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 01-22-2003, 03:15 PM
jvanhooser
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Marketing Identity

Do any of you feel there is an advantage or disadvantage to marketing your product under your name vs. a created brand name?

I know this seems obscure, but I'm trying to plan as thoughtfully as I can.

Thanks.

JimVH
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-22-2003, 03:28 PM
J.Arthur Loose's Avatar
J.Arthur Loose J.Arthur Loose is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1,403
Send a message via AIM to J.Arthur Loose Send a message via Yahoo to J.Arthur Loose
Well,

I can tell you why I went with my name as opposed to a company or business name. I want my knives to be understood as very personal creations made by hand.

If I went with "Weyland's Smithy," or something like that ( I originally considered some names that conveyed history / myth etc... ) then people might think I ran some kind of production shop... or might not connect the forge name to me personally when they met me. I want my work to have an historical feel to it... even the pieces that are very modern I want to have a timeless feel... so my compromise was a symbol for my stamp, but my name for the business.

In the end I want people to say "Oh, I have a Jon Loose knife," when they are introduced to me or see my name in a magazine... not "Oh, Hey Jon Loose, check out this cool knife from Weyland's Smithy!"

But I would like to hear from those folks who are on the other side of this issue... what are the advantages to your decision?


__________________






jloose.com

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-22-2003, 03:54 PM
Bob Warner's Avatar
Bob Warner Bob Warner is offline
Living Legend
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Royse City, Texas
Posts: 1,820
I like my name associated with my kinves. I agree with Jon on this, however there are reasons to not use your name and I am trying to walk the fence on them.

Since I do things other than knifemaking I need a business name. I have named my business SERVICE USA. Warner Knives is a division or product, of SERVICE USA. That way the knives are recognized as being made by me and the items made by SERVICE USA are known as SERVICE USA products.


I've always been told that if your business name is your name, you cannot seperate yourself from the company in the event of legal problems. Even incorporating the business is an act of making the business it's own "person" and therefore responsible for itself. However I was told that by using your name, you are verifying that the company is not really a seperate entity.

Maybe someone else knows more about this but it is an interesting balancing act.


__________________



Tumbling down the road at 35 MPH is no fun, TRUST ME!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-22-2003, 04:25 PM
MPMetal MPMetal is offline
Steel Addict
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: oakville, CT
Posts: 121
Send a message via AIM to MPMetal
in a way I did both my Comp name is MP Metalworks LLC
I sign all of my work MP (my name is Matthew Parkinson)
I like the Idea that when I have apprentices (I have had a few in the past) I can allow then to sell there work in my booth at faire with there mark bellow mine (so that it is know that I didn't make the knife but it came from my shop)
MP
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-24-2003, 11:30 AM
jvanhooser
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Hey Guys,

All good points? thanks for your insight.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
forge, knife, knives


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

(View-All Members who have read this thread : 4
beachcaster, henry, reaven5566, tim37
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


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:39 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