Recommendation? Good Day Everyone

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SweetSmokeScreen

Joined
Nov 27, 2017
Messages
6
Hi all, I've registered for purely selfish reasons though I hope you'll forgive me as I've brought an offspring into the world who is very keen to become a smithy. I won't tell you how old he was when he rigged up a forge in the garden (yard) with some house bricks and my hairdryer (I still shudder when thinking about it!) and made his first attempt at knife-making. It wasn't the prettiest creation - the handle looked like a pair of hotdog buns - but he was thrilled with it.

He's now secured an apprenticeship with a carpenter and has full use of a workshop so between jobs, he's rigging up a similar make-shift forge (fear not, he's getting a knife forge for Christmas from his father) and has been making some very passable blades with fabulous handles made with offcuts from the workshop like cherrywood etc. I'm just overjoyed he's found a career that he is passionate about.

I'd like to contribute to his efforts with something useful, that he can refer to for years to come, a book that would be like the bible of knife-making, should such a thing exist and that's where I'm hoping you can help. I appreciate this might be very subjective or maybe impossible so if I'm on the wrong track, feel free to call me a daft cow and send me on my merry way!

Oh, I did use the search but didn't see anything obvious - if I've missed a good thread just the link would be great. I'm in the UK if that makes any difference to your suggestions.

TIA
 
SweetSmokeScreen said:
Hi all, I've registered for purely selfish reasons though I hope you'll forgive me as I've brought an offspring into the world who is very keen to become a smithy. I won't tell you how old he was when he rigged up a forge in the garden (yard) with some house bricks and my hairdryer (I still shudder when thinking about it!) and made his first attempt at knife-making. It wasn't the prettiest creation - the handle looked like a pair of hotdog buns - but he was thrilled with it.

He's now secured an apprenticeship with a carpenter and has full use of a workshop so between jobs, he's rigging up a similar make-shift forge (fear not, he's getting a knife forge for Christmas from his father) and has been making some very passable blades with fabulous handles made with offcuts from the workshop like cherrywood etc. I'm just overjoyed he's found a career that he is passionate about.

I'd like to contribute to his efforts with something useful, that he can refer to for years to come, a book that would be like the bible of knife-making, should such a thing exist and that's where I'm hoping you can help. I appreciate this might be very subjective or maybe impossible so if I'm on the wrong track, feel free to call me a daft cow and send me on my merry way!

Oh, I did use the search but didn't see anything obvious - if I've missed a good thread just the link would be great. I'm in the UK if that makes any difference to your suggestions.

TIA
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I love the idea and am a fan of print myself, but to be honest, it's 2017 and anything printed in a knife making book is also available in a more useful format on YouTube. How about getting him a subscription to something like Blade Magazine where he can find inspiration and motivation on a recurring basis?
 
Google this book and buy it! Very informative. Lots of info on material removal method and forging as well.
Written by Richard Barney and Bob Loveless.

AVZmrAv.png
 
OP, I'm also UK based, and I hope it isn't against the rules here to suggest that you also post on a UK knife forum (although this one is better, obvs ;) ). If you google 'Edge Matters UK', you will find it. Good luck!
 
Pilsner said:
OP, I'm also UK based, and I hope it isn't against the rules here to suggest that you also post on a UK knife forum (although this one is better, obvs ;) ). If you google 'Edge Matters UK', you will find it. Good luck!
Click to expand...
jc57 said:
There is a subforum for bladesmiths and knife makers where you might find more information:

https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/shop-talk-bladesmith-questions-and-answers.741/
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Thanks Pilsner, I'll have a look at that.

T.L.E. Sharp said:
I love the idea and am a fan of print myself, but to be honest, it's 2017 and anything printed in a knife making book is also available in a more useful format on YouTube. How about getting him a subscription to something like Blade Magazine where he can find inspiration and motivation on a recurring basis?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I see what you're saying, Sharp, he's constantly scanning YouTube for tutorials, he's subscribed to a few guys he admires. I LOVE the idea of the mag subscription though! I think you might've hit the nail on the head! (Talking of which, he's been advised to invest in a proper hammer so any suggestions on that would be great too )

danbot said:
Google this book and buy it! Very informative. Lots of info on material removal method and forging as well.
Written by Richard Barney and Bob Loveless.

AVZmrAv.png
Click to expand...

Will do! Thanks for the suggestion!

Pilsner said:
OP, I'm also UK based, and I hope it isn't against the rules here to suggest that you also post on a UK knife forum (although this one is better, obvs ;) ). If you google 'Edge Matters UK', you will find it. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks Pilsner, I might point him in that direction to register, he may find some local mentoring advice helpful, plus events and fairs perhaps - he won't want his mum on there though!
 
Maybe you could get creative and download all of say Walter Sorrells youtube videos classify them and put them on a disk so he could watch them in the shop
 
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