The (un)Official SDFK Thread

Nathan the Machinist Nathan the Machinist

Looking at this thread, I do not understand why there is a need for SS SDFK. To me it seems like HDFK is a better knife than the SS SDFK. For knives aiming to fulfil similar purposes, HDFK seems to be lighter, better balanced and arguably better looking than knife than SS SDFK. So why not just make basic (i.e. amazon grade) SDFK and make another run of HDFK? Given that both SS SDFK and HDFK have similar price point, personally, I would much rather buying HDFK.
 
murat1983 said:
Nathan the Machinist Nathan the Machinist

Looking at this thread, I do not understand why there is a need for SS SDFK. To me it seems like HDFK is a better knife than the SS SDFK. For knives aiming to fulfil similar purposes, HDFK seems to be lighter, better balanced and arguably better looking than knife than SS SDFK. So why not just make basic (i.e. amazon grade) SDFK and make another run of HDFK? Given that both SS SDFK and HDFK have similar price point, personally, I would much rather buying HDFK.
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The HDFK sold for $330 in 2017, which would be $375 in today's dollars using a standard inflation calculator. However, that inflation model looks at a lot of things (food prices for example) that aren't price drivers for my actual costs. For example, my labor costs are about 3X the inflation rate (this has been pretty typical in many industries). Electricity has been pretty level, but my raw materials such as steel, carbide, scales material and heat treating costs have also outpaced inflation. Without getting into politics (which are inevitably nasty these days) there were choices made by a previous administration that affected steel and other raw material prices. I'd argue this is probably a good thing because the unpredictable chaos and barriers to imports gave the domestic manufacturers (that I use) an opening to increase their prices, which is probably a good thing for the industry as a whole (because the profit created by this chaos kept capital in an otherwise dying industry), but those price increases are real and apparently permanent. And I'm paying the price for that now (literally). A problem that I face, as a manufacturer, are competitors who have not adopted price increases themselves leaving me with two choices, hold my prices to remain competitive (and eventually go under) or raise my prices to reflect my actual costs. I'm at a disadvantage compared to many makers because my prices reflect my actual costs more than most. We have always strived for bang-for-the-buck by giving high performance materials and processes at reasonable costs. This is done by eliminating a lot of fluff. We're pretty lean here. But many makers have a lot of fluff in their models that I don't. They can cut into some of that fluff and I can't. My point here being, your perception about similar price points is missing the fact that the HDFK isn't a $330 knife anymore.

We were making an entry level "gateway drug" knife for Amazon and something like the SDFK was a logical knife for that. I'd have been happy to simply run them all as basic, but many people here wanted a signature series option and I was happy and able to accommodate them. It's a simple variation of an existing pattern already in the production process. I don't need to apologize for that or try to justify it. The second half of your question is why don't I just make more HDFK instead. The answer is because it is a pattern that has already been produced in large numbers, it had a pre-order and the price to make it today would be high enough that we couldn't sell enough to justify the significant investment in time and resources to set up production for a small run of that old pattern. Those kinds of resources are limited and would be better applied to a more productive use of that time such as a folder or a kukri.
 
Blues said:
The "High Dollar" Field Knife?

Now you know where the expression "worth its weight in gold" comes from. 🤣
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Obviously in a Capitalist world with a low supply and a high demand you have to be "willing".

It's too bad that Nathan couldn't just put a HDFK out there and charge $800 for it without cannibalizing his own Behomother. I do not run my own business, but I do manage a business, so I completely understand the ROI of his decisions.

If I were in his shoes, I might create a signature series HDFK and serialize them to maybe like 10 per year. Include a premium sheath from Bill (Duramax), Gold Heat Treatment and Premium scales similar to the DEK-0.

Now that is a $1000 knife which won't take from his standard knives. Instead of going backwards on a cheaper knife, go forwards on a Premium Signature Version with all the bells and whistles.
 
Blues said:
I'm smart enough to stay out of Nathan and Jo's business decisions and just enjoy the knives I'm willing and able to purchase.
They know what's best for their business model and ethos.
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And it seems to have worked for the last ten years offering his works to us. Where else can you find high end steel, with high end heat treat with researched edge geometry?
 
When I buy a CPK. I buy with absolute confidence. Too many times I have taken a chance on another makers knife, only to be disappointed. I have never been disappointed with a CPK. I trust D3V. I love the looks and ergonomics of the knives. Even the sheath is perfect. Mashed Cat is at the top of the Kydex sheath makers list in my opinion. I have a Dek1, UF2, and BFK. I look forward to growing my collection. The SDFK will be a great addition.
 
JACKMANDU said:
When I buy a CPK. I buy with absolute confidence. Too many times I have taken a chance on another makers knife, only to be disappointed. I have never been disappointed with a CPK. I trust D3V. I love the looks and ergonomics of the knives. Even the sheath is perfect. Mashed Cat is at the top of the Kydex sheath makers list in my opinion.
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Brutal-Force said:
Obviously in a Capitalist world with a low supply and a high demand you have to be "willing".

It's too bad that Nathan couldn't just put a HDFK out there and charge $800 for it without cannibalizing his own Behomother. I do not run my own business, but I do manage a business, so I completely understand the ROI of his decisions.

If I were in his shoes, I might create a signature series HDFK and serialize them to maybe like 10 per year. Include a premium sheath from Bill (Duramax), Gold Heat Treatment and Premium scales similar to the DEK-0.

Now that is a $1000 knife which won't take from his standard knives. Instead of going backwards on a cheaper knife, go forwards on a Premium Signature Version with all the bells and whistles.
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I like to think the work we ship is intrinsically worth what we sell it for and not inflated due to scarcity or "rare" or "hot maker" factor. It has been a business practice of mine from the beginning to charge what something is worth. I may revisit this once Abigail's college tuition comes due, but for the time being it is a business practice that has kept a roof over our head for a long time.
 
I applaud you staying true. I think this shows in the overall quality. Better to have fewer items at 100% quality then more items and sacrifice your values. While I wouldn't call $350 dollar knives something that everyone could afford, I would call your knives heirloom quality and therefore worth/valued at what your asking price. The fact the HDFK is still so desirable speaks to its craftsmanship.

Keep up the good work.
 
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Nathan the Machinist said:
I like to think the work we ship is intrinsically worth what we sell it for and not inflated due to scarcity or "rare" or "hot maker" factor. It has been a business practice of mine from the beginning to charge what something is worth. I may revisit this once Abigail's college tuition comes due, but for the time being it is a business practice that has kept a roof over our head for a long time.
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I think it's possible to keep your values and pay for college...SHIV PREORDER!!
 
Richard338 said:
I think it's possible to keep your values and pay for college...SHIV PREORDER!!
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We had a special customer that needed some knives which is why we're producing the Utility Fighters now. We recently talked with them again about next year and we're producing extras on this run for that purpose, but the year after that, anything is on the table. And, coincidentally, so is Abby's first year at State...
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
We had a special customer that needed some knives which is why we're producing the Utility Fighters now. We recently talked with them again about next year and we're producing extras on this run for that purpose, but the year after that, anything is on the table. And, coincidentally, so is Abby's first year at State...
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My daughter will start college at the same time, so if there is a shiv order we will be working at cross purposes.
 
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