A little marketing research....

Would you rather have a custom made handle with, or without a knot installed? The availability of so many options for knots, I have primarily stayed away from installing them on my handles. It would be very easy to provide them with knots, but it's a gamble as to what specific knot to install. Should I offer some basic knots that can come with a handle, and if you think that, which ones?
Appreciate the opinions. Stepping things up (with caution) as fast as I can.
Tim "Knothead"

Would you rather have a custom made handle with, or without a knot installed? The availability of so many options for knots, I have primarily stayed away from installing them on my handles. It would be very easy to provide them with knots, but it's a gamble as to what specific knot to install. Should I offer some basic knots that can come with a handle, and if you think that, which ones?
Appreciate the opinions. Stepping things up (with caution) as fast as I can.
Tim "Knothead"

I suggest that you offer the handle alone but with the option of paying extra for a knot.

I always get bare handles as I always have a couple dozen knots about and I’m very comfortable working with them to optimize what each knot will give me. I temporarily set knots with a small dab of silicon until I find the loft I like and set it permanently. That said, I can well understand how most guys aren’t so persnickety and having a knot already set is a benefit. Offer them both ways.

I like the option to have handle only, but also selection of knots available. Unless I am planning on sending a handle into a knotting service, it is a big plus for me to get a knot installed.

I’ve heard before that it’s sometimes best or has a better outcome for the brush maker to custom fit the knots/knot before the client receives it. It reduces the chances of something going wrong (ie - knot not properly fitting) and the client having regrets.

I’d much rather have a the “professional” complete the work than trust myself.

OK. I get the consensus that it is a convenience in a lot of circumstances to have a knot installed. I am sure you are aware of how many configurations there are of available knots out there. Would it be of benefit to have a link to a knot supplier, that will ship a customer purchased knot directly to me for installation, then ship a complete unit to the client? I would not charge anything for the install. Will the added freight from the knot supplier be a big concern to most people? In this way, though, there would not have to be any needed profit for me on a knot because I wouldn't have to stock a bunch of them. I'm trying to be as cost efficient to the client as I can.
Again, any input would be appreciated.

Without......for many reasons:

Do I want Boar, Badger, Synth?

What grade of Badger do I want?

Semogue is the only Boar I want....respectfully

Do I want a designer hand tied Badger knot for 140-190; does the handle Artisan have a relationship with the designer knot people? Is there a discounted rate for the collaboration? 

If I commission a $95 handle, what if I don’t have the funds atm for the 26mm dream knot, I want the handle immediately as Artisans come and go.....

Artisans should get their wares out there regardless of what the high rollers or cool kids are using atm...with or without knots...

Lastly, because I want the flexibility to choose what “I want” and NOT be under obligation to select a knot the artisan sells, may think is quality, and I do not

I currently have 2 in waiting...

TDR may be getting a 26mm Odin’s Beard
KnotHead may be getting a Semogue Boar LE

Without......for many reasons:

Do I want Boar, Badger, Synth?

What grade of Badger do I want?

Semogue is the only Boar I want....respectfully

Do I want a designer hand tied Badger knot for 140-190; does the handle Artisan have a relationship with the designer knot people? Is there a discounted rate for the collaboration? 

If I commission a $95 handle, what if I don’t have the funds atm for the 26mm dream knot, I want the handle immediately as Artisans come and go.....

Artisans should get their wares out there regardless of what the high rollers or cool kids are using atm...with or without knots...

Lastly, because I want the flexibility to choose what “I want” and NOT be under obligation to select a knot the artisan sells, may think is quality, and I do not

I currently have 2 in waiting...

TDR may be getting a 26mm Odin’s Beard
KnotHead may be getting a Semogue Boar LE

Where are you able to get Semogue Boar knots from???

OK. I get the consensus that it is a convenience in a lot of circumstances to have a knot installed. I am sure you are aware of how many configurations there are of available knots out there. Would it be of benefit to have a link to a knot supplier, that will ship a customer purchased knot directly to me for installation, then ship a complete unit to the client? I would not charge anything for the install. Will the added freight from the knot supplier be a big concern to most people? In this way, though, there would not have to be any needed profit for me on a knot because I wouldn't have to stock a bunch of them. I'm trying to be as cost efficient to the client as I can.
Again, any input would be appreciated.

If you’re not going to have a ready selection of knots on hand (I get that some brush makers take this route to associate themselves with a certain feel or knot type), I like this idea. It may take a little longer to get into the customer’s hands but it’ll be almost totally customizable this way.

I recently purchased a handle from Knothead and did not want to install the knot myself.  Tim worked with me and I had a Maggard's 26mm Silvertip sent to Tim directly from Maggard's.  Painless and it worked beautifully.