Lets Talk About Why This Knife Is $2500
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- čas přidán 29. 09. 2022
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Will, I am a professional photographer. I was shooting an event when someone came up to me and said “Gee, I bet you can take really good photographs with that camera.” I said “Yes, I taught it everything it knows..” People often ask me why I charge so much for my work when all I do is press a shutter. What they don’t know is that for every time I press the shutter button, I spend at least an hour in post processing, and like you I have the costs to run my business. Prime lenses are not cheap. Like you, I charge people for my talent as an artist, and for my technical skills. If people value your work, they will pay you whatever you ask. Finally, I truly admire you for your skill and your motivation at such a young age. I am old enough to be your grandfather so to me you are still a kid. 😉 I enjoy your videos. Keep up the great work and you will go far.
as a fellow photographer THIS A THOUSAND TIMES OVER! and and and you are a prime shooter too so u fully get it... lenses, lighting, backdrops, lightstands, camera... computer... editing time... the hundreds of hours we spend - sitting and thinking about "hmm will this work" the endless hours we spend planning - it all adds up
stop spending so much time in post processing making pictures fake and faker then.
@@no-eb2xx you think we take a total of 5 pictures at an event and our lighting is the same across all of them??🤔😂
All photos are processed, either manually or by the computer chip inside the camera.. heck if the customer wants actual film and prints, it REQUIRES hands on work to process the photos and develop them! (Nevermind scanning our negatives to also save a digital copy)
Experienced photographers know how to process our photos to fit what the customer is looking for, just throwing a camera into auto is not a reliable option for us professionals 👌🏼
All you do is press the shutter.. like a race car driver needs no other skill than pressing down the right foot.
Damn you must be editing every pixel for a whole hour. I use presets then manually adjust from there. I’m not a “pro” though lol
As a fellow creative...if you don't value your time and expertise, then you can't expect others too. That knife is worth $2500 every day of the week, it is a piece of functional art that will last forever... Love your work Will!!!
It’s only worth what someone will pay for it
I made a sofa table a few years ago that doubled as a shadow box. I had 40 hours in it and $500 in materials on it. When the folks asked how much I said $1200. They scoffed. Later I showed this work to a custom home builder I know and he said it’s easily worth $5000 to his clients. He went on to tell me stop looking for Walmart customers and start looking for Target or Macy’s customers. So I get it,artistry and craftsmanship isn’t always easy for a lot of consumers to understand. Keep it up and best wishes.
Sounds like you need to look for Nieman Marcus and Nordstrom clients
That's exactly it. I've lost count of the number of people who say to go do fairs and demos with a lot of $20 items for sale because the people walking around will have at least some small bills they can part with. They never stop to think that it takes 30 or more of those tiny sales to add up to anything substantive, especially once you have travel costs added to the regular cost of making the ironwork. I love forging iron and selling ironwork to regular folks because I think that's an important part of getting the idea of craftsmanship back into the Public Consciousness, but you'll never survive if you're trying to get by on orders from "Walmart customers". Heck, I made a nice bottle opener the other day, a new design that came out fantastic. I had to put $100 on it because it took time - and it's worth it by every metric you measure. You wouldn't believe how many of those "Walmart customers" scoffed at the idea, telling me they could get a bottle opener for a dollar at any gas station in the land. Country Clubs, Golf Course Communities, Equestrian Events.... that's where you find the clients that don't mind paying for quality craftsmanship that they can brag about. Reach out to your local high-end Interior Decorators, the folks who know the folks and deal with them regularly.
@@HumansAreCarnivoresNotCows I resent that, Jeremiah.
That's his problem. He's trying to sell knives geared towards very high end customers to the everyday people that watch his videos.
He's just not smart with marketing. Lol
@@threeriversforge1997 never thought about contacting an interior designer. I’ll look into that idea.
Thank you for this. I’m a sculptor and a woodworker and every time I try to explain why I sell a wooden bowl or a dice box for anywhere between $150 to upwards of $500-600, people never understand they aren’t paying for just the product, but also the experience and expertise that I have.
I am a potter, I have spent years building up my skills. Many people don't understand the value added to the tea bowl.
