Um... Anyone else feeling a pinch?

O

Omega Leather Works

Joined
Jun 13, 2007
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I went from getting a non-solicited job every other day to nothing. Zip. I haven't had anyone contact me in over a week. I'm thinking about going back to having a stock of items instead of 100% custom because the orders just aren't there.

Is this normal for this time of year? If this keeps up I'll need to start making other things (dog collars, belts, etc) to supplement my sheath making. :(
 
Hi Anthony, Its not just you brother, I myself went through this last year and again this year at this time of year. In November it will pick up again and by Christmas time it should be back in full swing again. This time this year has been slower for me then last year around this time for me though.

Brett
Esteem Grinders
 
Thanks man, I'll look forward to getting out of the slump. I've gone ahead and started making a batch of sheaths for 4" bladed knives. I have had a couple of people contact me since I posted that so maybe it'll get better sooner than later. I also bought some tools and hardware for doing cuffs and pet gear. It's actually kinda fun so I'm not complaining. :)
 
There are a couple slumps throughout the year. As Brett said, things will likely pick up as we near the holidays. Then after New Years it tends to slow down again. And sometimes there's no apparent pattern to it at all. :D

I would never want to rely 100% on custom orders. That's a real feast-or-famine way to go unless you're already booked a year or two in advance (which presents a whole other set of issues).
 
That good to here I hope the contacts pan out for you. Since I wrote that post things have started to pick up for me as well. Things are looking up that for sure.

Best of luck!!!!
 
I just went almost 3 weeks without shipping any forges, then in one day I ship 4 forges, including my first to Australia. You just have to look at it over a 52 week year, or even 13 week quarter. One bad week does mean you're going to starve, hopefully.
 
I have three up on the exchange that I figured would go pretty fast. Nope. Pretty neat pattern too. Makes me feel like I'm a total failure.

I got the second page exchange blues. Lol.
 
Brett, you were exactly right. Orders picked up a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I got hurt and have had to stop for a bit pushing some work after the new year, but it's really a positive sign. I'm thankful for those of you (everyone actually) that have been through it. Really helps to hear from those more experienced than myself. We make very different things, but it seems we are all subject to the same ebb and flow of the industry.

Custom work is not without its challenges to be sure. Making sheaths is a different animal though. Unless making a run for a specific knife that I already own I must insist that the customer send their knife, and a pattern must be made for that knife, the sheath fit exactingly. That turns some people off (few actually), but fortunately the same people that realize that quality costs a bit more than factory or generic fit also seem to relish in the idea of having something tailored to their needs, from how it rides, to matching their style of dress and activities. :)
 
Omega Leather Works said:
Brett, you were exactly right. Orders picked up a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I got hurt and have had to stop for a bit pushing some work after the new year, but it's really a positive sign. I'm thankful for those of you (everyone actually) that have been through it. Really helps to hear from those more experienced than myself. We make very different things, but it seems we are all subject to the same ebb and flow of the industry.

Custom work is not without its challenges to be sure. Making sheaths is a different animal though. Unless making a run for a specific knife that I already own I must insist that the customer send their knife, and a pattern must be made for that knife, the sheath fit exactingly. That turns some people off (few actually), but fortunately the same people that realize that quality costs a bit more than factory or generic fit also seem to relish in the idea of having something tailored to their needs, from how it rides, to matching their style of dress and activities. :)
Click to expand...

That good to here Anthony. Now mark your next years calendar for around August and try to plan some work out for the following couple months.LOL As for customers not willing to send there knifes to you that can be tough and I understand both sides of the coin. What I have done in the past when I have had sheaths made out of state was to make a very close pattern out of wood for the sheath maker to use. When I do this I cant fault the sheath maker if the fit is not perfect though but 9 times out of 10 there work out great.
PS I hope you get well soon

Brett
 
If someone wanted to make a facsimile blade I'd work with that.

Thanks Brett. I just turned 40, I'll tell ya healing isn't what it used to be, but I'll get there. :)
 
I'm arriving a little late to this party but want to throw my 2cents in.

Like what others have mentioned, there are down times. My peak months are Feb-Apr and Aug-Oct. I figure that the wallets tighten up around X-Mas for obvious reasons... but after the wrapping paper settles, Wifies give Hubbies the go ahead on man-gear purchases.

You mentioned the dread of having to make other things to supplement sheaths...

I welcome the change and have come to the realization that I just love making STUFF. Knives are the majority of what I do but I make canes/staves, bags, clothing, leather and metal jewellery, woodworking tools, archery accessories, general blacksmithing, etc... Last year, I did a run of "magic wands" that sold like hotcakes. I recently had a group of local milk delivery drivers ask to have a bunch of specialized hooks made to help move the crates around in the trucks.

My "ace in the hole" has been versatility.
 
I just lost one of my custom sheath makers and because I am buried making knives, I don't have time to make them myself anymore. While most of our knives ship with "basic" leather sheaths to keep things within a buyers budget, others ask for custom work. So, I'd love to talk to you about it when you have a chance. Reach out when you can and I am sure I can help your business.
Thanks!
 
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