Hand made knives

[Axis II]

Hi guys! Asking for a buddy.

He has been making custom knives for years with a forge and high carbon steel files, etc and putting deer handles on them, curly maple, etc. and now venturing into buying old axes and refinishing them to hopefully flip them but now he is having second thoughts on if there is a market and what to price them at. I have handled some of his stuff and I must say its amazing!!

Would you guys care to share thoughts on if its worth making and selling these and how to get it out there? also what kind of pricing should he be looking at? The knives are either home forged blades or blades purchased and handles and sheaths made from scratch along with the farrow rods. The axes have been purchased in horrible condition and refinished and most are very old and high end names like manns. The red ax has been refinished. He is debating on driving 3hrs to some swap meet to try and sell some stuff but just trying to get an idea first.

Your thoughts are welcome.

 

[SharpDog]

Forging them he should be able to get anywhere from $150 to $300 depending on the size, style, how he markets them, his following, etc. I buy new axes at around $75 but some brands can easily double or quadruple that. Refinished about half that but it really depends on the end result.

For forging he'll likely start at the lower end and look to increase as he gains a following. That said, he'll want to stay on the plainer end and functional so he has features to add to raise the price as time goes on. Also, it will be easier to enter the market on the lower end.

There are dozens of Facebook groups to advertise in. Generally, they tent towards bushcraft (like the one in your photo) or Bowie.
Here are some FB groups to get you started, but have him keep looking. Plan to spend at least 30 mins on FB each day.

These sites should give you a good idea of what folks are buying and selling:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1539969692935625/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/677268429026035/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/643127662468079/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1711202295827506/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/276573096047704/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/741971435854792/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1072969306088113/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1344919515527474/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/925754984224352/about/

 

[hso]

Knives assembled from finished blade's don't bring much compared to one made from a blade forged yourself.

Price depends upon materials as well as design and size so that information is needed. Most unknown makers get $75-$300 for their work depending upon where they are.

 

[Axis II]

Knives assembled from finished blade's don't bring much compared to one made from a blade forged yourself.

Price depends upon materials as well as design and size so that information is needed. Most unknown makers get $75-$300 for their work depending upon where they are.

Any idea on a price for something like he made in the pics? The blade I believe is from Blackhorse knives as a blank and the handles are cut from blocks of wood and hand finished and pinned and he made the sheaths by hand. He has a forge but new house everything is scattered. I ask about the knife in the pic because he has a lot of them he has made and just sitting around.

 

[Axis II]

Forging them he should be able to get anywhere from $150 to $300 depending on the size, style, how he markets them, his following, etc. I buy new axes at around $75 but some brands can easily double or quadruple that. Refinished about half that but it really depends on the end result.

For forging he'll likely start at the lower end and look to increase as he gains a following. That said, he'll want to stay on the plainer end and functional so he has features to add to raise the price as time goes on. Also, it will be easier to enter the market on the lower end.

There are dozens of Facebook groups to advertise in. Generally, they tent towards bushcraft (like the one in your photo) or Bowie.
Here are some FB groups to get you started, but have him keep looking. Plan to spend at least 30 mins on FB each day.

These sites should give you a good idea of what folks are buying and selling:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1539969692935625/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/677268429026035/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/643127662468079/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1711202295827506/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/276573096047704/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/741971435854792/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1072969306088113/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1344919515527474/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/925754984224352/about/

Thanks so much! Now when you say new axes what do you mean? I know he says some are Manns boys ax, Hudson bay and a few others. He had been buying these axes that are roached and re hanging them, redoing the handle and I think actually made a few handles, re profiles the edge, seals the handles. Hes got everything from a little hunters hatches to full size felling axes.

 

[SharpDog]

Thanks so much! Now when you say new axes what do you mean? I know he says some are Manns boys ax, Hudson bay and a few others. He had been buying these axes that are roached and re hanging them, redoing the handle and I think actually made a few handles, re profiles the edge, seals the handles. Hes got everything from a little hunters hatches to full size felling axes.

I mean I get new Husqvarna hunters axes for $75 with 23" handles. Other mfgs can charge up to $300 for new ones. If he does a good job on the refinishing he should be able to get half that. Frankly, there's more of a market for knives since most axes users seem to be able to refinish them themselves. But you should find some sales on those bushcraft groups I posted.

 

[Axis II]

I mean I get new Husqvarna hunters axes for $75 with 23" handles. Other mfgs can charge up to $300 for new ones. If he does a good job on the refinishing he should be able to get half that. Frankly, there's more of a market for knives since most axes users seem to be able to refinish them themselves. But you should find some sales on those bushcraft groups I posted.

Gotcha, thanks again i forwarded the FB links to him. He is planning on going to the pathfinder gathering this year so trying to get ideas.

 

[huntsman]

To me there’s two types of knives, using and collecting. If it’s a using knife and is of quality materials I’ll take a chance on a no-name, collectible I only buy established brands.

When it comes to antique tools I want them original condition, a refurbished axe is betwixed and between, no collectible value but priced higher than a user should be

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Depends on his talent. There is essentially no demand for knives made off of blanks. Do you have examples of work he has done by forging or stock removal?

 

[Axis II]

Depends on his talent. There is essentially no demand for knives made off of blanks. Do you have examples of work he has done by forging or stock removal?

I don't. He's got a bunch of stuff just hanging out in boxes after the move and seems to come across stuff here and there. I have to ask what is stock removal?

 

[Mauser lover]

Grinding a knife out of a piece of (usually) flat stock. I suppose it would be similar to a "billet" AR receiver. You start with a chunk of steel that is the composition that you like, and cut a knife out of it. As opposed to starting with a chunk of metal and heating and hammering it to a knife shape, then grinding it.

 

[hso]

Blackhorse knives as a blank

A blank would come unground and not hardened. Did he grind the bevels?

 

[Axis II]

A blank would come unground and not hardened. Did he grind the bevels?

I believe so.

 

[hso]

Then something in the $120 range.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

He should be very clear when selling that the knives are made off of factory blanks and not forged or stock removal, though.

 

[hso]

Yep

If he isn't grinding the blades he's not hand making the knives, he's basically kit building. It is an important distinction to people who buy handmade knives.

For pricing, take a look at what you can pick a Bark River up for. You can be confident of the quality, materials and heat treat because Bark River has earned their reputation (and reputation is valuable). https://www.dlttrading.com/bark-river-overstocks-discounted-knives?sort=priceasc