Suggestions for all you knife peeps.

G

Glock26

Joined
Nov 3, 2009
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Hey all, well a good knife maker/awesome referral customer of ours in the past is about done making my custom knife! The issue is he's not charging me a penny, just to give you a sense of how awesome such a person this is! Alright enough, I'm still going to 'tip' him per say for the knife, but how much you guys think I should $tip$ him. Once I get it I'll post pics with your help. But a description, it will be a 7" overall length knife, 3" blade with a 1 3/4 height on the blade, full tang, 4" of grip, nothing fancy it will have paracord for grip and a kydex pocket sheath/with belt loops for belt carry. I'm thinking $40-50, but just a side note I will always take this knife to get sharpened by him like in the past. So it won't be a punch in the face. :thumbup::D
 
I might be unaware about the etiquette of this situation but if the knife maker insisted he didn't want to be paid for it, I wouldn't try to "tip" him. I'd just take him out for drinks or dinner and talk shop about knives or whatever else. It's a friendly gesture that shows your appreciation for his friendly gesture of making you a knife without a fee.

If he just didn't want to put a price on the knife and wanted to be paid what you thought would be fair, that's a different story.
 
VR4 said:
I might be unaware about the etiquette of this situation but if the knife maker insisted he didn't want to be paid for it, I wouldn't try to "tip" him. I'd just take him out for drinks or dinner and talk shop about knives or whatever else. It's a friendly gesture that shows your appreciation for his friendly gesture of making you a knife without a fee.

If he just didn't want to put a price on the knife and wanted to be paid what you thought would be fair, that's a different story.
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Seconded. If he is like some of the people I know when it comes to refusing money for something, they might get offended if you try to pay them anyway. Take him out to a steakhouse or something instead.

~Noah
 
I am not sure what to think here. I guess you know the relationship with this man. A custom knife takes many man hours to make, which is why the tipping of $50 could be a faux paux, or considered an insult. If you graciously accepted the knife as a gift, it is truly a gift then. Hence the definition of the word gift. If you asked this man to make you a knife, and he is not charging you, well then, that is a difficult situation. I may suggest you offer to cover the cost of materials? At least that way, you show your appreciation, and have a reference point as to what to pay. A dinner or lunch is a good gesture as well. Good luck, sounds like you got a great friend.
 
VR4 said:
I might be unaware about the etiquette of this situation but if the knife maker insisted he didn't want to be paid for it, I wouldn't try to "tip" him. I'd just take him out for drinks or dinner and talk shop about knives or whatever else. It's a friendly gesture that shows your appreciation for his friendly gesture of making you a knife without a fee.

If he just didn't want to put a price on the knife and wanted to be paid what you thought would be fair, that's a different story.
Click to expand...

I am also in favor of this option. The $50 may be a kick in the nuts to him, let alone a punch in the face. Beers on the weekend, maybe a BBQ with friends and talking shop would be a better alternative. It is more personal and shows you are thoughtful. Tossing someone $50 for weeks worth of work is not smooth.
 
I agree with making a good deed instead,
maybe bottle of fine scotch! :D
 
When I give a gift, I want nothing in return and I mean nothing. It's a gift! Don't know how exactly this went down, your relationship with said "custom knifemaker" or it's actual value.

If not a long time or close friend, I might say something like "ohh this is really sweet, I can't accept this for nothing, let me make you a gift of something or pay you a little bit towards your time & materials"

If he's replies "nope it's a gift," then shut up and let him enjoy giving you the gift.

If he's a personal friend then say nothing but "thank you so much, I love it..." or similar.

It seems like people can't understand the concept of "receiving" very well these days. It's the other 1/2 of giving. :)

Forgot to add for all of you drinkers. There's a lot more of who don't drink than do, so that's a suggestion to ponder.
 
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Buy him a case of beer and drink a few with him, its a classic "thanks" when money is not the best route. :thumbup:
 
I'm with VR4. A tip might even be considered an insult. He could get the idea that you think his work is only worth $50. It shouldn't be an insult but it could be.

One of my hobbies is flying radio controlled airplanes. One of the club members emailed recently for advice on a motor to replace one that had been damaged. I told him I had one I would give him. He showed up about an hour later and I gave it to him. He wanted to pay me. I didn't want payment. I had a motor I wasn't going to use and he needed it. Better to be on his plane than in my parts box. He actually fought with me a little over it. I got a little upset. I understand the sentiment but I intended for it to be a gift and I wouldn't budge. I didn't want his money. I wanted him to be able to fix his plane. He later thanked me for it and apologized for looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Your knifemaker friend made a friendly gesture. Make one in return. Lunch and beer sounds like a good one to me. I'll always take someone up on lunch and beer.
 
Thanks guys! When I asked him how much, his response was "Your dad did so much work for me in the past, this knife I'm making for you, you guys are such good people this one will be free." Not quote for quote but something similar, but I feel like I actually don't know him well, he knows my dad much more.
 
You don't send money to reciprocate for a gift. No. You send a beautiful thankyou note and some token such as a bottle of wine or scotch... something like that.
 
You could always gift him back knife making supplies :)

But I agree with the above , if he is giving it as a gift , a simple heart felt thank you and a hand shake would be fine .
 
I too agree, not money but something equally thoughtful as his gift. i dont know what his knives are made out of but if they use wood a really nice piece of burl that you searched hard for on the forums would do it. Presented as something you just happened to run across and maybe he could use it sort of thing. Better yet if your father is still alive and I hope he is, why not ask him, it seems that he would know the answer. If your father has passed on then find out what your dad did for this man that compels him to such generosity. Maybe this really is an only chance for this man to show thanks to your father in the only way he feels he can and it will ease his mind to repay or honor or show gratitude for something really generous your father did. Maybe he doesnt drink and is in need of nothing then invite him over for dinner or to your next bbq or whatever makes him feel comfortable and appreciated.
 
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