Ken,
Let me start by saying that you are a fantasic knifemaker. By what I have read, you are also socially skilled (a good thing to be). You are well liked, and I personally like you.
Now let me say. I think you may be taking the wrong approach here. We both know, that you can not both be, a trend follower, and a trend setter at the same time. You sir, are a trend setter. I would be saddened to see that change.
A note on trends. Trends come and go. There is always a flavor of the month steel. There are always those that love and hate different steels or materials for different reasons, at different times. There are always going to be new hot designs, that may for a time sell regardless of there particular usefulness.
I personally am not a trend follower. I do not think that you are either. Customer service, quality products, accurate delivery dates, friendly attitudes, these have never been trends. These are the things that will make a or break any buisness, including knifemaking buisnesses. They may not sell you more knives in a particular years (as will a trend), but they will keep you grounded in the market for the long hall.
These were my opinions. I stand by them as that, opinions.
Thanks for listening,
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Lynn Griffith-Tactical Knifemaker
Winner of
"Best Tactical Knife" at 1999 PKA show
My website
See my award winning
"Spec Ops Tanto" in Gallery 3 of my website
GriffithKN@aol.com
Discounts to Police and Active Duty Military