Underpricing Hand Mades?

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
If you folks see a hand made knife thats got a very low price tag on it, do you automatically think theres something wrong with it and pass on it? I've wondered about this for quite a while now. Thanks for your time and replies!
 
Originally posted by L6steel
If you folks see a hand made knife thats got a very low price tag on it, do you automatically think theres something wrong with it and pass on it? I've wondered about this for quite a while now. Thanks for your time and replies!

I'm afraid that a _*lot*_ of knife collectors, equate price to quality. IMHO, that is incorrect.

They should look at the knife first and then make the decision if the knife, _*NOT*_ the name on the knife is worth the asking price.

A.T.

--
"Don't you buy no ugly knife."
New knives added 9.11.02
http://customknives.com/a.t.barr/availableknives.htm
 
It doesn't have to have a lot of expensive materials or filework to be well made but some of the knife buying public are looking for "pocket Jewelery" as Tim Herman calls it. This is probably the reason why they pass up the simpler less expensive product.
 
I think that many people equate price with quality, and most of the time its a correct assumption, however there are a lot of overpriced knives out there, and a bunch of relatively low priced, yet VERY nice knives out there as well.

I sell high-end collectables for a living, and i used to have a joke where i would say that I had an item priced at $500, and it didnt sell, i tripled the price to $1500 and BAM, it flies out the door! Sad but sometimes true. Something about a very high price appeals to a certain kind of person, it makes them feel theyre getting something of high quality, or something very exclusive. Either way, I feel any knife should be judged on its own merits, look at the knife, not the price or who made it.
 
I think that buyers look at it as you only get what you pay for. If it is more expensive then it must have better materials, and be built better. This is not true. Some buyers are paying for the name, and will buy anything with the makers name on it. Buyer beware, buy what you like and compare the price and quality to what else is out there.
 
L6,
I've been giving this some thought since I first saw your post this morning, but I wanted to wait and see what direction this thread was taking. I guess my question is whether you mean a low-price knife that is out of line with the other knives on the maker's table, or just knives from makers who don't charge as much as some others? If it's the former, my first thought is going to be, "why is this one so cheap -- what's wrong with this knife?" Hopefully, the answer is that there's some minor cosmetic flaw that the maker will have to point out because I can't find it. :)

If it's the latter, all I can say is that I handled some very fine knives that were selling for comparatively low prices at both Blade and the SECKS this year.
 
I am continuously suprised by the low prices I see on knives. This is not just from new makers, but quite often from well known, highly regarded makers as well. No I don't pass on these knives. In reality, I have a hard time keeping the smile of my face as I take advantage of these great values.

Many of the new makers price their knives low in an attempt to get them out into the buying public. They probably are not making much, if any money on these knives. The belief is that the people that purchase these knives will tell others how good they are. I think the feeling is that once the maker gets better known, he/she will be able to get a more profitable amount for their knives. The thinking behind this is sound and leads to what I think are great deals for the knife buying public.

Judge a knife on it's merits. People that are afraid to buy something because they feel that it can't be good if the price is too low are not good at judging quality for themselves and think that a higher price must mean a better product. This is quite often not the case. It just might be that are being offered an exceptionally good deal.
 
What do you consider to be underpriced?

If you'd been at the South African Knifemakers Guild Show this past weekend you would have seen entirely handmade folders, of excellent quality, selling for $70 to $100 (for bolsterless micarta or carbon fibre linerlocks). If you'd upped the stakes to titanium bolsters, African hardwood handles (backlock or linerlock) they were available for $125 to $150. If you'd wanted to go upmarket then a damascus bladed, and mammoth handled folder could have been purchased for $200 to $250. Top-of-the-line fixed blades with exotic handles could have been yours for $125 to $200. The SA makers work is of an exceptionally high standard, certainly up to anything the USA Guild can offer. The prices only appear low due to international economic factors.

On the other hand there are US knifemakers producing plain jane fixed blades for $1000 a pop, and their order books are full.

It's all relative. Makers value their work, and their time, differently. I know one maker who divides his time equally between knifemaking, painting and fishing. His value system varies considerably from another who might do knifemaking fulltime.

Regards, HILTON
 
I'm someone who has learned to appreciate the quality of a well made tool and the aesthetics of art. Unfortunately, I have never achieved the wealth that I wish went with that educational process. I look for bargains. I don't really give a hoot about whether someone is famous and has high priced knives. If I can find a quality piece at a basement price I leap on it. Unfortunately, there are few places where I live to see and handle quality knives, so I'm relegated mostly to the internet and those who put their products out on the web for schmuks like me to drool over. I'm sure there are tons of really talented makers/artisans out there that offer tremendous values that I'll never see until until I can manage a substantial traveling budget.

In short, low price has never steered me away from a knife. In my economic slot, I have to make equally serious considerations on a purchase whether it's for $ 60 or $ 350. :(
 
I never pass on a knife simply because it has a low price tag.

