I started reading and posting to this forum in early Feb, but have never properly introduced myself. I've spent countless tens of hours reading and learning on this forum, and feel like I've known many of the regulars for years -- you are a great bunch -- great senses of humor, awesome work ethics, strong senses of responsibility, with large doses of good common sense (well, maybe I'm stretching it a little 
). I wish I ran into more people like you in my professional life.
So...here's my introduction:
I'm 41, and a systems architect/project manager/programmer/analyst. I have a lovely wife, who, so far, is being very indulgent with my new shop purchases. I have two incredibly lovely and intelligent daughters (they got their genes from their mother), aged 9 and 11, who showed great appreciation for the new mushroom-collecting knives I just made for them:thumbup: .
I'm a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S. Just moved back to Canada after 7 years in the US -- Saint Paul, MN, which is a great city in a great state. I really miss Minnesota and it's people, and know I always will.
About a month and a half ago, I decided to treat myself with the purchase of a good custom knife. I'd never owned one, and had always wanted one.
While searching the internet, I stumbled across bladeforums, and the Shop Talk sub-forum. I read for a while, and it all came flooding back -- my desire as a teenager to make my own knives. At the time, I fiddled a bit with files, got frustrated at my lack of tools and materials or the money to buy them, and ended up going off to university, vowing that one day, when I had the money, I'd get back into it.
I had completely forgotten about my promise to myself until I found bladeforums.
Well, 24 years later, I have finally put together a knifemaking shop. Less than two months ago, the only power tool I owned was a cordless screwdriver!
I forced myself to complete my first knife with hand tools and a cheap 4x36 I bought at home depot before I rushed out and spent a good chunk of my savings. I finished the knife, enjoyed it, was pleased with the results, and promptly started adding to my tool "collection". Still gotta get that evenheat, though!
It is a great feeling to revive and act upon a long-lost dream. I love my shop, and the knife-making process, and all the ongoing learning involved. After spending the last quarter century working exclusively with my brain, I am really enjoying working with my hands (though the poor, delicate things are taking a bit of a beating -- and my brain is getting as much of a workout as ever -- there is far more of brains than brawn in knife-making).
To all you great knife-makers on this forum -- one of you lost a sale, but you've all earned my everlasting gratitude in helping me realize my old dream.
Here's my new shop...
). I wish I ran into more people like you in my professional life. So...here's my introduction:
I'm 41, and a systems architect/project manager/programmer/analyst. I have a lovely wife, who, so far, is being very indulgent with my new shop purchases. I have two incredibly lovely and intelligent daughters (they got their genes from their mother), aged 9 and 11, who showed great appreciation for the new mushroom-collecting knives I just made for them:thumbup: .
I'm a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S. Just moved back to Canada after 7 years in the US -- Saint Paul, MN, which is a great city in a great state. I really miss Minnesota and it's people, and know I always will.
About a month and a half ago, I decided to treat myself with the purchase of a good custom knife. I'd never owned one, and had always wanted one.
While searching the internet, I stumbled across bladeforums, and the Shop Talk sub-forum. I read for a while, and it all came flooding back -- my desire as a teenager to make my own knives. At the time, I fiddled a bit with files, got frustrated at my lack of tools and materials or the money to buy them, and ended up going off to university, vowing that one day, when I had the money, I'd get back into it.
I had completely forgotten about my promise to myself until I found bladeforums.
Well, 24 years later, I have finally put together a knifemaking shop. Less than two months ago, the only power tool I owned was a cordless screwdriver!
I forced myself to complete my first knife with hand tools and a cheap 4x36 I bought at home depot before I rushed out and spent a good chunk of my savings. I finished the knife, enjoyed it, was pleased with the results, and promptly started adding to my tool "collection". Still gotta get that evenheat, though!
It is a great feeling to revive and act upon a long-lost dream. I love my shop, and the knife-making process, and all the ongoing learning involved. After spending the last quarter century working exclusively with my brain, I am really enjoying working with my hands (though the poor, delicate things are taking a bit of a beating -- and my brain is getting as much of a workout as ever -- there is far more of brains than brawn in knife-making).
To all you great knife-makers on this forum -- one of you lost a sale, but you've all earned my everlasting gratitude in helping me realize my old dream.
Here's my new shop...
