Vocational Knifemaking: is it possible to make a living of knives?

Knifemaker87

Knifemaker87

Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
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okay... heres my quandry...
i would love to be able to make knives fora living... but being 19 and green... i dont know if it is possible.. i particularly like japanese knives and swrods... and would love to specialize in them. but still is it possible to make a living to support a family off of knives/blades/swords?
thanks
~Chris
 
If I remember correctly, the general consensus here was that it's very hard to support yourself exclusively on knives... That many knifemakers actually have other jobs.
 
It's not easy but it's possible. Don't plan on being rich though. It might be easier to start when you're young since you probably don't have kids yet. You can do it but you really have to like making knives.
 
It depends on what you call "a living."

As a full time Knifemaker, I'd say making enough money to pay yourself a salary sufficient to support yourself, your wife and a child or two in a typical, middle class lifestyle is almost impossible. To do that you're going to need to have gross sales of easily $100,000 per year ... which is a lot of knives for one guy to make, market and get out the door ... that's about one $300 knife on average each and every day, made, marketed, sold and delivered.

Let's put it this way, get your wife a GOOD paying job first that provides health coverage for the whole family and see that the kids are good at web-based sales and marketing... :-) That will be a big help.
 
Ive been FT for several years off and on. Its really tough to make good money unless you are good enough to collaborate with one of the major knife manufacturers or make something that nobody else is making. With knives almost everything imaginable has already been done. My advice is stay in school and get an education. Make knives for a hobby and use the money to spoil your wife.
 
I wouldn't recommend it. I know a lot of guys say you're young go for it -but from my experience, you're young and the clock's ticking.

If I were you, I would check out the Dept of Labor and Stats website, find a high paying IN-DEMAND job that you enjoy and go for it! Then, once that happens, you'll probably want to buy a house, a nice car, settle down, get married, have kids, etc. Basically LIVING life. Then you can use knifemaking as a hobby, buy whatever you need -and if it takes off great! If not, you're still gonna be alright.

Otherwise, trying to be a knifemaker now, without a career -is in my opinion kinda foolish, as if you fail -you're screwed AND out of the most precious thing in life and that's TIME.

Enjoy your youth, but be prepared -30 creeps up pretty fast from 19, then 40, then 50, if you don't have your sh*t sorted out by the time you're 40 -it's gonna suck. I've seen people who enjoyed their youth, partying, smoking pot, screwing around, and now they don't have anything -divorced and living in a trailer, unemployed/ working part time as a laborer, etc. with barely enough money for food. Money is the root of all problems (most domestic disputes are over money) and although it is evil, it is a necessary evil due to our capitalistic society (which is great for the rich, but really sucks for the poor).

There's nothing wrong with dreaming, but in today's world, you have to be realistic. Houses ain't cheap anymore, businesses are going overseas, money isn't plentiful (I have a feeling in the next few decades, fewer people are going to be rich, but the rich are going to be filthy rich, and more people are going to be middle class or poor) if I were you I'd look into a "Service" field (eg. Something in the Medical field: Doctor, Nurse, Dentist or Cop, Fireman, etc.) as you can't outsource these jobs. Easy to find a job, good job security, good pay, good benefits -and I know where I am, they only work 3 days a week -and can make $60K a year. Leaves plenty of time for knifemaking and supplies, and really helps if your wife makes just as much.

Be smart kid, it's all about sh*t happens, be prepared, be educated and the world is your's.

P.S> Don't marry a crazy b*tch, cuz she'll just screw up your plans. Make a plan and stick to it. Remember it's all about you and your dream. Make it a reality.
 
Excellent advice Bruce... I didn't see that the guy is 19 years old!

I'd say, if you're interested in knifemaking, get serious training in mechanical engineering, industrial production technology (CAD/CAM) and/or learn to be a master machinst ... then play around with knifemaking.

One thing I see in industry today: there are less people working in a shop but each worker is now MUCH more important than before. That means that TOP people can really earn good money. Today you may have one guy operationg a $million machine and one stupid screw up can cost the company a lot of money... I hear from everyone over here: good employees are VERY hard to come by and command good pay.
 
