Not sure if this is the ideal place to post this, but I figure if it's not someone can easily redirect me. I've been making knives casually for the last eight or nine years just for the fun of it but I'd like to try to turn it into a self sustaining hobby by making an selling one or two a month. My biggest conundrum right now is how to sell them consistently without going to a whole lot of expense and time (websites, knife shows, etc) and that would let me sell them as I make them instead of having to make large quantities. I've tried several Facebook groups but I think there are more sellers than buyers in them and I haven't had any hits. Does anyone know of an easy way to sell knives as they're made that doesn't require more time and money than it's worth?
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Self Sustaining?
- Thread starter Ben_M
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selling knives is hard work. From my past ten years of experience that has been the case for most makers. BUT there are some who have never had to fight for a sale and always get what they ask for. They generally sell via email groups and other captive audiences since they can just snap a cell pic and make money. If you are really good and make something in high demand, this may apply. But you need more demand than you can supply and the ability to say no to requests. And you need a wave to ride on.
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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First, fill out your profile. People want to know where you are and a bit about you.
Second, get a knifemaker membership. It says it right in the name ... KNIFEMAKER.
Third, go to a few knife shows. See what sells and what doesn't. See what prices they sell for.
Fourth, make a plan. Decide what type and price point you can make and sell repeatedly. Start with perfecting those. Two or three styles are plenty to start with.
Fifth, put a few up in The Exchange. Take clear photos and post all the specs. That is how many sell the knives they make.
The next steps are find a group to sell to. It may be a local knife club, or local craft, gun, or knife shows. A little travel is worth it if you have a product that sells.
Last pieces of advise:
Until you have a good product that you can make in a known time frame, DON'T take orders. Many a good new maker starts taking orders and then realizes he doesn't have the time or ability to deliver them.
Don't expect to start out getting Nick Wheeler prices, but also don't under sell your knives. If the same knife sells at the shows and on The Exchange for $175, asking a little less because you are a new seller is OK, but don't sell them for $75, or you will never be able to get $175 later on.
Second, get a knifemaker membership. It says it right in the name ... KNIFEMAKER.
Third, go to a few knife shows. See what sells and what doesn't. See what prices they sell for.
Fourth, make a plan. Decide what type and price point you can make and sell repeatedly. Start with perfecting those. Two or three styles are plenty to start with.
Fifth, put a few up in The Exchange. Take clear photos and post all the specs. That is how many sell the knives they make.
The next steps are find a group to sell to. It may be a local knife club, or local craft, gun, or knife shows. A little travel is worth it if you have a product that sells.
Last pieces of advise:
Until you have a good product that you can make in a known time frame, DON'T take orders. Many a good new maker starts taking orders and then realizes he doesn't have the time or ability to deliver them.
Don't expect to start out getting Nick Wheeler prices, but also don't under sell your knives. If the same knife sells at the shows and on The Exchange for $175, asking a little less because you are a new seller is OK, but don't sell them for $75, or you will never be able to get $175 later on.