To serialize or not

olymon

olymon

Joined
Apr 27, 2017
Messages
188
My wife is trying to convince me to start serializing my knives before I sell them. I told her that every one has its own unique design/handle aspects already because I hardly ever make the exact same thing twice. I can only remember making a pair of hunters that were mirror copies, but they used antler handles and even that made them different. She is coming at it from a marketing perspective, serialize and they become more valuable. I say each one is already "serialized" by the fact that none of them are exact copies of ones I have done before.

What's your thoughts on this subject??
 
Serializing blades would add more value in the eyes of the buyer, sure, but I would say the real benefit is that you can more easily identify a knife later. If you make enough knives you're eventually going to run into multiples looking similar enough to be confused with other knives.
 
BTGuy said:
Serializing blades would add more value in the eyes of the buyer, sure, but I would say the real benefit is that you can more easily identify a knife later. If you make enough knives you're eventually going to run into multiples looking similar enough to be confused with other knives.
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This
 
Yeah, I see what you're saying. currently I might be able to put out about 8 knives a year because it's just a hobby. I may start serializing them but I really don't know if it is necessary. If I were cranking out multiple knives of the same style like some of the guys on here I would definitely do it.
 
I wouldn't serialize the knives unless you committed to building them the same over say 100 or so.
 
I wasn't trying to say that serializing your knives is a necessity. I personally like it when there's little to no marking on the knives, especially on the blade itself. You may even argue that the lack of serialization would add value to some people. Really comes down to what you feel is best as a maker.

P.S. Please post some pics of your work. You got me interested to see what type of knives you put out. :)
 
Serialized or not, it's always a good idea to document them. Photos, date completed, etc. 20 years from now someone might acquire one of your knives in a pawn shop and have no idea what he's got, and without documentation, neither will anybody else, including you (probably).
 
I am not sure a serial number alone makes a knife worth more. Most makers eventually seem to move away from numbering their knives or only number the 1st so many, so those with serial numbers often represent early models or examples of that model and distinguishes them as such. Which may or may not be favorable. If you decide to do it keeping some records may be a plus in latter years.
Just a couple thought from a knife buyer
 
Planterz said:
Serialized or not, it's always a good idea to document them. Photos, date completed, etc. 20 years from now someone might acquire one of your knives in a pawn shop and have no idea what he's got, and without documentation, neither will anybody else, including you (probably).
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This^^ I put a number on all my knives, the ones with removable handle I usually put it under the scales. Ones with glued handles are documented in order in a list on my PC. I keep just a few details...number, finish date, steel. This way if 10 years down the road you get a guy saying he picked up an old model you have some info to share. Eventually you aren't going to remember the 23rd knife you made 8 years ago:-)
 
BTguy, A large percentage of my photos are of knives that I made in the past and what makes it even worse is they are scanned photos. I'll try to post up some thumbnail link pics when I get time. I've been on a kitchen knife kick with some hunters thrown. I am anxiously waiting on some blade to come back from Peters'. I'm hoping I can save a lot of post heat treat finish time by having them do my 154cm and ATS-34 for me.

Planeterz, Rival1314, I've already ran into not remembering who I made stuff for. It was easy to forget, I took about 12-13 years off. It's easier to remember when you are showing people pics of the knives and the knife build memory stays fresh.
 
I dont know about serializing - but when i make multiples of things, whether its knives, fishing rods, woodworking, etc., even though they are each unique. I at least number them, and keep track of those numbers and details of what each is. It might not ever be used, but it might come in handy. I've had one case where a guy passed and his son got a fishing rod from him that I had made and wanted the details on it - he told me the number on it, and I was able to look it up, what kind of blank, guides, handles, etc..when I started it, and when it was delivered finished. That particular rod was a gift that several people had pitched in to pay for, so I was able to even tell him who those people were that had donated.
 
If you go to a knife show with lots of custom makers and smiths, you'll find serializing your work is not the practiced norm. With that said, it's your knives and you should do what you feel best with them.
Decades from now, it won't be as important where, or when, or in what serialized order the knife was made. The most important thing to a current buyer or future owner is WHO made the knife. That's why you'll find so many of the master makers and smiths using their name, so that down the road there is no question about who made the knife.

My 2 cents.
 
olymon said:
l1ranger , you sound like one busy craftsman!
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hardly - but I do get into a lot of stuff
it goes hot and heavy for a while, and then slows a bit. I think I made about 28 rods in a few years time - since then i've made less than one a year.
I've just started on knives this year, I've got 4 in the works
right now, its all taking a backseat to spring yard work
 
I don't know if serialization really adds much value to a knife outside of the secondary market - where certain ranges and/or lower serial numbers will likely become more valuable over time.

Serialization will add, as other have mentioned, a way of cataloging and identifying knives. Maybe throw a small date on there somewhere innocuous (tang underneath removable scales is a good option)

It becomes significantly more useful when you've started making certain models more than once. If you get to a point where you have knives that you are known for, serialization is something people will likely want. If you become an established maker in any notable amount of demand, the first 10+ of any new model you produce will likely command much higher prices because people like to get in on the ground floor and have that sort of pride of ownership.

Basically, it won't do much for you know while your production of knives is inconsistent and highly varied, but it will make a difference down the line if you stick with knives.

I would like to take a moment and add a disclaimer: While I stated all of this with something that seems like certainty, I'm really just spitballing here and have no real expertise on the subject. It's just what seems logical to me.
 
Another option may to give each knife a unique name. It could serve the same purpose, but rather than having a number on the blade or handle, which may be a turnoff to some, an actual name may have more “character” so to speak.

The challenge is what names to choose, as that may pigeonhole you as a builder. Something like “Meatgrinder” may attract some potential buyers and alienate others.
 
olymon said:
My wife is trying to convince me to start serializing my knives before I sell them. I told her that every one has its own unique design/handle aspects already because I hardly ever make the exact same thing twice. I can only remember making a pair of hunters that were mirror copies, but they used antler handles and even that made them different. She is coming at it from a marketing perspective, serialize and they become more valuable. I say each one is already "serialized" by the fact that none of them are exact copies of ones I have done before.

What's your thoughts on this subject??
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Also it might make it easier to remember which knife you created down the road. You could keep a file or log somewhere with a photo or description of each knife next to its serial number.

That way maybe in 5 years down the road someone will say “i need service on serial number x” it will be easier for you to just look up and kniw what they are talking about
 
BTguy and others. This gives you an idea of the random types of knives I've been making going back a long ways. Scans of poor pictures I took a long time ago with some poor cell phone pics mixed in. I need to take some better pictures!








This is my favorite






Ok, so except for the last picture, I never really recreated the same knife. I'm all over the place on designs, let me know what you think. With this variation, I may stick with just my own documentation and serialize if I ever get the bug to build a few of the same style.
 
I first started making sheaths for a certain maker several years ago and his knives at the time were sterilized in the low 100's. All of his knives are essentially different due to steel choice, Damascus, handle materials etc. but they are still consecutively numbered and we are now in the high 600's. He keeps a log (computer) with a good description, steel, date of finish, and a photo of each for future use for either him or someone who happens to inquire about a specific knife later...even much later on. He can email the individual file to anyone who inquires. it's a good thing.

Paul
 
To me a custom anything doesn't need a serial number. It's unique enough on it's own. SNs are for production runs.
The only practical benefit I can really see is making it easier to identify if it were ever stolen. Most cops can read a number correctly. Most cops won't recognize a custom knife unless something about it really stands out.
 
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