Take Orders Or Bi Weekly Sales?

[JK Knives]

I thought I might do a survey to get a feel for how to go about continuing my business. You can only choose one option, and I would really appreciate it if you would post why you chose what you did.

 

[RayseM]

I don't know enough about how you operate to really be helpful BUT - my 1st thought is - why would you ever stop taking orders?

Even if you only get 2 per year those are still money and work IF - you ask for a deposit, as we have discussed before and allow as much time as you need to gather up materials. So what if your average lead time is 12-16 weeks? Just stick to a routine. Don't offer more steels than you normally use so that you don't need to worry about inventory.

Otherwise - make knives to sell on the exchange at your leisure. The orders become bonuses.

My 2¢.

I don't think I actually cast my vote - but you get my drift.

 

[slg98]

I voted to continue taking orders.(for people who want specific scales etc.)

But also why not make the more popular models in your spare time and sell them in an 'available now' section and the exchange.

.

 

[heefageLA]

Im going with a little bit of both. I know that's not what you want to hear, but that's how ive gotten all the JK's I have.
Two were from sales; Two were custom order; and this next one is from a 'monthly special'.
So, my purchasing habits here are kind of all over the place.

If not for the monthly specials, I probably would have never thought about ordering a stretched 'mini Pot.'
And without the sales, I would have never thought about getting the 'Pooka'

If your able to keep going just the way you are, without too much hassle, I say your doing exactly the right thing.

Oh, I vote to take orders, because I want the options to customize the knives the way I want them...

 

[KYenglish]

i like orders myself

 

[STAINLESS90]

As others have said I see no reason not to take orders as long as it doesn't require any weird steels or materials you don't normally use. I'm not a knife maker so maybe you have a reason we don't understand?

 

[JK Knives]

One of the reasons I'm getting tired of taking orders is I take the time to reply (sometimes several times to people) on an average of a 15 to 1 ratio, meaning for every 15 replies and quotes I send out I get 1 order. Right now orders are just not coming in at all, which is very discouraging. This is not a hobby for me, it's my main means of supporting my family. I could continue taking orders, but without giving a firm delivery date. I'm not sure that would go over too well.

 

[Bailey Boat]

From a business standpoint I would say to keep doing both. Unless your pot is brimming over with money and you don't have any place left to store said cash surplus.
I can't speak for anyone but myself, but I get bored working on the same knife for more than about 45 minutes. I always have several in progress at the same time so I can lay one down and work on another for a while. ADHD???? Beats me.
With that said, you and I are coming at this from different points of view. I'm a hobbyist working maybe 10 to 12 hours per week and you are a professional devoting many, many more hours and expecting a totally different outcome. I only like to work on knives that I like and only do working knives intended for daily use. I have seen some of your work and I'm not fit to hold your apron when you take a break.

 

[JK Knives]

I voted to continue taking orders.(for people who want specific scales etc.)

But also why not make the more popular models in your spare time and sell them in an 'available now' section and the exchange.

.

What models do you consider the more popular models?

 

[JK Knives]

Im going with a little bit of both. I know that's not what you want to hear, but that's how ive gotten all the JK's I have.
Two were from sales; Two were custom order; and this next one is from a 'monthly special'.
So, my purchasing habits here are kind of all over the place.

If not for the monthly specials, I probably would have never thought about ordering a stretched 'mini Pot.'
And without the sales, I would have never thought about getting the 'Pooka'

If your able to keep going just the way you are, without too much hassle, I say your doing exactly the right thing.

Oh, I vote to take orders, because I want the options to customize the knives the way I want them...

There would still be monthly specials.

 

[GP Henry]

As a new guy here I will offer that I placed my order with you, and am confident of my satisfaction with your knife when I receive it, based on your great reputation on BF. I hear and respect your stated concerns, but will fall in line with those who suggest finding the best blend of doing both. Build on the good reputation you have earned as the basis of your business without restraining your ability to satisfy your customers.

 

[JK Knives]

Looks like everybody thinks I would be crazy to stop taking orders! I guess I need to find a secretary that will work for free to answer emails.

 

[YoungCurmudgeon]

I think that it's up to you; if you're not happy or satisfied then you shouldn't do it. But...I voted to continue taking orders. For me you differentiate yourelf from other makers in a couple of important ways. In my research looking for a "step up" in knives I found that when compared to other custom makers your prices are in line (or better) and your wait time is less. And you offer true custom options and handmade products, unlike production makers. For me JK Knives perfectly fits the bill.

 

[darkmatter35]

If you sold a line of knives of your choice and when a costumer orders a knife, he would scroll down a list of options ex.( handle material,liners etc.) of your choice,than the costumer would have ordered a knife with his choice of options and you would not have to hire a Secretary to answer a list of questions.
Maybe you can pick your line of models in different sizes to cover most likes.
I think you will loose some sales from custom knives, depends how much time answering the 15 to1 emails means to you. I do know it takes time. When I purchased my three JK knives they were from models you sold and options you offered, not customs.
John S.

purchased two, traded for one

 

[RayseM]

For what its worth - I make a distinction between taking orders and accepting a commission to build a custom knife. This may be a distinction worth considering.

