Dear new Co-op member,

WELCOME! Thanks for being a part of this most unique venture to spread the word about Knifemaking! In the past ten years or so I've heard again and again how it's getting harder for newcomers, and many oldtimers as well, to sell knives. It's definatly not like the good 'ol days! Some folks say there are "to many knifemaker now". I disagree! I think the problem is that not enough has been done to expand the market or to help knifemakers become successful. Paula and I have mostly worked outside the traditional places knifemakers try to sell. We worked untapped markets and educated people who never heard of a handmade knife. We demonstrated and showed and taugh them, hands on! It's a slow process when done alone, but I think you can say we proved it works. According to a quote in Knives Illustrated Magazine, I may be the most prolific living knifemaker, having made over 75,000 knives! We've learned a few things from all that.This is our philosophy for the Co-op; show lots of people what we do and get lots of knives in their hands, then show knifemakers how to make a profit doing it, and stand back! Inexpensive working knives or big dollar collector knives, the market will explode if we can get enough exposure. What we do is useful, historical, interesting, artistic, and in general - pretty darn cool!

Our opportunity has come thanks to Kevin Pipes, owner of Smoky Mountain Knifeworks. Kevin saved the second oldest brick building in Sevier county from being bulldozed by moving it to his parking lot. He turned it over to us for our workshop and we are making it available to you. SMKW, the largest knifestore in the world! Inside is the National Knife Museum! Can you think of a better location to start showing people what we do? Talk about exposure! Did I mention that SMKW has it's own TV show that will feature educational clips about the Co-op! How about the Co-op display that will be the first thing you come to when you walk in the new main entrance to the store! Are you getting the idea? Kevin gets the advantage of ongoing demonstrations as a draw to the store as well as adding custom knives to the store. We get every advantage possible to show over a MILLION people a year what we do! WHAT A DEAL!!!!!!!!!!!

This Co-op will work because of what all of us have to offer each other. Here's what you have so far as a member. At the display in SMKW and in the shop will be two binders. One will have profiles of each Co-op member along with contact information. The other binder will have quote sheets and instructions so customers can work out a quote for their own custom knife. This is a unique way to get people started on custom knives. You'll be able to adapt this to your benefit in several ways if you choose. The shop itself will be a self guided exibit where visitors can learn all about knifemaking, both anchient and modern, without the knifemakers at work ever saying anything more then hello. This allows Co-op members who are working at the shop to get work done or keep doing a class or seminar without being interupted all the time to answer questions.

You can also gain from our knowledge and experience in production and marketing as it might apply or be of interest to you, not to mention the experience of other Co-op members. You have access to a trained machinist and his shop nearby as well as access to an experienced and established E-bay dealer. Don't forget to check with your tax advisor to see about writing off those trips to the Smoky Mountains to visit or do a personal appearance at the Co-op shop. Not everything will be of interest to every member, but everyone will benefit from all the excitement and exposure generated by the different opportunities.

What do you have to share? How about collaberative projects? What about selling knives in the shop, SMKW, the TV show, or the SMKW catalog? Tell us what you have to offer and what you want to achive as a knifemaker and lets CO-OPerate to achive it!

Find enclosed a suggested layout for your pages in the PROFILE BINDER. If you have trouble making it up, we'll help. It's best to write the profile in third person so you can "brag" a little easier. SELL YOURSELF! Make people want to have a knife you made not only because it's good but because of who made it and how it was made. Don't make the profile to long, one page for general information and your profile. Then do a page of photos.

Give a call and let's discuss how the Co-op can work for you and all knifemakers. Remember, it's up to you to make this work, the opportunity is here. There are lots of things to still work out and lots of displays to make, we appreciate any help there. If you can help with a display you can be assured your name will appear on it.

GOOD LUCK TO US ALL!

Ken and Paula Largin