Thread: That's Not a Chisel...This is a Chisel

Originally Posted by Twisted Tenon

Just to be clear, the skill sets are not being denigrated here. This is perhaps a co-op for a bunch of experts with individual skill sets. So it makes perfect sense to form a co-op to maximise their sales. They have done a very good job creating the sizzle by hiring very clever PR people.

So good luck to them and I hope they do really well. I looked at their sheath knives, they look good but at $1600.00 for the top of the line unit, its obvious where their market is going to be.

TT

Northmen's pricing is about the going rate for a custom knife in North America, see Damascus — Storch Knives

I'm not sure what the going price is for custom knives in Australia, but I believe many were willing to pay the asking price for Harold and Saxon chisels.

Originally Posted by ian

Northmen's pricing is about the going rate for a custom knife in North America, see Damascus — Storch Knives

I'm not sure what the going price is for custom knives in Australia, but I believe many were willing to pay the asking price for Harold and Saxon chisels.

I know of knife makers in South Africa who will spend a year making stock, and fly over to the US to attend a couple of big hunting expos, where they will sell their entire stock at prices that would make locals eyes water. I don't see a problem - if they couldn't do that, it would be a hobby not a living. If you've got the money, and you want a boutique tool, then buy it.

I'm pretty sure Chris Vesper and Harold & Saxon sell much more into the US than they sell locally. Both due to the population and willingness to pay.

I just spent my weekend selling blacksmith hand forged items at the market and worked out I probably made a loss. By the time I paid $130 for a stall fee another $30 in petrol to get there and back, that left me with $114. That $114 was probably used up in the expense of making the sold items so I got nothing for my time making said items, loading the vehicle or sitting all day at the stall or design time. I can only hope that my pile of business card that were taken lead to a decent commission or two and it can be written off as a marketing exercise.

So I'd like to have a bit of these guys Sizzle to get a decent hourly rate out of my hard work. I find it interesting that people are conditioned to consume cheap low quality goods, they baulk at paying a realistic price for something quality hand made. Yet woman will regularly pay $160 for a fortnightly session at the hairdresser, a $100 for a 45min workout with a personal trainer.

How many trades people would work for free and just make back the material costs for their work?


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Recently watched a wood turning video featuring Allan Batty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDn-1c7C34s
Allan started work as a wood turner at 15, did his apprenticeship and worked his entire career as such. He made the comment that trade qualified wood turners are few in number in the UK now and you can no longer do an apprenticeship. He also noted that this was a trend across much of Europe. In retirement he gave demonstrations at wood turning guilds and such. He said that one of the motivations was to be pass on the trade skills to interested hobbyists before these skills are lost.
It would appear that a number of the skills of the past will only survive in the hands of the hobbyist and the artisans.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

I'm pretty sure Chris Vesper and Harold & Saxon sell much more into the US than they sell locally. Both due to the population and willingness to pay.

The US by dint of its larger population has a far greater number of people who can afford to pay.

Agreed Chris

More than ten times more people and the exchange rate is very favourable for export. This combination coupled with the quality of the goods makes for a very attractive proposition.

Regards
Paul

I think the amazing thing here is that we are just now starting go get back around to where we were in the 1930's with a significant part of the economy in workshop/boutique production... And it makes sense... Let the factory do what the factory does well - economical production of cheap things... And let workshops and boutiques do what they do well - custom, low volume, and high end production of things.

Its a balance that worked out very well from the Industrial Revolution until WWII - where the bulk of Europe's industrial capacity was destroyed - leaving the USA, Canada, and Australia to supply the whole rest of the world for 40+ years.....

It's only red hot at one end )

Originally Posted by ian

to expand somewhat,

small, one or two person, operations have a choice:
compete on price with the big guys, or
sell the "sizzle" around the making of the tool.

typically, option 1 means working long hours for less than the dole.
Option 2 offers a chance of working for a "wage" that reflects the craftsman's skill. Hence my sympathy

Its a good conversation. Personally I'd love a thriving an 'artisan craft co-op' to spend my dollars at.
Unfortunately, the Sydney 'cost of living' economy is the most expensive in the world, hence my artisan discretionary spending dollars get shunted into rent (or home loan). Bloody neo-cons!

Check out this beauty!!


The "unboxing"



And see how it was made here:

Very slick indeed.

Regards
Paul

A lot of fun. Only in 'Merica

TT

And Canada?

Regards
Paul

Alec Steele is English....The fella that put the handle on said he was in Canada.

Alec started Blacksmithing very young and used to get sent over to the USA to train with Brian Brazeal, he was very popular because he started so young, he since discovered YouTube and has gotten well known for teaching what Brian Brazeal taught. Personally I think the "fame" has made him grow up into a clown.

I learnt "tools for making tools" process from Brian Brazeal also via correspondence and a bit of brain power.


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