Taking custom orders vs closed books

[BKT]

First, this is a commerce related thread, so if I am violating rules, feel free to delete.

I wanted to get opinions from makers on how they run their knife business. I am waffling between the two options of taking custom orders vs just making my own knives and putting them up for sale. The problem I am having with custom orders is I am becoming overwhelmed with orders and my wait time is getting quite lengthy. I also feel like it limits my creativity a bit and wont let me branch out into new designs. Most people want a 5" hunter and that seems to be all I make. I dont have a problem with that completely, and I have to make what sells, but at the same time I will never move forward as a knifemaker if all I ever make is 5" hunters.

The big boys on here have no issue closing their books, making what they want, and trust it will sell quickly and for a lot of money. I am not a known maker. I am a small time guy and I am looking for opinions from other small time makers or how the big timers got started. Did you take custom orders for the most part in the beginning? Or did you just make what you wanted and put it up for sale? Pro's and con's of each?

Thanks.

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

I'd say that as a newer maker trying to establish your name it is good to keep the books open for a couple months worth of orders.

I'd cut off the list after 2 months or so but still keep track of requests and who made them. That gives you flexibility and does not put pressure on the buyer after a decent wait time.

I took orders my first year and wound up making them for 3 years after I closed my books. It's always good to have customers to rely on but you do not want to get stuck making old designs at old prices when your business needs to grow. Check out the Loveless interview in Sports Illustrated. http://www.si.com/vault/1980/07/14/...idly-sought-by-collectors-he-likes-not-at-all

I believe momentum is a big part of building a business. Make sure to post lots of interesting content about your knives (not just sales) and make lots of knives!

I would seriously consider changing your screen name to your real name and also putting your name on your knives.

I personally keep my books closed but recently opened them on a couple of designs that I make within my parameters... opening my books briefly led to some makers choice bigger projects that I am extremely excited about.

I'd stick to a limited amount of materials for orders. Focus on a few steels you know, handle materials and make a name for yourself with a recognizable style that speaks for itself.

 

[Bobbybirds]

This is the businessman in me and it applies to everything really and not just knives, but the best advice I can give is to not simply close your books (which may be necessary), but these are those times when it is important from a business stand point to start increasing prices and let the list sort itself out.

If your work is so desireable that you have a constant and growing backlog, you are too cheap. If you raise your pricing so that you are dropping the lowest end of the client scale off, you will actually make more money with less effort on the upper end of your client base.

In my real life business we use an 80/20 rule... If 80% of the people coming in the door are buying and 20% of the people are walking out without buying, then we are right on track to maximize profit and efficiency vs the amount of work involved. If every single person is purchasing then your prices are too cheap and you are working far too hard for the exact same amount of real dollars in your pocket when compared to the 80/20 rule...

It sounds a bit cold maybe, but it is real life and it is effective and will build you a solid business where you make good money for the work you put in. Over the last 30 years of doing what I do I have watched business after business come and go all around me, yet I keep growing and ride out the bad economies and do really well in the good.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

As a registered user, this topic is not allowed. You have to have a knifemaker level membership ( or higher) to discuss selling knives.

I understand your concerns, and if you search the topic you will get a lot of past discussions.

Thread closed.