what documentation do you keep for each knife?

fast14riot

fast14riot

Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
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Hey all, Happy Turkey day first off. I just got into making knives and just finished my first one.
I was wondering what, if any documents you include with a knife you sell? I don't own any custom knives, but my dad has one and it came with a home printed certificate with material specs, one with care and sharpening, another page with the makers company info. Is this fairly standard among working knife makers? I am not planning on making a living at this but if it could help pay for equipment upgrades eventually that would be nice. I would also like to keep some info on paper for myself.

Pics of my first knife will be up this weekend.


-Xander
 
You can get Certificates of Authenticity from Sheffield's Knife Supply that give the basic info but I would type up a quick list of care instructions (i.e. keeping it clean, don't leave it in the weather, oil it occasionally, etc) and sharpening instructions as well as contact info for more orders and maybe even sharpening for a nominal fee of course. If you want to do the info sheet completely by hand I would at least include your name, the serial number, design, steel type, handle type, Rockwell hardness or what you attempted to get if you don't have access to a Rockwell tester, and their name and date completed.

Developing a code system helps you create a serial number and keep your log book neat. It also helps you ID a knife instantly by just looking at the number (i.e 1 for 440, 2 for 01 for steel: 1 for stag, 2 for wood for handle: 1 for bowie, 2 for dagger for design, etc etc etc)
 
When I sell I send a sheet with a pic of the knife, all materials and specs, etc.

I am now keeping digital copies of everything but did not when I started out.

No numbering system just yet but I may with folders...
 
When learning photography we were required to keep track of shutter speed and F-stop of all our pictures. You can't correct mistakes or repeat successes if you don't know what you did in the first place.

That said, I probably don't keep enough information. I take a profile photo of each completed knife next to a ruler. That's about all. Hummm, that sounds pretty lame even to me. I'd better come up with a database program or something to keep records.

Great, MORE work to do. ;-)

LonePine
AKA Paul Meske
 
lonepine said:
Great, MORE work to do. ;-)

LonePine
AKA Paul Meske
Click to expand...

There's always more work to do. "And miles to go before I sleep"

Its like every time I read about a new bushcraft project I immediately have to up it on my list. I'm only 23 and probably will be busy till I'm 60 with everything I've got now.
 
I keep a photo record of every knife I have done. I send a small signed businness card with the knife number and stone used that also identifies the knife used and blade steel.
 
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