Why are hireable bladesmiths so hard to find.

os_tempore

os_tempore

Wargrip & Cerakote
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Mar 28, 2019
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I have my share of production knives and have been getting into customs and semi-customs in the past few years. I've had some truely awesome knives made for me and some that never got off the ground.

My quest has gotten much more difficult recently. My main guy has slowed down greatly and takes months to answer emails now. I think he's well past retired. How do you search for knife makers? Do you contact every single one of the 1000's out there? Do you peruse the customs for sale then contact those makers? Is there way to put out there what you want and capable makers can say if their interested?

I tried it with a pretty simple project in the wanted ads, but nothing ever came of it.


Help me out, please. I got the bug and need something new!!
 
I check the custom knifemakers for sale area and contact whoever has the style I like, or the blade I’m after. You learn pretty quick who has long wait times and who doesn’t.
 
I can do that. Its sounds quite labor intensive to conversate with so many people for them to tell me no. I recently was looking for a custom glass blower and had t oconversate with 10 of them for 9 to say no and 1 to say the price with no other information.
 
os_tempore said:
I can do that. Its sounds quite labor intensive to conversate with so many people for them to tell me no. I recently was looking for a custom glass blower and had t oconversate with 10 of them for 9 to say no and 1 to say the price with no other information.
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I think you’ll find most makers here are pretty friendly, and respond fairly quickly. Especially if they are actively posting in the for sale sections.
My experience here on the forums has been that when you inquire, they’ll start you with a “base” price and let you decide how you want it built to get to a final quoted price before the project begins.
A little patience and a little searching will get some really nice knives from some really friendly makers around here.
 
os_tempore said:
I can do that. Its sounds quite labor intensive to conversate with so many people for them to tell me no. I recently was looking for a custom glass blower and had t oconversate with 10 of them for 9 to say no and 1 to say the price with no other information.
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What type of knife are you looking for? There are plenty of makers willing to give you a base price on a common model (there are even some Master Smiths that have base pricing information on their websites). If you're looking for something unusual, it might be more difficult.
 
Wild Willie, I've tried that. And as a matter of fact, the only post in that sub-forum is mine! I wouldn't say it's promising.... it honestly was a bit of a waste of a post.
 
ChrisB507 said:
What type of knife are you looking for? There are plenty of makers willing to give you a base price on a common model (there are even some Master Smiths that have base pricing information on their websites). If you're looking for something unusual, it might be more difficult.
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I'm not looking for anything particularly unusual. The one I'm looking for now is a very practical small SD blade whose design was changed and I think subsequently dropped. Even if I could find that blade for sale, it was basically a CCP pot metal. I have a picture of it and would love it in Elmax or M390.

But I digress. I should probably just make a standard email and send it to all the makers listed.
 
Reach out to Phil Patton or John Lloyd, they deliver quality in a timely manner. Or maybe Ban Tang. There's a few other on this forum I've used who have gotten a lot of work and that slows down delivery, but there's only two guys I totally avoid at this point. You might also check out Tim Hartman in New Mexico if he's still taking on work.
 
LittleAugieMo said:
Attending a show&speaking w/makers may be a good place to start. You also get "hands on" time with their products.
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If I had the time! I work FT, have wife and kids, and am getting my masters! Not to mention 1k projects.
 
There is a totally empty subforum of basically "Ask for service/s" that should be used, thinking of making a post there myself but I wonder if it is visited
 
Im talking with those makes you all suggested. Thank you guys.
 
Knife makers come in all different types......
Seems most only make Their knives. It's hard working with customers.
Most customers don't really know what they want?
Me personally, I'd think I'd want a full sized drawing of the work wanted.

That way any dissapointment wouldnt be on the maker. Design wise.
 
Hashishiin said:
There is a totally empty subforum of basically "Ask for service/s" that should be used, thinking of making a post there myself but I wonder if it is visited
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I wondered the same. I actually did post, but never received a response. Someone up above said only members that have a makers level membership can see the posts. You can only see yours.
 
Crag the Brewer said:
Knife makers come in all different types......
Seems most only make Their knives. It's hard working with customers.
Most customers don't really know what they want?
Me personally, I'd think I'd want a full sized drawing of the work wanted.

That way any dissapointment wouldnt be on the maker. Design wise.
Click to expand...
I have an actual picture! But I agree otherwise. I pride myself as always being easy to work with any very good at communicating what Im looking for when it comes to custom work. I think that is partly from always making my own projects (other than knives).
 
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