Living On $52K A Year As A Bladesmith In Haines, Alaska | Millennial Money

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ม.ค. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 169

  • @CNBCMakeIt
    @CNBCMakeIt  ปีที่แล้ว +11

    What's your budget breakdown? We're looking for stories from all ages, not just millennials! Share your story with us for a chance to be featured in a future installment of Millennial Money: cnb.cx/3OxbJ71

    • @michellehawkins1027
      @michellehawkins1027 ปีที่แล้ว

      We live on around 16 thousand a year. Being disabled and on a fixed income is not easy but you do what you can.

    • @khill704
      @khill704 ปีที่แล้ว

      You must get a ton of applications a week.

  • @empirestate8791
    @empirestate8791 ปีที่แล้ว +43

    I love to see segments like this covering unique jobs! I didn't even know bladesmiths still existed in the US. Wish them and their business the best!

  • @dekev7503
    @dekev7503 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    Simple salt of the earth family, hardworking, homely and productive, the true heroes of society.

  • @simonscowled9925
    @simonscowled9925 ปีที่แล้ว +57

    #1: Beautiful Smart business savvy wife
    #2: Beautiful healthy baby
    #3: Awesome dog
    #4: $500 minimum for your art blade
    Summary: Living the good life my man

  • @amarbaha
    @amarbaha ปีที่แล้ว +38

    Really enjoyed this segment. Great grounded couple. Great luck with your business and futures!

  • @bocksedcharger7135
    @bocksedcharger7135 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    what a respectable family, good luck with all your endeavours guys !

  • @Thislife78-p1w
    @Thislife78-p1w ปีที่แล้ว +35

    what a great story! entrepreneur, self made man who also respects and loves his wife and child. and ohh the amazing landscape of Alaska! best of luck to Trevor, his wife Larissa and baby Samuel 💚 ps: i can see chef's knives and get a famous chef on board too. marketing!

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Wonderful Idea! And thank you for the kind words!

  • @danadeadlifts3719
    @danadeadlifts3719 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    One of the better recent videos! Kudos to you man, keep enjoying your craft and life.

  • @jamesstevens1595
    @jamesstevens1595 ปีที่แล้ว +52

    I live in Haines. Trevor is about as genuine as they get. Very cool story here.
    P.S.
    Only tell your best friends, Haines is one of Alaska hidden gems.

  • @ToddBaldwin
    @ToddBaldwin ปีที่แล้ว +37

    This is my FAVORITE Millennial Money. If you make Katanas you found yourself a new customer!

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I do! HMU

    • @beeee4249
      @beeee4249 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ​@@BarrettKnives😱

    • @Hari-888
      @Hari-888 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      can you make the honjo masamune?@@BarrettKnives

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@Hari-888 I would be honored 🙏

  • @CaWalrusJr
    @CaWalrusJr ปีที่แล้ว +34

    This man is so attractive, way better than some business bros

    • @BlowitAllUp
      @BlowitAllUp ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Men with conservative values will always be attractive to women.

    • @fainafaina1940
      @fainafaina1940 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Agree!

  • @biscaynesupercars
    @biscaynesupercars ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Custom knives and knife collecting is huge. If he marketed his company properly and got the business skills down he could really earn a fortune. Custom knives sell for several hundred or even thousands of dollars

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Its the marketing side I need help with haha

    • @owent159
      @owent159 ปีที่แล้ว

      Although I'm not on the socials much, and as much as this pains me to say, doing the TikTok (boomer talk I know) and things like that, along with growing your TH-cam would be awesome for you guys!@@BarrettKnives

    • @murk959
      @murk959 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ​@@BarrettKnivesdo you know exactly what your marketing needs are?
      I'm trying to get into freelance marketing
      But wanna know exactly what small businesses owners look for?

    • @rulesofjules
      @rulesofjules 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@BarrettKnivescheck out other craftsmen/women to see how they’ve diversified their businesses. Someone like Pask Makes (woodworker) makes money from selling custom pieces, but also online workshops, etc! The possibilities are out there :) Good luck! Love seeing the life and business you’ve built with your family.

