Can o' Worms - What's a Knifemaker?

And I look at it this way...One eye closed ,the other squinted.;)
Just kidding.
Just about everyone has an opinion about job classifications.

Is he a cook or a chef?
Photographer or "shuttlebug"
Knifemaker, cutler, hobbiest, assembler, handler.

If you do everything but the heat treat are you still a knifemaker?
If you create them ,but don't sell them are you a still a knifemaker?
Is a tribal knifemaker less of a knifemaker than someone who uses a CAD? or is he more since his skills are more closley related to the steel itself?

I think if you design a blade, make it (forge or grind), assemble it, then you're a knifemaker. Sell/ trade it and you're a professional.
Putting a number amount on it before your considered a knifemaker seems to be foolish.
You might still be learning (and I hope you are) and considerer your self a hobbiest but I'd still count you a Knifemaker.

Just an opinion and some questions from a "hobbiest, assembler, handler":D
 
But hey what do I know I`m not a Bump,Nap,
:D :D :D :D :D

Thanks Sylvester but that's like Elmer Fudd being included with WDM Bell or Peter Hathcock.
 
I just looked at some businesscards from other danes who make knives, and only one of them uses the word "knifemaker" on his card, but the rest definitely also are. Guess you don't have to call yourself a knifemaker to be one :D
 
I agree if you get a piece of steel grind it or forge it and end up with a blade and a handle ie a knife, you have made a knife you are are a knife maker.

Some may like to set up there own group or guild and say you need to pass a test to be a guild member thats up to them. I have been making
for ten years but never bothered to apply to be a guild member. Im not interested in paying them fees to be part of there club.

The guild members here are able to advertise the fact that they are members. I can not. That is there benifit, people can have faith in the acreditation. They are guessing if they buy from me.

If I sell a knife I stand by it. I am not a professional or full time maker but if I make a knife and it is not up to standard I won't charge money for it. They are normally thrown in the bin not even finished.

I think we are all knife makers however setting standards of quality and craftsman ship as bench marks gives us something to strive for
along the way to making that perfect knife.

I could be wrong but I thought a cutler was also required to make forks and spoons as part of the original trade.



:confused:
 
You dont have to be a heat-treater to make a good knife. Paul Bos is a pro heattreater and not a knife maker. Making the best knife you can may include having the blade heat-treated by a profesional. All other work should be done by the maker though. I still believe the maker is a "knifemaker" if he stands behind his knife.
 
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