What do makers carry?

[RogerP]

Because the customer and the maker are different people. Why should anyone suppose that the customer would own/carry/use/display a maker's work for the same reason that a maker would? What is "good enough" for the maker may not be at all good enough for me.

If a maker hunts and a customer hunts [this happens - stand around a few makers' tables and listen to the exchange of hunting tales] and the maker uses a Buck to go hunting with, why would the customer think anything OTHER than that, in the maker's view, a production knife is "good enough".

And of course, it is very likely "good enough". But it begs the age-old question "Why go to the significant extra expense of custom?"

Roger

 

[Don Hanson III]

Roger, thank you for the good words. It is very much appreciated!

Like John said earlier and Cliff quoted, this whole topic is new to me...

 

[Lorien]

it is probably good business sense, (I believe Mr. Broadwell was painting the business sense of makers who do not use/carry their own knives as 'pathetic', and did not get from his post that he sees people as being pathetic) for a knife maker to carry a knife they've made whilst attending a show where people are shopping for custom knives/makers. It would say a lot to me as a consumer, and if nothing else, a carried knife is always a good ice breaker and conversation starter.

It is also probably good business sense for makers whose focus is on using knives to make knives for themselves in order to further refine the products they want to have in the market. Carrying an assortment of knives, both factory made and custom made is also a good way to develop and refine one's products.

I've got the yearning to make knives now, and the reason is because I want to use something I've designed. I can't really afford to be dropping cash all over the place for knives that other people have made, but there will always be a select few who I will buy knives from once a year or whatever, and those select few are knife carrying guys. As long as they have good taste in cutlery, it doesn't matter to me whether they carry a factory made knife or a custom of their own making, as long as they are knife people it's all good. I deal with them because I've learned to trust their skill in making high quality working knives, and their business ethics, not because they keep a SAK in their pocket.

 

[RogerP]

In the end , it sounds as though we both agree , if the maker chooses to carry or not carry on of his own , that is a choice that is up to him.

We never disagreed on that point, John. We disagree significantly on your allegation that I was disparaging makers who choose to carry production knives. An allegation in support of which you have advanced a sum total of nothing.

Roger

 

[Lorien]

But it begs the age-old question "Why go to the significant extra expense of custom?"

Why, indeed!
I wonder what the percentage of custom knives which are purchased actually get put into use doing what they were designed to do? I'm talkin knives which are purchased directly from the maker, not aftermarket. My guess is around 25%.

 

[lwrhea]

Even knife makers need knives and I carry a Ray Kirk Pocket Medicine and I and my wife carry dress knives by Tim Britton. I do this for two reasons. To support my fellow makers (they are also friends) and because when I get used to a knife, I rely on it and want to keep it.

I have found that when I carry one of my own making, I will sell it. So to eliminate that possiblity, I carry other custom maker's work knowing I wont sell it.

I have sons, brothers, friends, and a Dad who do plenty of testing for me of my hunting knives and I myself will occasionally field test one and clean it up before selling it.

My involvement in cutting competitions has helped me to do a LOT of testing of the steels and heat treat on my blades. As for Camp Knives, I will only use ones of my own make. I always have them under construction and have one complete and ready for use at all times. Lin

 

[Emphasiski]

I know I'm new to the forums and the world of knife making...so I'm not sure how far what I say will go...

Roger has a point. You'll never see the CEO of Coke drinking a Pepsi, or a BMW dealership owner driving a Toyota or Acura. A custom knife maker is essentially in business for himself, to not promote your product by carrying a product that is not yours is detrimental to your business. It says Pepsi is better than Coke.

Least of all, if I found myself in a knife show, I'd have a "knife show carry knife". Nobody has to know that it's not my usual carry knife, but at least anyone that asks about it knows I support my product.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Why, indeed!
I wonder what the percentage of custom knives which are purchased actually get put into use doing what they were designed to do? I'm talkin knives which are purchased directly from the maker, not aftermarket. My guess is around 25%.

25% is probably quite high considering how many purchasers would consider most custom knives too expensive to use for their actual purpose.

And lets face it, how many "real" uses are there for a custom knife these days other than in the kitchen and the occasional hunting and/or fishing trip? Look how many custom bowies/fighters are made/sold these days. What does one do with one in regard to actual work other than possibly taking it out in the back yard and "making work" cutting wood or something that would be more easily and efficiently cut by other means such as a chainsaw.

I know you are the exception Lorien (and good for you and us, in that you do have the opportunity to use/test knives), however how many folks cut/clean biking trails in their normal day to day life?

I think we are making much "to much" of a maker carrying his/her own knives.

If we are going to beat on makers for not supporting the industry, lets beat on them for things that really matter such as what I mentioned in my earlier post.

 

[Kevin Jones]

I know I'm new to the forums and the world of knife making...so I'm not sure how far what I say will go...

Roger has a point. You'll never see the CEO of Coke drinking a Pepsi, or a BMW dealership owner driving a Toyota or Acura. A custom knife maker is essentially in business for himself, to not promote your product by carrying a product that is not yours is detrimental to your business. It says Pepsi is better than Coke.
Least of all, if I found myself in a knife show, I'd have a "knife show carry knife". Nobody has to know that it's not my usual carry knife, but at least anyone that asks about it knows I support my product.

While that 'MAY BE' true, it doesn't mean that many don't support/use their competitor's products in private. And I don't know that they are being called pathetic in public when they do.

On the other hand, I've heard it said and printed that John Delorean (who made a fine car by the way), would have been CEO of General Motors at some point if he would just have driven a GM car to work like everyone else. No, he ultimately suffered a much worst fate as there was always a Ferrari or Jaguar or some other exotic in the lot. That infuriated some. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_DeLorean

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

Disregard... nothing to see here.