@@martinm3474 my least favorite response is “I could get that at target for like $15!” My go to response to it is “then go buy a shitty $15 bowl and leave me alone”
@@martinm3474 my grandfather is an autobody guy he’s been doing it 50 years his minimum is $100 an hour and then materials are added. You pay for the experience and the brand just look at Nike, Beats etc
So, what you're saying is that in this capitalist nightmare you have to overvalue your work in order to keep doing it ...
That's easy Dan I will never pay you that amount of money for a wooden bowl or dice box. I too know how to make a wooden bowl and dice box, I simply do not have the tools or space to do that.
I refuse to pay you some silly amount of money for something you most likely have an apprentice doing.
I will never pay someone for "their name".
It's a wooden bowl, it's not something that I put my safety into.
You're also OFFICIALLY recognized by the American Bladesmith Society as a high quality craftsman. Looking over the directory, there's only 214 journeyman listed in the entire country. Hopefully that helps drive home to customers the level of expertise being offered.
This is a HUGE deal. Worth every penny.
Does it really mean anything though if there are craftsmen doing the same of higher level of work and charging far less?
What could the ABS possibly be "recognizing" besides proper ht and quality of fit and finish?? And of course that you paid a fee to get the "official" recognition?
@@ME-pb2gf Ah, the age old question of "what does certification do?" It is not just a list or recognition of how excellent you perform. It is about ensuring a level of trust. If those folks who produce such a product can do as well or better, then certification should be acquired, as people will trust their skills more. That's why architects, attorneys, doctors, etc. are licensed. The public has to place a specific level of trust in them to perform their jobs. The same goes to knifemaking. Is the $2500 you spent going to be durable, beautiful, strong, and therefore worthy of your purchase? ABS says "yes" because you are using someone who is qualified to put a product out at that level. Could you do it outside of ABS' blessing? Sure. Will did for years. But now more people can look to him as trusted craftsman with a higher level of confidence in his product.
@@pscharnett Qualified by humans who were qualified by even more humans. Kinda like mumbo jumbo in reality.
@@ME-pb2gf I mean, if you don't see the value in having a professional certification, you don't see the value. That's up to you. But having been around the earth enough times, I can tell you that those levels to which we ascribe 'worthy' mean something to most people because they don't want to deal with failures. It's really about avoiding problems. But if you'd rather distrust others and their titles, be my guest!
I have a friend who builds amazing acoustic guitars. His base price is $10,000. He commands such high prices because his guitars are fairly universally regarded as exceptional for a variety of reasons. You have a great set of skills and you are building a great reputation. Your work is beautiful. People who recognize the quality of your work will happily pay what you ask.
So far as sale price goes, all that really matters is how much people are willing to pay for it and how long you're willing to wait to get that number. That's true regardless of what you're selling.
Everyone needs to understand this. An object is worth what people are willing to pay, because a $2.5k product/service doesn't make any money if it doesn't ever sell. Luckily for Will here, there are plenty of people out there that pay thousands of dollars for knives every day.
Truly have enjoyed watching you develop over the years. Glad to hear it's still a passion and labor of love, not a burden.
This is spot on! On my side of the coin, people don't understand how certain tutors (my realm is math) can charge what they do. We've spent years not only practicing the material, but honing our craft as an educator. It is a skill level that can only be achieved by experience. Admittedly, when I was younger, I didn't understand this concept. You did a great job explaining it. Keep up the good work!
I was a chem tutor at my university. It was eye opening to see what teachers have to deal with. I ended up having to tell one kid that if he didn't bring a PENCIL and CALCULATOR, I'd start charging him. He'd use a pen and the whole page would be scribbled out, and he'd try to use his phone as a calculator to do complex calculations. Pchem and analytical chem, along with others, are math intensive. You can't use a phone. I also asked my boss if I could tell students that they're not going to make it in a science undergrad to go to med school, because if they have failed chem 1 two times, and they're struggling on the 3rd time, they won't make it. It would have saved so many kids a waste of time. I told it to one kid who wanted to go to med school (failed chem 1 three times, and was on his 3rd attempt), and he went to tech school to be a surgery assistant. I keep in contact with him and he's so happy now. He'd making $70k after getting a few other certifications, he's working on the med community, and he's happy.
