Selling knives locally

WalterDavis

WalterDavis

Joined
Nov 23, 2005
Messages
1,841
So, having been laid off (supposed to be temporary, at least that's what they said 2 months ago:foot:) I've been producing more knives, and have plans to step it up even more. I got my business license and tax number a while ago, and while my knives have been selling alright online, I'd like to move some more locally.

I live in a pretty small town, and I'm not much of a people person, so I'm definitely not setting up my own storefront;) Besides, that would keep me out of the shop too much. I went down and spoke with a guy at the local sporting goods store (local operation, not a big chain type place), and I'm going to go down to a couple of the tourist traps in town, to see if they'd be interested in carrying some of my knives.

There aren't any gun shops in town other than the pawn shop, and I'm hesitant to put an ad in the paper because I live alone and I don't bring my phone into the shop. I have a hard time starting and stopping throughout the day. I'd rather dive in and just stay at it for 8 or 10 hours, then clean up and (pretend to:o) have a life.

Can you guys think of any other ideas for getting my name out locally? What has worked for you? Do you have shops nearby that feature your work?I'm just searching for ideas to reach those customers that don't shop the same places I do and would like to hear what's worked for you:thumbup:
 
My only suggestion for you is to drive over to the larger city of Grand Junction and check if shops there would want to host your knives for sale.
 
Walter it sounds as though you want to set things up on your time rather than have drop ins coming to you. Why not look at local fairs/state fairs, local gun shows or other outdoor venue's to set up a table at? I believe that Blindhorse knives follows a few gun shows and do pretty well there. Sounds like you need a mistress/girlfriend to help work the tables! Hey - that worked for rat cutlery!!!
 
If you can make/buy a website to go with selling your knives online, your business will increase. I sell some on a statewide message board, and usually pick up an order or two for every knife I sell outright, just because I have a link to my website in my signature. That won't help local, but sales are sales, IMO. You're on the right track with the sporting goods/pawn/tourist shops. You really need three or four knives per outpost to make a presence, IMO. Also, Vista Print did me 250 simple business cards for about 5 dollars. Hand them out everywhere, and have some posted by your product in the stores. Hopefully the "real" job will come back around, but in the mean time, it sounds like you're doing what needs to be done.
 
MKustom said:
I have great luck at local gun shows, and craft shows
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I had good luck at gun shows too. Be sure to not overprice them though. Gun people wont pay much for knives generally.

Bladegallery got me out there worldwide several years ago and I will always be thankful to them.

I have some in our local archery shop and had them in the mall cutlery store also until they closed their doors.

I donate to many of the clubs for their banquets too such as Pheasnants forever, ducks unlimited, rocky mountain elk foundation, NRA, ect. That will get your name in the hunting community fast plus its tax deductable.
 
Don't be afraid of the "local art/artist scene" if you have one in your area.:thumbup:
Mace
 
I haven't tried it yet, but accidentally blundered into a kind of weekend warrior combat paint ball kind of shop by mistake. Wow, that is quite a industry / sub culture. They've got some pretty interesting equipment and whole ranges, clubs or teams and series of events. There were a few display cases of production tactical knives for sale there. If, or when, I get something going, I thought to check shops like that out as possible outlets.

It sounds like weekend arts and craft shows and gun shows might not be your cup of tea, but they sure can be good outlets. It sounds like you might not want a lot of custom work either, so not sure the business card thing is quite the right fit for you.

Where do men hang out :eek:? Barber shops? Truck stops? Country style restaurants and cafes? Shooting, hunting, fishing clubs? Elks, Masons, Shriners? Hardware stores? Modeling and hobby shops? Mechanics and auto parts stores?

Can you design a display case that you can set on a counter top with a handful of knives in it? Would you need to sell them wholesale to the merchant or could you leave them on consignment?

Good luck! Keep us posted on your progress.
 
