What’s your price range for handmade fixed blades?

Joseph Bandeko

Joseph Bandeko

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Dec 9, 2021
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Hey guys and gals I was wondering what y’all’s price range is that you typically stay within and why? for handmade fixed blades.

Seems that most of the knives sold on this forum are in the $120-$350 range and that seems to me to be a bit low, especially since for that kind of money you can go and get a production fixed blade in ”better” materials that will preform the same or better and the fit and finish will probably better. (Knife makers please do not think I am taking a stab at any of you)

anyway I’m very curious to hear all of your thoughts.
 
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So is part of the luster in getting a handmade knife in that “lower“ price range, is that it’s “handmade“ Even though there might be “flaws“?

Jsega51 said:
I guess I don’t understand what you’re asking?

That’s why I stay above that price range where quality of fit and finish and materials are better. Most of the “handmades” I’m talking about are forged knives so the labor is more involved vs a stock removal method or someone who has blanks cut by a factory.
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What I’m asking is, if there’s a custom maker that does all there work by hand, but what they are making can be produced with machine’s, why would the buyer not get the one that was produced? (Again for probably less money)

Also does having the fact that it was forged and has a brute de forge finish make you want it more? or what if it was forged but there are no forge marks on the finished blade does that still ad to someone wanting it?

The reason I’m asking this is because I’m just curious as to what most people want and are willing to buy, and for me most of my knives that I make are going to be well over the $500-$600 mark, do I need to pull back on the quality of my work to make something cheaper? (I can‘t put 50 hours into a blade and then sell it and make $250, that’s just not fair for anyone)
 
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Bunker Hill Blades said:
So is part of the luster in getting a handmade knife in that “lower“ price range, is that it’s “handmade“ Even though there might be “flaws“?


What I’m asking is, if there’s a custom maker that does all there work by hand, but what they are making can be produced with machine’s, why would the buyer not get the one that was produced? (Again for probably less money)

Also does having the fact that it was forged and has a brute de forge finish make you want it more? or what if it was forged but there are no forge marks on the finished blade does that still ad to someone wanting it?

The reason I’m asking this is because I’m just curious as to what most people want and are willing to buy, and for me most of my knives that I make are going to be well over the $500-$600 mark, do I need to pull back on the quality of my work to make something cheaper? (I can‘t put 50 hours into a blade and then sell it and make $250, that’s just not fair for anyone)
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Can't answer
OK, I can, but nothing is PC
or even close
sorry
 
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I like handmade knives, and will spend up to about $350 on a using knife. I have one art knife, but I bought that because the maker simply wouldn't let me leave his table until I did, and he threw in a forged 1095 personal utility knife as part of the deal.
Other than that, all my knives get used for something occasionally, even my fighters see some kitchen duty.
 
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Jsega51 said:
Lots of people posting in this thread didn’t read the original post very well.

He’s asking about handmade fixed blades….not Swiss Army knives, Spyderco, or CRK.
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D'oh...My bad dawg (insert "oops upside the head" emoji)

Saw it first on the phone, then when I came to the computer where I can actually see ;) I failed to re-read.
 
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Bunker Hill Blades said:
So is part of the luster in getting a handmade knife in that “lower“ price range, is that it’s “handmade“ Even though there might be “flaws“?


What I’m asking is, if there’s a custom maker that does all there work by hand, but what they are making can be produced with machine’s, why would the buyer not get the one that was produced? (Again for probably less money)

Also does having the fact that it was forged and has a brute de forge finish make you want it more? or what if it was forged but there are no forge marks on the finished blade does that still ad to someone wanting it?

The reason I’m asking this is because I’m just curious as to what most people want and are willing to buy, and for me most of my knives that I make are going to be well over the $500-$600 mark, do I need to pull back on the quality of my work to make something cheaper? (I can‘t put 50 hours into a blade and then sell it and make $250, that’s just not fair for anyone)
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I think there’s a certain appeal to hand made knives, but I think many folks are like myself in that I’m happy with production knives but they simply don’t have as many diverse or affordable designs.

I really think some of the guys making fixed blades here are doing it for fun and just barely breaking even. That’s going to be stiff competition.

There are some folks who easily sell here at a higher price point, but they have typically been around for awhile so there’s already a market/desire for their work.

I think forged/brute de forge will help sell but less so here than in other formats (Instagram, etc.), because with all the knowledge here there are fewer people that believe in the special/magical properties of forging. (Cause there probably are none).

So yes, it might be a good idea to pull back on your finishing routine if it allows you to get more knives out the door initially.

After you’ve made a name/market for yourself it will probably be easier to start making/selling high-level fit/finish knives as you desire.

