Custom Knifemakers' Excalibur

[golok]

I was trying to imagine what it is like for a first time custom knifemaker when he makes his first blade.

I am sure it must be a pretty special occasion for him. Holding up the finished knife against the light after days, may be even weeks, of planning, drawing and hardwork.

Touching its smoothness, knowing that his first knife marks the beginning of many in his lifetime. Would he want to sell it, or is he sentimental enough to want to keep his "first born".

Other custom knifemakers may want to label their first creation as the "Excalibur". Something really significant. Only the maker knows the enormity of the moment. Only he understands the tremendous weight lifted from his shoulders. Only he can feel the pride of his first major achievement.

I am sure a lot of custom knifemakers have their own personal stories to tell of how they did it the first time. Perhaps they went around the neighbourhood showing off that special blade to everybody and anybody who cares to know.

The intricacies of producing an excellent blade, the sweat and long hours that come with it must be the foundation of a good first knife.

I would really like to hear stories like that, with the joy and pride that surface from a knife job well done.



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

 

[L6steel]

Golok, truth is, the feeling doesn't change. Every time I finish a knife and it comes out right I'm still amazed that I actually made it. I think the first thing any serious knife maker has to have is the love of making something. Thats what keeps us in the craft.
I think your signature is the best I've seen here on the forums!

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Take care!! Michael

Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!

 

[Wulf]

Golok

Days? Weeks? It's been months since I started my "excaliber" and it still looks like little more than a pointy piece of scrap... I must be doing it wrong...

Why don't you join me and the countless other 'ginners here in making a knife? Get a piece of steel and some files and see what you can do. If nothing else, it'll give you a deeper appreciation for the knives you buy from experienced custom makers.

 

[Dr.Lathe]

Golok,
The first knife or "edged weapon" I made was in 8th grade shop class!!
I painstakingly.... is that spelled right??
drew and cut out a 6 pointed chineese "Star Knife" or whatever they're called. It was made from a piece of 01 tool steel that the shop teacher had in his office for making shear blades. I didn't even ask him if I could use it...Pretty bold right????
After cutting the profile out, I shaped and sharpened each of the points with a file and it really looked NICE. Then I heated it red hot with the shops OX/ACE torch and quenched it it oil. I'll never forget the SCREECHING sound it made and the feeling I got through the tongs I was holding it with

Then.....I spent my lunch hour sanding and polishing it. Our teacher would let anyone that wanted to, spend lunchtime working in the shop! Once it looked OK, I sharpened each edge and point with sandpaper wrapped around a piece of wood. At this point several of my buddies had taken an interest and were waiting to try it out !!
We went into the wood storage room and proceeded to stick it into the edges of the wood that were nicely stacked, waiting to be made into projects..... IT WORKED GREAT!!!
After about a million throws the shop teacher noticed us "missing" from the metal shop and much to our suprise..found us in the storage room

Once he saw what we were doing, he CONFISCATED the star knife and we all spent several hours after school, running the damaged wood through the jointer to get rid of all the marks from the star knife

This was the first actual "knife" I made! Cut out, profiled, heat treated and finished. After the lecture from the shop teacher, and we were all covered with sawdust from the jointer, he looked at the star knife and said we forgot to temper it. I was really MAD as he broke each point off it with a pair of pliers as he said: see, WAY to BRITTLE...I'm suprised it didn't break when it hit the floor!!!! Then he heated the last remaining point with the torch intil it turned a bluish brown the bent it back and fourth to demonstrate what he was talking about

A lesson I WILL NEVER FORGET!!!!!!
I miss my old shop teacher

Neil

PS He was my DAD

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Talonite......Stellite
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[PhilL]

Great story Neil.

You other makers, "May we have some more, please?"

 

[golok]

Dear Wulf,

I would really like to join you "over yonder" to hammer down a few metal pieces. If not to shape it into something usable, at least to build up some muscles. Unfortunately, I am from a place "way, way yonder".

Not to say that the West and the East shall never meet, but at least not at this juncture. Someday, my friend, we will clash hammers togethers.


And Neil, that was a nice story about your dad. He's probably quite proud to have a son like you, if he hadn't told you already.



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