Understanding market demand

[jdm61]

Good observation, George. I will go one step further and point out that the styles of knives that have endured have not remained stagnant. The only way I can think of describing how they have evolved is that they have gotten "sleeker" Some of the knives in the older books can look a little clunky compared to ones you see today. I have noticed this partiulcarly with the ABS makers. The guards on the current knives tend to be more delicate for lack of better term. Not that they are flimsy, but they lines just look better to me.

 

[NDallyn]

Wow, thanks to everyone for posting. Mr. Hanson, if I can do some of the things you and Mr. Andrews are doing in 10-20 years, I'd be happy with that whether I was selling lots or not (I'm just a young guy yet). WWG, good point about the internet business. Joe, I have noticed the same thing about some of the older knives. The best comparison I can think of is the car market (1950-70 compared to today). Seems to be a changing style trend. I'm a metalworker by trade (journeyman welder, just signed up for a machinist apprenticeship) so I tend to overbuild things by default. For a pure user, I'd prefer something a bit clunkier but you can't beat the drool factor on some of the more delicate guards and materials (like pearl).

A curious mind is seldom satisfied. Thanks again everyone for teaching me a few things,
Nathan

 

[wolfeknives]

Nathen,
Unfortunately I do not have much time to get involved in the forums. However, more knifemakers should be asking the questions you are asking. I have been making knives for 25 years now, that has given me some time to ponder the same questions you are asking. My opinions (and they are ONLY my opinions) are this:
The main factors creating demand in the market place are quality of craftsmanship and design as well scarcity. This applies to using knives as well as the so called "art knives". I once was lucky enough to overhear a very advanced collector explaining to a new collector his philosophy of collecting. In essence he told him to look for a maker (new or established) who takes pride in immaculate workmanship. This has to be in conjunction with a good sense of design. If the maker continues to develop new designs and ideas and you can pick out his pieces without looking at the mark, you have found a winner.
As in any of the arts, developing a style without repeating the same work will set the maker apart from the rest. Of course all this means that the maker can only produce a limited number of pieces. For a new maker (I know this from experience) that means selling very time consuming pieces for a disproportionally low price for several years. However this should be looked at as a reasonable price to pay for eventual success.
If the work is truly outstandng, it will not be long before collectors start paying attention, especially if the prices are reasonable. As with all things that are rare and beautiful, most collectors of a specific type of knife will want at least one example inhis collection. With increased demand come the higher prices. For makers who love what they are doing, higher prices will provide the incentive to produce more elaborate and time consuming pieces at a reasonable wage.
Never forget to treat your customers with respect, and never forget those who supported you when you were struggeling to make a go of it.
Wolfgang Loerchner

 

[ptgdvc]

Nathen,
Unfortunately I do not have much time to get involved in the forums. However, more knifemakers should be asking the questions you are asking. I have been making knives for 25 years now, that has given me some time to ponder the same questions you are asking. My opinions (and they are ONLY my opinions) are this:

The main factors creating demand in the market place are quality of craftsmanship and design as well scarcity. This applies to using knives as well as the so called "art knives". I once was lucky enough to overhear a very advanced collector explaining to a new collector his philosophy of collecting. In essence he told him to look for a maker (new or established) who takes pride in immaculate workmanship. This has to be in conjunction with a good sense of design. If the maker continues to develop new designs and ideas and you can pick out his pieces without looking at the mark, you have found a winner.

As in any of the arts, developing a style without repeating the same work will set the maker apart from the rest. Of course all this means that the maker can only produce a limited number of pieces. For a new maker (I know this from experience) that means selling very time consuming pieces for a disproportionally low price for several years. However this should be looked at as a reasonable price to pay for eventual success.

If the work is truly outstandng, it will not be long before collectors start paying attention, especially if the prices are reasonable. As with all things that are rare and beautiful, most collectors of a specific type of knife will want at least one example inhis collection. With increased demand come the higher prices. For makers who love what they are doing, higher prices will provide the incentive to produce more elaborate and time consuming pieces at a reasonable wage.

Never forget to treat your customers with respect, and never forget those who supported you when you were struggeling to make a go of it.

Wolfgang Loerchner

This could be THE best post, I have ever read on this forum.

P

 

[Joss]

This could be THE best post, I have ever read on this forum.

P

I agree that it is very, very good.

Mr. Loerchner is exactly on the same wavelength I am on as a collector. When I see the pieces I yearn for, they are knives that are unique to their makers, yet are not just weird for the sake of being unique.

In my experience, makers go through several stages in their career. They include, in sequential order:

1) Produce work with regularity, in a financially sustainable manner.
2) Produce work with a sufficient F&F quality for the market (numerous makers achieve a high level of quality before achieving the critical mass, but I then cannot consider them as having a career as knifemakers)
3) Produce work with a unique and appealing design.

Of those, in my opinion the #3 is by far the rarer and the more difficult (followed closely by #1).

 

[peterinct]

Having seen some of Mr. Loerchner's work in David Darom's book it is no wonder the post is so well written and applicable. His work is exactly what is described!

Peter