What price for new maker?

Big point there at the end "fenixforge" . . . I'm a quality freak but I have to admit that one can go to a knife show with very good knives and not make any sales because of your sales technique.

Body language is hugely important . . .
- avoid sitting behind your table, rather stand, better still, stand on the customer's side of the table (it removes it as a "barrier").
- don't stand with your arms folded across your chest (it creates a "closed" impression).
- no matter how long or hard the show has been, don't ever look bored and tired.
- Above all . . . talk, communicate, educate your customers. Tell them about your choice of materials, design, mechanism, etc.

. . . then of course there are the table displays . . . but that is another thread all together!

One final comment . . . never make the mistake (as a maker or collector) of thinking that you know all there is to know. Even the very best-of-the-best knifemakers are on learning curves, and they will be until the day they die. To settle for a certain level of knowledge or expertise is a terrible waste of talent.

Regards, HILTON
 
Ooops . . !!
Just read that last post of mine and it sounded way too preachy . . !!

Not intended to be so, but I get carried away when I think of talented craftspersons who are prepared to settle for "good enough". It wasn't mentioned here, but the topic brought up the point in my mind. Maybe it is also worth a new thread . . . I'll see how much time I've got. Pleased to see the thread on the table display, I'm off to add something there . . .

Regards, HILTON
 
Les, I agree with much of what you stated, and agree with most of the other people, too. I do feel one important element has been left out. When consumers visit a custom knife show, or go shopping for a custom knife, I humbly feel they have certain expectations. One, if they're going to pay a lot more for a custom hunter, or folder, than they would for a factory knife, that knife had better be superior to anything the factories offer. Otherwise, why pay two to three times as much for the custom. Being superior means the fit and finish is flawless, and the knife begs to be picked up (exceptional design). Okay, so Joe Newmaker has knives on his table that meet these requirements. I feel if the knife in question is a using knife, the consumer will want to know if it's going to hold an edge. The first thing he'll probably ask is how does your heat treating? Joe says he does everything, won't trust anyone else. Well, he probably won't sell many knives. These are likely reason the term "you have to pay your dues" is so important. It means you've made a lot of knives over the years and a lot of people have used them, happily, and therefore they're willing to invest in your knives. Like I always say, how many guys need 10 hunters, five fighters, or 15 folders? We're dealing more with collectors than users, and reputation means a lot. That's why established makers, and dealers, are in business. They have good reputations. In closing, like Les stated, I've seen some very poor custom knives being produced by old timers, but not necessarily professional knife makers.
 
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