Do knifemakers ever go on holidays?

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
Messages
4,453
I have hearing and reading about knifemakers working the whole year round. Are there any holidays for these chaps?

I know when you start working for yourselves, it is a bit difficult to start declaring public holidays for yourselves when there's a backlog of 100 orders or maybe just five. But still, a man needs to rest. Can't be working like a horse and end up tired as a dog!

Well, now is a pretty good time to take a breather. Afterall, it is the Easte season. Seriousl though, how do you plan your vacation?

:)
 
A holiday is when I go to a knife show. Working for yourself means working for the most demanding boss in the world.

The pressure is always on because you never know what orders you are going to get next, if any.
 
I have'nt taken a proper vacation for about three years now. The closest I get is going down to a friends house to do tile work, etc on a sat or sun. -- Charles
 
Holidays? What for? Every day is a holiday when in the shop. The hard part is when you are away from your shop and dream of being there. The only "time off" I have taken for the last 30 years is for surgery, sick leave, funerals, and the like. When someone says "have a nice weekend" I thank God that I don't have to fool with that kind of stuff.

We do have diversions:
A new design
A new steel
A variation of procedure
When physically tired:
Read thoughts about steel or knives or frontiers we wish to explore.
Step outside and shoot the new revolver, only takes a few minutes for a break
 
We have spent our wedding anniversary at the Montana Show for the last 5 years. It dont get better than that unless you ask my wife.
 
Well said Ed!! It was nice to finally meet and chat with you on my last "vacation" in Eugene;)

Vacations?? Heck Ya, I take a lot of them, Lets see....so far this year it's been Vegas, Orlando, Tampa and Eugene......I think I have a trip to Atlanta coming up soon and then back to Orlando shortly after that:cool:
 
Originally posted by C. Marlowe
I have'nt taken a proper vacation for about three years now. The closest I get is going down to a friends house to do tile work, etc on a sat or sun. -- Charles
Click to expand...

Cool Charles :).., I need tile...lol. Bring the Wilton 2 X 72 square-wheel please!
 
Everyone has holidays, I intend to have mine every year in in North Carolina and Arkansas, its a long way from home but a hell of a good break.
 
Hell Yeah! Shows are my holiday's now.. In fact recently I just had to get away from the shop for a couple days. I decided to go to the Oregon Show 1000 miles away just to have fun with my buddies!
Didnt have anything to sell, but it was a damn good time, and well worth the trip..
Knifemakers dig hanging with other knifemakers.
Another maker said it to me like this: Its like living in the US and speaking German, and when you go to a knife show, and hang out with other makers its like taking a trip to Germany. They speak your lingo.. This is very true..
So next time you see a knifemaker looking a little bleary eyed or tired at a show, just remember we dont get many vacations, and shows are about the only time we get to shake off the grit, and have a little fun together!;) :D
 
Well said, Ed.

Many years ago, I saw a sign at a hospital. It said something like this: "Finding the job you love, and loving the job you have."

You are the first person who has actually come right up and said it. I have been wanting to meet someone lives by those words. Well, at last I have.

Congratulations. More of us should actually find a job like that. That way, we don't have to take vacations.

:)
 
Amen Ed! A vacation for me is a three daty weekend, the grass is mowed my wife and the baby are cared for, and I get to work more than a couple of hours after my regular job on knife stuff. WOOHOO!

That is a vacation of the mind body and spirit! I come out of the shop, burnt, bloody, stinky,sweaty, hungry, thirsty, and grinning like an idiot. There's just enough time to refuel and dive back in.
WHen I am at my J-O-B I'm only thinking about my next vacation!

shane
 
yeah its kinda like ED said, take a brake from the grinder for a few days to let some new ideas in.i am going to the BAKCA show again this yeah because i had a lot of fun. my booth was beteew bill herndon and RW clark and i met a real great bunch of other makers, and even sold some knives :D. also i stayed with some family and got to see my young cousins. then i drove out to the coast and headed home stopping to see some sea lions etc, and eat fish &chips. sounds like a vacation to me!
 
Steve,
Will see you in North Carolina. I'll bring the palm trees and lawn chairs for the vacation.

Seriously.....I take about 4 weeks off each year at different times.
 
interesting
normally we go away and call it a vacation
to me to get back home from a show is relaxing (though enjoyable)
so I'd say the work would be when you go away. (kind of)
and have to do something different from the norm.
the shows would be what I would tell others that don't understand
are my vacations.(but we know different don't we:D) are you confused yet? :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top