- Joined
- Sep 28, 2005
- Messages
- 4,527
The subject of "knifemaker" has come up fairly often in both this and the Custom forum, so I thought I would start a discussion. When should somebody call themself a knifemaker? Is it after the get a business license? After 'X' number of knives made? After they sell their knives to an outside source? After they join a group such as a guild? Or once the bug has bitten them and they know that they will continue making as long as they live? Once they get a website? Once other makers tell them they are good enough........
I'm really not sure where to make the delineation. I will use myself as an example. I make knives, but don't call myself a knifemaker. I have under 20 knives completed, with about 30 projects on the go in various stages. In the past I have thought about buying a knifemakers membership, but don't want to be seen as pretentious. I have enough handle material and steel to last me a number of years, especially at the rate I work, and am going to continue this hobby as long as I can because I live each day as a knife aficionado. I fully understand that many of my designs are not everybodies cup of tea, and have no illusions that I will someday become the next Moran/Lorchener/Hanson...... That was my goal years ago, but realize that life has taken me in other directions. My 2-8th knives were made as I was learning to walk again, and everything I've made was on budget tools (dremel, 4x36" bench sander, cheap drill press). My accident has put me in not very good financial position, and working out of the hole is a priority over spending much on my hobby at this point.
Where do I start having the pride to call myself a knifemaker? The first knife shaped object I made was for a coworker, and to date I've sold 3 knives. I have a lot of work to go in terms of fit and finish. I am at this point playing with profile designs in order to find my own style. Most of what I've enjoyed making is in the 3/32"- 1/8" thickness range, because I don't feel like hogging through the 1/4" blanks I've profiled. I send out my blades to be heat treated and use good starting materials so that I can only blame myself for deficiencies. I look for advice on positives and negatives of what I've made, and consider all points, even if I don't follow through with them.
Lately it has seemed like some established makers here have been rather harsh or narrow in opinion when dealing with people new to making knives. I've read people called phony when they are really just new and made very flawed knives that they are proud of. Remember that we all started somewhere and our hobby is one that the vast majority of people are unaware that knifemaking can be done by individuals. I would hazard a guess that many people trying their first attempt have not ever, if often, worked with their hands or have been given proper tool instructions. I grew up using tools incorrectly on the farm, as I doubt my mom had ever been shown proper techniques- one example is simple filing, I never knew not to file in both directions/use a file card or brush/ or even what draw filing was. I've seen it suggested that challenges should only be open to those that HT their own steel. Not saying that I haven't seen great acts of generosity- I've been the recipient of them myself, and haven't risen to the challenge in all cases either, and feel bad that the generous materials I've been sent are still in the "to do pile"; but at times I get almost a feeling of hostility toward some newbs who just may be over zealous.
I've rambled enough, and haven't said nearly as much as I want to, nor said it as clearly as I wish (I hate writing longer prose on an iPhone), but I'm sure you get the drift. When should one refer to themself as a knifemaker- rather than neophyte (my term I use), steel mangler, dust maker... And conversely when should somebody not refer to themselves as a knifemaker.
I don't think there will be a across the board agreement, but thought it deserves discourse out in the open for all to opine on.
(P.S. I hadn't seen Sparks sticky on the Custom Forum asking for makers to buy a makers membership, but it reinforced my premise for posting this IMO.)
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...t-this-website-with-a-Knifemaker-s-Membership
I'm really not sure where to make the delineation. I will use myself as an example. I make knives, but don't call myself a knifemaker. I have under 20 knives completed, with about 30 projects on the go in various stages. In the past I have thought about buying a knifemakers membership, but don't want to be seen as pretentious. I have enough handle material and steel to last me a number of years, especially at the rate I work, and am going to continue this hobby as long as I can because I live each day as a knife aficionado. I fully understand that many of my designs are not everybodies cup of tea, and have no illusions that I will someday become the next Moran/Lorchener/Hanson...... That was my goal years ago, but realize that life has taken me in other directions. My 2-8th knives were made as I was learning to walk again, and everything I've made was on budget tools (dremel, 4x36" bench sander, cheap drill press). My accident has put me in not very good financial position, and working out of the hole is a priority over spending much on my hobby at this point.
Where do I start having the pride to call myself a knifemaker? The first knife shaped object I made was for a coworker, and to date I've sold 3 knives. I have a lot of work to go in terms of fit and finish. I am at this point playing with profile designs in order to find my own style. Most of what I've enjoyed making is in the 3/32"- 1/8" thickness range, because I don't feel like hogging through the 1/4" blanks I've profiled. I send out my blades to be heat treated and use good starting materials so that I can only blame myself for deficiencies. I look for advice on positives and negatives of what I've made, and consider all points, even if I don't follow through with them.
Lately it has seemed like some established makers here have been rather harsh or narrow in opinion when dealing with people new to making knives. I've read people called phony when they are really just new and made very flawed knives that they are proud of. Remember that we all started somewhere and our hobby is one that the vast majority of people are unaware that knifemaking can be done by individuals. I would hazard a guess that many people trying their first attempt have not ever, if often, worked with their hands or have been given proper tool instructions. I grew up using tools incorrectly on the farm, as I doubt my mom had ever been shown proper techniques- one example is simple filing, I never knew not to file in both directions/use a file card or brush/ or even what draw filing was. I've seen it suggested that challenges should only be open to those that HT their own steel. Not saying that I haven't seen great acts of generosity- I've been the recipient of them myself, and haven't risen to the challenge in all cases either, and feel bad that the generous materials I've been sent are still in the "to do pile"; but at times I get almost a feeling of hostility toward some newbs who just may be over zealous.
I've rambled enough, and haven't said nearly as much as I want to, nor said it as clearly as I wish (I hate writing longer prose on an iPhone), but I'm sure you get the drift. When should one refer to themself as a knifemaker- rather than neophyte (my term I use), steel mangler, dust maker... And conversely when should somebody not refer to themselves as a knifemaker.
I don't think there will be a across the board agreement, but thought it deserves discourse out in the open for all to opine on.
(P.S. I hadn't seen Sparks sticky on the Custom Forum asking for makers to buy a makers membership, but it reinforced my premise for posting this IMO.)
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...t-this-website-with-a-Knifemaker-s-Membership
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I try not to split hairs.