Thank you Will! I know not all makers make $2500 knives but when I try and sell a hunting knife for 2-400 dollars and hear many of the comments you addressed it infuriates me. You were much more eloquent on this video than I have been with some customers! Thanks again!
Been thinking about this myself as well. Pricing is always so hard because of the fear of hearing "oh, that's too much, idk if I am willing to pay ___ for your work", but you also can't undercharge or else you have no hope of a future in the craft. I've heard from a few well established bladesmiths that 50% retention after the pricing is revealed is pretty good, but what do I know.
You can do a pretty simple calculation: How much money do you need to make a living? Add 30 percent on top, because people underestimate how much they'd need if they are self employed. Then double it for all the other costs, like workshop, business insurance and everything else. That'd be the absolute minimum you need. Now divide it by 200 and you have the price for 1 hour of work. If you don't take the money you need for your work, you can't pay others what they need. Taking less opens up a negative spirale. Taking more just opens up a negative spirale if you take more, but aren't willing to pay others more.
Welcome to capitalism ...
I needed this one... Thank you Will.
More artisans need to stand behind their pricing. Love it.
The talent is not free.😉
that's what I do and sometimes it's hard getting sales, ngl
It’s also what the market will bear. Saying that a hand forged knife with great design and artistry from a craftsman that has made a name for themselves will create it’s own market.
I don't think so if that was the case Will wouldn't need to do this video 2500 is a lot maybe too much I can't imagine that there's a lot of people looking at knives at that price range
And I'm sure that if you compare a knife at 600 and this knife the differences would be small
@@ronbarnett2383 there’s a huge market for knives in this price range, and the difference between this and a $600 knife are smaller than the $15-600 knives, but still fairly significant, a few performance points, but then a lot of aesthetics points as well
Honestly, that's a beautiful knife. It's not just a knife, it's a piece of art. $2500 is a bit out of my price range, and as a professional chef I'd worship it and be scared to do it dirty. And I think you underpriced it
My sister bought me a $200 paring knife and I still haven't used it.. Lol im scared to wreck it like I do with my $45-60 paring Knives..
As a professional chef this is out of your price range. I absolutely understand the cost but that is where the capitalism comes into play. There are people who will pay for these but the people who use knives 8-12 hours a day can't afford one. So we have to stick with ones that are maybe $200.
As a previous chef/cook I can tell you there's nothing better than quality cutlery. That being said, I've had my 8" scalloped Shun for nearly 20 years now. It has held up remarkably well for a then $180 knife!
There’s two issues here that must be understood. 1. It’s a chef’s knife… and a decent hardened steel piece purchased at a quality cutlery store will perform and will cut just as good. 2 it’s a work of art that has immense handcrafted work That is also a functional chefs knife…
… but neither will make you a better chef.
In all actuality there are far, far cheaper options that will make you a more efficient chef. High carbon knives might be hardened slightly more than a properly heat treated stainless blade but they also require more maintenance. Maintenance that will take time away from doing other things in the kitchen.
@@ME-pb2gf oh I agree 100%... these custom knives are for rich snobs to show off... and most buy them thinking they are better, but as you stated, they are not that much better in terms of sharpness. And yes High carbon steel knives like these rust quickly when exposed to acids or water. I got it. hes trying to justify why the knife costs $2500... but the justification is in the manufacture of the tool, and the resulting aesthetic ... not its function nor its performance.
Great video Will. Loved the lighting you used in this video too.
The hardest thing I've ever tried to teach someone wasn't how to make a knife, but why it was important to charge the full price for their work even when they're not "professionals". Too many guys out there have full-time jobs and just charge enough to make back what they have in the knife. Maybe they'll add a few bucks on top for good measure. Rare, though, is the guy that charges for abrasive belts... and the electricity needed to run them. Most folks just don't think about the overhead, the cost of consumables, because all their bills are paid for by their 9-to-5 job. In the end, whether they're making knives or general ironwork, they price their products way too low and end up devaluing the entire market. A lot of people like the dopamine hit that comes with making a sale and aren't worried about making a profit or even breaking even because they don't see it as a business. So keep charging a "high" price for your wares. You've earned your stripes and are setting a good example for those who follow after you.
There is a limited amount of consumers who value a handmade item over a mass produced, big box store item that sells at a fraction of the cost. Thats the reality of it.
