- Joined
- Oct 6, 2001
- Messages
- 677
As some of you may already know, I had the ultimate experience last week. For 3 days, right before the Blade Show, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime.
Mr. Bob Terzuola had invited me to his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico to allow me to make a knife under his direction. I accepted this invitation immediately and the plan was set for my visit.
I flew from Montreal on Monday morning, June 9th on the earliest flight that I could get- (didnt want to waste any time). I arrived in Albuquerque around noon and Bob was there to pick me up for the 60-mile drive to Santa Fe.
Upon arrival, Bob and Susan showed me around the house and then it was straight into the shop- I was informed that if time permitted, that I would have the chance to make 2 knives.
Bob let me choose which knife that I wanted to start on, so I asked to make a TTF-6 in S30V steel with Stag scales and a Bronze Backspacer. The second knife was to be an MK1- the knife that Bob calls My Knife (His Knife). This one was also in S30V steel, with G10 scales and a burgundy Micarta Backspacer.
Basically, I did everything myself- but with Bob (thankfully) standing over me the entire time- I had never made a knife before and was quite nervous- especially considering the fact that I was in the presence of one of the truly great innovators in the Tactical knife game and clearly one of the biggest names in the business.
Bob proved to be an incredibly patient and skilled teacher- he answered all my stupid questions and never made me feel bad. He said gently it happens when I broke 2 taps and a carbide drill bit ($12.00 each).
Although I did mostly everything myself- grinding the blades, cut out parts on the band saw (there are 3 different saws), sandblasting the parts, engraved my name on the pocket clips, etc . Bob performed a couple of tasks for me which were considered critical- he put the edge on the blades and also peeled off the plastic coating on the G10 material- also a few other manoeuvres that were make or break tasks.
I think the knives turned out great- I will NEVER sell them- these are treasures to me and I still cant believe that I did it.
I want to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to Bob Terzuola for giving me this chance to spend this time with him. I can say without any hesitation that this was one of the greatest times of my life.
My thanks as well to Susan, her son Alexander and Bobs sons for their support.
Finally- thanks to Robert Laufer, aka RL, aka RL1 aka Black Belt Mall Ninja, for patiently teaching me how to post the pictures.
Here are the knives- in the following thread I show a few pictures of the visit in progress.
Thanks for taking the time to look at all this.
Yours truly, Neil
Mr. Bob Terzuola had invited me to his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico to allow me to make a knife under his direction. I accepted this invitation immediately and the plan was set for my visit.
I flew from Montreal on Monday morning, June 9th on the earliest flight that I could get- (didnt want to waste any time). I arrived in Albuquerque around noon and Bob was there to pick me up for the 60-mile drive to Santa Fe.
Upon arrival, Bob and Susan showed me around the house and then it was straight into the shop- I was informed that if time permitted, that I would have the chance to make 2 knives.
Bob let me choose which knife that I wanted to start on, so I asked to make a TTF-6 in S30V steel with Stag scales and a Bronze Backspacer. The second knife was to be an MK1- the knife that Bob calls My Knife (His Knife). This one was also in S30V steel, with G10 scales and a burgundy Micarta Backspacer.
Basically, I did everything myself- but with Bob (thankfully) standing over me the entire time- I had never made a knife before and was quite nervous- especially considering the fact that I was in the presence of one of the truly great innovators in the Tactical knife game and clearly one of the biggest names in the business.
Bob proved to be an incredibly patient and skilled teacher- he answered all my stupid questions and never made me feel bad. He said gently it happens when I broke 2 taps and a carbide drill bit ($12.00 each).
Although I did mostly everything myself- grinding the blades, cut out parts on the band saw (there are 3 different saws), sandblasting the parts, engraved my name on the pocket clips, etc . Bob performed a couple of tasks for me which were considered critical- he put the edge on the blades and also peeled off the plastic coating on the G10 material- also a few other manoeuvres that were make or break tasks.
I think the knives turned out great- I will NEVER sell them- these are treasures to me and I still cant believe that I did it.
I want to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to Bob Terzuola for giving me this chance to spend this time with him. I can say without any hesitation that this was one of the greatest times of my life.
My thanks as well to Susan, her son Alexander and Bobs sons for their support.
Finally- thanks to Robert Laufer, aka RL, aka RL1 aka Black Belt Mall Ninja, for patiently teaching me how to post the pictures.
Here are the knives- in the following thread I show a few pictures of the visit in progress.
Thanks for taking the time to look at all this.
Yours truly, Neil
