Where do thy come from and where do thy go

[unky_gumbi]

I'm a noob and am currently working on 5 knives without fully completing one yet. I try to help out other noobs by answering questions I've already asked and got answers to. I've also been buying up handle material as if I'd never be able to get it again so I should be for a while. If I don't make enough knives to use all the handle material I've bought, and am continuing to buy I'll feel like it's all been a waste of money

Well you could always send some of that material up my way I have 5 on the go as well, but one is nearing the finish line. Hopefully I will complete it by the end of the week with one more week to make the sheath. I started it on the 25th of November, and should be completed by the 25 of January, 2 months to make one finished knife, yeah I could make a living doing this

Money holds me back most of the time, my income is down about 6K this year because of my injuries kept me from working the OT I usually do in the summer, I love being able to work 16 hours 6 days a week, yes I am a little crazy

 

[Phade]

I think most probably find another hobby and lose interest.

 

[gusval]

Ummm after reading some PMs let me clarify my statement about knives posted in the for sale.

There are inexpensive knives that are priced what I would consider proper for the experience level of the maker. I am a big proponent of building a customer base by making a quality knife and selling it for a little underpriced, they'll come back if you do right by them. My comment was directed at people that have just jumped into the craft where it's obvious they thought they were going to make a small fortune in the craft and are pricing their blades waaaaayyyyyy out of the quality and experience level of their work.

I was always taught that it's easier to sell a customer a second knife. The secret is getting them to buy the first one and then wowing them with what they receive. Give them more than they expect and they'll always come back to you. Take care of them and they'll stand by you. Most new makers need to understand that even if you don't get a good or bad review from the customer they will talk to other people. Let's say you sold a knife on the forums and you post another one, chances are that people interested in your work will get in touch with someone that has bought one of you knives. Ever wonder why you'll see a knife for sale, it has like 300 views and no comments then BANG! it's gone? The customers have done some research then made a decision with their wallet. There's a reason why some makers rarely post blades for sale and when they do it's gone in a flash, people know and people are waiting for them.

Treat your customers well, make a quality blade and you'll never worry.

Not sure if this is thread drift but there's a lot of discussion going on the forums about how customers are treated by makers, it's a concern for the customers which makes it a concern for US.

well put
thank you:thumbup:

 

[marekz]

i am sorry for my rant-- it was all in fun, but seriously- i am still very much a newbie. Sometimes though- i find myself talking with people about wood or steel and i suprise myself how much ive been taught here. I have a while before ill acyually think my knives are half way decent and years before i can say that i totally im happy with an outcome. The reason i stay here is because i finally found something that just feels right to me. i love every aspect of the trade and really appreciate all the folks that have tolerated my reptative questions over the years.. i spend alot of time on this forum and there are people here with all sorts of personalities and perspectives. I can say i am at the point were i have a bit more confidence in what im doing and starting to design variation of knives on my own. the thing is i still use O-1. i need to start useing some cpm154 or 52100 or something. it time to graduate to another steel. A steel with a bit more rust resistance--any suggestions.--thanks marekz/mark

 

[Larry D. Davis]

I can't remember who said it ( Cleston Synard?) but a famous quote about making money with knives was:
"If I won the lottery tomorrow, I would still keep on making knives for a living...Well, at least until all of it was gone."

Stacy

Many variations on this like, "Know how to make a small fortune making knives (insert whatever)? Start with a large fortune". Or..."If I win the lottery I'm going to make knives (insert whatever) until all that money's gone".

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

While knife sales are down, sales at knife material suppliers are up.

How and when did you collect your data?

 

[butcher_block]

How and when did you collect your data?

i would think you bring this up cause it seems not so
but on the other side of the coin i dont know a whole lot of starters that end up on you site and but a few blocks of stable burl and some higer end (harder to HT steel ) tho i do need to give you a call and order a few things

i know i can drop 100$ easy at your site but most ppl tat stop in here to start are lookig to get started under100 and hope to make maybe 25 $ or jsut brake even
one thing that i like is that fact you have some of the more esely HT steels in non 6 foot lengths ( a huge help to some one thats not sure if they want a pile of steel to start )

 

[silver_pilate]

Am I the only one that read the post title and sang out, "where do they come from, Cotton Eye Joe?" Thanks, JT. I've had this song in my head all weekend now.

