World War III Pricing Guide

C

Craig Gottlieb

Joined
Mar 8, 1999
Messages
1,760
I've been getting some emails asking about what I'm gonna offer the WWIII for. I don't know, but I can give you some guidelines that I will follow when pricing them.

1) They will be at least as much as the standard WWII ($69.00).

2) The won't be more than $150.00 (unless I am very naive about the cost of micarta, labor, and the Edgework sheath).

3) I plan on keeping my profit margin pretty slim. Although I'm doing a bunch of work here, I think of this project as a thank-you to the forumites for their support over the past few months. Most of the blades are reserved by forumites (I've kept talk of the WWIII to this forum for that purpose).

Here's a question: what do you think the WWIII will be worth? It won't affect my pricing, but I'm frankly just curious.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
My opinion my not be of alot of use. I have never bought a kukri so it is hard for me to judge the value. It seems like it is in a good ballpark price to me. But I don't look at this as a collectable even though it is very unusual. It just happens to be the first one that seems to fit what I want.
 
I don't know Craig, But I'm interested in the WWIII Deluxe which will be like the WWIII, but will have a checkered wood handle, the diamond file chakmak and the "bird and trout" style karda made from ats-34.

If you build it they will buy. (my crude attempt at subliminal infulence)

p1445
 
Craig,

I think $150.00 +/- is a great price for the WW3. As for the future value, I really can't say. I know that mine will never be for sale, to me it will be priceless. How many people get to see a joint effort like this become a reality? I'll be getting serial number 3 of 25. It just doesn't get any better than this!!

Blackdog

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When the world is at peace, a gentleman keeps his sword by his side.......
Sun-Tzu 400 BC

 
I also second $150 as a good standard price. It's very resonable for what you get. When I first thought of this project, I looked to Newt Livesay's RTAK for inspiration for what a working modern day khukuri should be about.

The WW3 marches to a different drummer. It has a simliar look, made of the same stuff, and with probably more work put into it. So it should go for the same price.

I read the recent Blade article on GH khukuris. If Craig can get press for the WW3, he wouldn't be able to make enough of it.

I fully expect hundreds of these things will be made.

 
Craig,

I don't know what quality the engraving will be. But can it have the word "Prototype" in it?

Do you think GH will have a company logo in the future?
 
Well, I'm thinking $125 - $150. You guys are doing some potentially great work here!

Zog (M. Draper)
 
Craig,
Your price estimate sounds about right to me, and is certainly competitive with the MSRP of the factory made American "kukri" designs which the WWIII is, in part, designed to improve upon with its synthesis of traditional design and craftsmanship and modern materials. BTW, can you give us any details on the blued finish?
Berk
 
I too like the idea of the designation prototype or other thing to mark the blade that we were a part of the developement. There should be alot more of these made in the future once the word gets out!!
 
P1445: Believe it or not, I have one of my dealers who's swearing that as soon as his legs get better and he can stand longer periods in his shop, he's going to do something very similar to what you are talking about. I don't know if he has the skill to hand forge a blade, but he wants to make one using the stock removal technique, which is, I suppose, okay. It's NOT another special project, more like just a fun project for him to try, but someday when it's done (it hasn't even been started yet), I'd hope to be able to post pics of it.

As for tallwingeds thoughts about going into production, that could work, albeit on an un-numbered scale (wouldn't want to pollute the market with more of what the forumites, who hatched this project, are getting). It is tempting, but of course the price would rise, as it would become less of a fun project and more of a commercial venture. But that's not so bad.

As for "Prototype" being put on the blade, that could work, except that the prototype part of the package is pretty much the sheath. The blade is just a plain jane SN1. However, I suppose I could experiment with the finish on that piece, and then I would feel comfortable having "WWIII Prototype" put on the blade. If it ever did become a successful commercial venture, I'm sure that blade would be pretty valuable to a collector of such things.

As for the finish, Berkley, I haven't got a clue yet. I've called the guy I think is going to do the finish, and we haven't touched base yet (I've been out of town). But what would you all recommend for a finish that is:

1) Easy to apply
2) Easy to repair (for users who develop scratches)

Please start another thread on that topic so we can continue to discuss price on this one.

Thanks.



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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Maybe I`m getting my signals crossed but just to be sure,I think TWG may have been refering to "prototype" being put on all of the 1st 25 WWIIIs. No? Since the WWIII will have a WWII blade mated with a panawal style tang and modern materials etc. it really will be different and perhaps be more deserving of the label. Also FWIW the price estimate sounds real good to me. Marcus
 
Actually, I think I don't want the markings to get too crowded on the WWIIIs. I think that numbering them will tell the world that they were the first on the scene. In the future, if and when I do more of these, they won't be numbered. How's that?

Craig.
 
Craig,

I agree, having just the numbers (and the WW3 designation) would be best. Better to be subtle/subdued. One look at the knife will say it all.

I would, however, suggest a small section on your website containing a brief history of the WW3 and perhaps a few photos. Let the world know that the first 26 prototype units were serialized (and are, in some circles, considered to be priceless
smile.gif
smile.gif
).

Blackdog

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When the world is at peace, a gentleman keeps his sword by his side.......
Sun-Tzu 400 BC

 
I’m in agreement here as well.
Knives aren’t meant to be read,
but a designation can mean the
difference between a king and a pauper.
The simple fact of ownership will
be enough to satisfy me, but I can’t say
a number would bother me.
smile.gif

-matt
 
In the January 2000 issue of Tactical Knives, there is an artical on page 66 on trail knives.

Of all the knives reviewed there, Mineral Mountains Survival Bowies are the most simliar in function and material to the WW3. And they go from $175 to $205 depending on the length of blade (10" vs 12")
 
Tallwinged,

I'll check out that article. Ultimately, I'll price the WWIII not at what it's "worth" compared to other knives, but at what it cost me to have made (plus a small profit margin). I really believe this project to be a thank-you to the forumites for their support as Gurkha House grew and worked out some of the kinks. If I haven't said it yet, THANKS!

But hey - I'm not opposed to making somewhat of a profit on the WWIII - if you are not an Atlas Shrugged fan (Ayn Rand), you should be. Currently reading it for about the 5th time. I love that book.



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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Craig,

"Passion Of Ayn Rand", new video at Blockbuster, based upon her biography. Stars Helen Mirren, Peter Fonda, Julie Delpy. I think Mirren was nominated for some award for her work in it. Haven't seen it, but supposed to be good
smile.gif


See ya,

Nick
 
I just recieved the new Cold Steel catalog. They now have a new Blade Tech concealex scabbard with their Gurkha Kukri. Looks nice, but not for $259.99
 
I'm going to call for a copy of the catalog. Thanks for the heads up.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Craig -

Any idea when we will be getting billed for these beauties? It would be useful to have some warning so I can make sure the funds are there
wink.gif


Thanks

Kallisti.
 
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