swonut
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2007
- Messages
- 1,433
Some say the ultimate form of flattery is imitation, so I tried to copy one of Andy's knives. It's hard! I'll let the pictures tell the story.
Andy has been my mentor for years. I think I first met him at Trackrock back in 2015 or so after talking on Bladeforms way back in the day.
Here's what I'm trying to copy:
Sorry for the Huge pictures!
So I made 4 blanks and tried to grind them. (Pops Procut)
Andy makes it look easy- Anyway, I have a TW-90 and I've been hauling my butt to Trackrock for years to try to learn all I can.
I figured out the size, but I can't grind an even edge thickness or get the plunges consistent.
Andy's got it down! Well, the micro photo's show how hard it is. Most would hide this with a "sharpening choil" but that's a whole nother discussion. Andy's fit and finish has become amazing over the years.
I finished two with Bocote handles. The other two will likely get red micarta handles. (I need to figure out how to do the slanted bolsters and maybe one day try to figure out how he's doing the new bolsters with some amazing angles joints.
It's kind of like trying to copy a photo in watercolor or drawings. It's easy in theory, but the reality is much different.
At the end of the day, I've come to appreciate both my skills and that what I aspire to achieve.
All this is to say:
1. Thanks Andy for sharing all your knowledge and methods over the years.
2. It's much harder than it seems, but there is definitely a learning curve.
3. Any one can make knives, but it's a journey fraught with frustration.
4. Go to Trackrock - again and again, you'll learn more in a weekend than you will in years of self-study. The people are AMAZING!
5. If you can, go to Fiddleback University. I've never been, but like Trackrock (see 4 above) I suspect you'll learn more in a day than you will in a year to two by watching you tube videos.
Best wishes as you move from Georgia to Mississippi. I think the cat needs to be named P-row.
Andy has been my mentor for years. I think I first met him at Trackrock back in 2015 or so after talking on Bladeforms way back in the day.
Here's what I'm trying to copy:
Sorry for the Huge pictures!
So I made 4 blanks and tried to grind them. (Pops Procut)
Andy makes it look easy- Anyway, I have a TW-90 and I've been hauling my butt to Trackrock for years to try to learn all I can.
I figured out the size, but I can't grind an even edge thickness or get the plunges consistent.
Andy's got it down! Well, the micro photo's show how hard it is. Most would hide this with a "sharpening choil" but that's a whole nother discussion. Andy's fit and finish has become amazing over the years.
I finished two with Bocote handles. The other two will likely get red micarta handles. (I need to figure out how to do the slanted bolsters and maybe one day try to figure out how he's doing the new bolsters with some amazing angles joints.
It's kind of like trying to copy a photo in watercolor or drawings. It's easy in theory, but the reality is much different.
At the end of the day, I've come to appreciate both my skills and that what I aspire to achieve.
All this is to say:
1. Thanks Andy for sharing all your knowledge and methods over the years.
2. It's much harder than it seems, but there is definitely a learning curve.
3. Any one can make knives, but it's a journey fraught with frustration.
4. Go to Trackrock - again and again, you'll learn more in a weekend than you will in years of self-study. The people are AMAZING!
5. If you can, go to Fiddleback University. I've never been, but like Trackrock (see 4 above) I suspect you'll learn more in a day than you will in a year to two by watching you tube videos.
Best wishes as you move from Georgia to Mississippi. I think the cat needs to be named P-row.
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