.
some guys write music but can't sing a note.