Strategy poll

[SVanderkolff]

SInce my other post has changed direction, not necessarily a bad thing. I thought I would reduce it to a simple poll.
For those of us who do not rely on our knives to pay the bills:

[chiger]

5 step plan Steve,

1. Slow down and put more time into each piece.

2. Do some of those crazy ideals you've been wanting to try, but just haven't had time to do.

3. Work on improving you're skills...and bank that knowledge.

4. Then bank anything you can't sale.

5. Keep the faith. This too shall pass!

chiger,

[cdent]

I like Chiger's list, but in your senario, I think the key is the part about not having to rely on knives to pay the bills. At the head of the list, I'd put make yourself indispensable for your day job. I really don't intend to be negative, but I suspect it'll get worse before it gets better. The debt to the taxpayer may weigh on the economy well off into the future.

Take care, Craig

[NJStricker]

If you reduce your price drastically to get your name out, your name will be known for high quality knives at dirt cheap prices. When those prices go back up, people will take note.

One consequence? The knives you sold at dirt cheap prices will make the new owners money on the secondary market. Meanwhile, you'll still be expected to make dirt cheap knives.

You priced your knives in the past because of the materials and quality of the workmanship, not because the economy was booming. Why change that now?

[MLAZYB]

Steve,
I think the timing for this post is perfect. I would reduce the number of knives I make. Take the extra time to spend refining some of the things that I need to work on. Try some new stuff that I read about.
By the way I think you make great knives.

Bing
MLazyB Custom Knives

[PridgenKnives]

When knife sales slow, it is usually because I am not available to attend shows. So I usually just hold out and make trade deals just to get my inventory rotated.

[AUBE]

Originally Posted by Armory414

Meanwhile, you'll still be expected to make dirt cheap knives.

Exactly. Don't cut your prices, charge what you think they are worth. This is coming from someone that is known for dirt cheap knives While I didn't cut my per hour pricing, a few years ago I started concentrating on making less expensive designs (simpler designs). While they sell well for me and I'm happy with my current situation, when I make more expensive designs like I used to, they sell slower than they used to. With charging less you will be fighting an uphill battle if you ever decide to start charging more again. Sure its possible, but it will make it more difficult on yourself in the long run.

I think a combination of many of the ideas listed is the way to go. Build up inventory, try new projects, work on honing your skills, trade your work for others work, etc.

[Andrew Garrett]

I just want to keep this thing I love as a hobby.

Too many business decisions will do to my knifemaking hobby what it did to my tattoo 'hobby' a few years ago--it became a slave-driving job!

I'll just make the knives I want to make...
take a few custom projects...
accept no money until the knife is ready...
do my best work...
explore new techniques...
and ENJOY the art.