What are you interested in purchasing?

Matt Behnke

Matt Behnke

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
May 3, 2022
Messages
175
I was just trying to get a feel for myself as well as for other knifemakers here on the forum what you (perspective knife buyers) are interested in seeing/purchasing? Is it hunters/edc style, kitchen/chef, etc.? Working grade or high refinement/finish? And what price range are you willing to spend within? Just trying to get more knives sold out of my shop, and want to conform to what the market here is interested in.

Thanks!
 
I can only speak for myself, of course. However, as noted elsewhere on BF, I see a lot of kitchen knives in suboptimal steel (I am speaking about knives available from homegoods stores). I would like to see some function-first kitchen cutlery in good steel (I am not even talking about supersteel, 62HRC+ AEB-L, for example, would be a great upgrade) with good grinds and comfortable handles at affordable prices (accounting for materials and labor). I just think there are homecooks that have no idea that there is something better then the old classic Wustof, which was the pinnacle of kitchen cutlery for decades (or close to it). I know I may buy a few of such knives for myself, friends, or family.

I, personally, love supersteel and folders, but I am not sure how those preferences would translate across "the market."
 
Knives designed by users, meaning no hot spots, every 90 degree angle has been beveled, good edge geo, not too thick, but not too fragile, bolt on handle scales for toughness, Logo that’s inset or engraved.

Then design wise, I’m still trying to find a chefs knife that will work for heavy duty task as well cooking.
 
The next nice Loveless style drop point hunter I see in the 3.5-4" range I'm likely to take a stab at, I've seen a lot that's close but either too large or too fancy for my tastes. Not sure about your style, but I love to see soldered guards and tapered full tangs on these. Nice but not TOO nice if that makes sense. Natural materials as well, not a big fan of micarta or anything too modern on a fixed blade. I'm itching for something like this in Magnacut personally, but am pretty open to various steels.

In terms of kitchen knives I'm also in the market for a western/japanese hybrid style chef's knife, something with some handle tapering for a nice pinch grip, rounded blade heel, texturing, hammered, or fullered blade to help veggies fall off, and nothing too enormous, in the 7-8" range would be ideal. I have a cheap off-brand hammered blade sorta Shun style knife in my collection that I love, but would like basically a much nicer handmade version of.

I realize that's just me so I'm not sure it's any help but I've been known to buy a knife or two here and there on the forum :cool:
 
I imagine this thread will be taken down sooner then later as there's not technically anything for sale here, so I'll add my 2 cents before it does.

There are a lot of utility knives available. Theres several guys that are always busy on here making utility and outdoors knives. So the market is clearly there, however, I always vote for a SD knife. I'm not looking for utility at all. I have those knives, as most do. I actively seek out SD knives that are specifically for SD.

Something designed for anatomical precision and that has roots in escrima, krav, or even systema.

Affordable for a once in a while purchase is somewhere between $200-$500 - the market gets severely limited over that. I go for stainless steels personally.
 
EDC style user up to about $300, maybe a little more ($350-375) if the materials add up.
My first and only custom so far was an amazing deal IMO. Forged drop point with a thumb ramp, 4" 1095 blade, 8" overall, micarta scales, G-10 liners/pins, and kydex. I forget the exact price but it was roughly $125. As far as I know, this was a one off. He posted a knife, I told him I wanted something close to that with some modifications. That maker is now charging noticeably higher prices as his reputation continues to grow.

My next hopefully will be a 3.25ish" 20cv tanto with hollow grind main bevel, flat grind tip, micarta scales shaped like a traditional cord wrap, turbo glow liners and pins, and kydex. Hopefully $350-375 is enough to make that a reality.

Beyond that, whatever catches my eye. Magnacut is high on my list right now. Elmax interests me. Vanax too. I like drop and spear points, flat grinds, medium size blades from 3-3.5"
I want more than I can afford haha. And my taste might be kinda funky compared to what others are looking for.

edit: on the flip side, ivory, bone, antler is an automatic hard no.
 
So I’m usually looking at either a smaller slicey edc or the larger choppers both needing a solid non slip grip.

That being said what I have not seen on here and would love to get is a proper butcher/breaking knife for the kitchen!
 
