Selling in "Knife Makers For Sale Area"

R.W.Clark said:
If your stuff is good it will sell. If it doesn't sell, get better.
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I think you would think twice before making a statement like that, you have insulted a lot of knife makers both old and young. There are a lot of very good knives, even great knives that are overlooked on for sale forms. There are a many reasons for this, a maker that is not well known, not a member of the good old boy's network. did not serve as a apprentice to a well known maker, the list could go on but I will stop.

As to $45 for a knifemaker member ship it is cheap exposure. Gib
 
No, actually I won't re-think that statement. It is true. I go through the for sale forums almost everyday. I keep a good eye on trends and names. I see no name makers make a really good show of themselves a grow to internet wonders and then on to well known makers. I have also seen makers who have studied under other well known makers go nowhere.

Trace Rinaldi is a great example of a maker who is a totally self made maker who made it big based off of internet exposure. He is also almost completely self taught. No big name to attach himself to. People just liked him and his knives.

But if you put up poor to moderate knives with prices that are too high, they will not sell. Thats just the way it works. Even a high quality knife that is priced outside of the market will not sell. You can get a nice sub 3" fixed bladed EDC with satin finished blade, stabilized burl handles and tooled leather sheath from a published maker for under $200. Why would a customer want to pay $250 for a knife of even the same quality from a unknown maker. That is just unreal expectations. Then the maker complains about "Good old boys clubs", come on get real. Put that same knife at $145-$160 and it would sell. If the maker feels its not worth it, he should sell insurance. We don't make knives to get rich.
 
If you don't sell, get better. Absolutly true! However, that does not mean just in quality or fit and finish. It can be in any area. Design, style, public appeal, material, overall qualilty, pricing, fit and finish, photography. These are all areas that can be reasons for not selling and are all areas to get better.

But the fact is, if its not selling, something is wrong and changes need to be made. That is if the maker wants to start selling. I fully understand that for many this is art and if people want to buy it great and if not, that is fine as well. But in that case, don't complain when things don't sell.
 
Thanks for all of the advice, guys. I think I'm going to bite the bullet when I get my next paycheque. I'll have my first knife up for sale in the next couple of weeks.

- Chris
 
Matt Shade recently put two relatively inexpensive $45 each knives up forsale and they both sold. My suggestion would be to put up an interesting but not terribly expensive knife or knives. It would help introduce you and make back you forum membership cost.

Another thing you might consider is participating in the passaround forum. See if people are interested in your knives and get some feedback.
 
I can tell you it is an excellent investment since I have sold a lot of knives over here since I started to offer them but, if for no other reason, US$ 45,00 a year is a very low contribution for us all to be able to use this great place.
 
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