As a part time knife maker, this is one of the most important video on CZcams for knife makers and knife buyers.
Love watching the videos over the years and seeing that quality go from how it used to be to these pieces it's amazing. Well done!
There's a story about a guy who comes and fixes I don't remember what in like 10 minutes, by tapping it with a hammer. He hands the client a bill for $500.00. The Client is like "$500.00!!! Why so much!!! I could have done that!" And he says "Well, sir... it's about $5.00 for tapping it with a hammer, and $495.00 for all the training and experience over years to know that I could do that". What you said about the effort that goes into learning your craft reminded me of this story.
Moving from my parents' old, well-worn "hawg" large kitchen knife that has made thousands of meals and still has a use in my kitchen to a cheap Victorinox Fibrox chef's knife alone has made me enjoy the prep part of cooking even more. I'd imagine a real quality knife would do the same for me from this step.
Excellent explanation of the value of your craftsmanship. Thanks 👍
Well, sounds like Will just made my plans for me, for next weekend, lol. Don't let internet people discourage your pricing man. You're making not just a knife, but usable, high functioning art and those of us that know and appreciate your work will be your customers.
When I was younger I was a service technician for a machine tool company ( Fireball tool Cincinnati Shaper, that company). I did some work on the house I was renting for my landlord. When he asked what he owed me, I said " what do you think is fair?" . He then asked me what my time was worth. I told him that he did not want to base it on that. He asked why I and explained that my company got $160.00 an hour for my time. Saturday was time and a half and Sunday was double time. Since I traveled, I only worked on that during the weekend and I spent about 5 hours on the job. He said $200 and I said fine...
I died laughing when he said:
“Do you need a $2500 chef’s knife?”
“Yes.”
“I’m just kidding…but yes”
Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. I learned to appreciate quality when I was young. Nothing worse than something that "works" just well enough to be considered "working", while not working well enough to keep your sanity.
Without getting too far into the video. It's the time it took to make the piece, and knowing that the person who crafted it paid attention to detail to present a quality made product. That's where the price comes from, at least that's how I price my jewelry pieces. But of course there's always more expensive materials I use that I have to price some pieces higher than others.
It's awesome to see you become confident in your work as someone in the same age range and following you for a few years now you have always put out amazing work but your confidence in your self and on the Chanel has really grown. Keep up the good work and keep learning and growing.
Professional chef here. If you watch this channel, you definitely WANT a $2500 chef knife. I know I do.
That said, if you want an affordable commercially available knife that will hold up to some abuse; I strongly recommend picking up one of the industrial knives with the cheap injection molded plastic handles from your local Costco or restaurant supply store. They'll last long enough for you to learn what you don't like about them and save up for a high end knife that solves those problems.
Holy smokes, Will...that knife is GORGEOUS!
I have personally made some entry level knives. Not close to you work obviously -stock removal method etc. Then friends and family also wanted some so I made some knives for a small price, and at the end it feels like such a fraud because I would spend 2 full days making the knife, use prized woods for the handle, make a custom leather sheath etc.. and the money I made from it doesn't even closely justify the work that I did on it. I also grow attached to a workpiece and then it's terrible to let it go for such a low cost. The last knife I made for a family member ended up being my favorite knife, and I still own it after a few years! Decided to keep it for myself and I don't regret it at all. I wish I kept all of them!
People understanding what goes into it might make some of them willing to pay more. But it still won't necessarily match the rates of a mechanic doing a tire change, because the item itself is a luxury good, whereas vehicles maintenance is a necessity. For the purpose of preparing food, a 40 dollar kitchen knife will do just as well as a $2500 one. Anything beyond that $40 is money spent for aesthetics and pride of ownership.
Thank you Will for explaining the value of work. People often don't get what's behind the story.
Love it! thanks for going over pricing that's a great point. Thanks for putting out this video!
As someone who has worked in the culinary field for a decade now, I now have 2 dream knives. A kramer knife, and one of yours. it looks gorgeous, fantastic!
This is an important conversation to be having. As a welder, fabricator, and bladesmith; this is an important conversation that needs to happen more often. thanks.
Can't wait to meet you in Salt Lake on Saturday Will. Keep up the great work!