--nathan

 

[Jack O'Neill]

I would like to comment on the pricing and experience issue here . My attitude in this craft changed a few years ago , where I decided I just wanted to make a quality , clean and simple useful knife and priced where the average person who desired a handmade knife could afford and use it . Of course this is a hobby and not a business for me . If my prices seem low , it is not do to lack of experience in the craft , just my desire in making and selling .

 

[drlozier]

Well guys, I am an "oldie/newbie" and I have an opinion or two to share. Anyone who has a passion (or mere casual interest ) to pursue knife making, probably has a bunch of other "do it yourself, craftsman, creative" interests as well...as a result, we tend to move from this pursuit to that pursuit and then back again over a period of years. As an example, I made my first knife 19 years ago, my 2nd 8 years ago, and my last 4 in the last 8 months. In between, I have pursued other related but not knife-making interests like painting, metal working, furniture building, writing, fly-tying, photography etc....not to mention a full time job and family commitments....I guess my point is that knife making attracts a certain kind of person....and that person is also likely to be attracted to a gazillion other things in a never ending quest for artistic, creative, do it yourself, craftsmanship expression....I confess, I belong to and read a number of forums other than knife-making (Blasphemy ! ). Bottom line, we are still here and very much "active"...maybe just out learning a new skill or getting other experince that we can bring to our knife making....and for the record, I am very very grateful to you faithful ones who focus your time and efforts strictly on knife making and who post regularly on this great forum.....you make the learning curve much easier for the rest of us who are spread all over the place....THANK YOU !!

 

[White Rabbit]

I think it has largely to do with when people ask questions. It seems like newbies ask a lot of questions when they get started (which is of course expected and good and one of the reasons forums exist) and when they have problems (also usually right as they're starting. However, once they get walked through a bit, and everyone's familiar with them, they have found it out and rarely need to ask questions. In addition to this, there is a massive amount of information on the forum to begin with (which I wish I had had access to when I was starting out) and so beyond the first few "HELP!" threads and questions along with the "High my name is..." threads, there's rarely a question which hasn't been answered (also consequently a fact that is pointed out quite often).

The tool thing is another matter. While I definitely agree that often times new makers will confuse lack of experience with lack of equipment, I don't think thats such a deterent because there's always someone offering to help, and its been shown that making nice knives with just hand tools is quite possible. I'm sure there's quite a bit of dismay in how long making a knife takes, but I don't think its causing all that many to leave.

The focus on buying tools is a different topic as well. There's obviously a sense of "this will make thing go faster" with a new grinder or whatever, but for me at least, there's something about just having tools. I simply love having, making, using, maintaining, and collecting tools and jigs. And this obviously doesnt interfere largely with making knives, but its difficult to say that its all just to make knives easier/faster.

 

[drlozier]

Good observations. This forum and its history of posts is a virtual encyclopedia of "how to". I have recently asked a bunch of questions (as if no one had that question before) and all of them were answered (thank you all) but for each question asked, I was also referred to prior posts that already contained the answer.....so now instead of asking you guys to re-state the answer......I rely on the "search" button....and 99% of the time, the question was previously asked and answered.

 

[mattwheaton]

I am simply better at building spurs than knives. More money in it for me too. I am still around and frequent this site regularly.

 

[Troy H]

The focus on buying tools is a different topic as well. There's obviously a sense of "this will make thing go faster" with a new grinder or whatever, but for me at least, there's something about just having tools. I simply love having, making, using, maintaining, and collecting tools and jigs. And this obviously doesnt interfere largely with making knives, but its difficult to say that its all just to make knives easier/faster.

There might be some of that, too.

I had a shop before I had a hobby to use it for.