the past 6 weeks

A

AJH_Knives

Well-Known Member
Here is what I have been working on for the past 6 weeks including the stump. My father in law runs the Local Grange in his small town, and I let him talk me into making knives to sell at a festival that they put on. i have about 5 more in the process then i need to make sheaths.. I am a little nervous doing this, because I feel my knives are not good enough. so I may back out as it nears.... but have a look at what i have so far.....


stump.jpg
 
Don't back out.
You'll regret not knowing how it could have gone. Be realistic and price your knives accordingly. The first show is a nerve racking experience and full of doubt, until you actually do it. After a few comments and compliments you'll say "what the hell was I worried about ?"
I felt the same way and left that first show feeling like a million bucks. DO IT. You'll have to sooner or later.

Rudy
 
Knives look OK to me. You would be surprised how much people expect from a custom knife. It's no where near what we would like to provide. Be honest, let them know you are a new maker and price your work accordingly. I know guys that went to several shows before they sold anything. If it was easy everyone would go to every show and sell out every time. Do it and good luck.
 
So when you make and sell a knife, is it common to provide a sheath for the knife?
also, if you are selling a knife does the sheath add cost to the knife? let say you want to sell the knife alone for $40 what would you charge for a plane leather sheath that you made to fit said knife?
also how do you price your knives, i have been to gun shows and seen the prices on some of the custom knives, some i would compare equally to my knives, with price tags on them for 3x to 4x more then i was thinking of selling mine at.
I don't know, it all seems so complicated....

Aaron
 
I personally always provide a sheath. I just always include it in the price. BTW your knives look very good. As George pointed out we usually expect more from ourselves than most consumers expect from our knives. I sell my small neck knives for $90 and prices go up from there based on what time i have invested in a knife. My highest price yet was $350.00 for an Elk Handled Bowie but most of my hunters sell for $150 to $200. No rhyme or reason to my pricing and I have not done any shows yet but most of my knives sell as soon as they are done. Some are commissioned works most are not.
 
Knives without a sheath are a tough sell unless you can convince the potential customer that they're all kitchen knives.:9: It is a perplexing problem but I never charge less than $25 for my time and materials on a sheath. There is no firm pricing formula, it's a personal and relative thing to the desireability of your knives. What helped most in the begining was to ask fellow makers to honestly judge a knife's worth and go from there. At first, be prepared to take the pipe on what you make, but this will help establish your personal baseline on what you can charge. As you progress...the money will be flying in like nobody's business.:s12137: If you have'nt already, join and participate in a knife club or shmooze local makers for advice. It takes a while but you'll get a feeling for the worth of your suffering....whatever you get, it's never enough.:no:

Rudy
 
I have a gentleman that bought one of my early knives, sold it real cheap $40 for knife and sheath, then he emailed me asking for the same knife but 1/2 the size, again another $40 knife with sheath. I feel I am giving it away for $40... he is wanting 2 of the knives on the picture and does not want to wait for the sheaths.. said he'll have kydex ones made.. so he has emailed me twice on prices and I don't know what to do... i don't want to give them away, however this is a fun hobby for me. It does take some time to make them, that is for sure.
it was easier giving them a gifts to friends and family.....

Aaron
 
AJH_Knives said:
I have a gentleman that bought one of my early knives, sold it real cheap $40 for knife and sheath, then he emailed me asking for the same knife but 1/2 the size, again another $40 knife with sheath. I feel I am giving it away for $40... he is wanting 2 of the knives on the picture and does not want to wait for the sheaths.. said he'll have kydex ones made.. so he has emailed me twice on prices and I don't know what to do... i don't want to give them away, however this is a fun hobby for me. It does take some time to make them, that is for sure.
it was easier giving them a gifts to friends and family.....

Aaron
Click to expand...

The answer is between you and your conscience.
All the materials combined are already close to your selling price....you'll need to take a hard look at what your time and expenses are worth. It's a balancing act.... only you can decide. Gifts are nice but won't help you form a sensible business plan. If you're moving your product, it's time to get serious.

You may want to ask him if he's re-selling these and what he's asking for them. That would be a big fat clue to their worth in the market.


Rudy
 
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