Great content thanks for sharing
Beautifully said, Will!! Thank you for sharing your insight, this will hopefully help more people understand the finer details of how this all works 💪
I've been making stone knives for many years now. Several of my "keeper" knives I have on display have been inquired about off and on. When I drop the price on them I get the blank stare. Folks just do not realize how much goes into craftsmanship. I blame a lot on our "order it now, get it in as little as a couple hours to a day or two" society. When I explain that a particular blade may have taken 50-100 hours to finish, and everyone would like to think they're worth at least $10/hour, the blank stare becomes a little less blank but I can still tell they do not understand or appreciate. Keep doing what you're doing. Keep the value of yourself at what you think it should be. The right knife will find the right person. Some of my knives have sat for a few weeks then flown off the shelves. Some have sat on display for months or even years before they sell. Do not undervalue yourself or your craft. By doing so you undersell the value of everyone in that craft. Be well Will. Keep on keeping on. Look forward to the next video.
Bravo. Hard conversation to have, but one that more people need to hear.
The most frustrating thing a highly skilled person can hear is "well since I can't afford that, you owe it to me to give me a discount" it completely undermines all of the years of skill development that went into reaching the top of an industry. Again bravo.
I’m convinced !!! anything handmade and anything unique and that beautiful is worth it !
Good on you for explaining the underlaying cost structures!
Will, you work is outstanding and the pricing represents the quality of your work and it’s uniqueness. Years ago, one of my colleagues told me that the most important thing you can say about your product is the price. Charge appropriately. To be honest, an average of $50 per hour is a bargain for your work.
As a piece of art, an object can be worth a large sum of money. The problem for most people is a high cost for a mundane object. Kitchen knives are usually seen as working tools, like hammers and screwdrivers. I'm sure its worth it, but I am equally sure you shouldn't use it as a day to day culinary knife where it's use eventually destroys it.
I truly hope this video goes viral for everyone to know what goes into a handmade knife. Will thank you for opening my eyes to this.
You’re a legend man, thank you for this video. And thank you for documenting all the work you do. Your skill and your work is amazing.
Will you do amazing work. Thank you for taking us on the journey with you.
As a retired mechanic this is a good way to explain to people why things cost as much as they do. But like all things the quality of an object is only part of the question, and while I totally agree with you, when you have gone to the 3xp3nse to put a title in front of or after your name, then People clue in and don't balk at high prices, imagine a knife maker like Kyle Royer selling his knives for anything less than $5000 and I'll show you someone with a great deal of 2ishfull thinking. But in all honesty, the prices paid today for knives is outrageously high in comparison to when the internet didn't exist. Because unless you were to build up a knife company from the ground up and earn the business and establish your name over a lifetime of hard work, you 2ouldnt be able to charge the amount that you do. And if may play the devils advocate, you haven't even begun to truly 3stablish you name to the point where you can charge 2500 bucks. But it's whatever the market will bear right? I guess what I am saying is that until you have earned the title of "Master Blade Smith" behind your name don't be too greedy with your pricing, stay humble. Also people know that you make money from CZcams as well, although that isn't very much, unless you have patrons on Patreon. I really do hope that you sell your blade, but if it doesn't, you'll know why. I for one will never spend that much on a blade when I can buy a top 1uality blade blank from a very well known smithy and design a blade myself, cut it out and bring it using a belt sander that I bought and still have more than 1500 dollars left over to buy pretty much any matching pair of bolsters from a significant selection of suppliers and end up with a knife I would be incredibly happy with, and before you ask, yes, I know hoe to weld and I know chemistry, I know how to weld and I'm quite good at not only basic woodworking but also wood carving. And that is also another drawback of the internet, there are literally hundreds of CZcams knifemakers and blacksmiths and when they show how they make their knives, they're teaching people how to make knives and although watching isn't the same thing as doing, watching IS learning and once you get bitten by the bug, you never go back! Patience and attention to detail is my Forte, but it isn't everyones. Ultimately you have every right to charge what you charge, and I wish you all the best of luck, but I for one will Never pay $2500 for a single chef's knife. All the best!
