- Joined
- Dec 5, 2005
- Messages
- 26,564
I've been counting down my posts since about the 4 1/2K mark. I know it's stupid to care, but to me, my involvement in Bladeforums and this one in particular, has become a really important facet of my life. Due mainly to the personal interactions I've had which have lead to deeper understanding of myself, and others, and also to my education regarding cutlery.
Five thousand posts in just about 5 years? Somewhere around 3 posts per day? Holy shit, am I a geek or what? It's ironic, because I've always had disdain for computers. I'd rather be out mountain biking or building trails or whatever. But, I'm married and have a six year old. Bladeforums helped me to stay sane during the transition from adrenalin addicted grease monkey to responsible business owner and family man. Helped me keep focused on something neat, while, (unbeknownst to me) I matured and became a full fledged MAN.
At any rate, I was hoping to make my fifth thousand post on December 5, which was the date when I joined Bladeforums. But, alas, I cannot keep my damn trap shut that long and must spoil the numerical perfection of that anniversary. Oh well, it needs to happen now. I often take a fatalistic approach, without actually feeling like a marionette. It's a gift
A big watershed moment for me on this forum occurred during the chaotic development of this thread;
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=632009
I guess you could say that this thread is its' sequel.
With just over 25 000 views, (any numerologists out there?) that thread opened a BIG door for me, and maybe one or two other guys, (who've told me as much). Up til that point, the idea of building a knife was a pretty foreign concept. I hadn't ever really considered the possibility of my building a knife, and when I started the thread I had no idea what was going to happen.
The result, was an introduction into a community of knife makers, and my first two knives, which I built all by myself. Now it must be stated clearly that Nick Wheeler was the man responsible for this mischief, as he sent me that huge file and a chunk of 1084, and also worked his heat treating magic on the steel resulting in some very dependable and worthy knives. If I do say so myself. But, I did receive plenty of excellent advice and encouragement along the way and that is something that really kept me going. I'd really encourage you all to check out that thread, there are some real gems in there.
Well, since then I've received two blanks, one from Nick and the other from Ray Richard. Nick's is done, and living a new life not too far from here. Ray's, well that's another story. It's a complicated blank, as are my plans for it. But I am steadily and slowly working on it. I must say that most of the work occurring with it is happening in my brain currently. I have another project underway, and that is what this thread is really about.
Those of you who know me a little bit, know that I spend a lot of time in the rainforest. I own and operate a tiny company called Trailworks, which is a one man show, (except for bigger contracts where I'll hire on a crew) and I use large chopsnick knives a lot of the time. All of the time. I also do a lot of 'volunteer' trail building and maintenance, (and I don't keep track of those hours). While I'm out there, chopsnicking, I think a lot about the tool I'm using. Maybe 'thinking' isn't the right word. It's like muscle memory development. There are synapses firing, but they don't all reside in my brain, if you can dig it.
I have some great forged blades for this work, made by; Shosui Takeda, Matt Lamey, Chris Moss, Tai Goo, Jason Knight and Tad Lynch. I partially designed two of them, and Tad Lynch made me the MOB exactly to my specifications. Not to mention the knife I made, which I use quite a lot. So, I have lots of knives, and they're all carbon steel, and I love em and they all work like a hot damn.
But I'm a sucker for technology. I LOVE super steel! When I see a steel with almost 1.5% carbon, 14% chromium, 4% vanadium and 2% molybdenum I pretty much cream my jeans. Well, it's not that bad, but c'mon! Look at the amount of all those amazing elements! S30V- hard to beat, and I can leave a knife made from the stuff in its sheath wet without staying awake at night, knowing that the edge won't corrode much and will retain the keen-ness that I require of my cutting tools.
So, this is a WIP thread- a stock removal made knife, made with files and a vise, from S30V, with a +/- 10" blade, a copper guard and a mortised cherry handle. It's based on my own personal experience using a knife in a forest for the sole purpose of clearing trails, with minimal upkeep.
Sorry guys. This one's gonna take awhile. But don't worry, I've gotten a lot further than just drawing a picture...
I'll start the pictures now. The design for this knife occurred over an unspecified period of time, with constant refining occurring throughout.
I have to give a huge thanks to both Lin Rhea and to Jerry Fisk for helping me to dial in this pattern and in advising me in how to go about making it.
