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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Survey
- Thread starter JK Knives
- Start date
Steel other than. O1. If the gally wag you made for pro tourist was in Elmax or cpm154 I would have one on order today. Maybe just add one stainless option. Remember we are lazy and generally take the path of least resistance so cleaning blades loses out to BSing and drinking beer.
Actually JK's O1 is about the only O1 I will consider. He was nice enough to let me participate in a pass around and I liked his fit and finish. I just have too many on order now. I will be in the market about Xmas time based on my current commission checks. Come on EOY government spending.
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I would have to say that posting knives in the exchange (with some orders ad well)s would probably be beneficial. More people would see your work that way, I believe. Tats probably gave the best advice though... I only lucked onto your work since I was looking for a specific style of knife and your site was one of just a few google hits. Broader exposure would be a tremendous aid.
JK Knives
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A lot of good ideas here. I do have a JK Handmade Knives Facebook page. As for posting on other forums, I tend to get banned for advertising, since I am the maker. I got banned on one forum for posting about a gathering! That`s why I keep asking for others to post pictures on them, a few of you have. As for posting on the exchange, it`s hit or miss, there are 3 there right now.
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I have been thinking about this all day, and Tahts summed up my thoughts pretty well, and I am in marketing. If he isn't, that is damn good insight. Best thing to do first, is to update that Facebook page. Once a week minimum. Shoot me an email if I can help.
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- Mar 9, 2010
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I have 2 JK knives I ordered through John and I have bought 4 off the exchange. I have a great JK knife collection that will suit my needs which has ultimately stopped my fixed blade purchasing (so in a way it's all your fault for making such great products, I don't need to buy more). I only use JK's when I am in the woods, about 10 times a year (other than my Izula, but that is only because it's in my BOB). So if I feel the need to buy another fixed blade, it better have something special or be able to do something that my other knives can't. Ones I have considered are: Fiddleback Forge - I hear great things about the handle ergos and I think they have nice liners and tapered tangs, Gossman Knives - I like his Tusker and Tusker companion, he offered them with a guard and now he is offering some models in 3V (which he mentioned he is having a hard time keeping them on the shelf), not to mention he lives a few miles away which makes it cool.
What would I like to see from JK knives? I would like to see different handle designs, like an anso pattern or a pattern with a bolster. Maybe explore into other steels. Make a few more folders similar to the broken ewok you made months ago, friction or frame lock (I would love to have that, the handle and blade shape is exactly what I like). I don't want you to take away the ability for customers and knife enthusiasts to have their custom designed knife come to life.
What would I like to see from JK knives? I would like to see different handle designs, like an anso pattern or a pattern with a bolster. Maybe explore into other steels. Make a few more folders similar to the broken ewok you made months ago, friction or frame lock (I would love to have that, the handle and blade shape is exactly what I like). I don't want you to take away the ability for customers and knife enthusiasts to have their custom designed knife come to life.
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- Nov 12, 2009
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- 13,406
I too chose "handle options" but I would like to explain.
Although we all know the standard JK handles work fine. Rugged, no nonsense and well mated to the steel.
However, like Mack alluded to, many of the other makers use hollow double rivets, mosaic rivets, and the seem to spend more time finishing the handle, rounding the edges and refining the finish.
I have seen several JK's that were modified by the owners by further sanding the handles, contouring them and polishing them up so they were more shiny.
For instance - Here is a JK with a micarta handle with his basic contour and finish. This one was made for a passaround, so it may not be up to his normal finish quality, but I think this exhibits of the point I am discussing -
And here is a knife that a customer took the handle finish a bit further, sanding and polishing. This particular knife was a joy to hold and I almost bought it, but I think outdoorsfan beat me to it.
And I am thinking it would be good to go even more rounded than the above, although that one was very nice to hold.
You folks are all afflicted with the knife bug like I am (in varying degrees), so you can all relate to that knife that you hold and the handle just feels so good in your hand you just like to feel it. The finish is smooth and you are compelled to touch it and fondle it.
I notice that my wife also likes certain knives and her choices are made on the feel of the materials, she likes the smoother finishes, and of course she likes "pretty".
On my upcoming XD XT, I have asked for the handle to be thicker and more rounded with no sharp edges on the butt etc.; as that is a personal choice and I am not confident enough in my sanding skills as yet to take a belt to any of my JK's, so I ask the man himself to do it for me.
I also agree that marketing is part of the deal. I have sent a few pm's out, and I intend on following through on the subject matter. You all know who you are if you were contacted. The plan was to get some of my JK's out in the woods and use them, then post some more reviews and stories in the wilderness forum here and maybe some other forums for those that frequent other forums.
That just gets some exposure for John's fine products, but also would get my lazy butt out in the woods and hiking and having a good time.
I really like the idea of the collaborative efforts - the one with Ryan Grizzle and Peter Howard - that will be fun to see how that goes.
I noticed the post about stainless - that is one thing my wife said, she does not like the "patination", she thinks it makes the knife look dirty. That indicates that there is a customer base out there that would be happier with stainless than 01.
Well that should be quite a bloody wall of text post, so I will end for now.
best
mqqn
Although we all know the standard JK handles work fine. Rugged, no nonsense and well mated to the steel.
However, like Mack alluded to, many of the other makers use hollow double rivets, mosaic rivets, and the seem to spend more time finishing the handle, rounding the edges and refining the finish.
I have seen several JK's that were modified by the owners by further sanding the handles, contouring them and polishing them up so they were more shiny.
