You guys shoulds check this thread out...

[RogerP]

A lot of good info (and a lot of opinions) in that thread. The "fit, finish and pricing your work" is good advise but you can't take it all as "the only way to make knives". I feel you should make what you want and if it sells quick and a lot of folks like it, ya done good. If it doesn't sell and nobody likes it, then don't do that again. I do this for a living and will not let a thread like that dictate what I make but I do read, listen, learn and weed out the BS.

Well said Don.

Its an interesting thread....though suprisingly, no one has yet to mention blade performance.

I would presume this is because poor performance is something that would only manifest itself after the purchase, not before.

Roger

 

[GibsonFan]

Its an interesting thread....though suprisingly, no one has yet to mention blade performance.

I would presume this is because poor performance is something that would only manifest itself after the purchase, not before.

Roger

Good points. I think it is a factor, because there are zillions of knives I'll never buy, because I don't think their design fits my needs. For instance, I wouldn't be likely to buy a bowie from someone who only works in 440A... or, a kitchen or filet knife in 1095. So that's a performance issue too, "failed" before the knife ever changed hands.

 

[J.Marsillo]

2 Great threads IMO.As some one who is an aspiring bladesmith there is alot of great pointers and standards.Personally I have been doing this on an extremely part time basis and I refuse to sell any of my knives.I only will sell them after I get a known quenchant and a thermocouple If you like one that I have that much I'll probably give it to you I just expect a little mercy and some constructive criticism.

 

[Will52100]

There are some good points there, but even so it's a small percentage of knife buyers. Basicly I make what I want when I want, with the exception of custom orders, but then I'm a hobbyist/part timer, and don't use knife sale to provide food on the table.

 

[Steve Hayden]

There are some good points there, but even so it's a small percentage of knife buyers. Basicly I make what I want when I want, with the exception of custom orders, but then I'm a hobbyist/part timer, and don't use knife sale to provide food on the table.

What Will said!:thumbup: :thumbup:

Personally, I make blades in a variety that appeals to me as a hunter, fisherman, cook and camper. Most of what I make sells and I give a few away. I am a part timer and please myself and enough other people who look for the same things. Performance is the overriding criteria. I make some knives with plain handles that appeal to people that don't have the funds, or don't want to buy expensive knives. I also make some knives that I put the time and effort into that makes them worth more money and these are selling better as time goes on.

As a pert timer, I do most of my business locally. People around here are pretty conservative as far as the type of knives go. There is not much of a market for Bowies or large fighters, so I don't make many of them. I keep a couple large knives on hand to show off, but rarely sell one. the people impressed with those here buy cheap factory made versions.