The Blade Show-A LOT of Overpriced Customs

Anthony Lombardo said:
That being said, I do not think it is cool [/QUOTE
Well, now my feelings are hurt. Great 14th post, Sanchez.
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Sanchez has been around a long time. He just chose the name when he became a Flatinum Member. Don't make the mistake, Anthony, as I often do, of letting what you CAN see affect how you percieve the reality that is ACTUALLY there.

How's that for a completely cryptic reference?:D Sanchez in an ABS JS, BTW.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Top and bottom of it as far as I am concerned is as follows:

Most collectors in this particular area are split into broad 3 categories:

1 - Collectors interested in long term, buying and selling knives to develop and improve the collection. They don't want to lose lots on each sale. Break even or a small profit would be nice.

2 - Users - Will buy on the value curve and for the pride of ownership, may have a few safe queens, and resale value of little interest.

3 - Rich Sponsors/Collectors with high disposable incomes and can use this as atax deduction! :D

Most here would fall into category one, in which case we have a vested interest in how makers behave and develop. "Paying the Dues" as Daniel puts it is a behaviour collectors like to see as when done right it develops a makers reputation, demand and ultimately their after market value. You'll find most people in category 1 will pay the higher dollars once the maker has established their long term viability ..... but if they go for the high dollars too soon then that viability may well be compromised.

I really do not think there is any issue over if a makers time is worth it, or whether they are deserving of such a return on their work ...... it is the simple economics laid out above.

Stephen
 
This is by far the most expensive show that I do and I'm sure its the same for lots of other makers. When you start the show with a $2000.00 deep hole you need to add a little more to each step and that being the knives. Did you happen to buy a soda pop out of one of the machines there? I was surprized that I didn't have to pay to take a piss.
 
So Ray, do you charge higher prices at the Blade Show than you do with regular customers?

Remember, it cost your customers just as much to attend the show as it cost you!
 
Sanchez has been around a long time. He just chose the name when he became a Flatinum Member. Don't make the mistake, Anthony, as I often do, of letting what you CAN see affect how you percieve the reality that is ACTUALLY there.

How's that for a completely cryptic reference? Sanchez in an ABS JS, BTW.
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Thanks for the heads up. I usually like to know the true identity of a keyboard commando when they call me out on the internet.
 
I won't comment on other makers prices. It's there business, and if they feel their knives are worth what they charge, who am I to say differently. However, the buying public has EVERY right to show Joe Blow maker that he is too high by not purchasing his knives, or too low by buying it all and making quick and large profits by reselling it. It's a fine line to walk.

I have always tried to keep my prices lower than my peers, and not increase too rapidly in order to ensure resale value and longevity to my business. I want a collector to know that he can resell a piece from me and at least get his money back, if not turn a little profit. It makes buying my work a no brainer if he likes it. I can't say I have been 100% sucessfull at this, but I do make an effort to keep my work priced this way, and it has helped me keep steady sales throught my almost 10 years as a full time maker.

Pricing has always been a hot topic, and I don't want to seem like I am bashing other makers. I just wanted to share my pricing approach as food for thought. My work isn't cheap, but I hope it is never considered over priced. No one need make a comment to bolster my ego, but if you disagree with me, please share your thoughts. I think this is one of the most important topics to consider in marketing my work, so the more opinions I hear, the more educated I can be to manage that part of my business. It's not much different than constructive critisism to help improve a makers work IMHO.

Great thread BTW
 
Bailey,
I am glad you responded to this thread. Your insight is very valuable. I don't know anyone who has ever lost any money on Bradshaw knife, thats for sure.
 
This has been a very informative thread for me. Knife pricing has always been the hardest part of the business of knife making/selling for me also. My favorite knife is the knife that the customer will use and be proud of. I enjoy making that kind. I also like to stretch my limit and imagination on some knives. It really isn't hard to stretch my limit and I have to draw from others on the imagination part. :) I think that the others also like to be included, at least that is how some of my customers are.
It has been another beautiful day and knives are just a part of it. I thank my Great Spirit for allowing me to be able to participate in the activities of the knife world and the fellowship of the internet.
Thanks to One and All for your contribution.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
Bailey, it is my opinion that your knives offer some of the best value that is available in custom knives, period.
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What Keith said.

Roger
 
While there has been little discussion of tactical knives and tactical knifemakers in this thread, I'd like to add my comments anyway.
JOKRSWYLDE: Many tactical makers are now between $525 and $575 for a framelock flipper. I sold out (10) of my Devastator model, which is a framelock flipper that incorporates roller thrust bearings (only used by myself and Larry Chew), for $495. This is my most expensive model. I also sold out of my other folders that were $450 and $475. Most of these knives had carbon fiber scales.

I agree that there are a larger # of newer makers that have rapidly approached the prices of well established makers, but, there are a # of established makers that are still offering excellent values for the quality and features offered. The educated buyers still hold all the power to either buy or pass on any knife.