Matt Behnke said:
I was just trying to get a feel for myself as well as for other knifemakers here on the forum what you (perspective knife buyers) are interested in seeing/purchasing? Is it hunters/edc style, kitchen/chef, etc.? Working grade or high refinement/finish? And what price range are you willing to spend within? Just trying to get more knives sold out of my shop, and want to conform to what the market here is interested in.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I have a bark river obsession, so any 5-6” bushcraft knife scandi-vex or convex edge, love a good chopper 8” ish edge, edc fixed blades 3.5” blades big fan of those edc fixed blades having a belly been edc-ing a bark river jx6 lately, also will edc a falkniven scout r2. Prefer a pretty refined edge and blade polished is not needed, handle wise simple is better no hot spots and I’m happy, matte linen micarta being a favorite. Dislike mosaic pins, love g10 liners under micarta or wood, dislike damascus id rather have a more servicable steel, 3v a personal favorite for a working knife a2 for a less refined working knife. Hope my opinions help, i do a lot of camping and fishing across the country so bushcraft, food prep, skinning gutting, are my main uses. Favorite knife is the LT wright gns 3v, Cody from adventure sworn made me an A2 explorer that’s been a favorite, bark river bravo 1 light weight is great bark river Aurora 1 light weight (had handle smaller custom). Have to add the buck vanguard to the list as its one of my go to skinners, buck knives hold a special place in my heart
 
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dryflytrout said:
EDC style user up to about $300, maybe a little more ($350-375) if the materials add up.
My first and only custom so far was an amazing deal IMO. Forged drop point with a thumb ramp, 4" 1095 blade, 8" overall, micarta scales, G-10 liners/pins, and kydex. I forget the exact price but it was roughly $125. As far as I know, this was a one off. He posted a knife, I told him I wanted something close to that with some modifications. That maker is now charging noticeably higher prices as his reputation continues to grow.

My next hopefully will be a 3.25ish" 20cv tanto with hollow grind main bevel, flat grind tip, micarta scales shaped like a traditional cord wrap, turbo glow liners and pins, and kydex. Hopefully $350-375 is enough to make that a reality.

Beyond that, whatever catches my eye. Magnacut is high on my list right now. Elmax interests me. Vanax too. I like drop and spear points, flat grinds, medium size blades from 3-3.5"
I want more than I can afford haha. And my taste might be kinda funky compared to what others are looking for.

edit: on the flip side, ivory, bone, antler is an automatic hard
Click to expand...
You need a falkniven scout r2 in your life
 
I’m pure collector. I use cheap knives as users, but love to collect!! I love interesting knives, interesting silhouettes, but highly functional pieces. I want cool designs, worldly archetypes, and to collect as many different kinds of blades as possible. For me, if you made a variety of different historical blades or cultural blades in modern materials…you’d get all my money. I will easily drop 50-700 if I love a knife enough. This post is a fun read!
 
SCTorrero said:
I can only speak for myself, of course. However, as noted elsewhere on BF, I see a lot of kitchen knives in suboptimal steel (I am speaking about knives available from homegoods stores). I would like to see some function-first kitchen cutlery in good steel (I am not even talking about supersteel, 62HRC+ AEB-L, for example, would be a great upgrade) with good grinds and comfortable handles at affordable prices (accounting for materials and labor). I just think there are homecooks that have no idea that there is something better then the old classic Wustof, which was the pinnacle of kitchen cutlery for decades (or close to it). I know I may buy a few of such knives for myself, friends, or family.

I, personally, love supersteel and folders, but I am not sure how those preferences would translate across "the market."
Click to expand...
What you want is very hard to make. Kitchen knives are big, warp a lot, a lot of grinding is involved. 62Hrc will destroy 2 ceramic belts and a few finishing belts. A good knife means 3 days of work at least and that can't be affordable...
 
Small EDC fixed blades with a 2.5 to 3.5 blade, with a good carbon or stainless steel but not a super steel, with a good handle, meaning one can get four fingers on it, one that is easy access but also easy to carry. Price wise about 150.00 plus or minus. My favorites to have with me lately are my Redmeadow cowbell and my JK River Companion. Just my two cents before this thread may be closed, please keep it open for awhile. I also see a medium sized fixed blade witha 4 to 5 inch blade to be used for hiking or general camping in mind, I see CPK as having hit a niche.
 
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I'm a cheapass and like knives that represent a good value. Fancy steels and fancy handle materials are cool and all, but not necessary.

Also, I look for things I can't find a good variety of in the market, such as small affordable EDC fixed blades, paring knives, etc.

Lastly, sometimes things just vibe and I buy it. I like weird knives as well, like small khukris.

It all depends on if you guys want to make things for people to buy, or for your own creative satisfaction. There can be both, but people's taste changes by the season! Haha.

Best of luck out there, I think you guys put most production companies out there to shame.
 
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