A few questions.

U

USMCMagician

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Oct 20, 2010
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Hello everyone, hope I am posting this in the right area. I have a few questions for yall tonight. I am a former Marine and I am trying to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life. Well I decided on knife smithing, but here is the rub I have that wonderful GI bill that I need to use up and a wife that dosnt believe this will be lucrative.

So here is my question, a business is a business but is this a lucrative career choice? What would I go to college for? metallurgy? Is it good idea to try and apprentice?

Any other advise would be helpful as well. Thank you for your time.
 
Realistically, it's not lucrative for the vast majority of knife makers. Most of us make knives on the side and have a full time job. Some people have made a career of it, but it generally took them a long time to reach that point. A lot of full time makers are not making a lot of money anyway.

There is a community college here in NC that offers knife making classes, but I'm not aware of any others. You certainly don't need a degree in metallurgy to make knives. I would pick something else if I had a GI bill to use.

If you fill out your profile with your location, you might find that there are some local knife makers in your area that can get you started.
 
Knifemaking is something very very few can make a living at.

I would also spend GI bill on something maybe useful, but with more mainstream job opportunities.

If you are thinking about a career change, try the Myers Briggs personality tests - they can really point you towards jobs that suit your personality
This book can help
http://www.amazon.com/What-Color-Your-Parachute-2011/dp/158008270X





Ed Caffrey is one who has done it, but has a working wife, zero debt, full shop, skills & a ready customer base when he retired out.
He is very diversified too, knives fixed and folders, hammers, videos, training...

I read some of his posts, that he is approved trainer for some sort of govt $, not sure exactly on details.

Try him.
http://www.caffreyknives.net/
 
Thank you for your advise ( more is much welcome as well) I happen to be not only a medically retired Marine but I'm also a military spouse with no debt ( except for a few student loans) so with the exception of not being able to do what I really want to do ( be active duty) I am in a good spot in my life. Hopefully I might be able to turn this into a business but I will heed your warnings. On a side note I'm a killer salesman and decent at marketing so I am hoping it will help me.

Oh and I will update my profile but until I do I live in Norfolk, VA
 
Sorry for the double post but I also want a little more input on the metallurgy degree. The Marine Corps taught me I like working with my hands but I also have to use mind. My dream would be to try and create my own alloy using what I have learned from my potential schooling.
That is the main draw of knife smithing to me the ability to use my mind, hands, and creativity.
 
Well, living in Norfolk is the lucky part. I would go for jewellry making as you can use most of the skills that you learn for knifemaking. I would also contact Bladsmith here on the forums. He is a full time Jeweller/knifemaker and lives in Norfolk. I don't know if he takes apprentices (and I wouldn't badger him about it) but he could certainly steer you in the right direction and give lots of good advice. Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
I think Cleeston Synard said it best -
"If I won $1,000,000 in the lottery tomorrow, I would still keep on making knives for a living...........until it was all gone."

The words "Lucrative" and "Knifemaking" are rarely used in the same sentence.
 
You might want to look into studying industrial arts. It will give you a lot of knowledge you can use in knife making and will provide some additional job opportunities.
 
It seems a lot of guys who have highly developed machinist skills do well in knifemaking, as well as guys who are skilled in jewerly making. But, you captured it, skilled hands, an active mind, and the ability to create. Good luck, and thank you for your service to this country.

Dave
 
If I were in your position I think I'd use that killer sales talent and the GI Bill to start a career in sales that would make me a good living and do knife making on the side. But that's just me, YMMV.
 
I agree with the others. Some machining/welding classes or industial arts classes would be the best to go with knifemaking. We use alot of machines from mills, drill presses, grinders etc etc.
 
Mike Draper told me a while back.

"The best way to make a million dollars as a knifemaker is to start with two million."

:)
 
As prior service with a GI Bill, I got a degree in business, because everything you do invovles some sort of business. A Tech college with some business classes sprinkled in ... could be a good thing for you. Welcome to the rest of your life.
 
Just like everyone else has said, knife maker is not a well paying job for most of us. If knife making was my only income I would have died by now:( If you have a disposable income is a nice way to blow through that:p Right now I am happ if the knives I make pay for the supplies for the next knife, let alone a wage to myself
 
If I had a situation like yours, which I assume comes with healthcare. I'd get a degree in business, possibly marketing. Most of the money side is in selling yourself as much as the knives you make. Most of the learning to make knives is hands on in the shop. Look at the ABS schools and see if some of your GI bill is applicable. http://www.americanbladesmith.com/index.php?section=pages&id=174
With the idea of making a "new" alloy like you stated, and being an excellent sales person I'd recommend some time spent studying Jerry Busse.... He's created a brand that sells well, and has an ardent(rabid) following and even as his own "secret" steel with a proprietary undisclosed heat treat....Almost exactly what you say you want...
I see the more successful knife makers making money through volume. A few make really good money after YEARS of making a name for themselves. The large portion of knife makers that I know that are full time are retired/disability military with health insurance and wives with good jobs. Few are rich, but most seem to enjoy a slower paced life.
Good luck, I hope you get to do what you love to do!
 
First off Thank You for your service.

+1 to all of the above. Having retired from the Navy and did the Voc Rehab I have a unique perspective most do not. You have a couple of avenues you can take. I would go with VA Vocational rehabilitation first. They will send you to school and pay you a stipend while attending. See what you can work out in the knifemaking world. I know when I did my rehab they would not allow me to become a "knifemaker" since it did not have an end employment opportunity. However things have changes a bit since then. From what I understand Ed Caffery is now a VA authorized instructor. Guess what he teaches??? Knife Smithing. I am not sure what the school would entail and how long it would take but it might be one option. Even if it was just one class out of a greater degree. I got an AA in machine tool technology. Learned how to use mills, lathes, grinders and CNC equipment etc.

Once you are done with Voc Rehab then use your GI bill to get a Bachelors degree. This can extend your school eligibility for a few years.

As far as knifemaking as a money making career, not many can make it but if you are as good at sales as you say you just might be one of the few. Good luck and if I can help out in any way feel free to drop me a line. Email and website are available in my profile.
 
You have a choice find an attractive knife that you can make fast and sell cheap or go for the satisfaction of achieving something better. Learn one steel well and you can enjoy the satisfaction of truly mastering your own personal goals. Don't expect to make a great living off of knives, but through sharing your knowledge you can achieve something that is maybe more, if that is what you want. There may be new alloys in the future, but none have truly mastered what is available today.
 
Inspiring words of wisdom from great minds thank you everyone. I am humbled by the amount of help. As to the money, it honestly not important with me ( as long as I make a minor income, even 12-18 grand a year after tax) it is being able to do what I love that is important to me, and I have always loved a good blade.
 
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