A little clearing of the air is in order...

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
5,786
In a couple of posts on another part of this forum, as of late, and through email with certain people the last couple of days it has come to my attention that some folks in the maker's area think I'm a super poser and that I have paid for a knifemaker title, but am nothing but a newbie jerk pretending to play a knifemaker on TV. Because I titled a few of my posts "1st one off the grinder", "2nd one off the grinder" etc, I think some people think that I have been habging around here since 1999 asking and answering knifemaking questions, yet didn't make my first knife until a few weeks ago. So, I figured clearing the air a bit is in order. I hope this doesn't start any kind of battle, I just want to get some facts out in the open for the people who have been watching me going "who is this guy?"

1) My membership at Bladeforums goes to 1999, as you can see in my ID. I started off as a custom sheathmaker. Did that for a while, but school caused things to slow down.
2) Got my start in making knives through Rob Simonich's Cetan Tanto kit, then I had a couple "kit" blades made by Mel Madpoet Sorg, and did one from Jens Ansø, too.
3) That got things rolling for me, and I started making my own stuff in early 2000, if I had to guess.
4) I think I made my first knife sale in either late 2000 or it might have been early 2001. I had traded a few around before that.
5) Up until 3-4 weeks ago, I was doing all my grinding using files. It's slow going, I own my own practice and I was a doctoral student before that, so I didn't make tons and tons of knives that way, but if you look around you'll see pictures all over the place.
6) The knives I've been posting as "1st onee off the grinder" et al are just that, the first few examples on my Coote 2x72, they are NOT the first knives I've ever made!

Also, I've been told that I shouldn't consider myself a knifemaker, and that I have purchased my title from Bladeforums, which is something anybody can do if they want to. I guess the term "knifemaker" means different things to different people. I've been accused in the past of being a jerk becuase I've been a BFC member for 5 years yet I've never upgraded to a pay membership. Because I wanted full access to what I really come here for, which is the knifemaker stuff, I bought that membership. Also, I can't help the fact that the software attaches "KnifeMaker" to my name automatically.

I recognize that there is a world of difference between a professional knifemaker with decades of experience and someone who is a part-timer like me. That doesn't mean I shouldn't participate in these discussions or feel like a schmuck, but I get upset by the accusation that I'ma poser and that I "bought" my knifemaking title. Literally, yes, it cost me $40, but I've been doing this in one form or another since 2000, so I don't think I deserve the title of Poser Extraordinaire, although it does have a nice ring to it. I've never been anything but honest about what I do for a living and that I have zero interest at this time in my life in being a professional knifemaker, but I was surprised to find out people who've been here as long as I have think I just started making knives 3 weeks ago! LOL!

Thanks for listening to me blab.
 
Steve, I'm sorry to hear about this. You've got to ignore that kind of negativity and strive to do the best you can. You do some great work and there are alot of people jealous of the fact that they can't make knives. Forget what the nay sayers do and keep your head high and know that you will succeed. When I hear things like that it only makes me try harder. I will never stop making knives no matter what anyone says until I'm six foot under. You're doing good now kick it into overdrive. :D
Scott
 
Let your work speak for itself, Steve. Get it in front of as many eyes as you can. When you're behind a table, the buyer has no idea how long you've been making, or for how many hours a week. They either like the knife or they don't.

I wouldn't sweat it.

Now, get back to work.


:p
 
Not to go off-topic with my own thread, but Daniel, I didn't know you were making khuks now, too! :cool: Gotta get to your website more often, I guess! :D
 
I know it took me along time to even consiter myself a knife maker.
Dan pushed me over that line and I never looked back. You have to make your decision what a knifemaker is and if you are one.
 
If I could go with "amateur" or "part-time" I'd be a little more comfortable, but I have to take what Bladeforums software gives out, so there it is! If I considered myself a knifemaker first and foremost my patients would be in big, big trouble! I love it on Britsh Blades that I could register as an "amateur knifemaker" rather than as a professional. Shoot, there's a huge difference between someone making a living at this and someone doing it for fun. I don't think one's better than the other, but there's a difference, surely.
 
