So besides getting enough orders, what should you consider.

If I am lucky I am finished in my studyes by the end of June this year. Then I am an Industrial Designer.

I would really like to work half design/ half knifemaking.

How many in the US lives by knifemaking?

Here in DK there is only one knifemaker who has this as his only income.There are a few who makes blades for others and a few who sells supplies besides making a few knives. But with the internet I believe I have alot bigger market than any other who try here in DK. I am really the only Dane who is real serious on the net selling knives.

bla bla bla...I am babling...

anywho any good advise or thoughts would be nice.

Jens,
Good Topic!
This has been something that I've been considering for a while now. I work full time as a Machinist/CNC programmer. In addition to a decent paycheck it also allows me to use SERIOUS equipment in my knifemaking and also make much of my own equipment. I would MUCH rather make knives full time becuause it's something I truly enjoy.
My problem is that I would need to make almost the same money with knives as I do as a machinist. I'm not sure this would be possible even if I had enough orders coming in!! One must also consider vacation time, medical coverage and retirement package in addition to salary.
The only way I see this happening is if my wife were to go back to work, WITH medical coverage. (She has been out of commission for the past year and a half going through cancer treatments, SUCCESSFULLY thank GOD!!) This would provide a steady income to pay our household bills and allow me to make a go at it with knives. We both talk about this often and after almost two years, she would like to get back to work anyway.
I enjoy making knives now because there is little pressure. Once in a while I run behind and have to work long hours to keep the knives on schedule. I'm sure that once the decision is made to go full time my feelings could change somewhat. I have been successfully self employed before and WELL aware of the long hours that are often needed to run a business. On the positive side, after working for manufacturing companies NOTHING would make me happier than being my OWN boss!!
I'm looking forward to what other makers, both full time and part time have to say :)
Neil

I went full time for the whole year of 1999, and it about killed me. I had to go out and get another job to keep the bills paid. I intend to try it again, but not until I have all the material and equipment I need (paid for), and some reserves built up.

I have started several businesses, most of which failed, and I don't want to add knifemaking to the list. I love it too much. I envy the guys who are able to make the break and do it, but I'm not there yet.

I ´t think I could make it fulltime either. My wife is educating as a journalist and the money is short with the kids , car and all. But halftime or parttime would be possible I guess. Working freelance as a designer and then fill in the holes with knifemaking.

Guys,

What you want to do, in my opinion and in seeing what I do out here, is this:

If your goal is to go full-time, use the net like you're doing now. Work on your site exposure, get your orders and your line-up going, get announcement mailing lists started and in general build all the marketing machinery, while you're still pulling income from additional sources.

I hope to see the day come when the whole world is plugged into our custom knife network and none of you can keep up with the orders. We're a ways off, just yet. But our goal is being worked on hard as I write this ... that's what we're all doing now ...right?

Like Don said, get everything you need bought and paid for. That will have a big impact on you when you decide to cut the cord.

Alex

Jens - first question - Are you crazy? :)

You don't have to be, but it helps. No more Friday paychecks is the tough part. That means you have to hustle.
The Internet is great, but takes a lot of time too.
Shows are plentiful here, but can get expensive.
Most makers go full-time for less than a year and then go back to work at least part0time. It's tough to make a living at this and still cover the bills.
Like Don said - I love this too much and don't want to start disliking it. I don't want it to become "just another job".
Many no longer consider it fun when they have to do it everyday.
My decision to go full-time was in some ways made for me.
I was hurt at work 3 years ago and after surgery was unable to return to what I used to do. We struggled for a while (and by no means does it support the family yet), but you leaarn to make do without some things for a while. This was something the whole family agreed on. Before we made the "leap" though, we made sure we were debt free (almost), shop was outfitted (and paid for) and we also had the cushion of Workman's Comp for a little while.
But there are lean times. You have to prepare for them. Pat just went back to work at the local college. From her point of view she wanted to be sure all our bills are covered and the knife business is a bonus. It gets "iffy" sometimes and she didn't want to deal with that anymore.
Definitely have a plan before you jump though. It will make things a little smoother.

I say amen to that! Having been a guest of Gene and Pat's for 4-5 days, I can say they do great, to keep themselves going, with 4 kids too! I would also say be very cautious before going fulltime, unless you are well established, and have a certain amount of sales almost guaranteed(and who can guarantee sales?) I would go slow at going full-time

Pat holds everything together. I'm very lucky to have a wife 100% behind me with this. Without her in agreement with me, we wouldn't have even attempted it.

I fully understand. Fulltime is not something I consider anymore. I would however try to make it somekind of parttime buisness. I need more time to fill out all the orders and would like to have more time to make the knives I feel for at the moment and not just the orders I am getting. This summer I hope to be able to live out the dream. Find a parttime designerjob or work as a freelancer and then use the rest on knifemaking.

You've got the talent, that's for sure.

Thanks! :)