So... How long does it take to make a knife ?

Gus,
I've never met anything but nice people at the few shows I've been to, this will be my third. I do read all the books and magazines I can lay my hands on. The truth, the best education I can get is right here, from some of the nicest people.
Phil
 
Unfortunately we were not all born knowing. For those that ask the question of how long does it take to make a knife, might be using a common way to calculate charges for services, or products. What is your hourly rate, which can be defined with a general answer and a little math.The student that becomes the corporation president through education, is the same person that bought a used VW, but now purchases the 750 BMW. In the knife business, there are never to many customers, or to much business. ( This is my opinion, and I do not speak for others in this group. )
 
The how long did it take is number one question.
I forge my own damascus so the next best question is..... WHO'S DAMSCUS IS THAT?...
I always tell them another makers first (like Fisk) then tell them I made it. I get a kick out of that question :]


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Web Site At www.infinet.com/~browzer/bldesmth.html
Take a look!!!




 
Thanks guys ,

Seems we all have the same customers .I love this thread . Very light hearted as I hoped . Kinda makes me wish I were at a show now meeting folks and having fun.


I had a guy tell me once that he had a very rare pocket knife in his pocket that was worth two of any thing I had on the table. When I asked if I could behold such a piece he withdrew a Parker/frost gold glitter celluloid handled trapper pattern that he swore was his grandaddys knife and had to be a hunnert year old at least. I responded that he should be proud of that knife and keep it. I didn't have the guts to tell him it was more like twenty years old and cost $7.00 new .I enjoyed his story and smiled inside .

Aloha Ken Onion
 
I like the "Is this a throwing knife" questions... usually answer "Only if you really want to break it in a hurry."

I'm also always asked how long it takes me to make a knife or how much money in materials go into one... I've never counted. I might get too discouraged.

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www.wilkins-knives.com


 
I actually had a guy who ordered a custom knife ask If he could get it chrome plated!
I told him there were 3 steps involved
1- after the knife is done look at it and see if you really want it plated.
2 If you still do, put the sharp end against your throat and push.
3 If you still want to do it... dont ever tell me you did it!

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There is no such thing as "good enough", either your work is good or it is not. How is your work?
 
Ken,

Fun thread. Flashbacks--

Haven't seen these folks at shows in a long time, the ones that liked to pick up a knife, turn it edge up, then zzziiiiip their thumb down the edge to see if it was sharp. I still cringe. Maybe they're all out of fingers by now.

Then there were those who always laid the knife across their finger to check the balance. Never really mattered if it balanced where it was supposed to, just where they thought it should--square in the middle. Must have planned on throwing it.

I still laugh at my wife's responses to hearing some comments at her first knife show--
1) "Knife's too expensive", to which she replied, "Get a better job".
2) "This knife's heavy", to which she replied, "Start working out".

Jim Hammond
 
>> turn it edge up, then zzziiiiip their thumb down the edge

I sell knives that people actually use out at flee markets. I really have only had three people get cut, but they are all stories to remember. The first was when they kept asking for a double bladed butterfly, so I finally ordered in a Frost. The guy who bought it, cut himself three times, and kept wraping napkins around his hand all the time he was telling me he knew how to handle that knife. That was the first and last time I ordered one of those in. The second guy was on blood thinner and really it was just a scratch, but it would not stop. Then the third time, they had left and came back wanting me to pay the emergency room bill for the stitches. Meanwhile I don't know how many times a day, I have to tell someone to run the blade sideways, so they only lose a few dead skin cells. If you want to see sharp though, check out the new Kershaw lever action knife. A doctor could operate with that one. Good thread, thanks for the chuckles.
 
Dear Custom Knifemakers,
I really enjoyed this thread. Although I am not dumb enough to draw my finger lengthwise of a blade, I have sent a couple makers (including Ken) e-mails about how long the wait would be for a knife. I just thought it was a straight forward question.
I guess I realize now how irriating it might be if everyday your email box was full of the same question. Sorry.

~Mitch
 
Mitch -

I think this thread was a little tongue-in-cheek. Don't feel put off from asking about lead times before placing a custom order. A maker wants you to understand clearly, for his benefit as well as your own, how long it will take before you will receive your knife.

I think that the gist here is that a lot of "uninitiated" types do not comprehend the backlog of busy makers, and are a trifle incredulous when they find out that these things are not sitting on a warehouse shelf somewhere waiting to be purchased at a bargain basement price, or that makers tend to be men of integrity who will finish a hundred $50 knives before starting on a $1000 knife if that's how the orders came in (well...maybe...in theory anyway!).
 
Gentlemen,

This is one of the best topics that have come up in a long time. I used to have a gun shop and have had my share of "shows". Sounds like some of the same people you've discussed showed up at my gun table at one time or another.
Thanks for all the info, this forum gives the "beginner" collector/user the best access to the "big guys". Thanks for your input one and all, cause I'm learning more and more every day!
 
My favorite -
The vendor next to me at a show was asked "$250? Is this your best price?"
"No", she said. $450 would be much better. Lets split the difference and call it a bargain at $350."
When I'm asked how long it takes to make a knife I usually try to answer. Most people are genuinely amazed when you tell them. I find it a good opportunity to educate a few on handmade knives.
And I keep a lot of band-aids for the shows.
smile.gif

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I Carry My Crosses for Christ to Give any Glory to God.
centercross.com
geneosborn@centercross.com
Fort Worth, TX



[This message has been edited by CenterCross (edited 13 November 1999).]
 
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