What helped you the most to become an established maker?

R

R.H.Clark

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Aug 23, 2007
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I'm just getting started good.I realize it will take some time for folks to get to know me and my work but I was wondering if there was any specific thing that helped you the most to get the ball rolling.

I've been working for several months with a well known full time bladesmith.I will be building a shop in the fall and want to start selling some knives.I've sold several to friends and relatives.I've given some away.

My plans are to work toward a J.S. in the next few years.I'm thinking about doing a pass around and offering a few knives at basically give away prices just so folks will get to know me.Any other input and suggestions would be appreciated.
 
attend shows. get your knives professionally photographed submit them to the mags and view and contribute to the internet forums.
 
Well, what I did was to.....oh wait. I'm not really an established maker so I couldn't say :D.

What I've seen others do is post blades on here and in the custom section. Make the shows you can. Get to know other makers and strive to make the absolute best product you can (and as Erik suggested, get in mags as you are able).

--nathan
 
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Well, I'm not sure that I'm in a position to answer this, but I can tell you some of the things I did that I feel helped get my name out.

One of the easiest is to use your name on the forums. I don't know if you actually go by R.H. or if you just used your initials... but I think a first and last makes it pretty simple for people to remember.

The hard one to get in the groove with, is making stuff people like. Take pride in your work and do the best you can, but be willing to get your skin skuffed up when people are brutally honest with you. If you take what they tell you and use it in a positive way, it can launch you far...and quick.

Kyle Royer is a prime example. Kyle was making really nice stuff but collector's felt like little things were "off." When he asked about it, and then got advice, rather than getting pissed off, he took the advice and made every knife better than the last. Now, with only about 100 knives under his belt, he is a very accomplished Js well on his way to his Ms, and with enough buyers watching him that he held a lottery on his last knife.

That all happened in a couple years. He's about as close to an "overnight sensation" as you'll ever find in this business. Most guys work 10-20 years to become popular overnight! ;)

Working with a dealer gets your knives in front of all sorts of folks that you'll never get them in front of. Makers like to call them blood suckers and things like that, but guys like Les Robertson can really propel you. I worked with Dan O'malley at BladeGallery and suddenly there were people in Rome buying my stuff.

Professional photographs. This is one of the biggest ones after making quality stuff. Professional photographers send their pics to the mags and the knife books. It's not only the opportunity for international exposure, it's that exposure with professional photos that compliment your work... which is key!

Go to shows!!!! Get your face, your name, and your work in front of the buying public. You'd be amazed how many buyers are walking around shows that don't even have computers... let alone participate in the forums.

Nobody will give a shit about your work if they can't see it and in a positive light at that.

One thing I did that really helped was once I started getting confident in my work, I took it to BIG NAME makers and asked for their HONEST CRITIQUE and FEEDBACK.

You can't do this with your heart on your sleeve. You have to ball up and seek their honest opinion. Ask the ones that are in a position you want to be in. You would be amazed at how many big name makers will start recommending you to collectors if they see promise in your work and honesty and respect in your eyes.


Well that almost looked like I knew what I was talking about... but I don't.... so take it for what it's worth! (free!!!) ;)
 
All good info, but the bottom line is you have to get knives out there. When you do this, and folks see your work first hand and how it performs etc. Things will start to move. I either gave away or barely broke even on materials for the first dozen or so knives I made. A few of these folks used there knives hard, spread the word, and one posted a review here on Bladeforums. After that I started getting LOTS of inquiries about choppers, Bowies etc. that was in about 97-98.

I dont know that I would be your typical "established" maker, I dont really care about "titles", being part of any group or organization, going to shows or buying ad space. What I do care about is making knives that are comfortable, sharp, tough, affordable and then SELLING them. I think if you focus on these things you will have no worries, time, consistency and a bit of tenacity are also aspects of being "established".

The tenacity part is real important, that way when life throws you a curve ball you can just grit your teeth, stick with it and that right time will come. Ive seen ALOT of makers fold up tent when things get tough, I had the chance to do that many times, but instead stuck with it only if to make a knife every month or 2.... but i stuck with it.

I think being durable is an important and overlooked factor of being a "established" knife maker.
 
Good point my friend!!! :D

The bottom line is indeed getting your work in the hands of people beyond your friends and family.

Just like Tim Hancock told me, "It takes grit to be a knife maker for the long haul."
 
The posts above are as good as it gets for becoming an established maker.

All I can add is; Advertising, it works.

And a second for knife shows!
 
My thanks to everyone who responded.You have given lots of good advice and a few things I hadn't thought of.

I have no problem taking advice and constructive criticism.I will continue to look to you folks for advice and support.I look forward to making many friends among you.

Now,I need to go and make some more knives.
Randy
 
Time, good business practices, fair pricing, good work, luck, exposure, luck, factory associations, luck, the internet, luck.
 
well thats about all i know and im sure onto a big name
but i need ot update my forum name to L R Harner III so i can be a big name too
 
I agree with all of the above advice. Using your real name on the forums is one of my pet peaves. To me its the best thing you can do. Its free advertising but it also makes you try harder to do better work.
Looking back I think Bladegallery(dot)com helped me get some knives into customers hands better than any thing else.
 
Do your best work....always.

Take care of the customers you have, before
seeking new ones...Word of mouth advertising
can be the best there is....or the worst.

Communicate.

Get GOOD photos into the hands of the publications.

If you use a dealer, make sure it's the right one for you.
That means asking about him....It also means taking a
very honest/critical look at where you are and where
you would be.
The right one can get your work into the hands of people
who perhaps would naver have heard of you. Strange as it may
seem, there are collectors who don't frequent the forums.....
or buy magazines.....they usually acquire works indirectly.
 
Butch, the big 3 what did it for me. :D

Actually in the mid to late 90s' a few dealers really put my name on the map. That and doin a bunch of shows.
 
Wow that blade gallery is awesome. I still want to be good enough to sell here on BFC. This a very interesting thread. I have been trying to get better because there are alot of makers around and I would like to stand out one of these days. These kind of threads are what I like to see. I can see the path but it sure is long.
 
Like others have said....... Submit knives to the magazines, dealers, contests, reviews, etc... Get to the shows.

Networking, networking, networking! Meet the collectors. It always helps to have a "story". I'm not talking about "hype"... I mean a straight up honest story behind your work and how you approach blademaking.

I just wrote this to another forumite. My good friend and mentor Wally Hayes once told me, "Make what appeals to you, pour your heart into each piece and be original. If the quality is there, it will be EXACTLY what somebody is looking for."
 
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