GEEEE! I didn't know that you made knives?????? :confused: Is that what you call them???? :p :p HEHEHEHE!!! I am wait'g to see one with that CF. :D :D And a $hithead TOOOOO with a degree???? :eek: :D
 
Mark Williams said:
Poser...nahh. $shithead...definately :)
Click to expand...

so true. :D

I tried to counter the "knifemaker" status by adding "hobby knifemaker" in my sig line.
 
Chiro75 said:
If I could go with "amateur" or "part-time" I'd be a little more comfortable, but I have to take what Bladeforums software gives out, so there it is! If I considered myself a knifemaker first and foremost my patients would be in big, big trouble! I love it on Britsh Blades that I could register as an "amateur knifemaker" rather than as a professional. Shoot, there's a huge difference between someone making a living at this and someone doing it for fun. I don't think one's better than the other, but there's a difference, surely.
Click to expand...
Do you make knives? Yes? Then your a knife maker. Period.

Dont let anyone tell you Different.

I became a knife maker when i made my second knife and as long as I continue to make knives, regardless of how fast i make them or how good they are, I will be a knife maker.

If i made knives as my major source of income i would be a full time knife maker.

Michael
 
I tried to counter the "knifemaker" status by adding "hobby knifemaker" in my sig line.
Click to expand...
Is that something I can do, too?? If so, how? Make that "dumb $shithead" I guess! :rolleyes:

And a $hithead TOOOOO with a degree????
Click to expand...
Hold onto your hat... $shithead with TWO degrees! Why do you think I have to ask questions about drilling, tapping, threading, and all of the other practical stuff I know nothing about? Had my head buried in too many anatomy and chemistry books, and not even the good anatomy I hear some Pirates are shivering their timbers about! Only thing worse than a $shithead is an educated $shithead. I assume you got my check, BTW, IG?
 
We all have to start someplace and if you have actually sold a knife you made you are well worthy of the title knifemaker. Now we may need to modify that title to bad knifemaker, sad knifemaker, bad-ass knifemaker ect. Education is over-rated my studies in the nuke field have had very little use in my ability to make knives.
 
I have to agree. Like I can even say. You have been doing this MUCH longer than I have. I appreciate the info you have sent my way. ;)
 
Yes I did thank you. I hope it works for you annd I got a few more pieces.
Click to expand...
Ahhh, now I see. Send a little "taste" to get the juices flowing. I'll bet the next pieces will cost me more than $5! More like $5 plus my soul for eternity!!! :D
 
Chiro,
I think you may have been jumped on because you are giving advise like you have made alot of knives. My advise is just give advise on what you have experience in and grow as a maker. Just take it slow...even though it has been since 2000 or so since you made your first few knives you are a newby and we all are at one point and when do we graduate from that title? I'll let you know when that happens ;)
Just have fun and make what you make... the rest will fall into place.
 
The word knifemaker IMO has nothing to do with the level at which someone is at. If you make knives no matter how you made it then you're a knifemaker. I don't feel that I'm a knifemaker, I would rather be considered a toolmaker. To me my knives are made more as an outdoor tool then a knife. I don't know if that makes any sense. Everybody here with the paid knifemaker sub. I would consider knifemakers. There's a wealth of knowledge and some damn good lookings knives made by you guys. :) I have learned alot from the guys with the BF knifemaker status.
Scott
 
Chiro75,
I don't see why anyone has any problem with you being called a knifmaker.
You make knives. You are interested in the makers' forum. you are willing to spend the $40 to access the makers forum. That is fine.
If you want to join the forums, the ABS, The Knifemakers' Guild, the Professional Knifemakers Association, that is fine. If not, that is fine.
I guess simply, if someone has a problem with you being called a knifemaker, it isn't your problem, it seems to me it is their problem.
Good natured ribbing like IG does is one thing and fine, but if someone is really upset or even concerned about what you are called, it isn't their place to express concern any more than it would be my place to say anything if I had an unfounded negative opinion of someone or something.
Cliche time: Life is to short, etc.

Godd Luck with balancing your profession and obsession....that REALLY makes it seem like life is too short....
 
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