Tips on selling knives?

Snody said:
Maybe your hanging around with the wrong crowd, you should try to find some friends who like custom knives and get away from the naysayers..
The people you describe sound very negative..
We are really enjoying your videos..
Respect from Texas..
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Larry was a highly respected collector of ABS master smith hunting knives he helped start the custom knife collectors assn along with Kevin Jones.... the one thing he was and ill always remember him for was his ability get his point across and be honest about it
 
I'm not surprised that Larry Bailey's name came up in the particular thread as he was a successful salesman and businessman for many years and I know he was always willing to and did share his knowledge of business and sales with many knifemakers over the years. To Lon's point, Larry had a no-nonsense approach to custom knives and always called them as he saw them. I liked that about him.

For Mike and anyone here who didn't have the pleasure of knowing Larry, here's a couple threads that add light to what he was about.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...en-at-it-a-long-time-to-the-benefit-of-us-ALL
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/826927-Larry-Bailey-A-Knife-Collecting-Icon-Passes.

Sorry, if I've taken this thread off topic a bit.
 
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Lon Humphrey said:
Larry was a highly respected collector of ABS master smith hunting knives he helped start the custom knife collectors assn along with Kevin Jones.... the one thing he was and ill always remember him for was his ability get his point across and be honest about it
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Lon, I was not talking about Larry...
I was talking about the "people" who are turned off by custom knives..
I simply have no room in my life for these individuals..
The people around me are passionate about custom knives..

You bend knives back and forth like a piece of taffy in your videos and then talk about 'bovine fecal matter"
Sounds like the kettle calling the pot black to me..
How do you put that bent knife back in a sheath??
I prefer knives that break and allow re-insertion in their sheath, you can also stab with a broke knife..
Is that the ABS cutting test???
[youtube]B1g4eZfSr24[/youtube]
 
Snody said:
You already know how we roll
Your Choice.. Gold Grill or Gold Chain..
We got Johnny Dang on speed dial.
Two of my guys have driven to Houston and had Johnny mold their teeth on the spot..
Nothing like custom teeth especially if you use them for your job, like crimping foil packages.. Then its a tax deduction..
We got you covered.
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You're killing me, dude! If I wasn't already working till 9 or later most nights paying my mortgage here, I think I might take you up on that. What's the temperature down there today?
 
Hi David,

insights into the business of selling knives
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Is this thread about making knives.....that you hope to sell. Or is about creating a successful business that turns a profit from the sale of custom knives.

The two are very different.
 
Justin King said:
You're killing me, dude! If I wasn't already working till 9 or later most nights paying my mortgage here, I think I might take you up on that. What's the temperature down there today?
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Thanks Friend.
Its Hot.. Not Flagstaff hot though.
You guys are tough to live with that kind of heat.
I can send you a mold your own grill kit..
It is not as good as letting Johnny Dang take the mold but you have to get it how you live.
Have a great week..
Respect.
[youtube]iDKjil5SKbE[/youtube]
 
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Tips on selling knives?

What advice would you offer to a new maker who is trying to carve out some success?
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If the desire to make knives is strong enough, a maker will soon learn to sell knives, to be able to make more. Outside advice is really not needed.
 
I'm surprised Les Robertson didn't take the next step in his remarks and encourage you to make a business plan according to standard practices. He's convinved me over the years with his many threads on this subject. It makes tons of sense yet many never get it done. One of the most powerful results of making a business plan before you start is that you outline certain aspects of your business that you will measure, such as overhead, profit, taxes, unforeseen needs and expenses, liabilities and insurance. The reason this is so very powerful is that a core human characteristic is that "what we measure improves." Your business will behave appropriately in every situation if you are measuring and monitoring the right things. Best wishes for much success.
 
HI Buddy,

I was waiting for an answer to the Question I asked.

Don wrote:
If the desire to make knives is strong enough, a maker will soon learn to sell knives, to be able to make more. Outside advice is really not needed.
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Like some of the others here...not really giving any solid advice as to how to accomplish the success (as Don has done).

Outside advice is definitely needed (unless you are a CPA)... Unless you are a professional sheath maker like Paul Long, Kenny Rowe or Larry Parsons....Unless you are professional Photographer like Jim Cooper....Unless....well you get the point.

This takes me back to my original question: Is this thread about making knives.....that you hope to sell. Or is about creating a successful business that turns a profit from the sale of custom knives.
 
Insightful!

