The "Whatever" Thread

After a lot of thought and deliberation, it has been decided that July 15th will be the last day I will be taking orders. Orders are just not coming in, I'm averaging one every two weeks. I can't stay in business like this. This is one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, I truly love making knives. Hopefully things may change by then, but it does not look good at this time. After the orders run out I will make knives with materials I have on hand to sell, then request this forum be closed.
 
What I would appreciate from all you guys is this, if you see an opportunity in other parts of the forum to post a picture in any threads, please do so, it can only help. Maybe there is still time to turn this around. So if you have a few extra minutes, every couple of days, post a picture, with a short comment. I really don't want to stop making knives!
 
I've posted a LOT of JK knife photos on EDC Forum and always received many "likes".

Jeff
 
No kidding, that girl has the right stuff for sure! That was quite an emotional slide show. God bless her!

Jeff
 
JK Knives said:
After a lot of thought and deliberation, it has been decided that July 15th will be the last day I will be taking orders. Orders are just not coming in, I'm averaging one every two weeks. I can't stay in business like this. This is one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, I truly love making knives. Hopefully things may change by then, but it does not look good at this time. After the orders run out I will make knives with materials I have on hand to sell, then request this forum be closed.
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I'm speechless. I will be sending an email with my JK wish list.
 
That last picture is of the north side of my neighborhood, the San Jacinto River is way out of it's banks
 
JK Knives said:
After a lot of thought and deliberation, it has been decided that July 15th will be the last day I will be taking orders. Orders are just not coming in, I'm averaging one every two weeks. I can't stay in business like this. This is one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, I truly love making knives. Hopefully things may change by then, but it does not look good at this time. After the orders run out I will make knives with materials I have on hand to sell, then request this forum be closed.
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Damn. I hate reading this.
 
The truth is that I've run out of ideas to bring in sales. I've run special offers, had the EDC contest, (Mykel is the only one who ordered their design), and I am running ads in a knife magazine. I'm hoping the $100 special and Budget Series catch on before I give up and call it quits.
 
JK Knives said:
The truth is that I've run out of ideas to bring in sales. I've run special offers, had the EDC contest, (Mykel is the only one who ordered their design), and I am running ads in a knife magazine. I'm hoping the $100 special and Budget Series catch on before I give up and call it quits.
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Not that I've been helping this matter in any way with sending in orders but I have to ask John - are you intending to quit making knives? Is knife making your way to "make a living" and without it you are going back in the world to punch a time clock?

If you are now, or are near to semi-retirement and knife making is something that brings you pleasure - "I truly love making knives." - and some cash flow then why do you need to shut it all down? Is the JK sub-forum too much effort and a big time sink? FaceBook or Instagram have been discussed here as options, but those take a certain commitment too though you would get a different kind of exposure.

I don't have any real answers. Just asking with respect - what the hell else will you do? Is it simply too costly to keep your shop just to make one or 2 knives each month? I don't know anything about keeping inventory on hand for knife making.

My woodworking shop will always be a woodworking shop. I might stop "running a business" someday but I'm likely to still agree to make some custom product on a case by case basis - if I want. Can't imagine not being a woodworker. This is my perspective that leads me to wonder why you would just phase out altogether as a knife maker.

No need to answer. Mostly a rhetorical post. You seem to enjoy the community and certainly the craft. Sorry you are getting discouraged and yes sorry too that I am not a spending customer these days. Still a proud supporter though :)
 
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