Flatgrinder and Kevin are spot-on. Don't necessarily count on walking into a cush job right after graduation, punching the clock for 20 years and retiring comfortably, either. Those days are mostly long gone. Just ask the several hundred Harley employees who just got laid off :(

I'm not trying to discourage you and I'm sure no one else is, either. But the economic facts are what they are.

I went through the same thing with luthiery a few years ago... the market is so tight (lots of people want to build customs, relatively few are willing to pay for them), the profit margins so slim, well... I'm back in the print shop, lol.
 
thanks so much guys...
i really do appreciate it!
i think that the consensus is to get an education, a good paying job i enjoy, and use knifemaking as a hobby, something i enjoy and use the profit to spend on my (not yet existent) wife. sounds like a plan!
in otherwords time to focus on my degree...and take advantage of the time i have.
thanks a bunch.
~Chris
 
I on the other hand.. Wish I had gotten started earlier in making knives. I got serious with knives 7 years ago.

If I could do it all over again now...I would go to every knife class there is that I could afford.

Just have fun with it and all will work itself out.
 
I think it's doable, if you don't have any debt (including a mortgage, if at all possible) and don't expect to have all the latest toys and gadgets and new cars. And don't eat out all the time. In other words, don't live like an American.
It would probably be wise to have another home business going, or a part time job elsewhere.
I don't plan on having health insurance, and don't have any now.
I believe in taking care of my health, rather than screw it up and expect everybody else to help me pay to get it fixed later.
If I didn't change the oil in my car, and the engine blows up, should the government (i.e., tax payers) replace it for me? Of course not. Same with health. Take care of yourself. Be careful around machines too. If you're klutzy, don't take up knifemaking. :D
 
I would recomend that you go to school and learn a trade. In many places there are shortages of good tradesmen in areas such as plumbers, electricians, and the like. There is work available and the pay is reasonable. Too many people are going into university today leaving alot of highly educated people flipping burgers because the market is flooded with university degrees.

Knife making is a great hobby, but like others have said,knifemaking for a living is easier said than done.
 
Took a look at your pictures. Obviously you are not a "beginner". But the advise the other folks have given is real good advise......
There are knifemakers out there who do make a good living as fulltime knifemakers with no other apparent sources of income......
Most all of them that rely on knifemaking only, started in other careers and got better and built reputation and clientele while paying the bills from some other source.....
While there are others, the only maker I know who has been fulltime for a career is Allen Elishewitz. He put himself trhough college and obtained an education in criminal justice, by making knives. He, to my knowledge, has been fulltime since school. His wife is administrator, co-marketer, business planner, a true partner in their knife business....so Allen can concentrate on creating his knives.......and he is quite creative, innovative, and skilled, and has a very disciplined work ethic.....
Allen isn't the typical maker in this craft. most of us had other careers first...some were machinists, jewelers, etc...some of us got into it after a career in "corporate America".
Your response to the guys who posted earlier sound like you "got your head on straight".
Don't give up making but get the education, career, stable lifestyle (if that is possible). and ENJOY!
 
Phillip Patton said:
I think it's doable, just... don't live like an American.
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here here... well as i am curently still living at home i dont have debt... nada. i have paid for all my equipment with money made from knives. and thrift stores are wonderful things. the first 10 or so knives cost me nothing excpet labor, i was so scroungy.

but still a part time job is a good idea. i have though about being a machinist... possible? not possible? do you think that having made knives would recomend me?

thanks so much
~Chris
 
Knifemaker87 said:
but still a part time job is a good idea. i have though about being a machinist... possible? not possible? do you think that having made knives would recomend me?

thanks so much
~Chris
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Sure it's possible to be a machinist. And you don't have to go to school either. Apprenticeships are still around, and I think that's a great way to learn.
I have a great tape that has lot's of ideas on how to get post secondary education without having to go to college. You can actually get a degree that way, but I personally don't see the need, at least for myself. I'd be happy to send you a copy if you're interested.
 
Not having health insurance is a very foolish course in my opinion. Insurance has nothing to do with taxes or taxpayers; it has to do with personal responsibility.

If you don't have any health insurance, it may well be the taxpayers who have to pick up the bill for your health care if you land in the county hospital.

