Definition of a Custom Knifemaker?

NickWheeler said:
I just wanted to say that I really like Ken's command of the language and hope he starts posting here more often. It's always a joy to read what he has to say.

I don't even think I would have to agree with him, and I'd enjoy his writing! :)
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Don't let his head swell. ;) I PM'd him weeks ago with the same sentiments. I like his descriptive metaphors. Thanks, Ken; our universe is more colorful with your words. ;)

RogerP said:
I am confronted almost daily with examples of pure lunacy....
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If they only knew....! :eek: :eek: :grumpy: :D

Ummm, relevance? Hmmmmm..... Karen Carpenter... :p

Coop - Solid Supporter of Kumbaya Knives and discussion ;)
 
Kevin Jones said:
I see confusion as a potential problem. :confused::eek:;)
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Who is confused, Kevin? Certainly not you. I don't equate a lack of absolute precision in terminology with the existence of chaotic confusion. Where are the indicia of the prevailing confusion that troubles you so? Many knife shows give an award for "Best Bowie". Is each award prefaced by voluminous debate amongst the judges as to what constitutes a "bowie"? I doubt it. Is there widespread head-scratching among makers as to which knives they could properly submit for consideration in this category? Not in my experience. Again - where is the confusion? :confused:

Roger
 
RogerP said:
Who is confused, Kevin? Certainly not you. I don't equate a lack of absolute precision in terminology with the existence of chaotic confusion. Where are the indicia of the prevailing confusion that troubles you so? Many knife shows give an award for "Best Bowie". Is each award prefaced by voluminous debate amongst the judges as to what constitutes a "bowie"? I doubt it. Is there widespread head-scratching among makers as to which knives they could properly submit for consideration in this category? Not in my experience. Again - where is the confusion? :confused:

Roger
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Thanks Roger, but I'm often quite confused. :confused:;):D

I'm practically on a mission to bring new collectors into custom/handmade (or whatever the politically correct term is) knife collecting and It seems they are quite confused at times. Just let one of these new collectors ask; what is an Integral knife and watch their faces as they are given 6 different answers by experts.
 
Why is it that we are so very adamant about putting labels on everyone and everything?

From reading this I realize that one day I could be a "custom" knifemaker, the other I am a hobbyist.....:confused:

Regards
/Magnus
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
But, you don't understand my tastes in guns!
I want a "Custom" one!
You see, that gun smith goes to a lot of gun shows, but normally takes his every day stuff, and has a full rack of guns that he has made on his wall at his store.
But, they don't suit me, so I want a "custom" one!
I like Wildcat cartridges - specially made calibers. Of course, the barrel will need to be special length and because of this, I want the rate of twist a littel slower than most. Of course it will be a Bull barrel and Magna Ported, but then again, I'm a freak so I want a few EXTRA ports.
I want the trigger pull to be extra heavy with a trigger made from the steel from one of my Grandfather's old shovels. The stock will be fit to my shoulder, but it's made from the apple tree cut down in my back yard in '68.
That's a Custom rifle.
Then I go to that book maker for a pair of Custom boots. He has all sorts of boots on the rack, but I had Polio as a child, so I have one foot smaller than the other with a little tweak in it - that's why I require "custom" boots.
the leather, of course, comes from one of my Uncle's prize bulls that was butchered right after the County Fair! That leather will never be available again. And the stitching was from that last remnant of my Grandmother's shawl that I inherited after her funeral.
It's all gone now.
That's a pair of custom boots.
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But as I said.........did you desing an entirely new action? Does you bad foot point in a different direction or have the toes on the heel?:D The firearm you described is what folks like Purdey, Holland & Holland, etc call bespoke. At the same time, they are NOT going to build you something that is inherently unsafe like a 700 NE on a 28 gauge boxlock shotgun frame just because you want it that way............or build it on a Boss or Fabbri action for that matter. So it is NEVER totally to your specifications.
 
Magnus Axelson said:
Why is it that we are so very adamant about putting labels on everyone and everything?

From reading this I realize that one day I could be a "custom" knifemaker, the other I am a hobbyist.....:confused:

Regards
/Magnus
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well said... the titles given only mean anything to those that are concerned about such things. Everything/everybody does not need a title to be worthy.
 
The definition of "custom knife" (or "custom knifemaker" for this thread) can not be extrapolated from "custom" and "knife" defined in seperate contexts. Attempting to define custom knife in this manner only results in obfuscation among the newbies which you speak of.
 
the key being "person" not company. Perhaps Factory and non-Factory would better suffice. I just know that when I'm looking for a new knife, I'm not visiting the factory booths at a knife show or knife/gun show or on the internet.
 
