Hi Bobby and Sanches,
You need to read my whole post(you can tell you guys are makers). BUSINESS>>>>>BUSINESS>>>>>>BUSINESS>>>>>BUSINESSS is what I am talking about. Not makers feelings, not makers skills, not makers abilities...BUSINESS!
When I looked at this web site his show schedule for 2004 did not say the Reno Show. Of course there was no update past then.
You will also note I wrote that if he wasn't going to shows for personal reasons that is a whole different thing. Being self employed myself I can fully appreciate how "personal matters" can eat up time away from your job.
Don has/was being used as an example throught the thread as was Tim Hancock. Both are being used because people know them and they have exceptional skill. As well they charge a lot of money for their knives. Im sure 12 people will correct me if I am wrong, but I believe both Tim Hancock and Kit Carson have some medical issues (That none of us would wish on anyone).
I know Kit has had a hell of a few years. Just this year a piece of machinery tried to bite his finger off and his shop was struck by lightning.
That said, you want real problesm, try being 3 years old, have AIDS and live in Africa where you have no medical care and even if you did you will probably starve to death before you recieve it. Bobby and Sanchez....now those are promlems.
What I have written about are reasons why some knives are good investments. How to pick them and the Business of Custom Knives. No matter how well something is done, it can always be done better.
That is the reason most of you guys become makers. You saw a knife and said "I can do that better".
Yes, my ideas cost money as Gaussian pointed out. I don't understand the concept where anyone in business expects things to happen for free? How many makers out there just expect an article to appear in a magazine? If you want to win an award...you have to buy a table at the show. If you want people to see your current work on your web site, you have to have photos (which means you either buy a camera or you pay a photographer).
As for the CPA. I always find it odd that people who want to be paid for their unique abilities are some of the last who wish to pay others for their unique abilities...such as a CPA. Gaussian, you're right they do charge a lot of money. You can probably do all of your own record keeping and fill out your own tax return, file those quarterly taxes, file your state quarterly taxes, the unemployment compensation forms every quarter, keep track of the taxes, FICA and medicare funds you remove, etc. But wait, that takes time away from making knives. Which means you are not making money because you working on bookeeping and taxes. The good news is your not paying any money.
So your not making any money but your not paying any money. Odd way for a business to make a profit.
Oh and by doing all this yourself you get the extra added bonus, should you be audited (because maybe you did your taxes right and maybe you didn't). You get to go by yourself to the audit. If you have a CPA prepare your taxes the IRS Has to go through him or her first. Plus you have somene on your side of the table that knows what is going on. Imagine how long an audit would keep you out of the shop?
A CPA will set you up in the correct business type, they will help you maximize your deductions (did you know that CPA Fees are a tax deduction for your business), provide you with help if and when you get letters from the IRS or State Revune Department.
Gaussian, you must think your CPA is worth the money or you would stop utilizing their services. I just found it odd that someone who pays the money for a CPA would tell others not too.
Hi Steve Roos,
Im very familiar with Herman's work. I have one of his fighters in my collection. I also know he did a few shows out west. But that was after about 10 years of not doing shows. He is one of those world class makers that very few collectors of the last 10 years would know about.
WWG
