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Hi NJ, That is not a business....that is a hobby.

And Les George would know!

Hi Chad, Thank you. Let me add this, so some may not think I am to harsh. Ultimately, it your business. Your success or lack there of is completely up to you. As you are responsible for every thing...good...bad...or indifferent.

Hi NJ, I was actually writing that a quick way to end a career in custom knives is to make what you want to make...and not what the buyers want. Over the last 25 years I have heard maker after maker loudly and proudly proclaim...They make only what they want! Most of those makers are long...

OOPS...double post

Hey NJ, Most makers do not treat their knife making as a business. By not applying basic business principles the knife maker will consistently seem to be relying on "hope". In that they "hope" they are doing the right thing. Asking fellow makers for advise (who may or may not have any...

Hi Clancy, Excellent post. Makers who generally gauge their prices on the aftermarket...will be short lived as viable makers. Which is why it is so important for the maker to figure out what they knives need to sell for...based on their own determinations. Not the recommendations of fellow...

Hi NJ, Excellent question. Generally those makers who only carry a few makers work are either: 1) Taking them on consignment 2) Are selling off their collection. Most dealers start out as collectors...that was true with me as well. On the plus side if a collector was looking for that...

Hi James, That is one of the exceptions...the client wants you to make something unusual and/or something that requires outlay of capital (outside the norm).

Question, is there any particular reason that as a knife maker you cannot contact your client prior to building the knife? This allows you to check whatever method of contact you were given (phone or email) to make sure they still work. If they don't that is probably your first hint the client...

Hey BK, First, if you are entering into a relationship with a dealer..it is a business relationship. If you are not treating your knife making as a business...don't bother working with a dealer. If you are slow to build and late to deliver...there is no reason for a dealer to work with...

Hi Dogs, When looking at a Custom/Handmade knife what do you look for? Price is not an issue. Im looking more for the "Technical" aspects of the knife. This is open to all categories of custom knives.

Hi Travis, Only 3 reasons for a deposit: 1 The knife requires additional expensive materials, gold, jewels, etc. 2 The knife is so butt ugly that should the buyer back out you will never be able to sell it. In this case the entire payment up front is ok 3 the customer cannot budget...

Hi Les, Yes, the show is "advertising". However, given the amount of tables in the room. The table holder needs to do some advertising of their own. Something as simple as putting the table number in your signature block is an excellent example of that. The show has moved past a show...

Hi Marten, Pick up a copy of the current issue of Knives Illustrated. There is an article on investing with custom knives. I suspect a majority of your questions will be answered. There are examples of makers who have become successful and why. No, no Loveless, Moran, other big names that...

Hi Kevin, I was delayed in answering this as I had to finish up several articles for Blade and KI. One of these articles was on investing in custom knives. Kevin, I asked you specifically about Jerry's knives and how you would feel if they were built the same as how Loveless knives...

Kevin, First, if you want to shoot down my statement point by point...bring it. I suspect you are passing as you can't. Next, I have never claimed to be breaking a story about Loveless. But you would be amazed at how many people didn't know that. Next, Kevin if Jerry Fisk stopped making his...

Hi Kevin, The Loveless market will continue to slide. A couple of reasons. More and more people are finding out that Loveless has not made his knives for the last 25 years. Yes, you would be amazed at how many people don't know that. Most people in "the know" previous to my posts...

Hi Clydetz, Part of investing is to know when to sell. Long term is not always the best route to go...to many variables. Everyone points to Loveless knives....they forget it wasn't until Loveless knives had been around for almost 40 years before they really took off. Now, the...

HI MW, A phenomenon of the forums is the "Love"! The love is given and gotten to fellow forumites. Often times a knife is purchased merely to feel the "Love". Some will announce they are getting the knife...and the get the "pre-love". Then they post pictures of the knife when they...