Survey

[JK Knives]

I`m trying to get a feel for what my customers are looking for, and what I should possibly change in the way I do business, so figured a survey might help. If you vote, please post the reasoning behind your choices. You can pick more than one answer.

 

[cbwoods67]

I don't think you need to lighten up your line at all.... people like options.

Have you considered taking a limited amount of custom orders (say 10 each month with a deposit for materials up front), and having a few knives for sale every week?

"Your design or mine" is a great aspect of your company, and to do away with that would be a shame.

 

[Mack]

I don't think you need to lighten up your line at all.... people like options.

Have you considered taking a limited amount of custom orders (say 10 each month with a deposit for materials up front), and having a few knives for sale every week?

"Your design or mine" is a great aspect of your company, and to do away with that would be a shame.

I agree one hundred percent.
Watch what people are doing with their knives, make some knives to cater to the trends and put them up for sale.

I did reply "more handle options". Not necessarily for more materials but more styles. Handles that have no sharp corners or edges, no hot spots etc.
I'm certainly not complaining about any of the handles you've done for me. They have always been exactly what I've asked for. I'm just watching what others are selling and that is the major selling point that I've seen.

 

[grunt soldier]

I don't think you need to lighten up your line at all.... people like options.

Have you considered taking a limited amount of custom orders (say 10 each month with a deposit for materials up front), and having a few knives for sale every week?

"Your design or mine" is a great aspect of your company, and to do away with that would be a shame.

this was exactly my thoughts. Your one of the few makers who a customer can say can you make this for me and you do it. plus you have plenty of models you have came up with. it's a great set up. regardless of what the talking heads on the tv are trying to convince people right now the economy sucks and that is a major problem.

I think that a few different models is going to liven up the sales a bit. Like the Kukri and other bigger blades. basically all your models are the smaller bushcraft blades. however this day and age a lot of folks love the big choppers. I'm thinking a few in that range will be awesome for your business. Not just the kukri but expand some into a baraong or a poss machete. things like that.

 

[sbakker]

Steel you always have, so cutting down on designs doesn't really affect your overhead. However, reducing overlap in available designs might cut down on work, and hey, time is money.

Increasing handle options means you need to carry more materials, which may not get used as often as you'd like, and will increase overhead costs.

I think finding the balance between producing some "stock" models and still taking occasional custom orders allows you to maintain a good customer base, but as suggested , limit the amount of custom work you do. Perhaps see if you can find a retail source to carry some more "stock production."

 

[jds1]

You don't need to change a thing, you just need more exposure to a larger market.

Jeff

 

[Rockywolf]

I gave my two cents last night in our email. I think a few stock models, with customs taken by order, along with a few tweaks and you will be set. Don't try to be everything to everyone and my humble opinion is that you will create a demand

 

[KYenglish]

I think these guys talk a lot of sense

I'd just echo protorist and jds1 at the same time, varying "types" of handles rather then materials and exposure, believe it or not I get a about an email a month asking about one Jk or another and they normally haven't seen JK knives before or really known what is on offer here, of course us all posting around the forum helps that, but "marketing" and 'exposure" are black holes to me, I have no idea how they work and they seem to suck up every effort without seeming to change

 

[HWF]

I agree with everything that's been posted above me. There is nothing wrong at all with your knives. They are hard working and I don't think anyone else's perform better at what they are designed for.

I did vote more handle options for the same reasons protourist posted.

 

[JK Knives]

You don't need to change a thing, you just need more exposure to a larger market.

Jeff

That`s one of the things I`ve been trying to do, but it seems like I get banned on some forums when I do it.

 

[Rockywolf]

Getting Reuben to review for Tactical Knives mag is a good way to drum up biz too. Ask him? Not sure how busy he is these days...I know he's posting but I haven't spoken with him for a couple years.

 

[JK Knives]

Getting Reuben to review for Tactical Knives mag is a good way to drum up biz too. Ask him? Not sure how busy he is these days...I know he's posting but I haven't spoken with him for a couple years.

I don`t think the writers get to choose what they write about, but I have his email address, and it won`t hurt to ask.

 

[outdoorsfan]

I voted "other" as I think a combination of made to order and available now pieces might help to smooth out the workflow and make things more consistent.

Marketing and innovation are two core concepts to the success of any business. Maybe you should explore other types of marketing opportunities like knife shows, sportmans shows, gun shows, etc to supplement your online efforts.

 

[TPVT]

I agree one hundred percent.
Watch what people are doing with their knives, make some knives to cater to the trends and put them up for sale.

I did reply "more handle options". Not necessarily for more materials but more styles. Handles that have no sharp corners or edges, no hot spots etc.
I'm certainly not complaining about any of the handles you've done for me. They have always been exactly what I've asked for. I'm just watching what others are selling and that is the major selling point that I've seen.

You don't need to change a thing, you just need more exposure to a larger market.

Jeff

I would echo this and what others have said. and, i think Mack makes a good point. i monitor the exchange fairly regularly and it seems that the 4-5 inch, full convex or flat ground bushcrafty blades are the hot sellers right now....with contoured handles. i.e. i think the handle and grind are the real selling points these days. that's what it seems like anyway.

i also agree with Cooper. You seem to be one of the very few makers who will take a custom order. and, i think that is great. perhaps post some "sexy" knives on the exchange every now and again. I would especially consider the trapline, MTK, Rule #9 and perhaps the Toby's Knife (call it a bird and trout knife and people go ga-ga) as being globally desireable. and, i would recommend posting these models in some nice curly wood or some nicely textured micarta. Also, that Kephart that HWF is giving away is a tremendous specimin.

just my 2 cents. good things coming for you, i suspect.

