I stopped shipping outside the U.S.A.

I use mainly USPS Priority Mail for my shipping needs. I insure the packing at 125% of market value. As material may have increased by the second time around. I call it replacement value.

I wrap the knife in foam sheet material, then bubble wrap, follow by putting in a hot sealed vacuum bag. This is put in a box, and taped. The label goes on last covered with clear packaging tape.

Insured with tracking, signature required.

A bit much but, I haven't lost a package in the three years I've been doing it this way.

chefs knives get shipped in tubes. i wax the knife then wrap in cloth and use masking tape to build up the point and edge , then bubble wrap until it just fits in the tube. I cap both ends with wood plugs and tape. I ship unto around 1K USPS above that UPS and insure for at least 125%. Swords always go UPS in custom built wooden boxes bedded in foam and wrapped in soft cloth. some knives that don't fit in the tubes go in a cardboard box but packed like one of my swords bedded in foam board.

MP

Over the years I have probably used every different shipping company and truthfully haven't had a problem with any of them. Usually if I am shipping a lower priced knife then I use UPS but if the insured value is very high then they can get expensive as the insurance with them can sometimes double the cost of shipping (or more).

One alternative to UPS for a highly insured knife is "Registered Mail" with the USPS. Insurance of any amount in included and the package gets the utmost in handling as everyone who touches it has to sign for it and is thusly held responsible. The one drawback is that every corner & seam of the box MUST be sealed with paper tape so the USPS can stamp the seal.

Fortunately electronic tracking has improved the success of all of the various organizations who ship. Handling is always the unknown. I have found that highly insured packages will get special handling where uninsured ones are more prone to getting mishandled or damaged. This is where your own packaging can help tremendously. Package the knife so that it can survive rough handling. Add something to the tip & cutting edge of the blade to prevent it from piercing or cutting into the package. Placing it in a sheath will help. Also, zipper cases are nice insurance. Keep two inches of resilient packaging around the knife such as foam pellets or bubble wrap to prevent damage from impact. You know what they say about, "an ounce of prevention".

I have heard others who ship frequently say that they keep an annual insurance policy to cover all shipped items. I haven't ever checked into this but if shipping a lot, it may be a money saver.

Gary

Shipping a knife always begins with the packaging. I'm sure we've all gotten a package where the sender skimped on packing/padding, and the item(s) arrived somewhere from slightly damaged, to totally wrecked. The thought I keep in mind whenever I pack a knife for shipping is that whomever handles that package is going to "play football" with it, and I pack it accordingly.....or at least try to. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> One of my favorite shipping containers is thin wall PVC pipe. It's cheap, and protects well. I cut it 3-4" longer then the knife that's going in it, place foam padding over the blade's tip, and the handle butt.....then roll in bubble wrap until I have to force fit it inside the PVC pipe. I then wad and wad newspaper until I fill each end. Then several layers of duct tape over each end. In the event of higher end knives, I will actually cut plywood plugs, fit one into each end, and use screws to secure them. I also ship via USPS Priority Flat rate......particularly for smaller knives such as my EBKs.....once bubble wrapped, then fit snugly into a small flat rate box. Most customers actually prefer this method simply because the knife arrives quickly, and cost them much less for shipping then other methods. Personally, I favor USPS Priority mail for items shipped within the U.S....... I can create the label and pay for it from my computer, and our Postal Carrier picks it up at the shop door.

Years ago, when I started shipping knives, I went with UPS....until I had to make a claim. It was a 6+ month battle for a package/knife that had disappeared in transit. The package/knife was shipped in the U.S., and insured for the full amount of it's value, and my association with UPS ended when they would not honor the claim. Its a long story, but since then UPS is my last choice for shipping anything. Another instance where UPS failed miserably was when I purchased a pair of Burgmaster OB turret drill presses...... They arrived with just about every cast part of each broken, and neither were repairable. The individual who shipped them did an excellent packing job, and again, a claim was filed. In this instance it took about 4 months, and UPS refused to pay the claim, sighting that the items were "improperly packaged". The seller did refund 1/2 of what I paid, but that left me with some parts, and yet another sour taste in my mouth for UPS.

I think the problem that most of us face when it comes to shipping is the cost, especially when shipping to locations outside the U.S. Based on my experiences the only "safe" option is via Fed-X....but many clients balk at that, because of the very high cost. When clients outside of the U.S. balk at FedX shipping costs, I offer them the alternative of USPS Priority Mail International....with the express caveat that once the package leaves the U.S. there is no way to track it, nor will insurance be valid....and that they assume ALL risk involved with shipping in this manner. I have to admit that it still surprises me how many individuals will agree to/opt for that method...guess they are bigger risk takers then I am. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> I'm pretty anal when it comes to shipping, and I think its very important to keep the client informed.... as soon as I print a label, or return from the post office, all the shipping information is emailed to the client, including the exact method of shipping, and any tracking numbers/information. Probably the only small issue I've ever ran into with USPS Priority Mail is that once you hit a given dollar value, "Signature Required" is automatically added, and as odd as it might seem, some clients are not happy when they arrived home on the day the package is expected, to a "attempted delivery" slip, rather then the actual package....just something to be aware of.

