Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robert G. Mitchell on January 31, 2012 at 19:23

The first thing I'd look into would be find out who your buyers are, what's their age group, are they Vet's, hard core collectors, hunting/fishing types. Once you have an idea of who they are you can direct your PR, and artwork to that group, or groups. Also make sure you don't look too much like "Blade", I'd try to come up with something that makes you stand out on the rack, not just another knife mag. I guess what I'm saying is build your own branding not just the standard layout, header, sub-titles, and keynotes. Do something their not, and really buff up your web presents; videos, outstanding photos, update as much as possible, give people something there not getting from the other guys, in other words do your research. Also if possible find a face, you know a talent someone up and coming that would be willing to work with you long term a nice hook to bring readers to your mag. You guys know this stiff.

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on January 31, 2012 at 19:24

I think variety is key.  The magazine needs to appeal to the novice collector as well as the hard core maniac.  

It wouldn't hurt to devote a page about knife basics with called newby corner or something where people new to hobby can  asks questions about terms or knife info that others take for granted.  If you're new to knife collecting, and you pick up a magazine, sometimes every story in it is going to be above your head.  the newby is confused with jargon but the old salt  reads it like a well known second language.   Probably the hardest part is finding the happy medium between jargon and over-simplification.

Have reviews of the high end knives as well as the economy lines.We can't all afford  an Al-Mar but we can all afford a Taylor brand (even if we will never buy them)  Even when you're buying a $20 knife, you want to get your $20's worth.

Do stories about the history of some of the big names in knife makers including highlights of major companies as well as top knife designers.   Perhaps interview some of these people.

Try and snag interviews with famous people who are knife nuts such as Sly Stallone or others. Get pictures with their knives and find out why they collect what they collect.   Find out if Mark Harmon follows Gibb's rule #9 (never go anywhere without a knife.)

Remember the traditonal pattern folks  and keep us up on the new releases from the likes of Great Eastern and Case  and such.  We're still out here.   Not everyone wants a big ol combat knife or $200 tac/rescue.

Give both simple and advanced tips on knife care, conditioning an repair

Obviously lots of pretty pictures.

True accounts of how a person used his knife to save a life or prevent a crime or some other positive knife stories.

Features on knives that are pretty much "street legal" almost anywhere (2.5 inch and under blades)

If i think of more, I'll come back.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Carter on January 31, 2012 at 19:53

First bimonthly magazines are a turn off for me. Other than that, I agree with the opinions above for more traditional and historic knives and feature knifemakers. I have little interest in tacti-cool stuff.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 31, 2012 at 19:54

Hey Robert G. Mitchell, it's great to hear from you again. I thought I had lost you as a friend. Your veiw is alot like mine, I just can't say to much more because of other magazine conflicts. I am really glad to see you back here and remember we don't always agree. Please tell me what you have been up to. Your good buddy Rob!

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Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on January 31, 2012 at 19:57

Jan...

Your the best.  I would agree with  your suggestion...thereby taking it.  Give me an idea of what knife you would like to "past and present" an article about.  Didn't know I was going to work you....did you.

Jan Carter said:

Clint,

Although we are traditional also, I have to agree with Smiling-Knife

Articles on modern interpretations of historical or traditional cutlery would be of interest. A past and present theme perhaps. Interviews with current knife makers would also be of interest. 

The past and present theme interests me a lot.  It has a flair for bringing the tactical folks and the traditionals together.  I know the cover of a magazine is a coveted spot for a knife maker and leaving a large tactical with a smaller picture of a traditional on the cover (or visa versa) will attract both

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Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on January 31, 2012 at 19:59

Gerald....

This is a good idea as well.  I am keeping all of the replies and go over them to maybe marry some together into a single idea and story.  Thanks Gerald.

Gerald Hines said:

I would like to see more articles on the history of knife patterns and how they became what they are called today, IE Trapper,Muskrat and so forth.

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Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on January 31, 2012 at 20:02

Michaela....

I have some of these in my collection.  No Randall's but vintage knives.  I love old used knives.  I will see what I can conjure up.  Thanks Michaela.

michaela rohrer said:

Hi Clint,  I agree with a few of the other folks who touched on more traditional knives...some lovely vintage knives would definitely get my attention.  There are many avid collectors who get goosebumps looking at old Randall's or old Gerber folders with yellow micarta scales.  Sigh.  Sometimes just THINKING of these knives bring on the goosebumps.  So, vintage may be the sweet spot in more than just this girl.  Wishing you great fun with this project!  Michaela

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 31, 2012 at 20:03

Clint, Miss Jan is the greatest and has such well rounded veiws. She is well educated in most of the folder knives and their brands. If I had to get advise  from this membership I would weigh what she says very heavily. Good luck my friend.

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Permalink Reply by stephen tungate on January 31, 2012 at 20:04

hi clint ;i would think if you took a magazine and split it into four sections of course the new knifes coming out ,handmade knives,traditionals,and also tacticals knives by doing this i think you cover most of you collectors and knife enthusiast.hope this helps.....

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Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on January 31, 2012 at 20:09

Johnny....

This is great stuff.  I will pass this on the main editor Bruce.  Because of my background in law enforcement and overseas operations in bad places with bad people, I have been pigeon holed in the tactical type knives.  However, I might get by with a history lesson about the development of the tactical knife.  Thanks Johnny....good input.

johnny twoshoes said:

I had a subscription to Knives Illustrated, but I let it laps because I had a lack of interest in what the magazine was about. For tactical knives it was great, but I was lost as a lover of traditional knives. These reviews and stories didn't interest me like I thought they would, it seemed that it was tactical, or custom, neither of which I can afford on a monthly basis. I know the idea of the magazine is to let collectors/users know about the newest things happening in the knife world and the magazine has an awesome way of doing that, but I love a blast from the past.

What gets me right in the knife soul is a good oldtimer's story, one that has been brought down from generation to generation, like a good jack knife. I know there are good stories out there, I have experienced some myself, but  I would love to have more stories available in a magazine. 

If there were more pics and more articles pertaining to traditional knives, you would have me, hook, line and sinker.

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Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on January 31, 2012 at 20:12

Seth...

Good name.  My main character in my short novel sports the name of Seth.

Thanks for your suggestion.  The magic these knife makers deal in just fascinates me too.  I will see what I can do about this idea.  Thanks Seth.

Seth King said:

Personally, I would like to see more articles about the true handmade knives. The knives that are built by a single man or woman with a forge, a hammer, and a anvil in there own shop. To me, these knives are more interesting because the maker has a personal connection with each and every knife that they build. The articles that teach me more about these knifemakers and there knives usually interest me the most.

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Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on January 31, 2012 at 20:16

Robert...

All good ideas of which my editor does his best.  There are some traditions engrained in the biz of which I have been trying to break...with no success yet.  Thanks Robert.

Robert G. Mitchell said:

The first thing I'd look into would be find out who your buyers are, what's their age group, are they Vet's, hard core collectors, hunting/fishing types. Once you have an idea of who they are you can direct your PR, and artwork to that group, or groups. Also make sure you don't look too much like "Blade", I'd try to come up with something that makes you stand out on the rack, not just another knife mag. I guess what I'm saying is build your own branding not just the standard layout, header, sub-titles, and keynotes. Do something their not, and really buff up your web presents; videos, outstanding photos, update as much as possible, give people something there not getting from the other guys, in other words do your research. Also if possible find a face, you know a talent someone up and coming that would be willing to work with you long term a nice hook to bring readers to your mag. You guys know this stiff.

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