1) Taking Orders - a) These are the models available. b) This is the steel. c) These are the handle options. d) This is what those options will cost. e) With or without a sheath f) This is the delivery window. g) Tell me what you want.
Send me the money - I'll send you the knife. Next e-mail!

2)John please build this knife for me - Commission of a new Knife - OK- These are the steels available. These are the handle options. These are the pin/tube options. These are the sheath options. Show me your design and specify your options. OK - with those options and this size/shape knife - here is the price. I request a 50% deposit. I will begin the knife within 5-7 working days of the receipt of the deposit after I have gathered your materials. The knife will be ready to ship in X amount of weeks at which time I will send you an e-mail or PM requesting the balance of the payment. Thank you very much for your order. This could take 3 to 5 e-mails and amount to nothing or result in another Proud Supporter.

In this scenario You could save yourself some effort if you prepared in advance a Knife Order Spec Sheet. On this page would be all the permutations you can think of that might be involved in a developing a custom knife. This would be a check off sheet that the customer could review and respond to as he/she develops their idea for the kind of knife they want. You might even have a page showing blade shapes and their designations as well as edge grinds. Post these sheets on your web site or have them as PDFs that could be e-mailed to a customer when you are first contacted. This would certainly streamline the Q&A sessions that pile up into endless e-mails. I'd be happy to create such a "design specs work sheet" with you. You likely already have something similar already done but just on a bunch of pages rather than in one place. Just a thought...

 

[STAINLESS90]

I apologize beforehand because I know I'm still fairly new here but here is my opinion. I own two of your knives, one proud supporter and one tin knife, I am not kind to them but they keep working despite my idiocy. Since I have been here I have seen you going through almost a dilemma as a craftsman. You have to ask yourself some questions because at the end of the day its your hours behind the grinder. Are you a full custom maker or a custom maker with specific models. Full custom makers do it because they love seeing another persons ideal knives made, custom makers with specific models do it because they love making their own designs. Neither one is bad and neither one is more right than the other it is just a difference in people. Depending on that you need to make slight changes like some have said such as only making models that you have designed but offering different grinds, steels, and handle choices. If you prefer to make whatever a customer desires there will be more dropped orders and more wasted emails but you can save some headache by streamlining and automating some of your process. Also I think you need to expand your customer base through social media and other outlets. Right now I would assume most of your business is through BF and return customers because we have your knives and love them because they work. I have a few ideas for social media I can PM you if you don't banish me for this small rant. Once again I mean this in the most respectful way possible. We are all here to help and quite a few members have offered on the website and social media aspects. We discussed changing our sig lines and look how quickly we made that one happen.
Bret K.

 

[JK Knives]

I apologize beforehand because I know I'm still fairly new here but here is my opinion. I own two of your knives, one proud supporter and one tin knife, I am not kind to them but they keep working despite my idiocy. Since I have been here I have seen you going through almost a dilemma as a craftsman. You have to ask yourself some questions because at the end of the day its your hours behind the grinder. Are you a full custom maker or a custom maker with specific models. Full custom makers do it because they love seeing another persons ideal knives made, custom makers with specific models do it because they love making their own designs. Neither one is bad and neither one is more right than the other it is just a difference in people. Depending on that you need to make slight changes like some have said such as only making models that you have designed but offering different grinds, steels, and handle choices. If you prefer to make whatever a customer desires there will be more dropped orders and more wasted emails but you can save some headache by streamlining and automating some of your process. Also I think you need to expand your customer base through social media and other outlets. Right now I would assume most of your business is through BF and return customers because we have your knives and love them because they work. I have a few ideas for social media I can PM you if you don't banish me for this small rant. Once again I mean this in the most respectful way possible. We are all here to help and quite a few members have offered on the website and social media aspects. We discussed changing our sig lines and look how quickly we made that one happen.
Bret K.

Email me your ideas, I'm at work now but I will read them tomorrow.
jkiedaisch@sbcglobal.net

 

[slg98]

What models do you consider the more popular models?

I don't know that I'm qualified to answer that, you probably have the numbers of the most sold. But based on the posts here and what I like I'd say.

E01 Hunter
Rule#9
Personal Utility
Bull Dog
Potawatomi
Andys XD Bowie

I'm sure everyone would have their own list though.

 

[JK Knives]

I don't know that I'm qualified to answer that, you probably have the numbers of the most sold. But based on the posts here and what I like I'd say.

E01 Hunter
Rule#9
Personal Utility
Bull Dog
Potawatomi
Andys XD Bowie

I'm sure everyone would have their own list though.

3 of those have been pretty good sellers, along with the Toby's Knife, The Tool, and Compact Tool.

 

[slg98]

3 of those have been pretty good sellers, along with the Toby's Knife, The Tool, and Compact Tool.

Right :thumbup: ..