increasing maker participation

Well you got my attention. I am a stock remover and I generally read more than post on BladeForums. To be honest, I wasn't really sure what forums I should post in.

For a little introduction, I am Mike Carter from Louisville, Kentucky. I learned the craft from my buddy Gil Hibben who lives nearby and I continue to learn from him. I have been making knives for about 5 years after collecting for around 30 years.

I primarily make fixed blade users although I am always trying to do something new and different. Big Bowies are my first love in knives but of course not the most practical in today's world.

Lately, I have been selling mostly Nessmuks, neckers, and small daggers. Most of my knives are hollow ground 440C stainless or made from Brad Vice's 416 layer "Alabama Damascus".

I don't really have a "signature" design yet and really seldom even work from a template. When someone orders a particular style or size, I follow the general design but each one will vary somewhat. Custom orders are keeping me pretty busy but when I do get time, I make a few of what I like and offer them for sale. I also do my own sheaths and I am learning scrimshaw. I very much prefer natural wood, bone or ivory handles.

I am working on moving into some folders.

You can see my knives and my shop on my website at www.cartercrafts.com
 
Nick, you got my attention also. I am a stock removal guy, and make mostly hunters and skinners. I made my first knife around 23 years ago but only made a few and quit making until 5 years ago started again and got serious about it. I use 1095, O-1, and 440C steels for my knives and alot of differant handle materials. Have posted some in the Shop Talk, but never have visited here before. Will add this to my places to hang out.
 
Nick and Keith, Thought I would drop over and check this section of the forum out. Read a few posts and it seems friendly enough.
 
Its funny to me that this forum is considered scary. Why is that? The honest critiques and criticism? This forum has been rewarding since I joined a year ago because its really the only place where I have gotten some feedback on my collection and that really makes collecting seem more worthwhile.

I have been seeing ALOT of names I have never seen before on here over the past week. Seems like we are on to something!
 
Good for you Nick - I'll be real interested to see the responses. If talking about this stuff and getting it in the open gives a few more makers the inclination to join in, then that's fabulous. Makers are an immesurably valuable asset to the forums.

Roger
 
i can definately see that it would be "scary" to post here.....how are makers gonna feel when they spent countless hours working on a knife......and they post it here......u got engraved daggers by bailey bradshaw.....fisk nlt knives up the wazoo.....and don hanson hamons flying all over the place.....talk about living up to a standard......alot of people that post in this forum are top collectors.....have written articles on knives....go to alot of shows and know what they are talking about......i would be nervous posting something i made....i know that......ryan
 
ryan9977 said:
i can definately see that it would be "scary" to post here.....how are makers gonna feel when they spent countless hours working on a knife......and they post it here......u got engraved daggers by bailey bradshaw.....fisk nlt knives up the wazoo.....and don hanson hamons flying all over the place.....talk about living up to a standard......alot of people that post in this forum are top collectors.....have written articles on knives....go to alot of shows and know what they are talking about......i would be nervous posting something i made....i know that......ryan
Click to expand...

I'm not intimidated. I'm not a new maker, since I've been making them off and on for about 19 years. But, I've only become serious about it for the last three. I come here often to read and even post a knife here for feedback from time to time. What better way to learn than to come here. I used to put a lot of pins on every knife, but have only a few with a lot of pinwork left. Most of my recent creations are much more main stream, but yet are still my own personal style.

What better way is there for a newer maker to improve, than to shoot for the "stars". Even if you miss, you'll probably land on the moon!
 
The single best development that I've seen in the forums over the last couple of years I've been kicking around here, is the increasing interest by makers to provide input into the forum, especially by way of dialogue, but in particular by way of posting pictures of their work.

I generally would have more in common with a knifemaker than I do with any collector I've met, read posts from or talked to, as I am a 'craftsman' myself, (okay, I make sick bicycles healthy, so it's a little different. But my hands are still cracked, callused, cut up and look like shit, so there's something in common).

I know that collectors are necessary, but without knives, they'd be collecting something else. Without collectors, most knifemakers would still be farting around with steel and edges.

Viva Knifemakers! Without you, where be the knives???

Let your freak flags fly and damn the MAN!
 
ryan
the big names are what push me and while i am working toward "rating" to post here more i am reading and learning just not posting much

maybe i need to do a little rethinking and see what happens
 
butcher_block said:
ryan
the big names are what push me and while i am working toward "rating" to post here more i am reading and learning just not posting much

maybe i need to do a little rethinking and see what happens
Click to expand...

No rating required to post here.

Roger
 
Thanks for the post Nick! In all honesty, I didn't know this forum was here.
I have belonged to the B.F. community for years and have found it to be a positive force for knife makers and enthusiast alike.
I always head for the makers forum when I log on but in the future will make the custom forum a place to visit also.

Theres no dress code here, is there? I usually log on rite after working in the shop and I can look a little ruff at times.:eek::D

Fred
 
Nick is sending us over the from the shop forum to say hello. I'll try and contribute when i can.
 
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