This topic was relevant. I recall this hard-learned conversation was posted online in 2005 and it was SO relevant to understand, I copied and saved it.
At the time it was groundbreaking. It's from an email sent from
Mike Snody, who I hope is doing well, although he has stopped making knives at present. (I hope it's only a hiatus).
(Social media is not even mentioned yet. )
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It was most certainly a Status Symbol in the industry to
"Have a five year backlog"
Wow!! What security!! What a great deal!! If I work hard maybe someday I can have a "Five Year Backlog" and all they great things that go along with it!!!
Fast Forward about a year and the Internet is Exploding!!!!!
Knife Forums, Knifemaker Websites, Knife Purveyors, Virtual Knife Shows, Knifemaking Communities, Online Knife Magazines, etc, etc, etc!!!
The internet was on fire and any knifemaker who had a decent website was hooked up like a sled dog. Seriously just about any knifemaker who had a cool site was completely covered up in work.
I had an article come out that year and in one weekend my backlog went from 6 months to well over 5 years!! In one night (Saturday) I received over 170 orders. Many of these orders were for multiple knives in fact one order alone was for 148 pieces and eventually increased to 172 individual knives and sheaths!!
Fast Forward a couple years!!!
The Internet is Saturated with Knifemakers and the Thinning has begun!!!
All the guys who had the nice websites and crummy knives are now on their way out. Most of you remember some of the Legends of the day: Blade, Corkum, Griffith and many, many more who were ultimately ousted as frauds.
At this point I am so deep in orders that I cant see light!! I have suspended taking new orders yet I still receive money in envelopes, checks, email orders and multiple phone calls daily. I send money and checks back to people, I respond to dozens of emails daily saying "thank you but I am not taking orders" I answer the phone several times a day to say "thanks but I am not taking orders" I attend knife shows and sell out in 10 minutes then spend two days telling friends and clients "sorry not taking orders"
I discover new methods of knifemaking and new materials that I want to explore but I am working on an order for 172 Carolina Skinners with identical wood handles. Three years into the process I am building orders that are four years old. I continue to get further behind because I keep accepting "special orders". Many individuals become frustrated while waiting five years for a knife that was promised in three and rightfully so. Some individuals just go NUTS and leave multiple messages screaming and cussing even though I did not accept their deposits or have any of their money.
I respond to emails over a five year period providing status, excuses, explaining why I am behind, accepting modifications to old orders, handle changes, blade an inch longer, etc, etc, etc,
The knife order that was placed in 2001 is now nearly five years old.
Lets say for argument's sake that the actual knife requires 10 hours labor to complete. I now have close to 10 hours of correspondence associated with the piece and I havent even started it yet. In fact I just fell another month behind because I have to move to a different state and set up a new shop.
Now a second Thinning is taking place, this time its not the scam artist knifemaker.
This time it's the Honest Knifemaker who is swamped in three to five year old orders. He quoted prices when the orders were placed and he intends to honor those prices. The problem is fuel costs have nearly doubled, Material Costs in many cases have increased 300 percent, rent is up, insurance is up, health care is up, machinery costs and consumables are up 30 to 40% and homie is working seven days a week digging himself in deeper and deeper with each knife he completes.
The market has completely changed but homie is still building 2001 patterns with ivory micarta handles because he got 200 orders for them after his article ran in Blade Magazine.
He sadly announces on his favorite knifemaking forum that he is going out of business.
He lost his ass and now he is working in Walmart!!!
I have been a fulltime knifemaker for the past four years.
My entire income is 100% knife related and my shop is open to the public.
I have struggled with taking orders, suspending orders, taking orders, suspending orders and I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible for me to manage a successful operation while adhering to the "business model" of knifemaker who accepts orders.
The past four years have clearly demonstrated to me that the "knifemakers business model" of taking orders and maintaining a multi-year backlog is antiquated and no longer an acceptable method for SnodyKnives to employ.
I have never accepted deposits and most peoples lives change over a Five Year Period. When you get that Skinner with Mastodon Ivory and the Frog Sheath finished and find out that Mr Jones(who waited five years) just got a divorce and is homeless that opens up a whole other issue. What do you do with all the people who back out of an order?? I certainly dont blame anyone because Lord Knows I have had my share of bad luck but how do you manage this issue and operate a profitable business. Personally I would rather just forget the whole "order fiasco knifemaker business model" and sell them when they are finished. That way if a client has the money he can get the piece within a week. He can get it while he is still excited not five years later after his Ex put him in the poor house.
The decision to never again accept orders is about survival for SnodyKnives.
SnodyKnives will move forward with small limited batches of collectible, modern, high performance knives that will be offered for sale only after they have been completed and are ready to ship.
We will maintain a Notification List and contact individuals when a model they are interested is being constructed.
When a new material shows up on the market I will be able to immediately incorporate it into my designs. I will constantly introduce new patterns and designs that I feel reflect current advancements in materials and technology. I am talking about New Designs Weekly, not every couple of years.
I have an obligation to every individual who purchases a Snody Knife to work hard and continue to promote the "Snody" brand and ensure that their knife will hold its value in the aftermarket.
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This opened my eyes up. Props to Mike for his 'realist' views.
