Dealing With Separation Anxiety.

G

gsain

Joined
Jan 1, 2012
Messages
38
I just made this knife for my Dad's friend who has been looking after his place after my dad lost his legs and could not live in the mountains anymore.

This guy not only has mowed the lawn, checked on the house, kept an eye on things, but also lends me his truck when we go up to hunt, since my dad's handicapped minivan doesn't go far off road, but it will take a deer in the back :)

Anyway, I wanted to make a knife for him as thanks and now I don't want to let it go, I've become attached

Of course I will still give this to him on my next trip, I can put it down anytime I want. I am in complete control.


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That is a very good looking knife. I also know the feeling of wanting to keep certain knives. I have a number of them but still find myself thinking " I should keep this, it's my first fighter, Bowie, folder, etc " The way I end up looking at it is that a knife on my shelf or on my belt doesn't buy more steel or put belts on the grinder.
 
Your knife is very nice. I understand the feeling. I too have knives I would like to keep. I'm working on a bowie right now that is coming along very well but promised it to my friend. My word is worth more than any knife and I'm proud to give it to someone who deserves it. Besides, I didn't buy it I made it. I can make another for myself and it will be even better. That's why I am learning to make knives. I know you'll give it to the man. I'm sure he'll be touched by your generosity and he'll be proud to own it.
 
Well, I don't pretend to be good enough to think I can even pay for any supplies, with this. My primary motivation is learning a new, non-computer related skill (my career is in web-hosting).

Secondly, it is a way to give totally unique (and very personal) gifts to hunting mentors, people that I have permission to hunt on, etc.

I takes me so long, still, to produce a knife (this was number 8) that I develop a little bit of an attachment.

The only ones that I have kept, are the first one and a couple that show my beginner status the most.
 
That´s a fine looking knive! Beautifull wood.
I´ve parted with three knives so far. I knew I was making them for somebody else when I started.
I like to look at it like this: I´ve had my fun, I enjoyed making it.
Now somebody else can have his fun by owning/using it.
 
You can always build another knife. Every time I build a knife with myself in mind I sell it because I would rather have the $$$ than a $500 knife in my pocket.
 
Very nice looking hunter. Is that hickory? Really pretty stuff.

I think the separation thing is something we all go through... usually early on. Back around #8, I could hardly stand to let one go.

Now... there's no such thing as getting rid of them too fast. ;) :)
 
Thanks for the kind words.

Funny, usually we read about people using mystery steel. Well, to be honest, I know the steel (1084) but the wood is a guess at cherry, or a mystery.

I found it where I was cutting up some cherry but not until a couple of weeks after. I think this was in the root section where the grains run in all directions. If it isn't cherry, then I have no idea in the world.

I cut it into slabs, after it started really checking and splitting up during drying. I figured that cutting the twisty grains up might relieve some stress. It seemed to work, it didn't crack any worse.

Then I put it on my heating ducts for 1+ years and then "stabilized" it.

I like the character and wish I had been able to save more than one knife's worth of handles out of it.

It is finished with 6 coats of tru oil, some of the unique grain splits and inclusions were left for character, and I am waiting another day or two before giving it a coat of microcrystalin walnut oil was (Doctor's Workshop?)
 
I'm the opposite. I like other people using and enjoying things I've made. Even if I'm giving it to them and losing money. The only thing that will drive me nuts is if it sits forgotten in a drawer, even if they paid me for it.
 
Great looking knife. Really like the wood. I havent felt it yet but i am sure it will come. I am still working on first one.
 
Might as well come to terms with it. After 16+ yrs making knives, I still suffer the symptoms with virtually every commissioned and free form knife I make. I love them all ;)

My wife has even come up with a term for it ........... - Post Part With'em Depression -

:rolleyes: It's real though, at least in my mind ;)

Good luck, and always remember, professional help is always as near as your computers bookmark to BladeForums LOL :D

We're here for ya Buddy :thumbup:


:cool:
 
Thanks.

Yeah, I really want to see it get used. The guy that it is for has been hunting decades longer than I have been alive (and I am 46), so his feedback will be invaluable.

I plan on making one condition with the knife - that it get used to dress at least one deer.

I was disappointed when another knife I made as sort of payment for some Koa flooring scraps was put in a display case.

I had made the knife using some of the Koa my friend gave me and it was originally going to be a sheepsfoot paring knife. Then I watched "Vikings" on History and changed the tip to look like a lot of their knifes did.

It has less curve than a sheepsfoot and more of a point, but still that Wharncliffe look. I called it the "Viking Kitchen Knife". Then he told me he got a display case to put it in and I have no idea how it would have worked for him.
 
I don't really suffer from separation anxiety. I like giving my knives away... unless there is a known problem with it. Those I keep.
 
I saw him, this past weekend, and gifted him the knife along with many thanks for all he has done for us.

At first he didn't want to take it, but after I explained that from start to finish, it was meant for him, he declared "it's a beaut" and accepted it, after paying a penny for it :). Seems he is well aware of the superstition that gifting a knife can sever a friendship.

I made a condition that he uses it and it is already in his hunting pack, ready to go. His Buck is in his dresser drawer, now.

Feels good.
 
I am new to knifemaking, but so far I've found the best way to deal with seperation anxiety is to make a knife even better than the one you're worried about parting with.

My first really decent knife was, at the time "I'll never get rid of this", now its just, "dang, I can do way better than that with my eyes closed".
 
Very beautiful knife but an even more beautifule gesture. That was a really classy and really cool thing you did.

As for seperation anxiety towards a gift? Well, I'll tell ya, I personally believe that a gift is truly something special when it's something you'd rather not part with. Reason being that you're truly giving your finest, your best and honoring the person receiving it to the highest degree. At least that's how I see it.
 
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