Some observations and unsolicited advice

Jim you want honesty or do you want me to cheer for you?

Edited to add:

Never mind, no good will come of it and I've got more important things to do like sit with my wife for a bit.
 
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DAVID WESNER you sure know how to write, so so true.I totally agree . Ithink everyone of the guys you mentioned took time out of there day to write me a email and give me help ,I am so grateful for that, I know when I have developed ill try to do the same its a kind hearted good natured person that lends a helping hand like so many on this site.
 
you know it's funny, There's a sushi place in Toledo (alot of people on the forum seem to be from the area lately) that buys my knives. I seriously bust my ass making the best I can for them, and I give them one hell of a deal. Yet I'm so paranoid about having some kind of failure I go back every week, ask to look at it, and ask them for their opinion.

so far they have been delighted, and I can feel better about my product.

Sean
 
NStricker said:
"My first knife I sold was not one of my quality knives to my standards, but had the best materials I could put together. My customer love it and didn't mind paying for it (200.00)."

I guess that says it all right there. Wasn't up to your standards, but you didn't have a problem taking money for it?
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Have you ever made a knife? You ever smelled ironword, ebony or bocote as you sand it? You ever cut you finger after you sharpened your knife. Have you ever ground the skin off your fingertip? You ever have so many cuts on your fingers that you could zip your pants or start your car without pain. Has your wife ever bitched about the bone or stag you just sanded. Have you stayed up all night before you head to show, just to make sure every knife had a sheath and was perfect to your standards. Have you ever burn yourself on your furnace. Have you ever seen the birth of knife? Have you made your own micarta? Have you ever seen anyone get a "fever" for a knife you have made.

If you had? you would have never made that comment.
 
Will Leavitt said:
Jim you want honesty or do you want me to cheer for you?

Edited to add:

Never mind, no good will come of it and I've got more important things to do like sit with my wife for a bit.
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Will I have lot respect for you. I respect your opinion. I always have always will.
Thank you.
 
BlackToe Knives said:
Have you ever made a knife? You ever smelled ironword, ebony or bocote as you sand it? You ever cut you finger after you sharpened your knife. Have you ever ground the skin off your fingertip? You ever have so many cuts on your fingers that you could zip your pants or start your car without pain. Has your wife ever bitched about the bone or stag you just sanded. Have you stayed up all night before you head to show, just to make sure every knife had a sheath and was perfect to your standards. Have you ever burn yourself on your furnace. Have you ever seen the birth of knife? Have you made your own micarta? Have you ever seen anyone get a "fever" for a knife you have made.

If you had? you would have never made that comment.
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You just don't sell knives that are not up to your standards.

And YES to all of the above questions as if they had any bearing on your comment.

Al P

www.polkowskiknives.com
 
Just because you spent a lot of time making it and got hurt a bunch doesn't mean someone else should pay you top dollar for it.

I only sell to my friends and family right now and don't sell for any more than the cost of materials (I work with cheap handle material and simple carbon steel, so about $30 tops), despite the fact that I think I'm making a good product (will post my latest later this week) and despite the fact that they all agree I should be charging up to 3 times as much as I do. Not like I couldn't use the money either, I'm a poor college student, but it's preposterous to think that a novice like me deserves any more than the price of materials. Not to mention, it's fun, so why should I charge for hours spent playing?
 
Al Polkowski said:
You just don't sell knives that are not up to your standards.

And YES to all of the above questions as if they had any bearing on your comment.

Al P

www.polkowskiknives.com
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My standard is "Flawless". It is the machinist in me. I can make knives two ways. One with a mic or with the spirit of the knifemakers of the past and to standards of the art and the customer that the knife is made for.

BTW I will never sell junk. I will never sell a knife I wouldn't trust my life or my customers life with. I have too much respect for Art and the customer.
 
I am in no way inferring this towards Jim or any other maker, just adding it into the discussion. Just because someone goes to a car lot and pays $25,000 for a 1992 Ford Escort with fading paint and 158,000 miles doesn't make it wise or right, and it doesn't justify the salesman charging that much. I guess you could claim buyer beware, and that's true. But sometimes the buyer is a 83 year old lady who doesn't know jack about cars and doesn't know any better, whereas the salesman DOES know better.

--nathan
 
BTW, Jim, I've seen some of your work, and it looks good. I'm not suggesting that you are ripping off your customers in any way.

--nathan
 
I apologize to you sir.

I reread your earlier post and realize you were referring to your first knife. I assume your skill have greatly advanced since then.

AL P
 
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BlackToe Knives said:
Have you ever made a knife? You ever smelled ironword, ebony or bocote as you sand it? You ever cut you finger after you sharpened your knife. Have you ever ground the skin off your fingertip? You ever have so many cuts on your fingers that you could zip your pants or start your car without pain. Has your wife ever bitched about the bone or stag you just sanded. Have you stayed up all night before you head to show, just to make sure every knife had a sheath and was perfect to your standards. Have you ever burn yourself on your furnace. Have you ever seen the birth of knife? Have you made your own micarta? Have you ever seen anyone get a "fever" for a knife you have made.

If you had? you would have never made that comment.
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Not to start a pissing match but, I think these comments are a bit out of line.

Not nit picking but by your own accounts you’ve been at this 6 months. There are any number of “seasoned” knifemakers out there that have your experiences X 1000.

Just my unsolicited $0.02 but its these types of comments that tend to drive off feedback from the accomplished/experienced/Pick your term/etc makers. Knifemakers (in my experience) are generous to a fault but there no quicker way to piss ‘em off than dismissing out of hand their comments. Personally these forums have provided information that would take a lifetime on ones own to generate and I’d rather have an environment that fosters their participation.

I am kind of missing the point as to where you stayed up all night to make a knife “perfect” and then previously posted – “My first knife I sold was not one of my quality knives to my standards, but had the best materials I could put together”.
 
Guess I should just shut up now. I have been smacked on the hand by all the real knifemakers. I have been a bad Jim. I am so sorry. I go to chalk board.

I will not make knives.
I will not make knives.
I will not make knives.
I will not make knives.
Wow is that a piece of Damascus. I could make a...

BTW I would never sell knife to my friends or family that I would not sell to customer.
It is our responsibility to be truthful and charge a fair price for our knives
You all have taught me to make the best knives that I can make.
 
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