How long to make a knife... Just curious.

[ddavelarsen]

I'm planning to spend the next 10 years getting my tools and skills together, so that knifemaking can supplement my thin retirement income. I figure it'll be better than greeting Walmart customers, and pay a little more. And I'll be leaving something worthwhile behind, which is a big part of this to begin with, for me.

Time well spent has to be the key. Somewhere else Nick Wheeler talked about spending 30 hours making a guard - now that's where it's at.

Like Gib said, the more highly skilled the work the better it pays. With any luck at all, that's where I'm headed (one of these days, don't start holding your breath just yet). Right now I'm still concentrating on the basics, trying to get that right...and have a long road ahead.

Dave

 

[John Andrews]

I go along the line Dave says, if you do it part time, kick back enough to have everything you'll need when you retire. Or have everything PAID for in your shop when you decide you can go full time. I have some years yet before retirement, but when I do, I'll be full time with all the time I want to finish a knife. We all know the result if hurrying in the shop. Either you get injured or you mess up the knife. I don't open the shop unless I am feeling well or in the right mood. I still have two eyes and all my digits pretty much intact. I don't even keep track of work time because it won't be ready until it is ready.