Building a Reputation

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25cschaefer

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I will be moving soon but I do not have a job in the gunsmithing industry yet, in the mean time I am looking a doing some menial job and a little gunsmithing on the side but I have to be careful that Uncle Sam doesn't take offense.

I do have the tools and know how to make knives, you may have seen some of my work in previous threads, so this is also a viable option and not fraught with danger.

My question is; if I devoted my spare time to knife making, how long and what would it take to build a reputation to sell knives at a price they deserve?
 
I've found that you'd be surprised how fast folks start to pick up on your skills if you can show a few nice photos of a product that really shows well, and can present your methods and materials so they have some idea what they're getting.

I'd say that many handmade knife fans are willing to try out your wares in the $50-$150 range, even if you aren't a "name," if you can show them a product that looks good and has some quality assurance.
 
Well, making knives is fairly easy with a very low cost-barrier for entry, so there are hordes of hobbyists crafting knives at near-professional levels of skill.

I make 3-5 knives a week just goofing around in the shop. If I stayed off of THR I could make 3-5 knives a day easily, in the evenings, starting with bar stock and doing my own heat treat. With a total materials cost per knife of around $5-10. With a couple thousand dollars of gear I could more than double my production numbers and am strongly considering it.
I consider myself an advanced hobbyist.

25cschaefer said:
My question is; if I devoted my spare time to knife making, how long and what would it take to build a reputation to sell knives at a price they deserve?
Click to expand...
A better question would be "Can you make a knife that someone would be willing to buy at a price that would be worth your time?"
 
Having looked at your thread titled "My Third Knife" -- you've certainly got the skills to get some enthusiasts' attention.
 
Lots of talk about this on Blade Forum.

I think the market is pretty heavily flooded with hobbyist who can make knives on the side pretty cheap so it keep the prices pretty low for your work.

IF you're able to break out you can make good money but it's almost like being in a band. Many try but few make it.

Not trying to discourage you but I think it's a rough market if you're doing it to make a living.

Gunsmithing in an established shop may be a good way to go. That way you're under their FFL for your work. May be hard to find a shop willing to give you a chance but worth looking in my mind. Can be a real plus for both of you since you'll bring in business for them and vis versa. Could also put some of your knives in their case.
 
1)Sell your knives with a good kydex carry sheath.
2)Make small knives that are concealable but easy to deploy (think of the Shivworks Clinch Pick's grip as a model)
3)Deliver your products on time
4)Don't screw people over (Google Eric Draven Knives for a good example of how NOT to conduct yourself.)
 
+1,000!

Keeping your word IS your Reputation.

People will even be happy getting a crappy knife at a low price.
If that's what you told them you were going to sell them, and you deliver it when you said you would.

rc
 
Thanks a lot guys, I wont be up and running for a few months but I think it is worth my time to make knives. I think I have made enough now that I am not too attached to them and can actually sell them. I think keeping your word and delivering on time go a long way nowadays, it is so hard to find a gunsmith that can do halfway decent work in the time he says for the price he quotes. I assume it is the same for bladesmiths.
 
If you get a forge, don't forget the longrifle community. If you join the Contemporary Long Rifle Association, you can advertise for free on their website. Make a knife like Ranger Dan's fancy one you used today.
 
Doesn't look like he's forging.

Work with the users like the guides and hunters to come up with a couple of good knives for their use. Focus on refining them. See where that goes. If you work hard at it and pay attention to what they show/tell you and incorporate it into the evolution of your work you could see a lot of guides showing a lot of paying customers those knives and that might bring orders.
 
And whatever you make, don't sell it in a cheap flimsy Unsafe sheath like a lot of them do!

I see a lot of really good looking custom knives that come with sheaths that look like Cub Scout craft projects!

rc
 
Knifemaking is a tough business, but all you can do is put out a quality product for a fair price and go from there. It's up to you if you want to take orders or just sell 'em as you make 'em. Taking orders just about ruined it for me as I found myself HAVING to make knives rather than wanting to make them.
 
Me too exactly!

It first became a hobby, then an obsession trying to make each one better.
Then a full time job trying to keep up with the orders.

But I already had a full- time job that paid enough to pay the bills.

The knife income just almost paid for the shop tools and supplies I had have to constantly be up-grading equipment and replacing supplies & materials.

Then one day you realize the sun is coming up, and you haven't been to bed yet trying to fill orders.
And it's time to go to work at your real job again!

Then it's time to stop!

rc
 
That's why so many successful makers are retired or have spouses with good incomes/benefits. It is sooo very hard to make a living at it and it is probably smartest to keep it a passionate hobby until you're ready to break out having been recognized as an outstanding maker (you just can't start out with beginner hobby quality and make a living).
 
Valkman said:
Knifemaking is a tough business, but all you can do is put out a quality product for a fair price and go from there. It's up to you if you want to take orders or just sell 'em as you make 'em. Taking orders just about ruined it for me as I found myself HAVING to make knives rather than wanting to make them.
Click to expand...


+1

I used to make and sell quite a few knives, even sent some overseas. What I found is that you have to make knives and list them somewhere to get any attention, but people always wanted to custom order something similar to what you made rather than the one that was ready for a buyer. If you can deal with picky people who aren't sure what they want, and can work off vague descriptions you will probably do well.
You also either need to decide whether you are going to go the "art knife" route, or if you are going to make production runs of standard models. If you don't like repetitive work and making the same knife multiple times, you better plan to make them fancy.
 
I have purchased and supported many "new" knifemakers over the years, often purchasing many of their first knife designs. I have had the pride and honor of seeing them grow to the point where their waiting lists are now months long. Among them, I include Blind Horse Knives, Dave Farmer, Jeremy Horton, Micheal Morris, Rod Garcia, and Fiddleback Forge to name a few. These people are known & respected for making great knives and for treating their customers with personal care. These gents all grew from "no name" to well-regarded in under 2 years.

I have also purchased & supported knifemakers who either over-committed, or were outright crooks. these guys drove their businesses into the ground. Don't be in this category.

I would suggest that you join forums such as Bladeforums.com, introduce yourself there, and start selling your knives in their Sales column (you have to pay to join, but if you have good knives, it is worth the exposure). I would suggest that you keep the price down for your first knives, just to generate interest. If you do make good knives, your price will naturally go-up as demand does. (example, Michael Morris first sold his necker knives for $35, and let great reviews drive the price up to the current price of $85)

Just remember to always be responsible and responsive to your customers and good luck!
 
1. Innovation - anybody can buy or make a knife, what's seperates you from the rest?

2. Price point - are you offering a buck knife at 10 times the price because it's handmade?See number 1.

3. Product exposure - give free samples out to the big names in the business, let them test and review it. You may lose some money initially but the exposure and advertising (especially if it's a great product) will pay for itself...and then some.

Good luck.
 
I do have a forge I am building, I have all the pieces and just need to put it together, and get an anvil. I scored about 5 20" long pieces of 1"dia O1 tool steel for free, those will make decent knives I think. I also have a bunch of spring steel and such (I know, don't do it, you don't know what it is) I was going to make more rustic knives for the Rendezvous and Cowboy crowds.
 
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