Custom Knife Makers Operations Centre

[golok]

There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of aspiring custom knife makers who have the talents and the inclination to strike out on their own but are stumped by the realities of the trade, like money, space, equipment, etc.

So the thought has flashed across my mind at warp speed: why not establish a centre with all the necessary equipment and other related stuff that go into making any knife conceivable.

Custom knifemakers of the lower order can rent the equipment and be charged for parts used that could be replaced when they are worn out.

I envisage the place will be a well run, well managed, reasonably clean environment, with an excellent organisation.

A knifemaker who makes a knife and then sells it will share his profits with the centre which helps him to create a knife with the use of the available facilities.

That way, everyone gains. The catch is the initial capital investment in a place like that. With four thousand over knife makers in America, surely something like that can be done.

What say you all?

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Make Love your strongest weapon. Compassion your shield and forgiveness your armour.

 

[R Dockrell]

I hate to be a killjoy but.......
What about travel time and expence to such a great facility?


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Robert
Flat Land Knife Works
rdblad@telusplanet.net
http://members.tripod.com/knifeworks/index.html

 

[golok]

There's nothing to stop you from starting one in Alberta, Canada.

Canadians are known for their great resourcefulness. This will be but a very minor impediment.



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Make Love your strongest weapon. Compassion your shield and forgiveness your armour.

 

[Paracelsus]

Nice idea Golok, however, it would never work. Too many knife makers spread around the world, too few in any one place to make such a venture possible.

This sort of thing has been attempted for woodworkers and I have seen a couple of promising 'rent-a-shop operations fail due to lack of income. Woodcraft seems to be making this concept work, but they have a large multinational operation and can sustain losses in some places. I live in a major population center (near Washington, DC) where there are enough people to make such a operation suceed. A lot of knifemakers live in more rural areas.

There are a couple of knifemaking schools which serve as 'centers'. The ABS school in Arkansas offers one and two week classes for several months starting in the Spring. See the ABS School web site.

Good idea Golok, but logistically and financially impossible. Someone from remote far away places should have a good understanding of those problems

Paracelsus

 

[Tom Anderson]

Golok:

Building knives with what you have so you can sell them and buy better equipment to build even better knives is part of what has been termed "paying your dues."

When you start getting involved in these everyday decisions, you start realizing the sacrifices that others who have come before you have endured over the years. Then, you'll gain an appreciation of the committments necessary to become a "real" knifemaker and to continually improve your craft.

It's easy for someone who has not made the commitment to stand back and complain that he can't make good knives just because he doesn't have all that fancy macinery. Some people even consider shop equipment as "toys" to play with. I know - I've had some of these folks in my shop!

Your suggestion poses the question: "Would such an opportunity simply attract those wannabees who want to "play" at making knives or would it really help deserving, underpriviledged new makers?"

I believe the accredited knifemaking schools serve a real purpose in helping budding makers appreciate the commitment necessary to fufill thier dreams, not simply by letting them play with fancy toys, but by helping them realize that machinery is only part of the equation. You have to work very hard and develop your skills as well as spend money to make knives.

When I started making knives, I didn't own 98% of the equipment I now own. I hope having to earn this equipment the hard way has made me a better maker. I know it has helped me to appreciate the sacrifices of true knifemakers!

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Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives


www.andersoncustomknives.com

[This message has been edited by Tom Anderson (edited 04-29-2001).]