  • @luxinvictus9018
    @luxinvictus9018 ปีที่แล้ว +157

    half of young creative men basically dream of this. This dude made it a reality. Being a artisanal metal smith in this day and age (with access to tools and an international market) is basically a dream.

    • @vanessaandreatta9098
      @vanessaandreatta9098 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Expectation towards children to follow a legacy are completely wrong. Don't buy somewhere you can live/have the shop otherwise you won't be able to sell your business at some point. I get what the dream is but we are not in the medieval ages guys. Properties and business do not work together. I know from my grandparents trust me. Also, if they will ever have more then one children they might fight over the business. Please take not my advice, but someone who is older in age from Alaska

  • @JB_Hobbies
    @JB_Hobbies ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Nice. I always wanted to learn bladesmithing. Cool that there is a market for really high quality work like his.

  • @Rishabh-Dev
    @Rishabh-Dev ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I've always been a fan of Meaningful goals rather than Desirable ones.
    I like to make sacrifices on personal level. In order to achieve something meaningful.

  • @allankobel7522
    @allankobel7522 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Best segment I have watched. Trevor, your story is inspiring, I have subscribed to your YT. Made my day man

  • @petertwining5729
    @petertwining5729 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    Such a wonderful grounded man with a beautiful family. A great talent turned into a business. Great video.

  • @FitFrHome
    @FitFrHome ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Doing amazing things keep at it man! You make beautiful pieces!

  • @ladhkay
    @ladhkay ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Awesome! He has a nice fulfilling life

  • @Sniper21361
    @Sniper21361 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    This man is living his simple life.

    • @beautepley8352
      @beautepley8352 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Simple man, simple life. Life is simple.

  • @Gustavo_Rojas
    @Gustavo_Rojas ปีที่แล้ว +13

    such a well, made video. The editing is a master piece. Please give the editor a raise!

  • @porthospatel1683
    @porthospatel1683 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Finally, a realistic income entrepreneur.

  • @garydean0308
    @garydean0308 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    The outside world is fixated on the people who live in remote areas but most Alaskans live in Anchorage. We are a modern city with a population of 300k. There are 2 Costco's with another on the way. We have the third busiest cargo airport in the world. I can live in the Midwest on $52k a year and still have to drive hours to get to a major retailer.

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +8

      True. Anchorage is a great place, but our town of Haines is very isolated by comparison. Many times in winter we are unable to come or go due to weather holds, so even the relative connections of roads, boats, and planes we normally have are cut off. That's mountain/fjord living.

    • @glorymanheretosleep
      @glorymanheretosleep ปีที่แล้ว

      True. But you still all are hillbillies that lead sinful lives.

    • @BookofFuture
      @BookofFuture ปีที่แล้ว

      The scariest and most uncanny things about Alaska and the PNW are the grizzlies. Polar bears too.

  • @PatriciaCampbell-hs8zw
    @PatriciaCampbell-hs8zw 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Enjoying watching this . Been to Haines many times as my daughter lives there. Love it there.

  • @stef9419
    @stef9419 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    should create an esty account especially for kitchenware knifes

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Good idea on the culinary blades! I have a number of them on my site

    • @melondonkey
      @melondonkey ปีที่แล้ว +4

      How about a blade that glows blue whenever vegetables are near?

    • @champslim
      @champslim ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ​@melondonkey omg I would love this lol

  • @alphabeta8403
    @alphabeta8403 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Seems like a simple, HAPPY life!

  • @AwokenEntertainment
    @AwokenEntertainment ปีที่แล้ว +15

    hope your son grows up to love blade-smithing!!

  • @wolfgangi
    @wolfgangi ปีที่แล้ว +11

    There's no way they could survive on 52k a year for 2 adults and 1 kid, for 52k a year their net take home should be around 3.6k , so even by their own budget they are short ~200 bucks a month,with $0 dollar being put to saving. No mention of insurance cost either.

    • @Mr_Banker222
      @Mr_Banker222 ปีที่แล้ว

      It’s doable just risky

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +38

      We make it happen, its just tight. Rather do what I love than make the big bucks

    • @vulpixelful
      @vulpixelful ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Hopefully their business grows more over the years. Because yeah right now savings and investments are very low for a family with a child. Hope that their business investment pays off!

