- Joined
- Mar 27, 2012
- Messages
- 1,719
What's up my fellow Beckerhead's and Becker enthusiasts. First I just wanted to say that this is one of the most friendly and coolest groups of people that I have ever found on the internet. Hell, probably even in the real world. Everyone here comes from such different backgrounds and do such different things in terms of work and life that it amazes me how the love for the outdoors and the love for knives, Ethan's knives mostly, has brought us all together in such brotherhood.
I am usually a pretty antisocial creature. Not that I can't talk to anyone that I meet for hours, but the fact that I would much rather stay home alone and practice my Guitar or listen to music, or go out in the garage and make or mod stuff for what feels like days than go out in public. lol Or go outside and practice my bushcrat and primitive skills stuff.
Anyway, this forum has opened me up to where I want to be social and log in and see what everyone is up to and look at pics of all your knives and hiking trips and also share what I've been up to. I know that I don't really know any of you but you have all become part of my life in some way.
And almost 3 years ago, I didn't even own a Becker knife and hardly even knew what a BK-2 was. Now I know enough to write a small book on the subject. Haha. Not really but my head is exploding with Knowledge of Becker knives and history. I know each blade by heart and when they were first produced and all that jazz. Beckers have become a part of who I am. I really can't even imagine what my life would be like without my BK knife collection.
So just a short section of what has happened the last couple years to lead me to this point:
I grew up in the LA swamps, hunting and fishing everything living there, woking in a machine shop making oilfield equipment. Went to college for Mechanical Engineering but was killed by the math classes so I switched to where my heart was, which is music and art. I ended up getting a Degree in Classical Guitar with an undeclared minor in B&W photography, and took almost two years of Jewelry and metal working. (Mostly making art stuff with copper and silver).
I moved to Austin Texas after graduation, and got an unrelated job for a couple of years before I started teaching guitar full time. I taught guitar, mostly classical but did do some rock metal and blues for 5 years and had close to 40 students whom most I considered friends and were like family to me. I saw some grow up from the age of 5 and taught them till they were 10. I grew with my students and really felt like I had a home in Austin. I had a purpose and was heavily dedicated to the Guitar society there and had plans on never leaving that city.
Well, In May of 2012, I had a son. I love that kid more than anything in this world. My life changed overnight. In a good way.
Also around the time before he was born, my wife found out that she would have to leave Austin for her job. So within in two months of my son being born, I became a new father, had to move to a new city, move into a new house, and give up all my students that I worked so hard to get and teach for 5 years.
I like where I live, it's out in the country, I have room to shoot my guns, play with my knives, make fire, Hunt deer from my porch, and do what ever I choose. haha Great times indeed!!
But I was so saddened with the drastic lifestyle change and I was sort of depressed about life i guess. I did become a stay at home dad and got to spend some great quality time at home with my son for the last two years but became lost with the dreams I once had. I really didn't know who I was? I was no longer a guitar teacher and rarely even got to practice since taking care of a baby was a full time job.
Becker knives became my outlet. Got my mind off of everything and gave me something to be excited about! I guess I became obsessed in a way. lol But I think that happens to everyone. I got really into modding my knives and making each one unique. I have used Becker knives exclusively in the kitchen and outdoors for two full years now. I feel there is something really special about Ethan Becker's knives and the people who use them.
When I needed new sheaths for some of my knives, I taught myself how to make them. I actually made my first leather sheath back in 2009 for a Ka-bar fighting knife.
Been making a few every year since then. So altho I am no expert or pro at leather work, I do feel like I have a good enough understanding of the craft and skills to make sheaths for other people. I also started doing some Kydex work a year or so ago. Still learning and trying to get my heating correct but I am well on my way I think.
So I have been trying to build a new guitar studio here where I live but the town is alot smaller than where I was and getting students is taking a long time. Way longer than I thought it would. I am currently teaching but it is not even enough to count. I know I will get more students eventually and will get a full studio but I am looking for something I can do that I will actually enjoy until then.
I do have some other stuff that I am working on to make some money but that is still a ways off from being profitable. I am thinking that since I enjoy making sheaths and other outdoor stuff, and love modding knifes and making bling bling handles for them (LOL) that I will begin to offer my services to the Becker and Blade forum Members.
That's right, I will make stuff for all you guys.
If you want.
I like to take my time when I make stuff and I am very picky and like to do things to the best of my ability so to start off I will make a few models and then offer them for sale.
We will see how that goes and take it from there.
Maybe even offer some small modding services to some of you that don't have the equipment or know how to do them on your own. Ex: De-ramping, De-clipping, stripping, Adding some jimping, Etc....... You know just stuff that I've done already. Nothing to complicated tho. I will play it by ear and see what people want and then decide if I can do it.
There are lot's of skilled craftsmen and sheath makers here in the Becker Forum and I admire many of these guys work. They are a really talented bunch of individuals for sure.
I do feel that there is room for everyone here so I will try to find my own niche and figure out what I can offer to you guys.
I have thought about doing this many times but then talk myself out of it since I don't think I am any where near the same level as most of these guys. But I guess we all start somewhere right?
I want to thank the many of you who have complimented me on stuff I have done and on my mods and given me the confidence to share my work and continue my journey into this unknown territory......
Especially Hawkhead who has given me many great words of encouragement and wisdom. Thank you Hawk.
And Also B.Mauser for the great conversations we have had about the subject, among many other things, and for the added push I needed to commit to this venture I am about to pursue. Thanks Man.
Also Thank you to Ethan Becker. We have had a few great conversations and I admire you Sir. You are an outstanding individual and your knives have changed my life and love for the outdoors.
Alright let me wrap this up....... didn't mean to make this so long....... just wanted to let you guys know what I am up to.