The price of titanium has skyrocketed, and the supply is very limited. The same goes for carbon fiber. At some point, I will be forced to raise my prices between 5 and 10% just to keep up with it.

This is an excellent thread. One thing I can say is that the knife buyers are definitely becoming more educated about price and quality, which I love. Fewer buyers are being sucked into the "Flavor of the month" mentality, and are, instead, seeking out the best quality and value WRT their investments.

Stay Sharp,

RJ Martin
 
Fewer buyers are being sucked into the "Flavor of the month" mentality, and are, instead, seeking out the best quality and value WRT their investments.
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Thanks for chiming in with your expert opinion RJ and good to see you at the show. How many table holders around you were as successful?

Congrats on the new Kershaw collaboration, BTW. They are doing a nice job with it.
 
Don Cowles said:
...my sales, except for two knives, all went to new customers, and I infer that the prices for the perceived value were a non-issue.
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I don't think that that perceived value was a non-issue, instead I think it means that these customers decided that your knives were priced just right. Just because knives are over a thousand dollars doesn't mean that they are overpriced.
 
Martinsite said:
The price of titanium has skyrocketed, and the supply is very limited. The same goes for carbon fiber. At some point, I will be forced to raise my prices between 5 and 10% just to keep up with it.
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When prices have to rise, they have to rise. A 5 to 10% increase is reasonable considering the pressures put on by the increased costs of doing business.
 
Anthony Lombardo said:
-Ray Kirk's forged 52-100 integral hunters for $225 (WITH SHEATH) Nice work from a nice man.
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Don't forget Ray's forged 52-100 integral Medicine Blade knives for $200 with sheath. I bought myself one with a snakewood handle.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
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Just because knives are over a thousand dollars doesn't mean that they are overpriced.
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OK, I'll chime in again!

Keith's statement quoted above is one I very much agree with.

I have recently had several makers tell me they can sell a $1500 knife much easier than five $300 knives. The $1500 knife must have a perceived vaue for the buyer that is in accordance with the $1500 price tag however.

It also seems the buyers who come to a show looking to spend $1500 and upwards on a knife don't even look at knives under $1000.

What do you guys think?
 
Kevin Wilkins said:
The $1500 knife must have a perceived vaue for the buyer that is in accordance with the $1500 price tag however.

It also seems the buyers who come to a show looking to spend $1500 and upwards on a knife don't even look at knives under $1000.

What do you guys think?
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Piece first, maker second, price third.

Some lower prices can make you suspicious on the aftermarket, but if I can get a $1,500 valued knife for under $1,000, color me very happy!:)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Personally, I want to limit the quantity of knives I own and focus on the quality. Given that, a $300 knife is less likely to be interesting to me, whatever the maker or perceived value. (In a few cases, I'll engage in opportunistic buying, but that's pretty rare).

That's one of the reasons why the Reno show is so much better for me now than Blade: concentrated quality & focus on forged knives.
 
Hi Anthony,

Ok we can set aside your buddy Sanchez's hypocrisy (you know people don't list makers names, then he turns right around acuses dealers and doesn't list names).

So the real question is:

How does a dealer adding 30 -50% to a makers knife in the aftermarket, change the price the maker is asking on their table?

Ok, it can make a difference; but for a very few.

Lets be honest, how many makers can deales really do that with? How many of those makers actually set up at shows. How many of those makers actually have knives on the table 30 seconds after the show opens? How many of those makers give the dealer a discount?

Most makers are smart enough to understand that in order to stay in business long term you have to keep your head about you and not go crazy on your prices.

Examples of this are Kit Carson, Ernie Emerson and Ken Onion. Their retail prices have not really been affected by the aftermarket. Especially Kit who's prices are still around $500.

The majority of makers who's prices are really affected by the aftermarket are part-timers who produce very few knives. Generally you can watch these makers rise on the Internet, plateau and then the demand and their aftermarket prices drop. Those makers who got caught up in this have difficulty lowering their prices. Those collectors who got caught the "fever" are now stuck with a knife they will never get their money back out of.

In all of these scenarios whose fault are the "premium" prices....the consumer! Fault may be to harsh of a word. These consumers saw the knife, thought it was a fair price and bought it. They bought what they liked.

Guys, like it or not prices are going up on everything, this includes custom knives.

Every month new makers are showing up doing exceptional work. If you don't like the prices of the established makers; take a look at some of these makers. This is especially true on the ABS side of the house.

Regarding the tactical folders side of the house (since RJ chimed in). The new makers are showing up looking to get established maker prices. I suspect this is having a positive impact on makers such as RJ, Charles Marlowe and Mike Obenauf. Who provide exceptional value for the money.

To the makers and dealers, price them the way you want. To the buyers/collectors; do your homework and get the best value for the money you can.
 
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