    • @coolgamers2794
      @coolgamers2794 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Alaska has tons of free wild life animals that you can hunt. Plenty of vegetables and water based creatures you can cook as well.

    • @michellehawkins1027
      @michellehawkins1027 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      52 seems like a huge amount of money to me..We live on 16 a year, you just do what you can.

  • @willcookmakeup
    @willcookmakeup ปีที่แล้ว +32

    Alaska is absolutely stunning, but I don't think I could live there for other reasons outside of the landscape

  • @Noah_527
    @Noah_527 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Trevor, congrats on making this dream of yours a reality and being able to support your family. Your wife is amazing and critical to your success. What a gift she is to your family.
    I'd like to see you grow the business enough so that you are making more money and not working 60-70 hours a week. That barely works when you are in your 30s and have a small child but it doesn't scale if you plan to have more children. That's 10-11 hour days working 6 days a week. That really doesn't leave enough time to be with your family.

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Thank you! We are trying to expand so that I can have more time with the family. Slow going, but its working.

  • @Ovprksdnw
    @Ovprksdnw ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Best of luck to Trevor and his family!

  • @0861USMC
    @0861USMC ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome!
    Will be in Haines next year (End of June) for some fishing.
    From North Idaho.

  • @daishi15
    @daishi15 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Alaskan life really mirrors Canadian life. love it!

  • @JMenenTri
    @JMenenTri ปีที่แล้ว +31

    Loved this story!! Thank you for choosing a more humbling lifestyle 🙌🏼

  • @noelleguinn7744
    @noelleguinn7744 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I love these videos! more of these please!

  • @TheAlfredPlatform
    @TheAlfredPlatform ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome episode!

  • @Twtgod
    @Twtgod ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Nice couple make God bless them.

  • @Krynale
    @Krynale ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Interesting...I think he'd love to visit a Japanese swordwmith in Japan. I've seen them work on Katanas, mesmerizing!

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Ive been to Japan but before I was a smith, I'll have to go back!

  • @GamingDaily
    @GamingDaily ปีที่แล้ว +2

    "Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king."

  • @tysone1254
    @tysone1254 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Best one in a while

  • @youknowwithMartyKauffman
    @youknowwithMartyKauffman ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is such a great story

  • @porthospatel1683
    @porthospatel1683 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    A wholesome story

  • @WtfReal
    @WtfReal ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Alaska looks amazing.

  • @beautepley8352
    @beautepley8352 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This reminds of glass blowing. I do that as my hobby but no way I could turn it into a business like he did. I've thought about teaching it... we'll see.

  • @ikeepita1009
    @ikeepita1009 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This was so interesting 🤙🏾

  • @katherinezp
    @katherinezp ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I always want to see Alaska,they live in my dream life

  • @michellemacco
    @michellemacco ปีที่แล้ว +3

    🔥 Social Media Marketing 🔥

  • @randyor711
    @randyor711 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This is awesome.

  • @aspiringwhale7306
    @aspiringwhale7306 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Tis a smith who has the sacred sword Andúril (at the low inflationary cost of $12,500.00 USD). Is this garbage material or sacred metal blacksmithed from the Galadhrim with elven runes?
    1:53

  • @ShantezTolbut
    @ShantezTolbut ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Where can we find men like you Trevor?!

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว

      I can thank CNBC for hiding all my less desirable traits, lol

  • @angelaquizz
    @angelaquizz ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Is like a dream, a nice life

  • @Ascorbicon
    @Ascorbicon ปีที่แล้ว +27

    This is a good episode and a cool career too! Was surprised he was working that many hours a week but if it’s his passion and he wants to make great quality pieces, I assume he’d have to

  • @AKM_828
    @AKM_828 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    It's heart fulfilling

  • @jj-if6it
    @jj-if6it ปีที่แล้ว

    What a cool job. I'm impressed he only started in 2015. There is something so lovely about living in wilderness and nature. But working 60-70 hours a week with a family? Not for me. Although if you love it it doesns't feel like work.

  • @Devashish_raj
    @Devashish_raj 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Partner up with Mr. Driscoll , cool wood handles for knife. A win win situation...