Something else he's 22 and those prices are at the level of a known master smith . This guy has a few years of really good experience but at that price , imo id only pay for a master who's been doing this work for tens of thousands of hours , instead of a young buck who just got his cert and is still learning . It's all good that he is abs certified but in the end that only matters if your customers care and what the market commands I think the only reason he can get a 2000$+ is because he's youtube famous and that's what the customers buying his products care about imo , without the youtube part he's is good knife maker who is still making a name for himself .
Thank you for this Video 😀
I appreciate the explanation. I already understood it, as I am not business illiterate, but so many people that are used to seeing the 4/$5 pack at walmart need to understand the difference that arises from high quality materials, well paid employees, and the "artisan tax", meaning that you know and trust the guy who made it.
I have a similar philosophy to gunsmithing. Im entirely self taught from research and experience. But generally, I’m pretty good. To the point that the people who know me, send me their stuff for me to work on and trust me and my opinion completely just from watching me once. People are often intimidated by having to take something apart. This doesn’t happen to me with guns. In fact I love it. I literally enjoy working on them. So I was going around offering low level services of gunsmithing. Some stuff I can’t do because I simply don’t have the equipment required, but I am surprisingly resourceful when you just let me do my thing. A friend of mine gave me his gun to do some work on and I told him I’d only charge him for the parts cost, he insisted on paying at least double. He told me that my skill and expertise alone was worth far more than the parts. So people are very willing to pay. Now 2500 for a 120 dollar knife, idk. But I also haven’t worked for years in bladesmithing
There are two people in life, those that appreciate the time, effort, expertise and artistry and beauty of your hand-crafted items and those that don't. I make jewellery and most people are more than happy with my prices (which aren't high) and some always try to chip. I personally don't even entertain the ones that don't. I made an opal pendant where I had cut and polished the stone and made the setting, I was asked what my lowest price was, when I had listed it for sale with a very realistic and fair price. I just don't reply to people who try and chip. I like every piece I make or I scrap it. So I want the person to like it too, if they want to chip my price they obviously don't like it enough, therefor they don't get to buy it.
I've followed you for a long time Will and enjoy watching you grow in age and experience. You have a great talent and I look forward to seeing your future creations.
I've had an IT business for 10 years doing managed business services for servers and companies - don't apologize for your prices, show them why you're worth it. Sounds cliché, but it really does change your attitude and reminds yourself to keep giving 100% to your clients, while also getting paid what is deserved. Keep up the good work.
Will, that was a fantastic breakdown on why a handmade item has a different value then a manufactured one. Looking forward to seeing you next weekend.
same -- I am a building designer having 30+yrs experience and find it incredible that some clients balk at 8k-10k for a custom home design but are willing to put out double or triple for finishes -- or even the 2-5% of cost of build for real estate fees .. we make barely 1% of the cost to build .. now adays thanks and keep up the good work
That's one gorgeous chef's knife Will and definitely worth $2500!
Any chance we get to see how you've made this beauty?
More than worth it, great workmanship and an amazing piece,...and cool site! (I have a squarespace site also.) I know the feeling, not many people understand how much work goes into hand crafted pieces, especially when there are cheap mass produced alternatives. I make hand crafted metal t-800 skulls, they take around 100 hours each. I get a lot who do not understand the work involved and moan at the price. As you said they are not for everyone, but for people who can afford and appreciate the art at the same time.
Will…… that was a fantastic and very well worded explanation of your trade!!!!!
Mate keep up the awesome work you do you so well deserve it!!!
Nick Offerman made a couple cedar canoes. he pointed out, you spend so much time making them, you would never make a profit selling them. No one could afford them if you charged a hourly building rate like that. They just take so long to make. But that knife is a professional knife. Not a a decorative bowie or something. Most regular people do not buy chef knives. Pro chefs use knives that a a few hundred dollars. But hey, if you can sell it kudos.
Thanks for saying this Will! This is even more applicable to woodworkers because people seem to think that anyone could knock out a bench or spoon or whatever in a couple hours at most, without thinking of the tools, time and experience needed to do it.
The first things you make are never very good and you need to learn from your mistakes. A customer is paying mostly for experience and time, not for materials, and makers too deserve a decent hourly wage for their work!
….this isn’t here or there but I found the contrast funny to think about. If the goal is just “a bench” or “a spoon,” I think I could knock out “a bench” far quicker than a spoon. I have a general idea how to get horizontal boards off the ground to sit on…but to get the same piece of wood into a curved scooped eating utensil…I’m at a bit of a loss.