Speaking of shipping costs.....this brings up a question. When pricing your knives, I'd be interested to hear whether you include shipping when you price your knives (IE: on your website(s), or do you price your knives with the "plus shipping" method. I've done both, and it seems that its a win/loose situation. It seems when I put a knife on my website, and price it with "shipping included", it tends to sell faster. That's the "win", but on the other side of the coin, when I do that, and it sells to an overseas client, I take a big hit because of shipping costs. Recently I have gone to a model where I specify on "shipping Included" prices, that it applies to shipping within the CONUS, and that outside that area will be the exact cost of shipping....but I have to wonder if that doesn't deter international buyers.

One final note that came to mind.....Customs. When shipping across international boundaries, its always a concern. When it comes to completing a customs form, I would warn against ever using the word "Knife", or anything else that could remotely be construed as a weapon. Be creative....use words such as "Cutlery", "Camping Tool" or anything else BESIDES "Knife". Its only become an issue in the past decade or so, but the way you describe something on a customs form can make the difference in it arriving to it's intended destination.....or disappearing in the the "Custom's Abyss". <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Customs when shipping a knife to Denmark a couple of years ago Is What cause me to deal only in the U.S.A. It took 15 weeks to get the knife back from them. It had an 1/8" more cutting edge than they allowed according to their measurements.

I use USPS Priority 2-3 day for all domestic shipping. Have never had an issue. I've shipped many knives to the U.K. and Japan. Though I am not a fan of FedEx within the U.S., they are my preferred carrier for overseas shipments. I make it very clear with my overseas customers that if they want me to ship a knife to them, they accept all risk. Because I put all risk on them I am willing to fill out the customs paperwork as they wish. I know both Japan and the U.K. get killed on VAT and I've been asked several times to put a declared value of less than $100 on a knife worth as much as $1000. At first this bothered me but, I now see it as being justified in a system that is set up to hurt American trade. I've not had anything lost or held excessively going through any customs so far. My customs form always says "camping tool" on the description and I never enter a business name.

Bob

Can I piggyback a related question onto this thread? What instructions do you send along with the knife for care? Do you guys have a specific text of instructions on how to care for / sharpen/ etc the knives? It would be really helpful if we newbies could read what you guys send along.

Thanks for the great thread.

I had an issue once when shipping a knife to Alaska. I quite honestly don't even remember what happened, but it changed the way I did things.

I've always built custom homes, so luckily that's the way my mind works when solving problems.

This is so inexpensive I recommend it highly.

I buy a sheet of 1/4" underlayment at the Depot for about 10 bucks and rip it into strips.

Also a couple cheap 1 x 10s and rip those also.

In the cut-up condition, these pieces can literally be put away and take up almost no space.

And I can't think of a more safe way to ship my knives.

Each of these boxes cast about a dollar. And the peace of mind is priceless.

This happens to be a take-down from quite a few years ago, so it has all the extras that come with it as well as a certificate. The knife gets wrapped and everything goes into a zippered pouch:

I really like that Karl! I think i'll start doing the same, however i'd try to make standard sized boxes to fill the dimensions of flat rate shipping boxes. I think that may save some money? Also it just looks "Pro"...... i think a stamp burned into the box would add a lot of class too! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//tongue.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />

One thing i have learned is "stealth" is key! Recently the USPS (or whomever) have been stealing packages. It's pretty important to leave off the name of your company, or any hints as to what may be inside, from the shipping label. Make the box as ambiguous as possible!

all good stuff guys, thanks for the info!

Mark, you might save a couple bucks by shipping Flat rate. - it depends upon how far.

Flat Rate is about 10 bucks and I just shipped a Bowie to California for 14. That Bowie would not have fit in the large square Flat Rate.

Also notice that my return address says "Manager". This helps avoid postal recognition.

|quoted:

I really like that Karl! I think i'll start doing the same, however i'd try to make standard sized boxes to fill the dimensions of flat rate shipping boxes. I think that may save some money? Also it just looks "Pro"...... i think a stamp burned into the box would add a lot of class too! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//tongue.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />

One thing i have learned is "stealth" is key! Recently the USPS (or whomever) have been stealing packages. It's pretty important to leave off the name of your company, or any hints as to what may be inside, from the shipping label. Make the box as ambiguous as possible!

all good stuff guys, thanks for the info!

I ship "Bunches" of Chef knives a year. I use The local UPS store they are familiar with me and my knives and ship the the same way each time. My knives are oiled and placed in a wooden sheath then bubble wrapped and placed in box and shipped. I will not use USPS for the simple reason to many times they have lost mail intended for me. I would rather pay a little more and know it's getting to where it's intended. The insurance i get is based off what I'm sending. On knives since they are fairly sturdy and packed well I do not get additional insurance. If a mail a boxed set I insure for the replacement of the box (Humidor style). UPS did break one of my Boxes at the miter joint and replaced the value in full no questions asked (Value of $600 for box).

Curious has anyone ever had knives lost in the mail or broken?