Bohrmann Knives
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Bruce Bohrmann, 82, of Yarmouth, Maine, fell in love with knives many years ago and made his first knife, a “Bowie,” weighing two pounds with a blade measuring some 13”. He still displays the knife in his shop.
In May, 2010, Bruce realized he needed advice on marketing to take his small business to the next level. He called SCORE and was assigned to Skip Orem. As he says, two major events followed: “Herbie died and gave me life and Skip has provided the sustenance.” Herbie is the name given to a 271 year old elm tree in Yarmouth that had succumbed to the Dutch Elm disease and had to be cut down last January. Its remains were offered to area craftsmen to create articles and works of art. Bruce designed a special knife for the Project, a 6-½” compact, light, easily carried model ideal for camping, backpacking or general all ‘round use. Down East Magazine invited Bruce to include his knife in their Christmas Gifts Section. “The potential is great, but now I’ll have to make them.” No small factor, since they are made one at a time in Bruce’s small shop. Using the Herbie Project as a base, Bruce is currently involved in discussions with the People Plus organization of Brunswick, to make knives with handles made from a 100 year old beech tree that had been cut down to make way for a hotel across from the Bowdoin College campus.
With SCORE Volunteer Skip Orem’s advice on marketing and pricing, (the two bugaboos of a small business), sales took off, spurred by Yarmouth’s annual Clam Festival with its resultant nationwide publicity, in no small part due to the heroic efforts of Yarmouth’s venerable tree warden, 102 year old Frank Knight who fought to keep the tree alive for many years.
It looks good,” says Bruce cautiously, “but I still connect with Skip frequently. His knowledge, expertise and devotion have become an essential element to me. It’s almost like having a one-man board of directors.”
