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'13 is over. What do you want to do in '14?

J

Jason Fry

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
3,164
Well, 2013 is pretty much in the history books. Knife highlights of the year for me included a couple of big bowies, a couple of knife shows, a couple of frame handles, upgrading my grinder to variable speed, getting a knife in Blade mag and a knife in Texas Monthly, and joining the Knifemaker's Guild as a Probarionary member.

My plans for '14 include getting a couple of my designs waterjet cut, continuing to improve my tools and fit/finish, and to finally go legit in terms of setting up my hobby as a business. I am joining the ABS next week so I can get the clock ticking there and work toward my JS after I finish the guild process in '15. I might can work out a way to get to Texarkana/Washington for the Intro to Bladesmithing class in '14 to cut a year off the wait.

What were your highlights for 2013? What do you plan for 2014?
 
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Cool thread Jason! Looks like you've made some major improvements in 13.

My 2013 highlight was becoming a full time maker and managing (barley) to be financially OK doing it. Friends and local purchases really helped alot. I've gotta make some changes and get faster over the next year.

For 2014 I want to start using CNC work on my handles and improve my tolerances overall. I'd also like to finally get the shop finished up, add a bridgeport and a CNC router and just try to make 1 knife a day, every day.

Also for personal projects I'd like to make my first sword and a dagger. Forging is also all the list but I probably won't get around to building a forge this year.
 
I got to show my knives and become a probationary member of the Knifemakers Guild right beside Jason Fry. That was pretty cool for 2013.

In 2014 I hope to show them another set and vote with the other members for the first time.
 
I was just talking about this with my wife. This year I went from near zero tools to having a medium level shop, and the supplies to go variable speed both on my disc sander and my 2x72. I am going to join the ABS, and work toward the JS testing in a few years.
 
My highlight for 2013 is that I started this month with this beautiful hobby. And I (well my dad did) bought a 1 x 30 belt grinder yesterday to start with knife making.

And for 2014 would be to finish my first handmade knife! And start with another one.
 
KMG of my own, full-size hidden tangs, and a folder. or two.
It's December 31, ambition is free today. :D
 
Haha. That is the planning. I have to heat tread it on school and in january i have to go to school for 3 weeks so it is the 'only chance'. :P
 
As for 2013, my proudest achievement is sending my knives to even more "new" states and countries, and more importantly, getting repeat business from prior clients. I went to my first BLADE show last spring, and man that was a hoot... I didn't have a table but it was great fun to get some face-time with makers I've admired for years.

I've been blessed to make friends with Ethan Becker and his legion of supporters... I can barely express how supportive those cats are. Opening my own subforum was also a big step forward, which has already paid off. Thanks for your help with that, Spark!

It remains to be seen if I will petition the Guild for membership in '14 or not. As much as I admire the organization, I'm not sure that doing so is the best use of my limited time and resources.

I am trying hard to narrow my focus to fewer, more "signature" models, and build a "brand". That will include kitchen knives, as well as the utility/hunter/survival type designs I've been making all along.

I don't see myself turning down custom work any time soon... that's how I made my bones in this crazy field, and it still accounts for a big chunk of paying my mortgage and putting beans in the cupboard :)
 
My highlights of this year were upgrading from a craftsmen to an esteem, begining to work with higher end steels (3V) and not ending up stuck with any knives I have made

My hopes for next year are to try some new steels, waterjet some of my designs so I can make them faster, as well as trying to make some bigger blades, maby a couple fighters or Bowles. I also really want to attend knife shows, even if I don't have a table. Finally I hope to improve my work enough so I can charge more, and do better than just breaking even so I can afford some more tools.

Cool thread, I look forward to what other people have to say!
 
I wanna get a real grinder!

Either built or bought, but I want a real one none the less!!

-Alan
 
Purchase a Blackjack model 14 for 2014, which is kinda rad since that knife is about 412$ where I live, and Its not like I can buy it anywhere else for what I know.

Wish me luck.
 
I joined this site at the end of October of 2013, made my first knife at the beginning of November, now I have 8 under my belt and I am addicted hard and love every minute of it. My goal for 2014 will be to get a 2x72, and a heat treat oven. Maybe at the trailing end of 2014 I might try a little forging if I can find a blacksmith near me who could spare a couple hours a week/month. Oh and I want to improve my leather working skills. The couple of sheaths I made so far I extremely enjoyed making, about as much enjoyment from that as making knives. Something about seeing something I make with my hands fills me with pride even if it is not great.
 
just joined the site about a week or so ago. have made 5 file knives so far. already planning to get a 2x72 grinder probably going to build one.
my hopes for 2014 is to quit my job and get rich making knives lol.
na really I just hope to be able to produce a really nice one that people would like to buy, and maybe make enough to support my new and loved hobby.
 
I had a great 2013 and want 2014 to be even better. I want to add some equipment and I'm going to go headlong into the flippers. I've had a lot of people ask for them, but I've had so many orders for regular linerlocks I just haven't been able to get to them.

Good luck to all and Happy New Year!
 
Marty Young said:
I had a great 2013 and want 2014 to be even better. I want to add some equipment and I'm going to go headlong into the flippers. I've had a lot of people ask for them, but I've had so many orders for regular linerlocks I just haven't been able to get to them.

Good luck to all and Happy New Year!
Click to expand...

Awesome brother hope you and yours are awesome. We need to catch up brother. Happy Nee Year.
 
I want to make a knife where I don't mess anything up.

I also want to try my hand at going full-time during my Summer break and making as many knives as possible. I hardly get anything knife-related done during the semesters, and I'm always dreaming about pursuing the craft after school, so it will be a good opportunity for me to try it for those 3 months.

And to start off the New Years strong (literally the day after), I am visiting Murray Carter for a couple weeks to study under him :)
 
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