 

[JK Knives]

I voted "other" as I think a combination of made to order and available now pieces might help to smooth out the workflow and make things more consistent.

Marketing and innovation are two core concepts to the success of any business. Maybe you should explore other types of marketing opportunities like knife shows, sportmans shows, gun shows, etc to supplement your online efforts.

Are any gun shows still in our area? I know there are out of state knife shows, but I would need to see about renting a car to get to them, we are back down to one car to save money. B JACKSON has offered to take knives with him when he goes to sportsmans shows, that might help.

 

[outdoorsfan]

Are any gun shows still in our area? I know there are out of state knife shows, but I would need to see about renting a car to get to them, we are back down to one car to save money. B JACKSON has offered to take knives with him when he goes to sportsmans shows, that might help.

I believe there are still the Kane and McHenry shows (St Charles and Crystal Lake) and there are probably shows in Indiana that are close to you as well. Might be worth a try.

 

[mykel m]

I picked others & will explain more in my reply to your Email,but here's my 1 cent for now.

I'm not a business man & I don't know diddly about marketing so I'm sorry,I can't help you there.
Butttttt...I do know that having options & being able to get what I want,at a reasonable price,in a damn good steel,is what I like about JK Knives & is what brought me here from other folk's forums.
Why pay twice or tripple the price for a comparable sized tool that's only job is to cut stuff?
I don't need fancy handles or super steel if it's going to jack up the price to where I can't afford it.
Games and waiting & hoping a maker will make something I like is a big turnoff.
I like seeing more knives in your lineup too & being able to choose a knife & order the options I want on it.
That and being able to order something not in the lineup now and again.(when I can afford it) "your design or mine". :thumbup:
And the wait doesn't bother me as long as I know I'll get what I want & I always do with JK.

Here's hoping for many more years of JK goodness.

 

[fishiker]

From a customer viewpoint I don't see how anything could be improved at JK Knives! If you are looking to improve things as a small business owner I believe more collaborations like this could help : http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...RGrizzleLeather-Exclusives-Are-Ready-To-Order!

 

[cbach8tw]

I say post some different styles each week and once a month take orders with varying options, keeping it simple.

 

[Tahts-a-dats-ago]

I think the biggest issue has to be the poor economy, followed by a need to get more exposure for your products. There is nothing wrong with the products themselves; in fact they are great. As others have mentioned, I don't think a reduction in models is the right move. I do think a wide variety, along with the willingness to make custom orders is a selling point that many makers cannot compete with.

I would recommend a business page on Facebook. I believe that is free and social media seems to be the trend now. You might consider a give-away once you've received a specific number of "Likes" for that page. I'd also recommend a weekly newsletter that goes out on that page (perhaps email as well) in which you mention new designs or a new take on an old design. Include lots of good pictures too.

I'd also suggest an attempt to move into other markets - such as kitchen knives or perhaps a filet knife.

Reviews are generally desired as well. The trouble is getting people to write them.

You might want to find several people who are willing to write up a good review and make use of them (instead of pass-arounds - which seem to lose their steam rather quickly). Were it me, I think I'd find 3-4 people who are trustworthy, and ask them if they'd do occasional reviews of models as they come out (or you put on special). Then link to those reviews when you are selling that particular model. To entice the reviewers, I'd think a nice discount on the reviewed knife would help insure a timely review. You might even consider a time-limit for the received review.

If you can do videos, make some of your knives in action and post them on You Tube. I believe it is free to make a You Tube account. Link the videos on your website and your Facebook pages. If you can't do the videos, try to find a reviewer who will do them for you. Even if you gift the reviewer an occasional knife (in exchange for the video reviews) it is still very cheap advertisement.

Pictures, pictures, pictures.

Use the very best pictures possible. There are several JK members who would likely be happy to take pictures for you. I'm one of them - if you'd like, shoot me an email and we'll get things figured out. Also - figure out what types of shots you'd like for each model. If you want light tent shots, it might be worth the effort of using a professional.

I think it might be worth the effort to make frequent posts on some of the other forums as well. You might currently do that for all I know, since I don't visit them at all.

Twitter seems to be popular too. I know nothing about it, but it does seem to be very popular. It might be something to check into.

I think exposure to your products is the key thing, but painting a picture (through words, pictures/videos) is also very important. Think back to items that you simply had to have - very few of them were actually needs....

Wants can be a powerful force. Paint that picture, put the prospective buyer in the position to feel as though their life will be far better if they have your product. Most of the people who hang out on bladeforums are more of a collector type than a needs type; we have far more knives than we can ever possibly use. I'm one of them; owning something around 150 knives (not counting kitchen knives), most of which see no use at all. I need one or two knives; I want hundreds or more.

Another option to drive interest might be Craigslist.

I think I'd put an ad in Craigslist for a knife sharpening service. Some of those who need a knife sharpened will want other knives.

If you've got a local paper (usually a free paper) that will take for-sale ads for free, take advantage of that opportunity and list an ad selling custom-made knives. I'd use an email address (through gmail or something like that) for responses to the ad. You might find that there are several customers close to home.