Yet another thread on pricing... sorry

[12345678910]

Hire out at least one knife to a couple of excellent sheath makers, one leather, one kydex.

That way you have one really good example of each and you can compare your work vs theirs, to see where you are lacking.

On a simple user like this, I feel more people would rather have kydex than leather, and you may find kydex more fun than leather.

...or go that way entirely by haveing your sheaths make, and up your prices to pay the extra cost.

 

[BladefulArt]

Well personally, I would find a way to make your knives stand out more. Due to its simple nature, I would be willing to pay a max of around $80-120, and most of this would be due to the very well done finish. ( If it had bolsters, a curved grind line, some form of even simple embellishment, a tapered tang, and a tooled or carved sheath, then I would be willing to pay 400+)

I do agree with the others though, you are underpricing yourself. Btw, are you doing this for money or just as a hobby trying to pay for itself? If you are doing this as a business, then you should be wanting more customers. Not being able to keep up with stock is most likely from the underpricing issue.

 

[Jim Adams Customs]

You make a very nice knife. Facts are I don't buy customs. Not that I wouldn't want too. But I rather make one. These are some things I have found out. It is not about what a knife is worth. It is about where do you want to be. Do you want to make a 75.00 knife or do you want to make a 500.00 Knife. Trust me if the design fit and finish is great on 500.00 the knife you will sell it.
By changing your materials and spending a few more dollars. Use Damascus, Mammoth Ivory and Mosaic pins. That very same knife will go from 65.00 to 300.00 plus. So instead of making 40.00. You can make 200.00 same amount of time. You will also find it harder to sell a 75.00 knife than it is a 300.00 knife. You have to make 5 knives and sell 5 knives verses One Knife at 300.00.
Fact are you are making a knife some one can go buy at Walmart for 30.00. Make something people can't find anyplace else. They will seek you out. They will gladly pay your price if it is fair.

 

[Rusty McDonald]

A JS asked me what I charged for one of my knives one time about a year ago and I told him $250 and he said "don't you think they (the customer) would like it more if it were $300?" Didn't really know what he was talking about at the time but I've come to realize that you can under price your self out of business as well. I have seen knives at shows that I would love to have and have heard collectors say these very words about them. "I was at such and such table and had this beautiful knife and was ready to buy it but there must have been something wrong with it because he only wanted $200 for it." It's a funny business!

 

[Patrickknives]

first I have to say this is why I love this forum, seem like I should know this but it really suprised me.

Double your price. If you run off half your customers you will still make the same money with 50% less work.

That knife is probably work a bit more but I think you need to look at a couple of changes in your methods. Would $20 more a knife make much difference in you situation.

1. people pay more for a larger knife and they are that much more to make, the micarta will fit a bigger blade and most of the labor is about the same.

2. good tools will pay for themselves or we would all be using hacksaws and files. I set aside two years to make knifes and buy tools and it worked pretty well. I dont have the best shop but I have good tool that cut the work down alot and make me better at making better knives. I used the charge card and kept my nose to the grindstone and when one tool was paid I bought another. I should pay for my last sin this month a minimill.

3. You can always lower the price, I am having a fire sale soon for a few knives that I have been too stuborn to reduce the price on but there just does not seem to be the interest.

 

[okzj]

Well, I went to the KGA show this weekend... it was my first time really getting to analyze real custom knives, so at least now I know what I'm shooting for. I got a new one finished, and even though it has already been used I am going to try and get some pictures up here soon.

Thanks to everyone for the replies.