  • @abrahammatsui6799
    @abrahammatsui6799 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    thats a really cute dog. how dare you not introduce us to him/her!

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +6

      This is Nika, our Siberian Husky!

  • @chrsl3
    @chrsl3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    so wonderful

  • @alright14
    @alright14 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Yeah people, now don't say "do you get to see the Cullens here?"

  • @kaze987
    @kaze987 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice one!

  • @UuU1001.
    @UuU1001. ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Tire mechanic and gas station dude to a bladesmith……... well this guy went from GTA to Elden ring/oblivion real quick.

  • @bitcoinandinvesting
    @bitcoinandinvesting ปีที่แล้ว

    Sorry I don’t know the difference between your $10000 sword and the one sold on Amazon for $50-100 bucks. Please elaborate if you could.

    • @jj-if6it
      @jj-if6it ปีที่แล้ว

      Because it's handmade and real forged steel?

  • @9770G
    @9770G ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Explain to me how this guy chargers $500-$12k depending on the blade he’s making and works 60-70 hours a week, but he’s only making 52k a year. That doesn’t sound right to me.

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +7

      It takes a long time to make many of the blades.

  • @lowtiertactical7701
    @lowtiertactical7701 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    52K as a blade smith? I think you're doing something right.

  • @mariaalekseeva478
    @mariaalekseeva478 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    🤩super attractive! They're lucky to have each other!

  • @TriHard0
    @TriHard0 ปีที่แล้ว

    why are these bots spamming some random amazon word? is this some type of search marketing on amazon to ranl higher for the sellers product

  • @holdencawffle626
    @holdencawffle626 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Should be earning wayyyyy more.

    • @luisvilla799
      @luisvilla799 ปีที่แล้ว

      Maybe he doesn’t overprice his knives

  • @jj-if6it
    @jj-if6it ปีที่แล้ว

    Why Haines though, and not more convenient parts of Alaska?

  • @TruthSlayer1
    @TruthSlayer1 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I have a PhD and make 60k a year and live in one of the most expensive cities in the world.... whats your point?

  • @princerj20
    @princerj20 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I can do any job..any opportunity?

  • @ashleyzupetz1086
    @ashleyzupetz1086 ปีที่แล้ว

    From that area and there is absolutely not enough people there buying stuff like that, it's mostly from oine sales which does not count

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +4

      1) Amazon is online and they do just fine, 2) A huge majority of my sales are from fellow Alaskans. Hunters especially.

    • @krn2683
      @krn2683 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Money's money no matter where it comes from.

    • @jj-if6it
      @jj-if6it ปีที่แล้ว

      why would online sales not count?

  • @unknownninja4430
    @unknownninja4430 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    alaska sounds like australia, but colder and no big cities.

  • @joshpoi886
    @joshpoi886 ปีที่แล้ว

    The real question is how can they possibly live on that salary. I know people making way more and still say that can barely make it month to month.

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Well its very tight right now, and we are hoping the business continues to grow as it has been!

  • @valeria-militiamessalina5672
    @valeria-militiamessalina5672 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    With a "traditional" family and a 19th century outlook on life one can live this Brothers Grimm lifestyle. That is not a great place for non-families and the more progressive types.

  • @livinwithlt
    @livinwithlt ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This dude is definitely a man’s man. An Alpha Male 🤙🏽

  • @Talktruth29
    @Talktruth29 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    real life mel and jack (virgin river series)

  • @hukmai
    @hukmai 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This man and his family are unpolluted, shaped by the alaska

  • @TheBruceAllen
    @TheBruceAllen ปีที่แล้ว

    bro a blade smith but got that HEAT on him.

  • @theeconomist100
    @theeconomist100 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    cool

  • @storeroom1503
    @storeroom1503 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    But that line was broken….

  • @JimmyDoggy-b1c
    @JimmyDoggy-b1c ปีที่แล้ว

    You were mentioned ancient times
    In ancient times not metal but stone

  • @ismaelhall3990
    @ismaelhall3990 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You can tell we're all nerds.