Love your stuff man ✌🏿
A very well-formed and compelling argument. As someone who doesn’t make my living from a creative perspective and someone who doesn’t yet have the extensive experience to charge at the higher end of these hourly rates, it can be upsetting at times to see these things that I admire priced so far beyond my means but as someone who’s come to appreciate the quality of your work, I can understand your argument perfectly. Do you have any recommendations for how to find and support those in the field who are at the point in their careers that you described where they’re creating incredible pieces of work that aren’t beyond my means? I’d love to support those makers and have such works of art.
I really like the way you do the transision where the handle and bolster meet, well done kid . . . er I mean man.
Great video. That knife is a work of art!
I wish I could afford your prices, I absolutely see the value and good for you for evaluating yourself at this level. Chears Will!
Great vid sir! God bless!
There is a story about a retired engineer a German boss I had once told me. Making the story short: That retired engineer was called to get back to the factory to fix a very expensive machine that broke. He came and within just 5 minutes he twisted a bolt, fixed the issue.
He sent an Invoice saying: "Fix machine: $5000". When the manager complained about how expensive that was for 5m of work, he asked him to send a more detailed Invoice, showing all the prices and expenses. The retired engineer sent back a new Invoice saying: "- Twist bolt: $1. - Know which bolt to twist: $4999"
I bought her a damascus chefs knive that boasted high carbon steel but Im sure its utter crap because it chipped within a month and dulled really quickly. My mora companion which cost me £12 still has a sharp edge after splitting about a metric ton of wood. ( I still havent sharpened it) and it still shaves hairs off my wrist.
You are a class act! Nothing but respect for you and your work!
Well said!! Totally agree on everything you talked about
I agree with your lesson in value, for those who appreciate the skill and the art and share in your passion the value is most definitely $2500 .. keep up the great work and great videos
I rarely comment, though i felt compelled to say you do amazing work. The expertise it takes to create something so spectacular is cheap at the cost of your time. You deserve every bit of recoup you get from every piece you create.
I’m a professional chef by trade, I’ve been in the industry for 14 years so far and I totally agree with what you’re saying! But unfortunately chefs wages are utter garbage (atleast here in the uk) so many can’t afford knives like these. I’m currently using dalstrong knives which are fairly expensive but when used as much as I do, they full far too quickly.
Keep up the awesome work will 👏🏻
I'm glad Will made this video.
This applies to pretty much every trade. It's also something folks are often afraid to bring up. Especially when starting out.
When I first left home I bought one of the best off the shelf chef knives available and it has served me well for 25 years and I see no reason it won’t continue to do so. Last year I won a custom made chef’s knife worth quite a few times more than the shop bought knife. I have to say I was surprised by the difference between good and custom good!
Very great video to explain the cost of craftsmanship on this. Hope to one day day enjoy such a beautiful knife in my kitchen
I've been self employed for 11 years and before that I was a mechanic. If you go to a mechanic who knows what they are doing they will charge more and since they know what they are doing they can usually perform the work in less time than a cheaper guy would take. If you know a secret and can get a 4 hour job done in 45 minutes you get paid for 4 hours. You get paid for what you know, not how much time it took. Your experience and craftsmanship, combined with your level of character and patience, create immense quality and value for those who buy what you make.
Great man, a true inspiration to others, younger and older
Great video!
My reaction as a layman to that knife is, "wow, that thing is way too expensive for me." But, I don't see that as a strike against it. I can't afford a top shelf golf club either - but I can still appreciate the expertise it took to make it, and that there's people who can take that high priced item and do amazing things with it.
Incidentally, if I did have that kind of money just available for a big purchase, I'd probably buy a piano. Even though I'm so rusty I'm pretty much a beginner again, I just love pianos and music and so that's the kind of big splurge purchase I'd go for.
I'm in the same boat. I simply cannot afford these type of knives, as there are things my money needs to go towards first. Nothing against the knife, but the higher the price (even if you can justify it) the smaller your pool of potential customers.
