Sharpener looking to make knives

S

Sharpeningplus

Joined
May 29, 2017
Messages
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Hi, I am sharpener and people ask me all the time what knives they should by and I want to be able to say "buy my knives"! I have made a few knives in the past just for fun.

My question(s) is how would I go about making knives at different price points? What is the lowset price point that others have gotten knives down to? I understand that they are hand made but there has to be a way to make a basic knife that is more affordable along with knives that go for more.

Also if this is not really feasible then do you know of any wholesale knife distributes that sell quality knives that I would be proud to sell?
 
I don't bother with the enter level stuff! I make my custom knives for the highest possible price. Read the stickies on how to make knives to get started and welcome!
 
People who want entry level prices purchase at Wally World...No way to compete with "Off-Shore" production pricing. What's your time worth? What are material costs? Overhead expenses? Taxes for inventory that won't sell...the list goes on. I'm With Laurance Make the best possible knife with top shelf materials and price it accordingly if people say its to expensive they are only shopping price not quality...Quality will last long after the price is forgotten!!!
 
$85-$100 kitchen paring knife 3"-4" blade AEB-L stainless steel with either linen micarta or wood handle.
$150-$400 Hunting knife with top shelf bolsters and handle material leather sheath included.
$250-$350 Large Chef Knife
$150-$400 Slip Joint pocket knife
$250-? Mid-Tech Folding knife depending on materials
I must mention that I also operate in a very depressed area of the US its a rural farming community No Limo's mostly just Farm trucks and tractors.
 
Like I mentioned I know what the market will pay...However you have to invest time and materials as well as consumables to produce a product that may not sell. I have built expensive knives by order and I pray the customer will pay when the item is finished.
 
Well it's good you can get those prices. Here in southern NM the market is depressed I do get a few better sales but few and far between. I've sat at shows with $100 knives and $500 knives and get the flea market offers of $25. I can tell they LIKE the knife but they will go to the flea market and buy something from overseas for $15 and say its every bit as good as the $500 knife! Like the guy that pulls out a $15 folder and claims its as good as an RJ Martin cuz it has Gold anodized blade and Black Frame.
 
If you make money sharpening knives you should tell them "Walmart, Wustoff, it's all the same." ;) Kidding of course.

I've been realizing prices that are in line with Busto.
 
I have been struggling a bit with this question myself, as I'm sure most others have at some time. I have been selling a simple drop point 3.5" blade with a kydex sheath for $125. 6" Chefs knives I have been doing $140. I think I need to bump up my prices, as i have more demand than I can produce. I think that's where you figure out your pricing. I have never advertised knives for sale. People find me through word of mouth or my facebook page (which started out as a way to share my hobby with friends). I like my hobby being able to pay for itself and I enjoy the freedom to give knives away to friends, charities I support, or charge just for materials for friends who are buying knives as gifts. I would not want to depress the market by charging my (in my opinion) low prices on say the sales forum here. I am not looking to undercut any other makers, and most of the folks looking for knives on this forum at least have an idea what a quality hand made knife is worth, so they are willing to pay a fair price. I don't think "what's the cheapest you can sell a handmade knife for" is the best first question. Maybe a better first question is "what does it cost me (in time, materials, energy, tooling, shipping) to get a knife made and delivered to the end user. Just my $.02
 
I feel ya Kevin...I don't have to depend on knife sales for income it's my Hobby turned into a second profession. I feel that the quality of product as one progresses in this craft should be reflected in the price. We all start out with some that are reminders to do BETTER on the next one. The first 1
 
I've been blessed to have Knives, sharpening & my Finger Skins be my Profession for two decades now! If you feel your prices are too low and can't keep up with demand, They are too Low!

Keep in mind, Knife making & Sharpening are not a get rich quick plan!

Im sure you have heard the joke, If you want to make a Million making knives!
Start with two Million! ;)

When I started, an old maker when asked said to me.

Sell each knife for enough to make at least three more! Then a 1/3 of that money goes into Materials, a third into a coffee can for future machinery, and a third goes to the wife for the household.

That still holds pretty well today! Whatever you do! NEVER lower your prices! Its the kiss of DEATH! Word gets around fast in the knife community!:eek:
 
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Yes, triple keystone ( three times the costs) is the best rule in any handmade item. It can go up, but never should be less.
 
Agreed....Triple Keystone is appropriate for hand made items. I have never dropped a price just to move an item I have however offered to make a similar item for less money using less expensive materials which were agreed upon. You can have a million items priced at $1.00 each or you can have that same million priced at 1 million each and concentrate on one sale. Again you have to know the market.
Disclaimer: I have not now or ever sold a knife for $1.00 and may in the future price one for $1,000,000.00. :D
 
My first knife is priced at $1,000,000.

Because if I actually sold it I'd have to quit making knives so I have to make something out of it :D
 
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