MEMBER ITEMS FOR SALE
Custom Knives | Other Knives | General Items
-------------------------------------------
New Posts | New PhotosAll Photos



Go Back   The Knife Network Forums : Knife Making Discussions > Custom Knife Discussion Boards > The Business of Knife Making

The Business of Knife Making A forum dedicated to all aspects of running, managing and legal operational issues relating to the custom knife making and custom knife selling industry.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-17-2016, 07:39 PM
BIGJEEPMAN BIGJEEPMAN is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 15
Insurance

I have been building knives for 3 years, all of my knives are owned by my family and 2 friends. I haven't charged for any of them yet, but I would like to start charging. I would like to sell a few knives to help fund new equipment, and materials for more knives. I haven't sold a knife yet because I don't want someone suing me. I know that you can be sued for anything now days. I only do this as a hobby, and so far have made 10 knives in the last year. So making a dozen knives , insurance is kinda hard to justify. So if I can make and sell 12 knives a year, at a cost of $100.00 or less what would you do if you were me??? Thank you guys.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-19-2016, 07:09 AM
Ed Caffrey's Avatar
Ed Caffrey Ed Caffrey is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Great Falls, Montana, USA
Posts: 4,393
Send a message via AIM to Ed Caffrey Send a message via Yahoo to Ed Caffrey
If your talking about liability insurance, based on my experiences, there are basically two scenarios...

1. Most insurance companies will simply flat refuse to insure you the moment you mention "knives".

2. If you can find a company that is willing to insure you, it will be astronomically expensive.

Most folks who make and sell knives don't have liability insurance, for one or both of the reasons above. Is there risk? Sure. But only YOU can determine whether the risk is an acceptable one.

I've even had difficulty with property/homeowner's insurance.... the company that insures my home (State Farm) simply refuses to insure either of my two knife shops. The ONLY way I was able to find insurance for my forging shop was to become a member of ABANA, and acquire shop insurance through their group provider.

Just a note.... I have also seen instances where insurance companies have literally cancelled home owner's policies when they found out a person was making (not selling...but MAKING) knives in a home shop. My suggestions would be when speaking with an insurance agent, ask a lot of "What if" questions.


__________________
WWW.CAFFREYKNIVES.NET

Caffreyknives@gmail.com

"Every CHOICE has a CONSEQUENCE, and all your CONSEQUENCES are a result of your CHOICES."

Last edited by Ed Caffrey; 02-19-2016 at 07:14 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-15-2016, 05:11 PM
jeepster jeepster is offline
Steel Addict
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Northwest Mississippi just south of Memphis and close to God's Country...Ole Miss.
Posts: 270
There are a lot of businesses that State Farm will not write. State Farm was designed as a Farm and Auto Insurer. Yes they have ventured into some commercial insurance but very limited. The exposure is just to great so they prefer to stick with what made 'em.....what they know.
Ronnie
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-29-2016, 10:31 AM
jimmontg jimmontg is offline
Guru
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Now live in Las Cruces NM.
Posts: 1,345
Just what would you be liable for?

I mean if someone cuts themselves chopping vegetables I wouldn't be liable for that. The law is pretty well established that I wouldn't be liable if somebody stabs someone with my knife. A faulty product would be the only thing I can think of. I made a knife for a guy who said he wanted to use it to hunt and kill wild pigs with. I suppose he could sue me if the blade* broke, but that's about the only scenario I can think of getting sued for. Does anybody know of any other situations where a knife maker is held liable enough to get sued for?

* Doubtful the blade would break as it's made from 6 mm thick O1 and it's differentially treated so bend maybe, but not break. Besides he hasn't used it yet for that, he uses a 44 mag. rifle.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-31-2016, 06:57 AM
Ed Caffrey's Avatar
Ed Caffrey Ed Caffrey is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Great Falls, Montana, USA
Posts: 4,393
Send a message via AIM to Ed Caffrey Send a message via Yahoo to Ed Caffrey
Quote:
I mean if someone cuts themselves chopping vegetables I wouldn't be liable for that.
Don't assume that! I had an individual try to sue me once... I sharpened his knife, later that day he and some friends were drinking, and he cut himself with the knife to the point of 15 stitches in his hand. The only thing that saved my bacon was the fact that the receipt I gave him stated "KNIVES ARE EXTREMELY SHARP....NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS".


Quote:
The law is pretty well established that I wouldn't be liable if somebody stabs someone with my knife.
That's not a safe assumption either! Nearly everyday you can find a new story about someone being shot with a gun..... and people seek to sue the gun maker. Never underestimate the greed and audacity of humans.


__________________
WWW.CAFFREYKNIVES.NET

Caffreyknives@gmail.com

"Every CHOICE has a CONSEQUENCE, and all your CONSEQUENCES are a result of your CHOICES."
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-01-2016, 03:36 PM
jimmontg jimmontg is offline
Guru
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Now live in Las Cruces NM.
Posts: 1,345
I know people try to sue for certain things, but they don't win. They haven't won against a gun manufacturer yet. A lawyer usually needs to think he can get something. I don't have anything. My vehicle is in my son's name to keep the hospitals and doctors from taking it and they cannot garnish my account as my only income is SS and I live in section 8 housing for seniors/disabled folks. I only sharpen knives for friends and family and after hearing somebody tried to sue you for sharpening a knife I won't do it as a sideline.

Last edited by jimmontg; 04-01-2016 at 03:39 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-24-2016, 10:43 AM
Brett Schaller's Avatar
Brett Schaller Brett Schaller is offline
Steel Addict
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Posts: 176
Just because they don't win doesn't mean you don't lose. The moment you're sued, you've lost, whether or not they're awarded any money. Time off to go to court, lawyer's fees, stress. . . .


__________________
Brett
www.schallerknives.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-24-2016, 02:52 PM
Andrew Garrett's Avatar
Andrew Garrett Andrew Garrett is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Nampa, Idaho
Posts: 3,584
We I started out as a firearms instructor, I gave a gun-friendly attorney $90 and wrote me a very comprehensive liability waiver.

Such documents are already out there for download. It's better than nothing.


__________________
Andy Garrett
https://www.facebook.com/GarrettKnives?ref=hl
Charter Member - Kansas Custom Knifemaker's Association
www.kansasknives.org

"Drawing your knife from its sheath and using it in the presence of others should be an event complete with oos, ahhs, and questions."
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
abs, art, auto, bee, blade, building, flat, forging, gun, hand, hobby, knife, knives, made, make, making, materials, sell, sharpening


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Alternative to insurance? Brett Schaller The Business of Knife Making 4 04-08-2009 09:22 AM
FYI Collectibles Insurance A T Barr Knife Network Community 0 02-17-2009 09:06 AM
Insurance A T Barr Knife Collecting 0 10-24-2005 01:33 PM
Collection Insurance Jeff Pelz The Business of Knife Making 14 12-24-2002 11:11 AM
Insurance questions trail angel Knife Making Discussions 2 05-23-2002 04:03 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:04 AM.




KNIFENETWORK.COM
Copyright © 2000
? CKK Industries, Inc. ? All Rights Reserved
Powered by ...

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
The Knife Network : All Rights Reserved