Anyone can be struck by a serious illness or accident and need medical care which can cost literally hundreds of thousands of dollars. No amout of healthy living can protect you.

One example: I had 2 friends who both were struck by hereditary forms of heart disease. One man had insurance and received a quad bypass. He's doing fine and as his problem was repaiered, his prognosis is good. He's living a normal life. The other friend didn't have health insurance and allthough he wasn't in the poorhouse, he lacked the resources to pay for an expensive operation. He tried a non-surgical option. He died.
 
Kevin Wilkins said:
Not having health insurance is a very foolish course in my opinion. Insurance has nothing to do with taxes or taxpayers; it has to do with personal responsibility.

If you don't have any health insurance, it may well be the taxpayers who have to pick up the bill for your health care if you land in the county hospital.

Anyone can be struck by a serious illness or accident and need medical care which can cost literally hundreds of thousands of dollars. No amout of healthy living can protect you.

One example: I had 2 friends who both were struck by hereditary forms of heart disease. One man had insurance and received a quad bypass. He's doing fine and as his problem was repaiered, his prognosis is good. He's living a normal life. The other friend didn't have health insurance and allthough he wasn't in the poorhouse, he lacked the resources to pay for an expensive operation. He tried a non-surgical option. He died.
Click to expand...

I knew when I posted that that it would draw flack. It does seem at first glance to be foolish not to have insurance, but I'll tell you what, I'm sure motivated to take care of myself. :)
I'm certainly not advising anyone else to give up health insurance; that's just what I'm doing.
I agree, personal responsibility is the key. Almost every health problem (except accidents, obviously) can be traced to bad diet, or addictions.
You mentioned heart disease. That's something that doesn't just "strike" all at once. It takes years of not taking care of yourself to cause it.
Anyway, this is getting a little off topic. I was just explaining some of the ways you can save money, and keep overhead low. Even if you have insurance, taking care of your health will still save you money. (and a lot of grief)
 
I certainly agree that taking care of one's self and leading a healthy life are important. Everyone should do the best they can in that respect.

Neither of my friends who suffer (suffered) from heart disease were ill due to anything associated with their behavior or failure to take care of themselves. Both are highly educated, intelligent guys who's led normal lives.

It's also impossible to say whether an operation would have ultimatley saved the friend who died. He might have died anyway. That question will never be answered. It is clear that the other friend who is still alive would almost certainly have died had he NOT received a quad bypass – and without health insurance he would not have been able to pay for it.

It's everyone's right to decide which risks to take in life and which risks not to take. At the least everyone should have some sort of catastrophic health coverage.

Health coverage is an area where I'd suggest buying the best you can afford and saving money by not eating any fastfood!
 
Chris

Lots of good advice has been given.

Consider whether you would still feel inspired and motivated each day if you had the pressure of having to produce each and every day, as Kevin states. I used to build all kinds of electronics stuff when I was in school. I don't want to look at it when I go home now. I have ruined a good hobby by making it my profession.

Regarding choosing a career, I feel that one does not have to "love" one's job. There will always be crap and jerks to deal with, even in the "dream jobs". Make a list of potential occupations. Check out the cost of entry. Too many kids are saddled with a lifetime of debt from student loans. Go to your local library and read what Money magazine has to say about keeping the cost of your education down. Find out how realistic it is to get into the profession (ie. what are the chances of playing in the NBA). Speak to people who have been in the occupation for a while to find out what it is like to live with that occupation. The teachers in school often are out of touch. Pick out the ones that doe not go against your moral and ethical standards. Then pick one of the occupations that make the most money. Lastly, don't be surprised if you have to change occupations at some point.

As has already been stated, people with special skills will always be in demand and will be paid more. Getting training and work experience in two fields will make you special. My wife got paid three times my sallary as an engineer to manage software projects at a bank because she understood both the needs of currency traders and the software development people. Neither knew how to work with the other, without her there.

The manufacturing jobs that are going offshore are where commodity items (TV's, clothing, cars) are made. There will always be niche markets where it is not worthwhile nor logistically feasible to go offshore.

As others have recommended, use the fruits of your labor and go and have some fun, possibly making knives.

Phil
 
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