- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Messages
- 19,687
On a serious note guys, I am no Master Knifemaker. A Master Artist is a defined concept, and I would ask y'all to use caution and not refer to me that way. I have utmost respect for the knifemakers who have achieved this status, and our very talented Journeymen as well. Their work is obviously on a level apart from mine, by miles. I am -this is very important IMO- not such a craftsman yet, and may never achieve it, though, I am striving for masterful craftsmanship. Honestly, I am at the apprentice level in my work guys. I am striving to achieve (in my own judgement) journeyman status, but in my own opinion, I have not achieved this yet, and still need 300 knives a year for a few more years. This is something I am proud to be! I am an Apprentice Knifemaker. Its the best job I've ever had.
Certainly, and unfortunately, I have no organization that can test and certify my craftsmanship on that scale at all. It simply doesn't exsist. And I think that is regretable for those of us who are not forgers, but grind our blades. I think the Knifemakers Guild is admirable, and I plan to try to join it when I think I am good enough to get through Kentucky. I have a membership application signed by Guild members, and I will be very excited to send it in when I'm ready. But the fact is that they don't test for journeyman, or master status, have no program to do so, and so there is a void IMO among the grinders of our time. For now I have to judge myself, and I claim Apprentice status proudly, and work toward mastery.
Think of the knives made by Bruce Bump, or J. Neilson, then think of mine. The difference is rediculous, its like a silly cartoon that makes you laugh. Think of Nick Wheeler's knives, then think of mine. Again, there is a very palpably distict difference. I would live in the ditch in front of any of those mens homes if they let me sweep their shop, clean their toilets and learn from them. Their status is certified by the ABS. But that isn't necessary for me to see that Raymond Richard is a Master Knifemaker. I hope one day to make pieces that tell my status, like Mr. Richards. Then I'll think I really achieved something. Right now I'm just happy making cutting tools with edges that work hard and handles that are comfortable.
I just wanted to let y'all in this forum know how seriously I take those status titles. Please, don't call me a master. It would cheapen the actual achievement for others IMO!!! Allowing it to happen here in this forum would make me look like a bigheaded cheezeball among men I timidly call peers.
Certainly, and unfortunately, I have no organization that can test and certify my craftsmanship on that scale at all. It simply doesn't exsist. And I think that is regretable for those of us who are not forgers, but grind our blades. I think the Knifemakers Guild is admirable, and I plan to try to join it when I think I am good enough to get through Kentucky. I have a membership application signed by Guild members, and I will be very excited to send it in when I'm ready. But the fact is that they don't test for journeyman, or master status, have no program to do so, and so there is a void IMO among the grinders of our time. For now I have to judge myself, and I claim Apprentice status proudly, and work toward mastery.
Think of the knives made by Bruce Bump, or J. Neilson, then think of mine. The difference is rediculous, its like a silly cartoon that makes you laugh. Think of Nick Wheeler's knives, then think of mine. Again, there is a very palpably distict difference. I would live in the ditch in front of any of those mens homes if they let me sweep their shop, clean their toilets and learn from them. Their status is certified by the ABS. But that isn't necessary for me to see that Raymond Richard is a Master Knifemaker. I hope one day to make pieces that tell my status, like Mr. Richards. Then I'll think I really achieved something. Right now I'm just happy making cutting tools with edges that work hard and handles that are comfortable.
I just wanted to let y'all in this forum know how seriously I take those status titles. Please, don't call me a master. It would cheapen the actual achievement for others IMO!!! Allowing it to happen here in this forum would make me look like a bigheaded cheezeball among men I timidly call peers.
