A day in the life of Ron Claiborne (Knifemaker)
I look out the window to see how the morning was about to begin. Even before day light a bird sings, normal, this promises to be a great day, I am filled with anticipation for what is to come.
I as most people, have to grab a large cup of coffee to get my mind in gear. Though this day my hands are trembling, and my mind is somewhere else, I make the coffee. I put the coffee in the paper container and proceeded to make the wonderful brew, but to my surprise , when I go to get a cup, I have forgotten to put in the paper.
Getting my mind back to now, I make the coffee.
Now I could hear the birds and every now and then the dogs were talking to each other. The sun was just coming up and you could see the trees with their black silhouettes and a mist --of pending gray, they talked of snow today , I hope so its easier to think when its quiet.
I put on my warm clothes and grabbed my cup of coffee and went outside to start the day. The air is cold and brisk against my face, but I hardly noticed, moving toward the little building near the back of the lot , I looked up, and there is that wonderful building in ahead of me. I could make out the shape of it in the half light. Through the trees I could see the roof, with its cedar shakes and cedar siding, with a dull cabin look. It makes me feel good to see it. Moving faster now , because of the wind and cold . I make my way to the big doors, going inside.
This is my shop. I knew I was safe from Mother nature. I could take a drink of my coffee and look around .
This is going to be a great day, I set my coffee down and turned to face the beast, and a most respected friend in my life. It was at most, a creature,that stood on four steel legs. It`s body is around fat Black cylinder, with a mouth that gaped open all the time. It was what my friend and I were going to do today that made me so excited.
I call my friend the dragon, because he spits out fire and rage at times.
Down in the city they call it a forge.
Well , me and the Dragon were about to get started . I talk to the Dragon and tell him what I wont to do . He just set there, cold and indifferent to my talking. Like steel could understand what you`re saying . Ho well I talk to him anyway.
He's still asleep. I intend to do something about that. looking around to find some paper, to wake the monster. wadding up the paper and lighting the end with a match,I throw it in to his mouth and forcing some air through his lungs while he`s asleep. Then turning on the gas, He spits out the burning paper and coughs. Then, he`s awake with aloud roar and spewing fire from deep within his belly as though he is mad. Thinking more about what we would make today, We were going to make a magical steel and I couldn't wate to get started.
He's fully awake. He's calmed down. Speaking in a low even tone now. Warming up the inside of the shop, and getting hot, the Monster will be ready to work in a while and I will be lost for the next five hours, making something that has no end.
This stuff is a sickness and there is no cure, except death. Yet, I have a suspicion that God has a forge in heaven. We are going to make Damascus.
Did you ever think what it would be like to create something that no man could ever duplicate? He can come close but the hammer blows and the force of movement will make each piece unique.
Damascus is a sickness and there is only one way out as I have stated but one can get some some temporary treatment by building one more piece or a new pattern.
It never stops Some of us have this disease, you can see it in the eyes , If you look you can see what they are saying "" help Me Give me something that challenges my skills"
It never stops
It not only effects the desire, skill, pursuits, energy but a number of other things. It effects the mental status. You can also see this in the eyes, they usually have a random pattern, It's called bloodshoot.
You may catch him bumping his head against the wall or holding his head in his hands, trying to figure out that damn pattern. If you ever wonder about something, and after a while you find out how to make it , you then go to break it down and wonder "what If I did this ?" and all of a sudden BOOM! there's another pattern in your head. Boy what Fun. Mental therapy, That's just the way it is.
By now , the snow is getting deeper and it's late in the evening. I feel like I'm cheating . Damn it's fun to be making knives.
It makes you fell good to be in the shop , snow piling up outside Then you are after a while so engrossed in your work , the whole world moves aside for a time.
At a time in the day , you look up and think how lucky you are to have the time and place to work at what you love, and also to straighten your back, Before you become permanently bent that way
It will amuse you how you keep coming up with new patterns or how to build a better knife.
Your friends will think you're crazy for staying in that little building all the time. They really think you are becoming a hermit. They will tell you, " Go to the city and sell that stuff.".
You know I don't have a knife in the house , but I have a lot in my head. hahaha.
While grinding and making handles is great for summer, for now Im making steel. I may see you in the big city, you know Hotlanta, But for now me and dragon spending the winter keeping warm and making steel, with a full tank of Gas . I hope it snows.
Do what you like and like what you do.
Bowie---aka---Ron Claiborne
