I want some opinions here! I have heard alot of people say the custom made/handmade market is "soft" meaning not alot of buyers right now, I want to hear from the collectors and makers alike.

1. Collectors: Some of the factors by which you choose what you buy/trade, price, name of maker, rarity of piece, Craftsmanship? And do you feel you have bought/traded less knives in the last 6 months compared to the 6 month period before?

2. Makers: Have you seen a marked decrease in sales, if so in the higher end work, mid level work, low end pieces? And are you seeing more new customers Vs. return customers? How is the soft market affecting your work, morale?

3. Both: Many people say the reason the market is soft is the dwindling economy. If so, what can we as makers, dealers, and collectors do to help restimulate that market?

I am very interested to hear what you have to say!

Thanks

Tough one....I have not been selling my knives long enough to make a market analyse. However I can see what sells the most and what does not sell too well...

Small fixed blades in the 200-300$ range with Damasteel or RWL-34, natural handlematerial and leathersheaths sell real well for me. I do not sell many knives of "regular" design but have much succes by selling my more specialized designs such as my Sheepsfoot.

Bigger blades with micarta/G10 and kydex is alot tougher to sell for me than what mentioned above.

I can´t judge if the economy is bad or not but I have a feeling that it is pretty good as I am selling more knives than ever......but this could ofcourse also have to do with me getting more known.

Paul, what you are seeing is an annual cyclic downturn. When the kids are out of school the budget is aimed toward summer holidays and family activities not knife purchases.

When kids return to school the market picks up for hunters first then special items aimed at the Christmas gift giving.

You ever notice that when you go to a show, there are always some makers who sell out, some who sell several and some who sell none.

Doesn't matter what show you go to, you can find that if you ask around.

As George pointed out, knife making and subsequent selling is cyclical.

This is why I always recommend to my clients to look for makers who show versatility, as their knives will always be in demand.

Versatility is not easily accomplished.

When the economy becomes "soft", generally the first people to feel this are those who have an hourly wage type job. Many of these buyers purchase their knvies as much on price as any other factor. Consequently, they (especially early one) will purchase good quality knives at an excellent price from makers who are not as well known.

So if you are a maker in this category or you are a dealer who sells primarly "up and coming" makers as you do Paul. You will notice it first. I have been there on more than one occasion. I will tell you that the economy will get better and sales will pick up.

Also, summer is traditionally they slower part of the year for knife sales. As people are shamelessly wasting their money on vacations, boats, camps for their kids. Then in August once again they seem to be spending money on clothes, school supplies, etc.

Some of you may find this interesting, I did. I was talking with Bob Terzuola and he asked how sales were. I told him I found it odd, in that the economy was supposed to be soft, however I was selling more $1,000 plus knives in the previous 4 months, than I did the whole year before. Matter of fact last week I sold 9 $1,000 plus knives.

His comment was that, when the market is good, collectors will put their money into the market. When the market experiences a down turn, they will start buying knives as the ROI from their investments is not enough to make them continue to deprive themselves of their collectablies, whatever the category is.

This made peferect sense to me, and this pattern has continued to play out over the summer.

What I have learned from this, is that no matter if you are at a show, or if the economy is good or bad. You as a maker and a dealer must show versatility in the knives you make and as a dealer the knife makers you stock in inventory.

Of course there is no set pattern or crystal ball that will dictate what knives to make and which knives to sell. In Military Intelligence we had a term called I&W (Indications and Warnings), we used this to plot movement of the enemy.

In custom knives I&W abound, at shows, in print and lots of intel on the Internet. Do your homework, listen to what the COLLECTORS are saying...Not Makers, Dealers, Editors, Writers, Auctions, etc.

Ultimately, it is the custom knife buyer who determines which knives are in demand, both in the primary and secondary market.

Thanks for the info Les, I will definitely keep it in mind! I have noticed the knives selling off my site has been under $200.00 for the most part.

I want to create a financing company for some aspects of our sales. I would also be willing to look at financing programs for other dealers as well. Is there anyone out here with enough interest in joining me in the venture?

Write me personally, please.

Alex

Paul,

The majority of the knives on your site are $200 and under, so it is not surprising that is what you are selling the most of.

Up until 5 months ago for the previous couple of years I would have said the average price of a knife I sold was in the $400 - $600 range. This was due in large part to the fact that is mostly what I had on my site.

Over the last 6-9 months I have made a conscious effort to buy more expensive knives. The decision to do so, is now paying dividends. However, this decision was based on the input I was receiving from the market. At the time I started buying these knives, I was not selling many of this type of knife.

One of the keys to any business is to be able to percevie what the market wants. If possible be proactive and not reactive. Once everyone starts "jumping on the band wagon". It no longer does the late comer any good.

Look at Tactical Japanese type knives. Lots of makers producing them. But if your name is not,
Hartsfield, Martin, Piorek, Polzien, Snody or Corkum. You will probably fit into that 20% of the market these makers don't own.

This does not mean that a maker cannot break into the 80% market. They just have to have to make a concerted effort to do so. Generally, this will included a lot of advertsing dollars, which most makers will not put forth. Of course many of these makers are the same ones who complain that it is always the same makers being featured in the magazines.

One of the interesting things about custom knives is that there are always many more "unknown" makers than there are known makers.

We have been watching a changing of the guard over the last several years. The known makers of years ago are now being relegated into relative obscurity with the new collectors. This is due directly to the makers involvement in keeping their name fresh.....versatility is the key.

Now, guys who were unknown 5-7 years ago are now coming to the forefront of custom knives. These are the makers who are doing what it takes to keep their name in front of the public as well as showing diverstiy, especially with materials.

If the collectors don't know who you are and what you are capable of, how can they buy your knives?