I am not sure exactly how all this will work and don't know anything about how to price my stuff and whatnot yet but please feel free to contact me if any of you think I may be of service to you.
Thanks guys,
Tate
I am usually a pretty antisocial creature. Not that I can't talk to anyone that I meet for hours, but the fact that I would much rather stay home alone and practice my Guitar or listen to music, or go out in the garage and make or mod stuff for what feels like days than go out in public. lol Or go outside and practice my bushcrat and primitive skills stuff.
Anyway, this forum has opened me up to where I want to be social and log in and see what everyone is up to and look at pics of all your knives and hiking trips and also share what I've been up to. I know that I don't really know any of you but you have all become part of my life in some way.
And almost 3 years ago, I didn't even own a Becker knife and hardly even knew what a BK-2 was. Now I know enough to write a small book on the subject. Haha. Not really but my head is exploding with Knowledge of Becker knives and history. I know each blade by heart and when they were first produced and all that jazz. Beckers have become a part of who I am. I really can't even imagine what my life would be like without my BK knife collection.
So just a short section of what has happened the last couple years to lead me to this point:
I grew up in the LA swamps, hunting and fishing everything living there, woking in a machine shop making oilfield equipment. Went to college for Mechanical Engineering but was killed by the math classes so I switched to where my heart was, which is music and art. I ended up getting a Degree in Classical Guitar with an undeclared minor in B&W photography, and took almost two years of Jewelry and metal working. (Mostly making art stuff with copper and silver).
I moved to Austin Texas after graduation, and got an unrelated job for a couple of years before I started teaching guitar full time. I taught guitar, mostly classical but did do some rock metal and blues for 5 years and had close to 40 students whom most I considered friends and were like family to me. I saw some grow up from the age of 5 and taught them till they were 10. I grew with my students and really felt like I had a home in Austin. I had a purpose and was heavily dedicated to the Guitar society there and had plans on never leaving that city.
Well, In May of 2012, I had a son. I love that kid more than anything in this world. My life changed overnight. In a good way.
Also around the time before he was born, my wife found out that she would have to leave Austin for her job. So within in two months of my son being born, I became a new father, had to move to a new city, move into a new house, and give up all my students that I worked so hard to get and teach for 5 years.
I like where I live, it's out in the country, I have room to shoot my guns, play with my knives, make fire, Hunt deer from my porch, and do what ever I choose. haha Great times indeed!!
But I was so saddened with the drastic lifestyle change and I was sort of depressed about life i guess. I did become a stay at home dad and got to spend some great quality time at home with my son for the last two years but became lost with the dreams I once had. I really didn't know who I was? I was no longer a guitar teacher and rarely even got to practice since taking care of a baby was a full time job.
Becker knives became my outlet. Got my mind off of everything and gave me something to be excited about! I guess I became obsessed in a way. lol But I think that happens to everyone. I got really into modding my knives and making each one unique. I have used Becker knives exclusively in the kitchen and outdoors for two full years now. I feel there is something really special about Ethan Becker's knives and the people who use them.
When I needed new sheaths for some of my knives, I taught myself how to make them. I actually made my first leather sheath back in 2009 for a Ka-bar fighting knife.
Been making a few every year since then. So altho I am no expert or pro at leather work, I do feel like I have a good enough understanding of the craft and skills to make sheaths for other people. I also started doing some Kydex work a year or so ago. Still learning and trying to get my heating correct but I am well on my way I think.
So I have been trying to build a new guitar studio here where I live but the town is alot smaller than where I was and getting students is taking a long time. Way longer than I thought it would. I am currently teaching but it is not even enough to count. I know I will get more students eventually and will get a full studio but I am looking for something I can do that I will actually enjoy until then.
I do have some other stuff that I am working on to make some money but that is still a ways off from being profitable. I am thinking that since I enjoy making sheaths and other outdoor stuff, and love modding knifes and making bling bling handles for them (LOL) that I will begin to offer my services to the Becker and Blade forum Members.
That's right, I will make stuff for all you guys.
If you want. I like to take my time when I make stuff and I am very picky and like to do things to the best of my ability so to start off I will make a few models and then offer them for sale.
We will see how that goes and take it from there.
Maybe even offer some small modding services to some of you that don't have the equipment or know how to do them on your own. Ex: De-ramping, De-clipping, stripping, Adding some jimping, Etc....... You know just stuff that I've done already. Nothing to complicated tho. I will play it by ear and see what people want and then decide if I can do it.
There are lot's of skilled craftsmen and sheath makers here in the Becker Forum and I admire many of these guys work. They are a really talented bunch of individuals for sure.
I do feel that there is room for everyone here so I will try to find my own niche and figure out what I can offer to you guys.
I have thought about doing this many times but then talk myself out of it since I don't think I am any where near the same level as most of these guys. But I guess we all start somewhere right?
I want to thank the many of you who have complimented me on stuff I have done and on my mods and given me the confidence to share my work and continue my journey into this unknown territory......
Especially Hawkhead who has given me many great words of encouragement and wisdom. Thank you Hawk.
And Also B.Mauser for the great conversations we have had about the subject, among many other things, and for the added push I needed to commit to this venture I am about to pursue. Thanks Man.
Also Thank you to Ethan Becker. We have had a few great conversations and I admire you Sir. You are an outstanding individual and your knives have changed my life and love for the outdoors.
Alright let me wrap this up....... didn't mean to make this so long....... just wanted to let you guys know what I am up to.
I am not sure exactly how all this will work and don't know anything about how to price my stuff and whatnot yet but please feel free to contact me if any of you think I may be of service to you.
Thanks guys,
Tate
