The beginnings... hopefully!

chuckM

chuckM

Joined
Feb 16, 2000
Messages
31
Hi guys-
I have been around quite a while, been here at blade forums for many years, and have used this site as a resource for my adventures with steel. I have quietly made blades on a limited scale due to dealing with a full time career (working on climbing on and fixing on steel in high places) but now I find myself with the time to devote (and the lack of funds associated with that) to making a business go at it. Here locally I am beginning a sharpening service and altho slow to get going it still is showing some promise. But the real goal is to make my knives- creating lifelong companion tools for people who understand the value of holding something made with intent and imagination.
Many of you have been at this heart and soul for a long time- and I have learned to place a high value on knowledge and experience, so I would humbly like to ask for your thoughts on my work- I just got my website up last nite- please visit www.edgeofthetetons.com let me know. Good , bad or...
Thanks, and best regards, Chuck
 
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Good luck on your venture.

I don't know what your sales are to date, but the prices listed on your website are about twice what I would expect for the knives shown from a non-famous maker.
 
If you can sell them for that price, then by all means, keep it up. After all, your work is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it. However, I agree with Stacy that the price point is high for the notoriety and finish of your work to date.

One suggestion I would offer is to look into a smaller maker's mark. The stencil you have takes a good bit of space, and as such, it detracts from the overall flow in my eye, especially when positioned to overlay the plunge. I would say a mark of reduced size positioned just forward of the plunge on smaller knives would fit much better, and on larger knives, it may fit on a ricasso that is more proportionate to the rest of the blade.

--nathan
 
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Well Hoss, I'm not sure what qualifies as a "Famous Maker", but I will say that it is a lot harder to go up on your prices than it is to come down on them.

If I had to offer advice, it would be to:

Study the work of other makers.

Find your style.

Work on overall "Flow".

Decide on what the blade is intended to do.

Get your blade geometry down pat.

Make sure your heat treat is the best it can be for the specific steel and its intended use.

Go to bed at night and wake up in the morning thinking "Fit and Finish".

Get some blades out there and learn from the customer's feedback.

Never give up.

Those are just a few things to think about that were offered by a very "Non-Famous" old geezer who simply likes to make sharp things.

Robert
 
I also agree with the above and want to add this. The 35VN isn't as near user friendly as you might think - edge holding - and it certainly isn't all that great to work with in that it can be very difficult for the buyers to sharpen. The result is finishes that can look a bit on the incomplete size. Some very good stainless for hunters and almost everything else would be Elmax, M390, and the most popular one CPM154. Frank
 
I agree with most of what everyone said previously. When I see a knife that is $400-$500, I would expect great lines, hand rubbed finished, premium handle materials, great (near perfect) fit and finishes. I would think most folks would expect the same at these price points. It's great you took the leap- good job by you. If it were me, I would compare my work to others with similar name recognitions/ certifications and quality knives then figure out prices based on those (but that is me).
 
Congrats on starting your own business.
I hate to say what's already been said but as a buyer and maker in training I feel that your prices are a little high just from looking at your pics.
If your knives are moving out the door at these prices and orders are coming in, then by all means ignore my opinions.
I truly wish you all the best.

-Eric
 
Thank you guys so far, I think- actually the prices I deliberately put a little high. This is due to the experiences that I have had with the retailers locally and their mark up and the fact that the blades sell with that mark up! as I said above I am not new to this and I have made and sold probably over a hundred knives (that's over almost 20 years)(its not much for some of you either) and have gotten mostly what I asked for them- granted my prices were quite lower, I bought materials and supplies with paycheck money, rarely concerned about what it cost to actually make the knife. It was rare to have more than two or three unsold knives to take anywhere to show because I was making them for individuals who then went and put them to use. And there is the fact that a dollar is not worth nearly as much today. To the people who have some dollars- 400 is not many- across the hill in Jackson hole a hotel room can easily cost more per night.
Every knife I have made has some imperfection or flaw- it can be rather frustrating- but every one of them is ready to be used. The owners have always been happy with them, and I know that as I devote more time my imperfections will shrink but I never will expect them to be totally gone. I know that there is a good chance that this will not work as a business but I am going to give it a go- my income sights are not that high- but I still need to make a profit. Some how I just feel that making blades on a CNC and then the G10 scales as well - and screwing them together is lacking something- the fit and finish are perfect, the price is cheap, and all 1000 of them look just the same- just like the people that buy them.
As far as being famous, known, or honored in the knife world- not my scene. I just want someone to look at my name on the blade after he (she) just field dressed their elk and be happy with the way the tool worked.
 