If I see a knife that appeals to me I pick it up. I hold it, turn it over and inspect it thoroughly. I ask to see the sheath (if applicable). If available, I ask the Maker relative questions about the method of construction and materials. If the Maker is knowledgable and honest and the workmanship is exceptional then I look at the price tag. If the price is lower than normal based on the market value of a similiar product I ask myself why this would be, for example: Is the Maker relatively new? Does he use Automated Equipment (CNC) to produce dozens of the same parts (to save time)? Are the materials used on the lower end of the price scale? Based on the answers to these (an other) questions I decide either to purchase the knife or not.

There are many Makers whose knives I value at greater than what they are currently selling them for (based on my research). I tend to purchase more knives from these makers, especially since I feel that they are priced so well.

Hope this helps.
 
A.T. . . . I know mammoth has rocketted in price recently, but it can still be obtained at reasonable prices, certainly less than $300. As for damascus, the SA guys forge some really good stuff, laminates, twists, patterned and mosiac. Their damascus prices are more competitive because of the economic situation, again, a lot less than $300.

Regards, HILTON
 
Originally posted by HiltonP
A.T. . . . I know mammoth has rocketted in price recently, but it can still be obtained at reasonable prices, certainly less than $300. As for damascus, the SA guys forge some really good stuff, laminates, twists, patterned and mosiac. Their damascus prices are more competitive because of the economic situation, again, a lot less than $300.

Regards, HILTON

I agree, if you don't want the deep blue and greens. I've purchased several sets of the cream and light brown for well under $100.

Who is SA Forge? Do you have an URL?

Thanks,
A.T.


--
"Don't you buy no ugly knife."
New knives added 9.11.02
http://customknives.com/a.t.barr/availableknives.htm
 
I can vouch for some of the good deals that one get from South African makers. I currently owen three knives by South African makers, all of which cost me less than $375, one less than $200. They all are comparable to first rate U.S. makers. U.S. consumers simply benefit from the recent decline in the Rand relative to the dollar. Hopefully, I will be able to visit South Africa again some time in the next year or two and perhaps attend a knife show so I can get some really good prices.
 
Well, as a new maker, this thread started out rather depressing, but got better in end. But I have to admit that I too have seen people pass on knives just because of a low price tag, and I've been tempted to myself at times. But my knives I use most are some of cheapest ones I have. Course, I'm just a user, not a collector, so that's a difference anwyays. :)
 
Mikey, why don't you just ask, "Does anyone like over paying for a knife?" ;)

You've been making knives for quite a while now. You're on a first name basis with some of the top knife makers in the country, as well as some of the best businessmen. Yet, you still keep struggling with this pricing thing. You make a quality knife and I know you know at what point you're making a profit. IMO the time to raise your prices is when you can't fill all of the orders you have. You're knives may be on a level with a better known maker, and his may sell for more money, but don't forget Supply and Demand has to be factored into the prices you'll get on your knives. If you want to increase your prices increase the demand by working on promoting your work. Although the Internet is great, getting your work in the magazines might get you there faster.
 
Is the Maker relatively new? Does he use Automated Equipment (CNC) to produce dozens of the same parts (to save time)? Are the materials used on the lower end of the price scale? Based on the answers to these (an other) questions I decide either to purchase the knife or not.

Very good points. That plus questions about the heat treat experience of the maker if it was self-treated would be my criteria too. Since I actually use (or try to use) the knives I buy I don't avoid a great price when I stumble on one. Maybe I'll stumble on a few at BAKCA this weekend... I'll try.
 
There are many factors to be considered when buying a handmade knife, and price is only one of them, and it is relative to all the other.

Heat treatment . . . Mmmm . . . difficult call, not sure I'd like to use it as a yardstick because the only way to determine it is to test your blade, and thereby mark it permanently. How many of you guys out there have put your $1000+ knife under a Rockwell tester? The majority of makers don't test their blades personally. Rockwell testers are very rarely seen in workshops. The "word" of the commercial heat treaters is also up for debate because they work with batches, and according to batch specs. Then, of course, we look at damascus with its different metals, and you can throw the claims right out the door!

Materials used . . . Mmmm . . . another difficult one. Don't jump to elevate a knife because it uses fancy materials, and don't knock another because it doesn't. I always think of Jess Horn's and Eugene Shadley's work, most often found in jigged bone, a cheap materials, but heck, show me the person who can downgrade their work?! Just last week I saw a custom knife which had been specifically made with flat, plain, featureless m-o-p. The customer had been offered premium grade m-o-p but declined because he didn't like it! Everything's relative.

Regards, HILTON
 
The "word" of the commercial heat treaters is also up for debate because they work with batches, and according to batch specs.
Regards, HILTON [/B]


FYI, I've used Paul Bos since the early '80s. I've _*never*_ received back a blade from him, that did not have the little detent mark.

Your right, there are several "commercial heat treaters" that only test one or two blades in each batch.

Paul Bos (thankfully) is not one of them.

Sincerely,
A.T.

--
"Don't you buy no ugly knife."
New knives added 9.11.02
http://customknives.com/a.t.barr/availableknives.htm
 
Back
Top