For instance - Here is a JK with a micarta handle with his basic contour and finish. This one was made for a passaround, so it may not be up to his normal finish quality, but I think this exhibits of the point I am discussing -
And here is a knife that a customer took the handle finish a bit further, sanding and polishing. This particular knife was a joy to hold and I almost bought it, but I think outdoorsfan beat me to it.
And I am thinking it would be good to go even more rounded than the above, although that one was very nice to hold.
You folks are all afflicted with the knife bug like I am (in varying degrees), so you can all relate to that knife that you hold and the handle just feels so good in your hand you just like to feel it. The finish is smooth and you are compelled to touch it and fondle it.
I notice that my wife also likes certain knives and her choices are made on the feel of the materials, she likes the smoother finishes, and of course she likes "pretty".
On my upcoming XD XT, I have asked for the handle to be thicker and more rounded with no sharp edges on the butt etc.; as that is a personal choice and I am not confident enough in my sanding skills as yet to take a belt to any of my JK's, so I ask the man himself to do it for me.
I also agree that marketing is part of the deal. I have sent a few pm's out, and I intend on following through on the subject matter. You all know who you are if you were contacted. The plan was to get some of my JK's out in the woods and use them, then post some more reviews and stories in the wilderness forum here and maybe some other forums for those that frequent other forums.
That just gets some exposure for John's fine products, but also would get my lazy butt out in the woods and hiking and having a good time.
I really like the idea of the collaborative efforts - the one with Ryan Grizzle and Peter Howard - that will be fun to see how that goes.
I noticed the post about stainless - that is one thing my wife said, she does not like the "patination", she thinks it makes the knife look dirty. That indicates that there is a customer base out there that would be happier with stainless than 01.
Well that should be quite a bloody wall of text post, so I will end for now.
best
mqqn
Last edited:
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- Sep 30, 2009
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I think the EDC I have is actually another Andy but came from the same owner who spent some time buffing it out. I have to say I was drawn to it and that is why I bought it.
Your post pretty much exactly echoes my reply to Johns email.
As far as stainless goes, I like it for modern folders but personally would not have much interest in a stainless fixed blade, but that's just me and I am sure there are those that would love a stainless JK fixed blade.
I have been a fan of JK knives for going on four years and have seen a progression in his skills. I'd love to jump in a time machine and see a new JK five or ten years from now!
Your post pretty much exactly echoes my reply to Johns email.
As far as stainless goes, I like it for modern folders but personally would not have much interest in a stainless fixed blade, but that's just me and I am sure there are those that would love a stainless JK fixed blade.
I have been a fan of JK knives for going on four years and have seen a progression in his skills. I'd love to jump in a time machine and see a new JK five or ten years from now!
1066vik
Gold Member
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I voted other.
figure out your core best sellers and make a few for sale each week - if you can do them in the $100-125 price range, I suspect they'll sell.
continue to take orders and leave those at the higher end prices you're currently asking.
Two things that will help your exposure in a positive way, work on finish levels -- your knives have a reputation for sharp edges on the handles and a fairly rough level of finish --- and work on ergos -- more handle contours, less of a square feeling, etc...
I'm saying this because whenever I mention your knives to someone else, I almost always hear "great heat treat, but square handles that need to be rounded, have the corners knocked off, etc..."
figure out your core best sellers and make a few for sale each week - if you can do them in the $100-125 price range, I suspect they'll sell.
continue to take orders and leave those at the higher end prices you're currently asking.
Two things that will help your exposure in a positive way, work on finish levels -- your knives have a reputation for sharp edges on the handles and a fairly rough level of finish --- and work on ergos -- more handle contours, less of a square feeling, etc...
I'm saying this because whenever I mention your knives to someone else, I almost always hear "great heat treat, but square handles that need to be rounded, have the corners knocked off, etc..."
JK Knives
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What stands out is fancier, more rounded handles. As for exposure, I sure can`t afford magazine ads, so I`m calling you guys out to post pictures in other areas, which two of you already do. People seem to like the idea of keeping the option of custom designs.
JK Knives
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I would think that might make the customers that are buying at the regular price a little angry?
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I think you really need to come up with a chisel grind stainless sword with integral guard!
1066vik
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sorry - I meant the customs outside your weekly offerings. If someone ordered one of the weekly knives with upgraded scales, I would expect the custom version to cost more.
but yes - more contoured handles will go a long ways to improving sales.
and both of your combat models you've made in the past year looked absolutely stunning, except for the asymmetric chisel grind. as a southpaw, I'm opposed to them on more than just the looks, too.
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One more thing I learned, NO MORE CHISEL GRINDS!!!
I would suggest that unless you get a custom order or have an epiphany for a specific design, I would avoid chisel grinds because, as we have noticed, they are harder to find the right happy customer for.
I do have the knife that you made that has the false bolster - you used black micarta for the front of the handle and red micarta for the rest, creating an interesting bi-tone handle that resembled a bolster.
That knife is chisel ground, so it was one that you had a bit of a time selling until I bought it at a gathering one day.
In use, I actually like that knife, but I don't think the chisel grind makes it noticeably more rugged since all of tour knifes are stout as heck (remember the viKtim)
I found pictures of the knife I am talking about so the others can see - these are phone pictures from a gathering in Mokena....
I think something like bi-colored scales with a false bolster would be popular, but what do It know. I thought the Scanduckie would become a world beater
best
mqqn