When people ask me how my knifemaking business is going
Posted Mar 8, 2018, 2:06 AM UTC
2.3K60
Onetime art major here. Can relate.
29
Aw why's he so sad?
23
its a report on school being back in and she asks him, "are you going to miss your mom?" to which he replies "no." she laughs and asks why and he laughs back then promptly bursts into tears for no reason
37
Sad. Where's his mom? I care about this apparently haha
20
Oh he's just in school, cute little bugger
She's waiting for him back home
27
Thanks so much for explaining! I'm not the person who asked but was also worried about the reason why poor little dude was crying and came to the comments to find out what's up. I really appreciate you taking the time to post about the situation, because apparently I'm not the only one who cares 😸
13
What a sweetheart. 💓
11
[deleted]
1
[deleted]
1
The reporter who obviously not a parent. Asked this kindergartener if missed being home or missed his mom. The first reply was the blissful " what are you asking me". Then it hits him...
17
I downloaded this to my phone for the next time someone asks me why I don't draw for a living instead of developing phone apps.
13
I've met more than a few art majors that have become developers. I like to think its just another medium.
5
Your stuff is fantastic I'm just annoyed that I'm a cheap ass and can't have any of it.
5
Do you take custom orders? I have a knife design idea that I would like to try out. Also, are you located in the US?
5
I do! Shoot me a PM and we can discuss if you'd like. I have about 5 full on custom orders right now so I'm not booked up at all.
1
Hey just a question. Have you ever thought about making a small video showing the amount of work that goes into making one of your knives? I remember a few years back I saw a video of a guy making a knife in his smith shop at night in the woods. It was shot beautifully and was actually interesting yet soothing to watch the artistry involved.
Either way, it not only showed the shear amount of work and artistry that goes into making a knife, but it also made me actually want to buy a knife from him. So it might be something you want to try to add to your site.
Anyways, hang in there and keep at your craft. I totally understand that being an artist is a struggle but it's still WAY more fulfilling than sitting in a cubicle all day. Cheers
3
Thanks a ton for the message! I've considered it but it's quite daunting since there are sooooooo many YouTube channels like that now. What I try to do since the largest following I have is via Instagram is posting live stories showing some of the process and dirty work. But until I can come up with a really unique idea I'm not sure if I'll delve in to YouTube.
2
I cry when pretty women talk to me too
3
hey don't feel too bad, I once heard these's guys talking about opening a leather shop in Arizona, crazier ventures can happen.
2
Oh no seriously hard feelings here; some months may be harder than others but it's a very fulfilling job and it makes me happy to do it. I think that's worth it!
I just like joking around at my expense :)
1
Its all good, You do you....I mean come on a leather shop in az? They'd be out of work in a weeks time.
2
took a look at your site, i love the look of your knifes but rarely have a reason for a solid knife and prefer folding ones, i already have asked if you make folding ones, but now i have another question.
Where do you buy blades for your Ryobi Bandsaw!?!? i cant fucking find the right size for mine anywhere!
2
Hahaha I actually ordered them off Amazon after the Home Depot brand blades turned out to be such crud. This is the blade here that I really like using. I feed that bandsaw pieces way too big for it but with that new blade is chews it right up!
1
Have you considered making kitchen knives? Stark knives seems to do well with those.
2
I see the problem, all your knives are sold out. Can't make money without product.
2
oh man yeah i know. ive been trying to get my comic out there with hardly any luck. its good reviews but i think people just dont want to buy comics anymore. even though its more experience than comic
2
Have you been on Forged in Fire?
2
I get invited by their casting agents every new season but since I do not have room for a home forge without burning my house down I have yet to compete. Fun show though, enjoy watching it!
3
Man I really dig your WharnPoon Belt Knife AEB-L but it appears it's out of stock. Any timeframe of when you'll have more made? I'd love to snag one
2
[deleted]
1
Lmao dude you botted in the wrong sub. Think you meant r/gifs
1
I was interested so I found your website, are all handcrafted knives so expensive? Or have I just always seen cheap knives?
