How To Price Your Knives

While doing some of the more mundane tasks a knifemaker comes across, I frequently have ideas of topics I should discuss in videos, tricks I should show, etc... This time I decided to start recording and essentially word vomit those thoughts right at the camera. I mostly talk about pricing your knives in this video but I have a terrible tendency to go off on tangents as I'm sure you have already noticed. If you haven't already noticed that then I am assuming you haven't watched this video, yet.

[@justapatrolman4246]

This was great. Thanks for the info. Just received my first order…..for eleven of the same knife. I’ve made a grand total of four knives in my life lol! I feel like I can absolutely do it, but I also feel like I’m super new to this😂

[@helmwoodshopandsmithy3582]

Sorry for the late response but how is that project going? That's a tall order for only having made a few knives.

[@justapatrolman4246]

@@helmwoodshopandsmithy3582 yes and an even taller order for someone working with a harbor freight 4x grinder and drill press😂. I’m actually working on another project, as the group who “ordered” their 11 knives has yet to describe what they want beyond it being a dagger. I’m still in communication with them though. My current project is going well. Blade is done for the most part, so I’ll move to the handle soon. Thanks for asking

[@fdleatherworks4642]

Dammit man… We couldn’t be more on the same page than what you just talked about! I do custom leather work for a living and knives as a hobby and you are dead on…

[@smeeby1]

you literally described point by point everything i have been trying to explain to people. ppl ask me why i don't charge alot and i have to keep telling them they are cheaper so they can pay for my material and i get to learn more and more from every knife i sell. its cheap know so i can feed my hobby and hopefully get to the point where my blades are flawless, strong and have a reputation that i can be proud of and then i will have a live skill and get payed accordingly.

[@helmwoodshopandsmithy3582]

Good on you, most people seem to want to start off on the wrong foot.

[@norcalbowhunter3264]

My plan after I get my tools is to just make knives, I’m aiming at 100 first. My goal is to just learn and grow with each knife. I’ll probably hand them out as gifts and get feed back. After that I’m going to try filming stuff to get an online presence and just make knifes for fun. Then I figure when I start getting people asking if I sell my knifes it’ll probably be the point I start looking at becoming an actual knife making business and charging on the low end until I feel my work is worth charging more for. I plan to try and sell online and also at farmers markets, gun shows, and swap meets. I figure it’ll probably be a good 5 years or so before I really start seeing any take off, but I’m looking forward more to the journey of becoming a bladesmith than I am being a business. Also that is also a big pet peeve of mine too. People just blocking isles and doors and roaming around like they’re lost and have no idea where they are.

[@JesusChrist_IsTruth-LoveForALL]

Gotta grab a 1x30 and maybe even a 4×36. The 4x36 Bauer from Harbor freight aint too bad if a machine. Not sure about their 1x30 as I got a Dremel brand. Definitely tools that help smooth up the process. Nice looking handle you working on there! 💪

[@daveh777]

Thanks for the video.

[@helmwoodshopandsmithy3582]

Thanks for watching!

[@israellazarev9135]

People driving under the speed limit is one of my biggest pet peeves

[@randomhammer9192]

If you're a maker or creator of anything you should be placing a high value on your time, creative abilities, and skill, not even talking about materials here. Lets normalize this value on anything handmade. Thanks to Forged in Fire there are thousands of new knifemakers out there in numbers that just weren't there 10 years ago. Shows like FIF give people a glimpse into the work and skill involved in making something by hand. Now Im not saying a new knifemaker should slap scales on a blade and sell it for $250. I just know a few blademakers that totally undervalue their time and effort. Charge $50 for a handmade knife because youre "just learning and I dont think I should charge much" and you'll produce a $50 knife. Charge $150 for a handmade knife and you'll make sure every detail is correct and fit and finish is close to perfect. Dont be afraid to raise the bar for yourself and your customers.

[@tonypintarelli877]

People who only drive the speed limit in the left lane of the highway. Good video. Are you a full-time knifemaker? If so, at what point did you decide to go all in?

[@attiliobarcados8178]

a discussion on the production cost of making a knife wouls be great whether hand made or industrial

[@UmbrellaXR]

Great advice man thank you.

[@TheKnightman1993]

any suggestions on someone starting out with minimal tools and no experience

[@helmwoodshopandsmithy3582]

Watch my video series "How to Make Your First Knife with Tools You Already Own"

[@thenikko8292]

with that system, lets say 20$ an hour for a small knife. it took you about 5 hours to finish that small camp knife. so the knife was 100$ worth in time. add the price of the material used. lets say another 30-40$. 140$ for a handmade knife thats gonna last you YEARS....is a very nice deal.

[@helmwoodshopandsmithy3582]

I agree! It can still be hard to make sales at that price point, even if you have top notch craftsmanship. It's a tough market out there.

[@mr.zayn7611]

Can i sell it on amazon or ebay?

[@bigiron5508]

My problem is, when do I know when my knives are sellable..

[@helmwoodshopandsmithy3582]

Sorry for the insanely late response. Your knives are sellable when they perform well and people you don't know want to buy them.

[@tayjord123]

Great video, I like your style. We share a lot of the same views!

[@helmwoodshopandsmithy3582]

Then you must be pretty smart ;)

[@tayjord123]

I like to think so ...lol

[@flux6472]

I want a video on just you pet peeves now...my biggest one is someone telling me how to do my job when they are calling in because they cant fix their issue. People having a little bit of knowledge, just enough to think they are right.

[@helmwoodshopandsmithy3582]

😂😂😂😂 that's super irritating

[@TheBeerbelly007]

good suff