An interesting video of a female knifemaker

[John Katt]

She is obviously doing something right.

Perhaps it's the shredded dirty wife beater sexy girl look that she is doing right, that look has the ability to appeal to both teams, twice the market ;0)

 

[i4Marc]

There are a few things at work. yes, the novelty of a woman making knives in a field of mostly guys will draw attention. She has used this attention to her advantage, which is what anyone would do regardless of gender. It isn't unfair it's smart business. Now let's add the fact she has set up shop in Brooklyn, NY. For those who don't know, Brooklyn (particularly Williamsburg) is a chic artist's community. Anything seen as artsy cool will be embraced by the in crowd. Would her knives compare favorably to other knives by other custom makers many of whom post on the Forum, mmmmmmmmmm no. Does it matter? No. She is selling to buyers who for whatever reason are willing to pay the price. Good for her. God bless America and capitalism. Would many of the buyers feel foolish if they knew the kind of knives they could have for the same money? Maybe, maybe not. Many of the people who buy her knives are not buying knives from a knife maker. They are buying objects from a recognized artist. This gives the buyer art appreciation cred in that circle. Either way, who cares? It's just one more maker bringing attention to a craft we love and exposing the art to a new market of collectors. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Augus7us]

about thirty seconds in, he pulls steel out of the fire burning like a sparkler.
that steel is garbage.

Not if he's making a ram's head handle or any number of things you can forge weld from mild steel! Non blacksmiths think that sparks are always flying everywhere, once these camera guys show up and realize that doesn't happen, they want sparks. Just about every professionally filmed blacksmithing video I've seen has gratuitous forge welding shots, for dramatic effect.

I read her website and I believe her to be a knowledgeable knifemaker, maybe not world class or anything. Her care instructions, working with other knifemakers and product are a few things that stuck out to me. My opinion is she is somewhat intentionally going for the rustic look. A lot of knives made in the spare time of blacksmiths who do not bladesmith that I have seen resemble her work.

I think she's found a niche and has a good thing going. I hope she does well, this brings positive attention to our craft.

 

[PaulBC]

I bet she started out making knives, they weren't so great. They sold well because hipsters like old, obviously hand made looking things. Now she has to make them look like that.

 

[John Katt]

is a chic artist's community.

That's a synonym for a herd of sheeple, one sheeple finds an interesting object, shows it to the other unsuspecting sheeple and then using the herd mentality they all run out and buy the same object...sad at the very least

If she were selling a good product, it might be different, but people will realize in time that the knives are crap, and the attention she brings to the legitimate knife makers community will be unwanted

 

[NickWheeler]

ALL other things aside... Is this is a high quality, hand made knife???

But yea, more power to her.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Very rough work.

lovely lady, though.

There are more than a few female makers with great looks producking top noch work. With excellent fit and finish. No reason to settle for rough work. In the 50-70 price range maybe.

 

[Nic.]

That's kind of a shallow way to interpret a woman's success.

I agree whole heartedly. As a female myself, more power to her. some like that unique flare although rough. Girl power, more power to her, and she will learn and improve as we all do!

 

[james terrio]

I'm in favor of any "angle" that brings more independent people into the metal-working crafts. I definitely do not mind if those people happen to be female.

I don't buy the cinnamon-grating thing for one second, and I don't give a hoot in Hell for the hippy-dippy baloney about "giving your energy away by cutting on the forward stroke". That's just not my cup of tea. So what?

I also don't give a damn if she wears makeup or shows off her trendy haircut, or if only "Brooklyn hipsters" buy her work. Who cares? She's not competing for the same market as I am, or Mr. Wheeler is, etc.

Hey, those same hipsters may think I'm a either a poseur or filthy dumb hillbilly because I live in the South, have long hair and wear a burnt-up, beat-up raggedy-ass Dickies jacket more often than not. (which I did NOT buy from a thrift store, BTW... I bought it new and every scuff was earned the hard way )

Then again, those hep cats may decide to buy from me or Nick or any of you specifically because of whatever they perceive about either one of us. Like it or not, personalities count in this business.

Again... who cares? I love doing what I do and I stand behind my work. I also happen to have bills to pay and groceries to buy. Ya think I'm not gonna send a knife and cash a check because the client ain't the same kinda person as me? You got another thing comin'...

Good for her or anyone else who's working at a craft they love and trying to make a living at it. Nothin' but Love from my shop to hers!

Big respect to anyone doing this, it isn't easy!
I may not agree with everyone but I think us makers should be on the same team.