And, here it is;
I hope that you will enjoy the unfolding of this thread. I also am aiming here to put a positive out there, which might for a moment, dispel some of the dark thoughts arising out of the current date of September 11th, and the tragic anniversary that that date marks. I hope that all of you will come together, and have a little laugh at my expense.
Please stay tuned.
Five thousand posts in just about 5 years? Somewhere around 3 posts per day? Holy shit, am I a geek or what? It's ironic, because I've always had disdain for computers. I'd rather be out mountain biking or building trails or whatever. But, I'm married and have a six year old. Bladeforums helped me to stay sane during the transition from adrenalin addicted grease monkey to responsible business owner and family man. Helped me keep focused on something neat, while, (unbeknownst to me) I matured and became a full fledged MAN.
At any rate, I was hoping to make my fifth thousand post on December 5, which was the date when I joined Bladeforums. But, alas, I cannot keep my damn trap shut that long and must spoil the numerical perfection of that anniversary. Oh well, it needs to happen now. I often take a fatalistic approach, without actually feeling like a marionette. It's a gift
A big watershed moment for me on this forum occurred during the chaotic development of this thread;
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=632009
I guess you could say that this thread is its' sequel.
With just over 25 000 views, (any numerologists out there?) that thread opened a BIG door for me, and maybe one or two other guys, (who've told me as much). Up til that point, the idea of building a knife was a pretty foreign concept. I hadn't ever really considered the possibility of my building a knife, and when I started the thread I had no idea what was going to happen.
The result, was an introduction into a community of knife makers, and my first two knives, which I built all by myself. Now it must be stated clearly that Nick Wheeler was the man responsible for this mischief, as he sent me that huge file and a chunk of 1084, and also worked his heat treating magic on the steel resulting in some very dependable and worthy knives. If I do say so myself. But, I did receive plenty of excellent advice and encouragement along the way and that is something that really kept me going. I'd really encourage you all to check out that thread, there are some real gems in there.
Well, since then I've received two blanks, one from Nick and the other from Ray Richard. Nick's is done, and living a new life not too far from here. Ray's, well that's another story. It's a complicated blank, as are my plans for it. But I am steadily and slowly working on it. I must say that most of the work occurring with it is happening in my brain currently. I have another project underway, and that is what this thread is really about.
Those of you who know me a little bit, know that I spend a lot of time in the rainforest. I own and operate a tiny company called Trailworks, which is a one man show, (except for bigger contracts where I'll hire on a crew) and I use large chopsnick knives a lot of the time. All of the time. I also do a lot of 'volunteer' trail building and maintenance, (and I don't keep track of those hours). While I'm out there, chopsnicking, I think a lot about the tool I'm using. Maybe 'thinking' isn't the right word. It's like muscle memory development. There are synapses firing, but they don't all reside in my brain, if you can dig it.
I have some great forged blades for this work, made by; Shosui Takeda, Matt Lamey, Chris Moss, Tai Goo, Jason Knight and Tad Lynch. I partially designed two of them, and Tad Lynch made me the MOB exactly to my specifications. Not to mention the knife I made, which I use quite a lot. So, I have lots of knives, and they're all carbon steel, and I love em and they all work like a hot damn.
But I'm a sucker for technology. I LOVE super steel! When I see a steel with almost 1.5% carbon, 14% chromium, 4% vanadium and 2% molybdenum I pretty much cream my jeans. Well, it's not that bad, but c'mon! Look at the amount of all those amazing elements! S30V- hard to beat, and I can leave a knife made from the stuff in its sheath wet without staying awake at night, knowing that the edge won't corrode much and will retain the keen-ness that I require of my cutting tools.
So, this is a WIP thread- a stock removal made knife, made with files and a vise, from S30V, with a +/- 10" blade, a copper guard and a mortised cherry handle. It's based on my own personal experience using a knife in a forest for the sole purpose of clearing trails, with minimal upkeep.
Sorry guys. This one's gonna take awhile
. But don't worry, I've gotten a lot further than just drawing a picture...I'll start the pictures now. The design for this knife occurred over an unspecified period of time, with constant refining occurring throughout.
I have to give a huge thanks to both Lin Rhea and to Jerry Fisk for helping me to dial in this pattern and in advising me in how to go about making it.
And, here it is;
I hope that you will enjoy the unfolding of this thread. I also am aiming here to put a positive out there, which might for a moment, dispel some of the dark thoughts arising out of the current date of September 11th, and the tragic anniversary that that date marks. I hope that all of you will come together, and have a little laugh at my expense.
Please stay tuned.