I do like the design on your “Solution”. If the guard were more substantial and it was less expensive I would have considered it.

Good luck and keep ‘em coming!
 
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Joseph Bandeko Joseph Bandeko , it doesn’t matter to me if it has forge scale and marks left on or not, I have plenty done both ways. I buy whatever I like lol. I have many production fixed blades as well but the allure of the handmade knife is most times I can ask the maker for something specific.

Plenty of times I’ve had knives in the works with a maker for months, even years. While they’re completing other knives, we‘re ironing out details and sketches. To me, thats worth more money than buying a cookie cutter knife that a few hundred to thousands of others own also.

There‘s many makers that have their fancy knives but also make a more utilitarian selection to keep the price points lower on some knives and get people to buy their first.
 
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I don't really buy handmade fixed blades, no real need for them and the budget for fixed blades I don't need has already been blown for years to come.

I have a Magnum Warcraft Tanto XL and a Darn Dao, for instance.
 
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scdub said:
So yes, it might be a good idea to pull back on your finishing routine if it allows you to get more knives out the door initially.
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Pulling back my quality would drive me insane, I strive so hard for perfection, I want my knives to be where you could go over every inch with a microscope and not find a flaw (the knife I’m working on right now for example I’ve spent like 16 hours just hand sanding the blade and still probably have a few hour to go before it’s perfect)

The last knife I sold was to a gentleman who is a big time collector and has knives worth well into the 5 figures, and the knife I made him was a one off custom that he bought for just under a $1000 and he was very impressed.

So long store short I want to make knives that are extremely functional pieces of art.
 
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Bunker Hill Blades said:
So is part of the luster in getting a handmade knife in that “lower“ price range, is that it’s “handmade“ Even though there might be “flaws“?


What I’m asking is, if there’s a custom maker that does all there work by hand, but what they are making can be produced with machine’s, why would the buyer not get the one that was produced? (Again for probably less money)

Also does having the fact that it was forged and has a brute de forge finish make you want it more? or what if it was forged but there are no forge marks on the finished blade does that still ad to someone wanting it?

The reason I’m asking this is because I’m just curious as to what most people want and are willing to buy, and for me most of my knives that I make are going to be well over the $500-$600 mark, do I need to pull back on the quality of my work to make something cheaper? (I can‘t put 50 hours into a blade and then sell it and make $250, that’s just not fair for anyone)
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I don't think that lowering fit and finish is a good way to distinguish yourself.
You can always make a more basic pattern without exotic materials as a lower priced option, but the quality should still be stunning.
I can make a reasonable version of various styles, and as a hobby I constantly make whatever appeals to me at the moment.
As far as buying custom work from other makers, I'm only interested in inspiring exciting pieces that are way above my level, for example a Del Raso Persian fighter I commissioned last year. The price of such pieces tends to run 1-3k. Although I have bought a few superb puukkos for around $300.
 
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Bunker Hill Blades said:
Pulling back my quality would drive me insane, I strive so hard for perfection, I want my knives to be where you could go over every inch with a microscope and not find a flaw (the knife I’m working on right now for example I’ve spent like 16 hours just hand sanding the blade and still probably have a few hour to go before it’s perfect)

The last knife I sold was to a gentleman who is a big time collector and has knives worth well into the 5 figures, and the knife I made him was a one off custom that he bought for just under a $1000 and he was very impressed.

So long store short I want to make knives that are extremely functional pieces of art.
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Absolutely nothing wrong with that!

I’ve never handled a knife like that so I would be very happy to own one for sure.

I was just responding to your apparent concern that you might have trouble getting the prices you’re looking for.

Also I wasn’t suggesting you let the FIT part of fit/finish slide, just that you might be able to save some time/$ by sanding to a lower grit for instance.

I hope you’re able to make what you like and get prices that will keep you in business - best of luck!
 
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The most expensive knife I’ve ever purchased was $425 for a Brian Tighe Custom. I didn’t like it, but that had nothing to do with the price. On the other hand, I tend to really enjoy knives with good action, regardless of price, and then good solid construction also makes me happy. So, for example, I enjoy my Ruike P121 that cost $20, along with my WE Seer that costs $220, along with my customized Reate Iron with Timascus inlays that would cost about $750 to buy new and modify. Thank goodness for eBay. Thank goodness for cheap knives with lovely snappy action!
 
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To the OP, as a maker no offense taken, however I respectfully disagree with some of your points. For the $120-250 price range you stated you can get a very fine handmade knife that has as good and often better fit/finish/performance and quality of materials compared to a production knife in the same price range. You also get something that is unique and was made by a craftsman opposed to a factory.

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