Strictly a money question

"If all you're interested in is making money, I can't help you."

-R.W. Loveless (December 2007).

Thank you for the lessons Bob. ;)
 
flatgrinder said:
"If all you're interested in is making money, I can't help you."

-R.W. Loveless (December 2007).

Thank you for the lessons Bob. ;)
Click to expand...

if all you're interested in is making money, craftsmanship of any kind is a losing proposition.

I think for many makers it's more a matter of the old style American Dream of making it doing something you love.
 
If you want to make money get someone to waterjet you blanks of cheap tactical looking stuff for mall ninjas and gangbangers, grind a 60 grit edge on it, paint it flat black or anodize it and hype it on social media, sell lots of it cheap, and eventually get someone to crank it out for you in a third world country and sell it through WalMart. That is not how we do things here (with a few exceptions)
I'll never be able to retire based on knife income, but people like my work and it cuts well, looks good, and holds up under heavy use. I make an honest product and hopefully will be able to sell more for higher prices every year

-Page
 
Most of the replies have been from knifemakers, so as a frequent buyer of Custom knives i thought i should add my bit.
The most important feature of any knife is design. Some knives just have perfect balance and flow of all elements that make it 'jump out' at the prospective buyer and create an overwhelming desire to possess it.
Next is excellent workmanship at every single step in the making of the knife.
And finally i also expect the blades to be at least hair shaving sharp.
When i receive such a knife i am very likely to buy again from that maker.
I also have often posted most enthusiastically about each outstanding new acquisition and i'm sure this encourages others to buy from these knifemakers.
I have not mentioned price because it is not as important as what i have stated above.
Consistently making an excellent knife will attract and keep your customers.
roland
 
Thanks for chiming in, Roland. I'm always interested to hear from the other side of the table, so to speak.

Thanks to Shing as well for starting the thread. It's come up before but I think it's worth revisiting.
 
Most of the people i know that make a livin have to make a lot of knives. Not very many people buy 1500.00 bowie knives or the market is a lot smaller. 200.00 slab handle fixed blades is what makes money. From the way i work i can make 10 or 15 slab knives vs one high end maybe 1000.00 knife. A hell of a lot less to screw up if you find problems in the handle material or have a slip when grinding. Just my 2 cents. But if a man thinks he is going to get rich making knifes he has a weak mind. Insurance, taxes all the running around the phd of screw ups that you have to go thru. You had better like to work hard and for a reasonable wage. Last thing i have been making lots of knives for maybe 15 years 3 times in those years i had to set in time out because of injuries. Lots of stiches many times to the eye doctor that all cost money not only your bill but the time you cant work.
 
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And Mr. Menefee I thank you, for i have benefitted from your working hard for a reasonable wage. And I keep coming back for more of these "benefits" (i.e. a superb knife).
Is there a prize for one's 4000th post ?
roland
 
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Congrats on 4000 Roland!

Rick... short but sweet... There can be little pay-offs along the way but for the most part, you are locked away in your shop. Just don't forget to like it.

Rick
 
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