As a professional tattoo artist for 20+ years I have learned that some people “Get it” and appreciate hand crafted one of a kind things whileothers do not, I don’t waste time worry about or convincing those who don’t get it, I don’t think they are “wrong” but I spend zero time worrying about what they think about my pricing. Those who do get it are a joy to work with and inspire me to keep improving in order to continue being “worth it”. I’d rather give those folks my time and attention.
Agree! Love the comparisson off someone being willing to pay 3 times the ammount for someone to change your tire for you.
Good on you will!
I'm an amateur woodworker/handyman, and in trying to furnish my apartment, saw a hardwood speciality coffee table that I really liked but it was $2000.00. I was like: "pishshsh $2000.00??.. I can make that myself". So I did.. It turned out amazing (thank god), BUT I BARELY spent less money building it myself than if I had just bought it outright, and that doesn't include the cost of my time! After all the material, finishes, tools and MISTAKES (plural) I went through over the MONTH and a HALF it took me to build it, I have an entirely new appreciation of the true cost of a hardwood piece and the talent that goes into efficiently making an item at that price. Anyone that complains about the price of something made of quality materials, IN PARTICULAR when the maker of that something is transparent about the process and proud of the outcome, needs to do what I did and try and make it themselves. That way they can experience the humility of their inexperience bring them down a notch or two.
Great explanation. People really need to hear what it actually takes to make something unique and of such high quality. Keep up the great work. Wish I was closer to you. Would love the say Hi and possibly pick up one of your knives.
Aloha!! I’m a woodworker that specializes in Hawaiian and other Polynesian weapons. My least favorite question is “how long did that take” and what you said is so true. I can shape and finished significantly faster today then I could ever 10yrs ago. The cost of the piece is a reflection of my art and experience. But it does result in a lot of lost sales because many just google the cost of raw materials and expect like a 30% increase on that and get upset when they find out what I charge. Haha craftsmanship is a funny thing 😅 great work!
Thank you Will. 👍
Awesome edit brother 🍻🍻
I wonder if you could do your own art gallery somewhere like in new York or if any blacksmith/ blade smith has done something like that
Will - Love your videos to date. This one kinda pushed my goodwill in that IMHO didn't need to be made. First off the value of your knife is determined by the buyer and not you! You can set any price you like but the guy that pays for it determines its value! Hours spent, materials used and tooling are all historical background and may or may not have any value as far as the price you get. The knife should speak for itself. All the rest is party conversation.
That hand swipe at 6:06 had me cringe... thought you were going to slice your fingers lol
I would absolutely love to be able to spend $2500 on a knife like that. Unfortunately the most I’d be able to spend is close to $250 for what I consider a ‘fancy’ or custom knife. Someday…
Doesn't matter the profession. If you're worth it and producing something valuable someone is out there that is willing to buy it. Marketing.
I just finished my first two kitchen knives today. 250 bucks but I’ve only been making knives for family and for myself. I’m hoping to start selling in the new year, I’ve got a bunch of money invested in it and I’m doing very good work for having a years experience and being self taught. I’m about your age Will so learning from you has been a big help too👍
Ian, I subbed to your channel, the first one I know, but let's see some knife-making videos!
The problem is people that haven't got a clue about this kind of stuff tend to be cheapskates. When I was in school my professor got a call from one of the local churches. They wanted us to do some paintings and religious iconography for basically nothing. My teacher calmly explained that we don't work for free and a commission of this size would be in excess of $50,000 they tried to haggle but price went up. I learned a few things that day
1. Don't work for free
2. Never let the customer dictate the price
3. Use extreme caution when working with churches or banks. If you do make sure you get paid first. If they give you a check wait till it clears before you start working. These places love to take money from you but giving it back is a whole different thing.
Amen brother!! I myself can't afford a $2500 chef knife at this point, but I can 100% understand why it costs that much. Keep up the great work man. Have loved watching you grow in your craft over the years!
Getting hit with a "no knives is worth that much money" is the most soul crushing thing to hear, especially when you're just starting to get decent at what you're doing...
I'm a full time bladesmith at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View Arkansas. I usually charge by the inch of blade because I suck at keeping track of time. Lots of people come threw my shop and freak when they see a belt knife for $250 or a 7 inch Damascus knife with a nice sheath for $700. Thats time and energy and materials and 20 years of hard learned lessons that goes into what I do.