Thanks Les,
I am treating this like a business from the get go, so I have been doing a lot of research on pricing, styles, techniques, and materials.
My theory is make what sells. For me right now as a new maker, I can get the most out of 0-1. I can make a high quality knife while learning techniques.
I mainly sell user knives that will see serious hunting/fishing/active duty time. I do use several others like S-30V, cpm 154, a-2 and D-2. I mainly work with local exotic woods, spalted, curly, synthetics, etc.
I mainly sell locally and most of the guys buyng don't mind spending between $100 and $300 on a good looking high performing knife but that is about it. Most can't believe how sharp they are or how long they hold an edge as well as being easy to sharpen. One customer dropped his hunting knife with a very fine point on the concrete and knocked a hole in the cocrete, but didn't phase the blade- that little incident sold 4 more.2thumbs
I don't feel that I am ready to get into the collector market (Yet) As I get a website up and running, and expand my selling area I will be working on higher end knives. I will work much more in the hot steels.
All of my knives have improved exponentially since I have been lurking and learning from the great people from this site I can't thank you all enough. It has made a very steep learning curve for me and I am sure several others.
I have 5 to ship today. I would post pics, but the files are too big.
Thank you!