Best Piece of Advice You've Received From A Knife Maker

[Bailey Knives]

Paul Long said something along these lines on one of his videos.
"If you are going to take another man's money, then 'good enough' had better be perfect"
I say this to myself whenever I have to tear a handle off or re-do a sheath because of some small unfixable screw up.

 

[jtwodogs]

Kinda figured that from you Matt, and your work shows your attention to even the smallest detail. You are definitely one of the knife makers on here I want to emulate.

 

[Kentucky]

Paul Long said something along these lines on one of his videos.
"If you are going to take another man's money, then 'good enough' had better be perfect"
I say this to myself whenever I have to tear a handle off or re-do a sheath because of some small unfixable screw up.

I swear my dad has said almost the same thing for years(he's a furniture builder and woodworker) His goes like "Good enough aint good enough when somebodys paying for it"....

 

[Brock Cutlery]

For new makers, a quote by Ira Glass about writing that applies to any creative work I think. Happened exactly like that for me with knifemaking:

"Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, ....... You’ve just gotta fight your way through." — Ira Glass

Awesome! Thanks for posting that.

 

[jtwodogs]

Someone did once tell me . Don't pay any attention to the PP's (Pretentious P---k's). Those people that feel like they were born making beautiful knives, and obviously don't want to be bothered by anyone that have not yet attained.
I appreciate the fact that most people on here are not like, or I would not have known where to even start.
Thanks to everyone here that has helped me.

 

[logem]

Here's a tip that I figured out on my own:

Use painters tape to designate your desired location of plunge line before starting to grind the bevels. This makes it real easy for me to keep the plunges aligned properly on both sides of the blade. The tape serves as a visual "stop" and an alignment tool while grinding at the plunge line.



Mike L.

 

[LARRYZ10]

Mike, I do that too and even wrap it several times around to form a soft stop in case I bump against it. I probably don't need to do it anymore but I do it every time and my plunges look pretty nice....just like yours. I really like your knives by the way. I think we have similar tastes and I check your site often to see what you have made . Larry

 

[logem]

Mike, I do that too and even wrap it several times around to form a soft stop in case I bump against it. I probably don't need to do it anymore but I do it every time and my plunges look pretty nice....just like yours. I really like your knives by the way. I think we have similar tastes and I check your site often to see what you have made . Larry

Thanks for the nice comment. I'm finally working on another batch of seven knives. Maybe I'll have some more added to my gallery in a couple of months. Hopefully.

Mike

 

[Brock Cutlery]

Here's a tip that I figured out on my own:

Use painters tape to designate your desired location of plunge line before starting to grind the bevels. This makes it real easy for me to keep the plunges aligned properly on both sides of the blade. The tape serves as a visual "stop" and an alignment tool while grinding at the plunge line.

View attachment 508668

Mike L.

Mike, thanks for this. I put this in play today and got the best plunge lines by far, so far. This really helped me focus more on other things and was a good visual reminder every time I got close to the plunge line to pay attention and straighten up.

I'm on my 5th blade of 440c.
Only two of which are marginally worth finishing out as knives.

Things are coming together slowing but surely. ...and that drill press pedestal is really working great for my grinder. I didn't have to anchor it to the floor or wall and it does not rock or wobble a bit.

 

[Jason Fry]

I liked something I saw Tony Bose say in a recent Blade magazine article. The gist of it was "I can't make a knife everybody can afford, but that's OK, because I don't have time to make a knife for everybody." I took it as an exhortation to make what you're good at, and to do it well, and not to cut corners to try and reach a price point so that "everybody" can have one. There's too many people out there for you to make one for "everybody." Just ignore "everybody" and make the knives GOOD.

 

[logem]

Mike, thanks for this. I put this in play today and got the best plunge lines by far, so far. This really helped me focus more on other things and was a good visual reminder every time I got close to the plunge line to pay attention and straighten up.

I'm on my 5th blade of 440c.
Only two of which are marginally worth finishing out as knives.

Things are coming together slowing but surely. ...and that drill press pedestal is really working great for my grinder. I didn't have to anchor it to the floor or wall and it does not rock or wobble a bit.

Brock,

I'm glad that I could help you a bit. I ground 7 blades this weekend, and the tape trick is my saving grace on each of them.

You were creative by using the drill press pedestal for your grinder. As previously mentioned, I never had to anchor my grinder pedestal to the wall or floor either. That's great that it is working out well for you.

You should fill in your profile so that everyone knows your location. Since you are actively working through the steps of developing your skills, someone here may see that you are local and offer some hands-on help.

Mike L.

 

[Brock Cutlery]

Brock,.......
You should fill in your profile so that everyone knows your location. Since you are actively working through the steps of developing your skills, someone here may see that you are local and offer some hands-on help.

Mike L.

More good advice. Done sir.