  • @CueTheStage
    @CueTheStage 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Bladesmith? Sounds like a lumberjack 😂😂

  • @FairhairedBoy25
    @FairhairedBoy25 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Alaska

  • @skullandbones1832
    @skullandbones1832 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    👍

  • @Huey-f8l
    @Huey-f8l ปีที่แล้ว

    600+ in debt repayment is wild. His wife needs to take charge!

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +8

      We had an unexpected family emergency that hut us hard, so we are plugging alone with the situation we were dealt.

  • @Ja50nkAt
    @Ja50nkAt ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Sounds cool but who spends 500-1000 dollars on a knife? I wouldn't.

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I hear you, mostly either collectors or those who want a lifetime blade

    • @jj-if6it
      @jj-if6it ปีที่แล้ว

      It's the same as saying who spends $100k on a luxury car. Some people obviously like them

  • @untouchable360x
    @untouchable360x ปีที่แล้ว +1

    How much would he charge to make a Valyrian steel sword for me?

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +1

      HMU and I’ll get you a quote!

  • @MoneyMan28
    @MoneyMan28 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Don’t make a kid because it costs like $100,000 dollars from 0 to 18 years

  • @samuel8720
    @samuel8720 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hot dude

  • @namastemcl
    @namastemcl ปีที่แล้ว

    The darn add stopped playing and wouldn’t go back to the content….epic failure

  • @emilykyte9378
    @emilykyte9378 ปีที่แล้ว

    Instead of driving 16 hours to anchorage, you could just drive 2 hours to Whitehorse, no?

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thats around 5 hours away, but we go there as well. They have limited things compared to Anchorage, so its a trade off.

  • @khill704
    @khill704 ปีที่แล้ว

    I feel like this is just to promote his business

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Partly, yes. Gotta build the business somehow

    • @khill704
      @khill704 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@BarrettKnives Nothing against your business, I even visited the website. It think it is wonderful. My issue is with CNBC Make It. It has changed and it’s not like it used to be.

  • @charlottebreton6796
    @charlottebreton6796 ปีที่แล้ว

    I would rather earn lots of money than being creative. 52 thousand is not enough for one person, let alone 3.

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +7

      We make it work. I suppose it all depends on what you're looking for.

    • @krn2683
      @krn2683 ปีที่แล้ว

      I live on $40k and do just fine. Maybe you just don't know how to budget.

    • @bigpoppa4094
      @bigpoppa4094 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      they broke down the expenses. it clearly works. what are you missing?

  • @manoj-zv9xd
    @manoj-zv9xd ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I am from India and my school has 3000 thousand students

  • @oco987
    @oco987 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Why isn’t his wife speaking

    • @gfbmusic
      @gfbmusic ปีที่แล้ว +1

      He cut off her tongue for speaking out of turn.

    • @gfbmusic
      @gfbmusic ปีที่แล้ว

      He cut off her tongue for speaking out of turn.

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +17

      Only because she doesn't like to be on camera that much, so I wasn't going to force her to do more than she was comfortable with.

    • @untouchable360x
      @untouchable360x ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Because she's not a 304 who's addicted to attention and social media. She seems the kind of wife most guys can only dream of.

    • @vulpixelful
      @vulpixelful ปีที่แล้ว +9

      ​@@untouchable360xCalm down, most people don't want to be online like that. Touch grass and be less judgmental, maybe you'll find someone

  • @rubychew6535
    @rubychew6535 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Mass producing the knives and sell them online. Your wife could get an online job and work from home since you have a child.

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +4

      We try to focus on the craft of smithing, and it has really brought us a lot of joy

  • @ShortbreadPug
    @ShortbreadPug ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Trevor is such a babe!!!❤❤❤❤

  • @moff_gideon
    @moff_gideon ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Not sustainable

    • @BarrettKnives
      @BarrettKnives ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Its been 8 years of this craft and it has only grown

  • @9871516690
    @9871516690 ปีที่แล้ว

    he's very hot and looks really young, for 35!!

    • @superfluous5162
      @superfluous5162 ปีที่แล้ว

      High Testosterone level

    • @jj-if6it
      @jj-if6it ปีที่แล้ว

      I'm 37 (female) and look around 30. We're not all oldies