Right on :thumbup:

 

[ss caustic]

the knives have a nice aesthetic (very designer/hipster etc...) but I suppose that's all they have.
It is good to see a girl in the mix though.

 

[JG Custom Metal Works]

Her knives are unique. I see know reason to put her down though. She didn't come off as pretentious or anything. She did have a little bit of a convoluted hippie attitude to her with the whole "natural flow of cutting is curved tips" thing. I wouldn't be surprised if she did that so they couldn't be used to stab.

Anyway, she's somewhat new and deserves encouragement, the same as any other new knifemaker. I personally, would love it if my fiancee got into making knives or sheaths. She's mildly interested in leather crafting and I'm doing my best to foster that.

 

[12345678910]

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ALL other things aside... Is this is a high quality, hand made knife???

that's the question

They call her a "high end maker" and making since 2011-( all of 3 years.)


If I was a real "high end maker" (as determined by my peers); that would really get my goat.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Some of you guys are something else? I see nothing wrong with her, the knives, or the prices.

She makes rustic knives and said so. Nothing wrong with using files, or rasps, if you know what you're doin...

These are entry level prices in the custom knife world (if you want to make money). The back log is fairly short also.

No doubt she is introducing new folks to custom knives and some of those folks will likely gravitate to higher end stuff... All good in my book!

 

[javand]

Some of you guys are something else? I see nothing wrong with her, the knives, or the prices.

She makes rustic knives and said so. Nothing wrong with using files, or rasps, if you know what you're doin...

These are entry level prices in the custom knife world (if you want to make money). The back log is fairly short also.

No doubt she is introducing new folks to custom knives and some of those folks will likely gravitate to higher end stuff... All good in my book!

Yep, I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[Brian.Evans]

Some of you guys are something else? I see nothing wrong with her, the knives, or the prices.

She makes rustic knives and said so. Nothing wrong with using files, or rasps, if you know what you're doin...

These are entry level prices in the custom knife world (if you want to make money). The back log is fairly short also.

No doubt she is introducing new folks to custom knives and some of those folks will likely gravitate to higher end stuff... All good in my book!

Don, I really like your post. Very spot on.

She is selling to a totally different population than me. If they are selling, she is making money, and the orders are coming in........Good on her! I complained about Instagram and Facebook in another post (now deservedly in "around the grinder") and was reminded that not all of our markets are the same. Another knifemaker selling knives is not a bad thing. Capitalism is wonderful.

 

[Matt Rochester]

I see some people saying these knives aren't good but has anyone ever seen one in person or used one. You may not like her style or designs but to say they aren't good knives just by a short video isn't fair. She has figured out the marketing end of it for sure. A lot of people make good knives but can't sell them because they can't market them. She is selling art more than knives. My dad once told me something is only worth what you can get somebody to pay for it. If she can get $400, then awesome. Should she tell people that want to pay that "my knives aren't worth that just give me $100"? No way. I think the grater function is not really functional but if someone likes it and wants it then give it to them.

 

[Varga Knives]

any bets that she saw the Brookyln cuts video ?

Funny you mentioned that, I bought a mill on Sunday from a guy in Brooklyn with a cool shop set up in a building with studio after studio along the corridor. We started talking about my intentions with it and he said he has a friend who makes knives and a shop called Brooklyn Cuts. I looked him up when I got home and, well, a very nicely made video but the website has me scratching my head a bit. Not the usual knife website but well done.

And, he also said there is a woman down the hall who forges knives!! Guess I just found out who that is. I'm happy for the attention she is getting. Good for her and the knife trade in general.

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

A friend mentioned her to me a few months ago. I applaud her for making knives and being passionate about it.

However here is an older video and she says she cuts the shapes out of the files with a torch and then grinds in the bevels with a bench grinder. No where is there any mention of heat treating so that would be my only condern.

[video]http://www.9news.com/video/2869174370001/1/Grinding-handmade-Vermont-knives[/video]

 

[jtwodogs]

If the knife she makes holds an edge well that's great. I suspect she gets that kinda price from the area she is selling them. She definitely would not get that price here in E. Ky. flea market.
Her knives look functional, don't think I would be wanting to run my hand up and down on a grater with a razors edge... To easy to make a missed lick and then there was blood.

 

[Don Hanson III]

If the knife she makes holds an edge well that's great. I suspect she gets that kinda price from the area she is selling them. She definitely would not get that price here in E. Ky. flea market.
Her knives look functional, don't think I would be wanting to run my hand up and down on a grater with a razors edge... To easy to make a missed lick and then there was blood.

Yeah, I've never done very well at the flea markets around here...