WalterDavis said:
Can you guys think of any other ideas for getting my name out locally? What has worked for you? Do you have shops nearby that feature your work?I'm just searching for ideas to reach those customers that don't shop the same places I do and would like to hear what's worked for you:thumbup:
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I say what you should do is come up to Provo and crash at my place when the gun shows are in town and we will hit them together, plus hit my shop and smash some steel into submission. I have been wanting to and have been gearing up for some shows and it would be cool to be there with another knife nut. Salt lake has gun shows all the time and i mean all the time. and maybe i will pop down to moab and tear it up on my bike ;)
 
Walter, Gun and Knife shows are great venue for knife makers. You will sell knives. You going to meet customers and make contacts. Be open to every possible way to make money with knives. I been known to buy a knife and turn it for a very handsome profit. You never know what will come out of a show. I have got an order for 1000.00, two weeks later from a show plus I sold 650 at the show. Good show you can make a Grand pretty easily. I only do one show a month now. Don't overload on knives take 10 or less. Don't be scare to charge what it is worth. Gun People don't normally buy knives. You wont sell the low end knives. I have only sold two 100.00 knife at Gun show. But I have sold every 200 plus knife. Knife people will find you. They will appreciate your knives. They won't bat an eye at 400.00 knife. Don't let knife people fool you. I have friends and customers that have 100's of thousands of dollars in their collection. Knife people are there to buy knives and they will.
And lets be honesty it is tough Job talking to people about knives all weekend. But take one for team. You wont get bored. You will have a blast.
 
This is a different way to go but it helped me out alot! I have donated a few blades to various charities and always seem to pick up local customers that way. For ever knife I have donated I have found atleast 4 to 5 customers. There is always someone with a cousin, or brother that likes knives. I get calls from time to time saying how much they liked so and so's knife , and it all come from donating a knife to good causes. I wish you luck and hope this helped ,Charlie
 
Believe it or not but I just got my first customer the other day on a Rollerblading forum. I posted pictures of my recent work and someone asked me if I could make something for them.

Place stuff on forums that you're familliar with. The sports places you visit etc etc. You never know who's going to be looking. Basically it pays to advertise in every way.
 
Dang, thanks for all the ideas, everybody! There is a pretty good art scene here that I may be able to get into, though few gun shows. Grand Junction & SLC may work for those, though-plus it's a good excuse to get me out of the house:D I really like the charities idea, too!

Jarod, we'll definitely have to meet up one of these days! Maybe I'll make it up for one of the Utah maker's meetings.
 
I sold some of my wares in local jewelry shops, as well as the sporting shops who sell hunting and fishing gear. Try some of the bait shops and marinas and any wilderness hotels/resorts.
 
Bufford said:
I sold some of my wares in local jewelry shops, as well as the sporting shops who sell hunting and fishing gear. Try some of the bait shops and marinas and any wilderness hotels/resorts.
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There needs to be a smiley for a 'face-palm':D There's a few adventure resorts around here, and I know the owner of one of the big ones:thumbup: That's definitely an avenue worth pursuing, thanks!!
 
a web site. if you aren't web-savy, trade your skills or knives or pay to get one going.
always carry one of yours, where permitted, lend it whenever you are near someone needing a blade.
business cards.
memberships in knife organizations..Knifemakers' Guild, ABS, and attend shows when can.
participate in forums.
 
Make sure all your friends and neighbors know you sell knives, but, a web site is important. I just ask them to log on and they can shop online. I get about 1/2 my orders online from people that I have not met, just word of mouth.
 
I really think the charity idea is a good one. In my town the American Legion and VFW are pretty active, and I've been thinking of donating them each a knife to raffle off or whatever they see fit. Both organizations are chockfull of guys who fish, hunt and know lots of active-duty military. (big potential markets there.) Maybe the policemen's or firefighters' benevolent associations, too. I think such a donation would even be tax deductible. I hope that doesn't sound crass, but I feel it's a legitimate marketing tool.

I also want to eventually offer a small discount, say 5 or 10%, to active duty military/LEO/fire & rescue. Is this "legal"?
 
90% of all my knife sales come from various martial arts schools around the state. I sell some online, but I really like to sell face to face. The martial arts studios are full of people who love blades and are willing to pay what they're worth. This, of course, typically pertains to fighters/daggers, but some guys are collectors who will buy just about anything. Lots of custom orders too. My .02 anyway. Best of luck to you, really.
 
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