Bob Katilus said:
I agree with most of what everyone said previously. When I see a knife that is $400-$500, I would expect great lines, hand rubbed finished, premium handle materials, great (near perfect) fit and finishes. I would think most folks would expect the same at these price points. It's great you took the leap- good job by you. If it were me, I would compare my work to others with similar name recognitions/ certifications and quality knives then figure out prices based on those (but that is me).
Click to expand...

chuckM said:
Hi guys-
I have been around quite a while, been here at blade forums for many years, and have used this site as a resource for my adventures with steel. I have quietly made blades on a limited scale due to dealing with a full time career (working on climbing on and fixing on steel in high places) but now I find myself with the time to devote (and the lack of funds associated with that) to making a business go at it. Here locally I am beginning a sharpening service and altho slow to get going it still is showing some promise. But the real goal is to make my knives- creating lifelong companion tools for people who understand the value of holding something made with intent and imagination.
Many of you have been at this heart and soul for a long time- and I have learned to place a high value on knowledge and experience, so I would humbly like to ask for your thoughts on my work- I just got my website up last nite- please visit www.edgeofthetetons.com let me know. Good , bad or...
Thanks, and best regards, Chuck
Click to expand...

(You're probably not supposed to post a website with knives for sale without a paid membership)


Re the knives


My favourite
http://www.edgeofthetetons.com/images/3b4ce85687acb649dab653ad3650b7c0_j1pm.jpg







I would also say the fit and finish could be improved, especially at those price points.


I don't care for that raised spine humpy back.
http://www.edgeofthetetons.com/images/69f361ad34d16efcfa666bd140f4a63e_9tx8.jpg


I see a couple pieces where the makers mark straddles the plunge, I wouldn't do that.
http://www.edgeofthetetons.com/images/0432a10b4da9034a2f24c0d18555c4a6_5ddr.jpg
http://www.edgeofthetetons.com/images/1490e3c3f9f5c2893fb0b24eeb59b258_1uq9.jpg


either put it way out on the blade, (Loveless) or back in the Ricasso
I might orient the mark so it reads edge to spine and fits inside the ricasso



The photos may be highly compressed or out of focus, or maybe it's the knives
I see plunges, the saber grind line, and tips that don't look sharp.

http://www.edgeofthetetons.com/images/0432a10b4da9034a2f24c0d18555c4a6_5ddr.jpg

It's possible you are buffing or going to higher grits too early with underlying scratches.
Find a GOOD local pistolsmith that does lots of rebluing and have him show you how he keeps his flats flat.



I don't care for the "soul of a knife" talk, but it's popular in some circles.







http://www.edgeofthetetons.com/images/ea8d6ae311e5f75b1add4087b446f765_3ite.jpg
I want the top of the spine and the top of the handle to be level with each other - flow -
I want more refinement on the guard so it's less blockish


http://www.edgeofthetetons.com/images/bc76e05950bb74f0da598bfde9519145_vd67.jpg
More guard refinement

and see http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/328550-No-Frills-75-00-home-studio-tent-lightbox to reduce the flash splash
 
As far as website goes I would change the font color, especially on the home page to a solid black.


I would also tighten up the language on the contact page. I actually would try and incorporate the paragraphs there back over on the main page and just do a no frills contact page. Your contact page doesn't have your name on it.
 
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