Oh boy yes they are lol. I'm even on the cheaper end of the spectrum if you can believe that. Anything hand made by one guy in a shop is going to be very pricey. If it's cheaper there's usually a catch; or a marketing ploy by a company who has them mass manufactured. Exceptions would be hobbyists who only charge close to cost and people with huuuuuuuuge distribution power; but even then you will be paying much more than your average gas station knife or Chinese manufactured Kershaw.
Huh, well the more ya know! Good luck with your business
Many thanks! It's been very fulfilling.
Are they hand made in the sense of you're actually back there hammering out a billet to shape? Or are you machining them to shape with a CNC or something?
Is it expensive because of the materials or the amount of work it takes?
Little bit of A and a little bit of B. There's also C a lot of people don't think of a lot like shop rent, machinery investment, electricity, funds to afford the next batch of materials, and finally that little sliver of profit so the maker can eat lol. Lots of strenuous hand work though, sanding, and plenty of love bites from the machinery while grinding.
Well it looks like damn fine work and if I could afford it I'd definitely buy one
You have some incredibly beautiful knives that I can tell are worth every penny. I'd buy one if I weren't fucking broke right now.
I particularly enjoyed the picture of the one that had your dog in the background lol
Haha thanks; he's my photo model
As a fully fledged knifenut and member of r/knife_swap and r/knifeclub. These prices are actually great in my opinion for fully handmade knives. And they are beautiful!
Thank you very much! :)
You should make some cs:go style knives, I'd bet they would sell out immediately given the popularity of the game.
Is there actually a benefit to something handmade ca something made professionally at a factory in Germany or whatever? Some reason for the cost difference, or is it just to support the artist
Yes and no; the average Joe doesn't need a custom hand built blade nor would a chef. But there are a lot of people who either appreciate hand made goods, US made products, or a nice custom knife in a certain style they've yet to see elsewhere. Production blades are just fine and to be honest; my chef knife in the kitchen is chinese mass produced Chicago Cutlery I bought for $3.
Actual benefits would include tailoring the design and materials to your exact needs/wants. Better steel choices with much better heat treating protocols ensuring a longer lasting edge. Plus the joy of supporting one mans dream to maybe become one of those big companies some day :)
do you make folding knifes?
Non-locking, yes! Soon to be slipjoints
Except in jewellery.
Those are not expensive for what you're getting. A ton of labor and time goes into something like that, not to mention the learning process.
I'm sure your right, I just wasn't expecting ~$250 when I looked it up
It isn't at all difficult to spend more than that on higher-end mass-produced knives.
[deleted]
I’m just getting into knife making and I couldn’t see his site because we seem to have given it the Reddit hug of death-
Having seen the cost of materials, tools (luckily I already had most of them), and the amount of labor which I’m sure is dramatically reduced for an experienced... uhh.. I don’t know the nomenclature, an experienced craftsman- knowing all that, $250 seems dirt cheap.
Look at the prices on these knives http://www.mountainhollow.net/
Look at the quality difference two. The other guy is an amateur, this mountain hollow guy is a master.
You're right, they are both pros, but at different levels. I like the look of the damascus blades.
I’d be curious to know the difference in quality from an experienced knife person between Demascus steel and like S30V stainless. I really like the look of demascus too tho.
[deleted]
His prices are actually very reasonable. Custom fixed blades typically range from around 3 to 500 dollars, he’s probably not making much money off these. If the knife was made by a famous knife maker, they can be worth, much, much more. For example, this Bob Loveless is $12,500, or this Curt Erickson, which is $16,500.
Oh my, you are out of the loop. A good portion of customs are in the $1,000 range and there are plenty in the $2,000 - $10,000 range.
I used to feel the same way then I watched Forged in Fire.
Those prices don't seem crazy high