Les Robertson said:
HI Buddy,

I was waiting for an answer to the Question I asked.

Don wrote:

Like some of the others here...not really giving any solid advice as to how to accomplish the success (as Don has done).

Outside advice is definitely needed (unless you are a CPA)... Unless you are a professional sheath maker like Paul Long, Kenny Rowe or Larry Parsons....Unless you are professional Photographer like Jim Cooper....Unless....well you get the point.

This takes me back to my original question: Is this thread about making knives.....that you hope to sell. Or is about creating a successful business that turns a profit from the sale of custom knives.
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HTMD said:
I'm surprised Les Robertson didn't take the next step in his remarks and encourage you to make a business plan according to standard practices. He's convinved me over the years with his many threads on this subject. It makes tons of sense yet many never get it done. One of the most powerful results of making a business plan before you start is that you outline certain aspects of your business that you will measure, such as overhead, profit, taxes, unforeseen needs and expenses, liabilities and insurance. The reason this is so very powerful is that a core human characteristic is that "what we measure improves." Your business will behave appropriately in every situation if you are measuring and monitoring the right things. Best wishes for much success.
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Great Point.. That is the first thing Les Robertson told me when I met him over 12 years ago.. Develop a Business Plan and adjust accordingly..
He also explained how important it is to maintain a positive yet competitive attitude.
Les de Asis used to bring in a gentleman to speak to the collective group at dinner the night before a big show like Blade..
The dude was highly motivated, we always left energized and the next day at the show you just literally kill it.. It gave me alot of energy and a really positive vibe..
The speaker mimiced Les Robertsons comments and position regarding a Business Plan, Short Term, Intermediate and Long Term Goals and the importance of a positive attitude.
The speaker was Vince Lombardi Jr.

Vince Lombardi doesnt come cheap and he was basically telling us the same thing that Les Robertson has been sharing for "free" for over a decade on the various knife related forums..

Vince would probably respond to the op by reminding everyone that we are on the largest knife board in the world discussing a subject that is being viewed by hundreds/thousands of potential clients..
The very "answer" you provide could very well lead to new knife sales $$
We are not in the redneck clubhouse or the local bar talking amongst a few friends.. The whole world is watching and listening..
We have already picked up over 1,000 views on our channel and three sales yesterday alone to new clients as a result of this thread.
Its Incredible...
I love the USA..
 
Snody said:
Lon, I was not talking about Larry...
I was talking about the "people" who are turned off by custom knives..
I simply have no room in my life for these individuals..
The people around me are passionate about custom knives..

You bend knives back and forth like a piece of taffy in your videos and then talk about 'bovine fecal matter"
Sounds like the kettle calling the pot black to me..
How do you put that bent knife back in a sheath??
I prefer knives that break and allow re-insertion in their sheath, you can also stab with a broke knife..
Is that the ABS cutting test???


Dude i am not going to get in a flame war.... your knives are yours and to me they look like honest knives you do your own HT and that impresses me. There are makers that send out all there blades to get the HT done and that is there choice not knocking that thought pattern either. I was replying to the OP to leave the BS out of the selling aspect, and no that is not the ABS performance test that is stated at the beginning of the vid. I'm doing my performance test next month at the hammer in in troy OH
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Lon Humphrey said:
Snody said:
Dude i am not going to get in a flame war.... your knives are yours and to me they look like honest knives you do your own HT and that impresses me. There are makers that send out all there blades to get the HT done and that is there choice not knocking that thought pattern either. I was replying to the OP to leave the BS out of the selling aspect, and no that is not the ABS performance test that is stated at the beginning of the vid. I'm doing my performance test next month at the hammer in in troy OH
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Excellent Post.. I am impressed with your videos and your "can do" attitude..
I had your videos on the flat screen yesterday with the whole shop watching.. My helper said "who is this guy" and I said "Lon Humphrey-remember the name"
I visited your website and your knives look like honest knives to me.. I know your heart is in your work..
Good luck with your test next month..
Respect
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Snody said:
The very "answer" you provide could very well lead to new knife sales $$
We are not in the redneck clubhouse or the local bar talking amongst a few friends.. The whole world is watching and listening..
We have already picked up over 1,000 views on our channel and three sales yesterday alone to new clients as a result of this thread.
Its Incredible...
I love the USA..
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I understand your point, however to me this sounds close to SPAM.
This specific thread shouldnt be thought of as an advertising vehicle, as much as a discussion of a topic.
David
David
 
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