A visit from Mike Fitzgerald

adammichael

adammichael

Joined
Sep 13, 2004
Messages
1,553
I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Fitzgerald today and I have to tell you I cant remember ever meeting a nicer man. We had a long 6 1/2 hour talk about everything from forging to how his wife Nancy is the best thing that ever happened to him.

Not only was he very genrious with alot of valuable information, he also brought along a few gifts for me that I know I did nothing to deserve.

If anyone here has a chance to talk with Mr. Fitzgerald in person you would be foolish if you didnt take advantage of it, Also, if he gives advise on these forums, believe it. He knows what he is talking about.

He gave me an honest critic of my knives and my forging press and I will use that advise to improve both of then.

Thanks Michael, I cant remember the last time I had such an enjoyable Saturday afternoon and Nancy, I'm sorry I kept him away from home so long, He should be home shortly.
 
adammichael said:
.....
Thanks Michael, I cant remember the last time I had such an enjoyable Saterday afternoon and Nancy, I'm sorry I kept him away from home so long, He should be home shortly.
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Michael, I am as close to blushing as I ever get, over your extremely kind words. I thank you for your gracious and enjoyable hospitality.

I think our visit was surely as educational and beneficial to me. You can bet I learned a number of things from you, too, and I pray I can retain them long enough to put to use!:o

Folks, I admit I liked AdamMichael knives before our visit. When I got to hold them in my hand and looked carefully, I saw the attention to detail and the devotion to handcrafting skill that makes a knifemaker's knifemaker. Wonderful symmetry and beautiful fit and finish. His attitude and ethic are what I would call "the right stuff"; nothing is left just 'good enough". Collectors take note: you get your money's worth and more.

For "damascusheads", I saw a press nearing completion that is so nicely designed and built one can do nothing but ooh and aah. I can't wait to see it in operation. It was also the first time I ever got to actually cut metal on a Bridgeport, and there will always be a hole in my heart from here on in.... :o

Michael, I had a blast, and truly appreciate you inviting me up. I look forward to our next visit together. It was a pleasure to meet Kathy and Adam. Please thank your missus for allowing me to hang out today so long.

thanks, again!:)
 
Just with my association with him on the forums makes me believe that he is top notch people. Ive always enjoyed speaking with him on Pal talk and really respected his comments and posts. He's a wealth of knowledge and very generous to share it. Your words only prove that.

Shane
 
Fitzo,

I'd love to get the chance to spend an afternoon with you and Michael. I've only been fortunate enough to see his knives online and do a bit of long distance horse trading with him. From our conversations Michael seems like a great guy and I'm sure you guys had a great time.

Them Bridgeport things can be fun eh? Be careful, this might cost you ")
 
Shane, thanks! :)

John, I had a great time and agree he is a very nice man. Some knives look great in fotos and suck when you get to see them firsthand. His stood the test of close inspection. You don't get to see in a foto the wonderful tang taper or things like fiber spacers that aren't just cut, but chamfered to match bolster angles and such. High attention to detail. Artistic and creative, too.

I have coveted a nice mill for a long time, and today didn't make it any better! :( LOL In order to have one it would have to live out in an unattached unheated garage with poor lighting and damp Midwest winters. Just not a good place for a precision machine. As supportive as Nanc has always been, tearing up her new kitchen and our roof to lower a Bridgeport down into the shop draws what we call "stinkeye" in my home...;) I'll just have to learn to live with "Bridgeport envy"!
 
Fatzo: I am glad you are feeling better and was able to get out of the house and make that journey.:D :D But I want you to take it easy so you can get your Butt up here for a HI.:D
PS: You may have to make two trip because of the size. HEHEHEHE!!!
 
Mike Kanter and Mike Fitzgerald. Two of the nicest guys on the planet. :thumbup:
 
Michael: You can come up and use my Bridgeport any time you want

Jeff: Now I have to figure a way to get you out here to show me and Michael how to use the damn thing. What if I paid you airfair?

It was great to finally meet someone that I have been talking to for the last year and a half. I wish a few of you other Blade forum guys lived closer.
 
Want to pay for an airfare from Montreal? I use a Bridgeport every day.:D :D
Sadly though, for knives I only get to use it after hours sometimes. If I had one at home my wife would never see me.

Another Mike:D
 
adammichael said:
....... I wish a few of you other Blade forum guys lived closer.
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I think it's about time Higgy got busy and invented a Transporter. Since he built that tapper I'm thinking a way to beam us around is in his skillset, too! :) Something with a big digitizing table we stand on and the Internet scoots us all around. Of course, we'd all have to get cable modems... :(
:D
 
You know if we all could get together at a place that was "knife friendly" in the central U.S , we could sure have a hoot !

My roundtrip flight from here to Washington was only $313.

Something to think about.
 
Mark Williams said:
You know if we all could get together at a place that was "knife friendly" in the central U.S , we could sure have a hoot !

My roundtrip flight from here to Washington was only $313.

Something to think about.
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I wonder who would get arrested first??????:D :D We (NECKA) have 2 HI's every year and are trying to find a bigger place to have it, to host more people than my shop. Most of the NECKA members hang here so all you other dudes on the east side of the Mississippi should come. :D :D
 
fitzo said:
I think it's about time Higgy got busy and invented a Transporter. Since he built that tapper I'm thinking a way to beam us around is in his skillset, too! :) Something with a big digitizing table we stand on and the Internet scoots us all around. Of course, we'd all have to get cable modems... :(
:D
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I'm still working that Knifemaker's Monastery idea with co-creator, The Great and Powerful, Master Williams. :p

I'm on the brink of inventing the transporter beam, but I just need a little bit more melange to achieve enlightenment. :cool:
 
Mark Williams said:
You know if we all could get together at a place that was "knife friendly" in the central U.S , we could sure have a hoot !

My roundtrip flight from here to Washington was only $313.

Something to think about.
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What would it take for us to organize a BLADEFORUMS hammer-in and knifeshow. Now THAT would be cool, and proabably be a first.
 
adammichael said:
Jeff: Now I have to figure a way to get you out here to show me and Michael how to use the damn thing. What if I paid you airfair?
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That, plus I charge $125 per hour for travel, $125 per hour consultation, $200 overtime, plus expenses.

For you, however, I will do it pro bono. I just would like to wait until the snow is gone. :D
 
jhiggins said:
.....I'm on the brink of inventing the transporter beam, but I just need a little bit more melange to achieve enlightenment. :cool:
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I hope so, Jeff. It'd be like a six thumper journey out to IG's from here.... :)

Herbert certainly created a cool world, didn't he?
 
indian george said:
I surpized you didn't get it the last time you visited the Feast?????:p HEHEHEHE!!!
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Only cool people know what that is. :cool: I'll need to spend more time with you. Up for some tutoring? :p
 
:D
fitzo said:
I hope so, Jeff. It'd be like a six thumper journey out to IG's from here.... :)

Herbert certainly created a cool world, didn't he?
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Anything can be done with the Spice! I'm thinking of adapting my Kawasaki to run on it. A Boston to LA run ought to take about 3 minutes after the fold.

:thumbup:
 
jhiggins said:
:D

Anything can be done with the Spice! I'm thinking of adapting my Kawasaki to run on it. A Boston to LA run ought to take about 3 minutes after the fold.

:thumbup:
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Hell, that'd make it so I could even ride from here to Dublin for a decent pint!
 
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