Charles M said:
The definition of "custom knife" (or "custom knifemaker" for this thread) can not be extrapolated from "custom" and "knife" defined in seperate contexts. Attempting to define custom knife in this manner only results in obfuscation among the newbies which you speak of.
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Makes sense to me.
 
In the context of the knife industry, I have to agree with Murray White the most commonly accepted and widely held definition of custom would be non-factory.

The idea that a custom knife must be designed by the customer to be considered a custom, is not one I have run into in other forums.
 
Charles M said:
The definition of "custom knife" (or "custom knifemaker" for this thread) can not be extrapolated from "custom" and "knife" defined in seperate contexts. Attempting to define custom knife in this manner only results in obfuscation among the newbies which you speak of.
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Exactly.

Roger
 
This is how I define myself:
  • Knifemaker
  • Artist
  • Cutlery enthusiast
  • Craftsman
  • Teacher
  • Student!

If anyone wants to put a label such as "custom" or "handmade" or anything else on me, that is up to them.

What I am not:
  • Maker of factory knives
  • Knife assembler (those that take a blank and add a handle of their own choosing)

Anyone is free to add to my definition of myself, as they see fit. It doesn't change who I am or what I do, no matter whether they accept my definition of myself or adds or takes away from my definition of myself.

I make what I like, and get a kick out of it when someone else likes what I make.

Am I a custom maker? Maybe.
Am I a great artist? Doubtful.
Am I a well known maker? Not yet.
Am I a lover of knives? Without a doubt.

What is most important is that I enjoy what I am doing and enjoy the people that I've met through my craft.

Right now, most would consider me a hobbyist knifemaker. As I approach retirement, I'm carefully studying and working toward how I want to be perceived, as I have more time for my hobby. Will it become a full time business? Maybe. Is it a journey that I'm looking forward to? Absolutely!

Call me whatever you want, but in the end, I'd prefer that I earn the title of "knifemaking friend".
 
scottickes said:
This is how I define myself:
  • Knifemaker
  • Artist
  • Cutlery enthusiast
  • Craftsman
  • Teacher
  • Student!

If anyone wants to put a label such as "custom" or "handmade" or anything else on me, that is up to them.

What I am not:
  • Maker of factory knives
  • Knife assembler (those that take a blank and add a handle of their own choosing)

Anyone is free to add to my definition of myself, as they see fit. It doesn't change who I am or what I do, no matter whether they accept my definition of myself or adds or takes away from my definition of myself.

I make what I like, and get a kick out of it when someone else likes what I make.

Am I a custom maker? Maybe.
Am I a great artist? Doubtful.
Am I a well known maker? Not yet.
Am I a lover of knives? Without a doubt.

What is most important is that I enjoy what I am doing and enjoy the people that I've met through my craft.

Right now, most would consider me a hobbyist knifemaker. As I approach retirement, I'm carefully studying and working toward how I want to be perceived, as I have more time for my hobby. Will it become a full time business? Maybe. Is it a journey that I'm looking forward to? Absolutely!

Call me whatever you want, but in the end, I'd prefer that I earn the title of "knifemaking friend".
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That is just how I see myself ,60 years old and counting the days to when I can just fiddle in the shed when "I" want to. Well said.
Richard
 
scottickes said:
This is how I define myself:
  • Knifemaker
  • Artist
  • Cutlery enthusiast
  • Craftsman
  • Teacher
  • Student!

If anyone wants to put a label such as "custom" or "handmade" or anything else on me, that is up to them.

What I am not:
  • Maker of factory knives
  • Knife assembler (those that take a blank and add a handle of their own choosing)

Anyone is free to add to my definition of myself, as they see fit. It doesn't change who I am or what I do, no matter whether they accept my definition of myself or adds or takes away from my definition of myself.

I make what I like, and get a kick out of it when someone else likes what I make.

Am I a custom maker? Maybe.
Am I a great artist? Doubtful.
Am I a well known maker? Not yet.
Am I a lover of knives? Without a doubt.

What is most important is that I enjoy what I am doing and enjoy the people that I've met through my craft.

Right now, most would consider me a hobbyist knifemaker. As I approach retirement, I'm carefully studying and working toward how I want to be perceived, as I have more time for my hobby. Will it become a full time business? Maybe. Is it a journey that I'm looking forward to? Absolutely!

Call me whatever you want, but in the end, I'd prefer that I earn the title of "knifemaking friend".
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Thanks! I enjoyed that.
As well, I know what I am and what I do.
I'm a Professional Knifemaker.
About 30% of what I produce is Custom - for Customers.
The remainder is Non-custom.
They are speculative production - Andersen Designed, Andersen Made.
I have no difficulty understanding the distinction.
 
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