 

[RogerP]

I think we are making much "to much" of a maker carrying his/her own knives.

I think it's a vlaid point of discussion. I don't think anyone is suggesting that the very existence of the custom knife world as we know it turns on this issue. But 5 pages / 2300+ views (and counting) of discussion with some very divergent views being expressed would tend to suggest it is a point of some interest.

If we are going to beat on makers for not supporting the industry, lets beat on them for things that really matter such as what I mentioned in my earlier post.

I don't advocate "beating on makers" but I do advocate sticking to the topic of the thread.

Roger

 

[brownshoe]

What a hoot. What should have been a fun thread, "what do cutom makers carry" has turned into a pissing match about "supporting the industry." You investor/collectors and "serious" knifemakers can suck the fun out of knives like a streetwalker can suck...

Calling someone pathetic for not carrying their work is the only thing truly pathetic. It might be a free country, but insults and impertinence are still rude.

If a knifemaker is a collector, it would be boring to carry his own work.

If a knifemaker is prone to losing knives, why not carry a cheap one.

If a knifemaker makes fixed knives and wants a folder, why not carry a folder production or custom.

If a knifemaker can sell his knife for >$100 and a $30 Case serves his needs, it is prudent to carry the Case so he can put shoes on his children and food on the table.

Some of you collectors may not realize that the knife maker you buy from is several income brackets beneath you. Have some respect for their decisions. They really may believe they have to sell every knife they make.

That all being said, a wise knifemaker, who wants to progress with USER knives, really should try out his designs (and others designs) himself and with a select group of trusted users. This is called testing, design verification and market research. These concepts are behind every product in the world.

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

I don't advocate "beating on makers" but I do advocate sticking to the topic of the thread.

Roger

And that topic was:
This question is to all the knifemqkers out there. Awhat knife or knives do you carry on a daily basis? Its funny because you always see where makers hardly ever use their own products, its usually some basic item that you never thought they would use. So, what do ya'll carry?

If we are to stick to the topic of the thread Roger , what type of knives do you make and what do you carry ?

 

[Cliff Parker]

Brownshoe,

"You Win"

Cliff

 

[RogerP]

If we are to stick to the topic of the thread Roger , what type of knives do you make and what do you carry ?

I make forged fixed blades. I carry and use one of my own hunters as well as a large camp knife - though I don't really have much call for the latter. My other using knives are a hunter / utility by Burt Foster, a desk utility by Dave Kelly and slipjoint folder by Mike Alsdorf. I have a terrific pair of custom kitchen knives by George Tichbourne that see a lot of use by me and my wife.

Thanks for asking.

Roger

Foster:

Kelly:

Alsdorf:

Pinnock:

 

[RogerP]

One more point John - the Asldorf - due to its size and portability - is the one I am most likely to have on me at any given time. Invariably, when I take it out and use it, people notice it and comment. It is small and pretty enough not to alarm the sheeple. And I know of two people who, after seeing my knife, looking it over and hearing me talk about it, placed an order with Mike. Significantly, NEITHER person had ever owned a custom knife before, and one didn't know anything at all about knives - custom or production - beyond what was in his kitchen. That guy NEVER fails to show me his Alsdorf now whenever we meet.

Roger

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

After handling an Alsdorf at the Vegas show , that someone was showing around , I can easily see why you would choose to carry and use one of his knives , excellent fit , finish and design execution , quality far beyond the price he charges.

I have yet to finish a folder , though I do have 6 slipjoints and 1 small lockback in the works , and when I do , the first one will become my carry folder . However , that won't stop me from carrying my KnuttBuster when my name is up on his list

 

[Kevin Jones]

I think it's a vlaid point of discussion. I don't think anyone is suggesting that the very existence of the custom knife world as we know it turns on this issue. But 5 pages / 2300+ views (and counting) of discussion with some very divergent views being expressed would tend to suggest it is a point of some interest.

Auguring and controversy always brings folks out.

I don't advocate "beating on makers" but I do advocate sticking to the topic of the thread.

Roger

Seems to me beating on makers for not carrying their own knives is what this thread has become from post #8 on. And I don't think that was what the opening poster had in mind in regard to topic in starting this thread.

 

[Gossman Knives]

25% is probably quite high considering how many purchasers would consider most custom knives too expensive to use for their actual purpose.

And lets face it, how many "real" uses are there for a custom knife these days other than in the kitchen and the occasional hunting and/or fishing trip? Look how many custom bowies/fighters are made/sold these days. What does one do with one in regard to actual work other than possibly taking it out in the back yard and "making work" cutting wood or something that would be more easily and efficiently cut by other means such as a chainsaw.

I know you are the exception Lorien (and good for you and us, in that you do have the opportunity to use/test knives), however how many folks cut/clean biking trails in their normal day to day life?

I think we are making much "to much" of a maker carrying his/her own knives.

If we are going to beat on makers for not supporting the industry, lets beat on them for things that really matter such as what I mentioned in my earlier post.

Considering this is mainly a collector driven sub forum I can agree with you on this Kevin. If you would spend any time in the wilderness survival forum or any of the other bushcraft/survival forums out there you would really see some dedicated use of custom knives. And I mean hard use. Yes, they aren't high dollar customs but custom made knives from respectable makers in that market area.
Scott

 

[RogerP]

Seems to me beating on makers for not carrying their own knives is what this thread has become from post #8 on. And I don't think that was what the opening poster had in mind in regard to topic in starting this thread.

You see 90 posts of maker bashing. Fine. I don't. I see value to the discussion and therefore I am participating in the thread. If you don't, no-one has a gun to your head. But it seems a bit off to be saying "We should stop talking about this an start discussing MY great talking point from an earlier post!".

If you don't value something, Kevin, it doesn't necessarily follow that no-one else does.

Roger