It Has Begun...

jhiggins

jhiggins

Joined
Jul 11, 2003
Messages
3,258
Today I finally made a big decision. I registered with Monster.com and posted my resume - the whole bit. I applied for three jobs in NC, even got a reply from one of them already. If the right position is made available to me, I may just go down there and work, while my wifey-poo, Linda, finishes school up here. She's in the medical profession, so naturally she's ALWAYS in school of some kind. :rolleyes:

So anyway, I am thinking I'll snag a job for a year and get to know the state a little better. I'll get a cheap room. I never had alot growing up, so it won't be much of an inconvenience. I can always make a "missile-run" to NH for a wee taste of the comforts only the wife can give... ;)

Now if'n I get the job, and its pays what I need to pull this off, I can pay off my student loans, sell off my shop equipment in NH, and buy all sweet new Prazi and Emco stuff in NC. :thumbup:

Course, in the meanwhile I can always get to know Bubba Goode, Alan Folts, and Gerry McGinnis a little better while I am down there. Heck, maybe I can even make a knife or two in their shops with them. :D

What do you guys think?
 
I think you've got a lot of guts to make a change like that :eek:
Best of luck to you though, I'm sure it will work out for you.

Have you thought about trying to rent somewhere that might have a little bit of shop space? Maybe I'm wrong but I've gotten the impression that your business with the tappers and all that has been picking up some momentum. Would hate to see that just drop off for a move.
 
Way to go. Just jump off that cliff. Thats the only way to get a rush in life is to just go for it. Best wishes. :cool:
 
I'm with Kim, just go for it. Its during times of change that good things can happen. Keep your eyes open and good luck. :thumbup: Fred
 
Matt Shade said:
I think you've got a lot of guts to make a change like that :eek:
Best of luck to you though, I'm sure it will work out for you.

Have you thought about trying to rent somewhere that might have a little bit of shop space? Maybe I'm wrong but I've gotten the impression that your business with the tappers and all that has been picking up some momentum. Would hate to see that just drop off for a move.
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Actually, the tapper thing is somewhat off and on. Its not like there is a knifemaker on every street corner, just dying to get one. There was an initial rush for them. I have tried all manner of getting them advertised, and now its just word of mouth. Alpha Knife Supply carries them now also. The good news is that the February BLADE magazine will have my tapper in the "What's New" section. That should bring me a rush of orders, but I expect it'll die off again after that.

Last night as I lay in bed waiting to doze off, an idea came into my head like a shot of adrenaline. I got an idea for a mechanism that would allow the knifemaker to determine the exact angle of bevel needed for any knife blade, with consistent and repeatable results. I may explore that today.

Yeah so actually I need a temporary change I think. I have been unsettled in my shop lately. I think its due to the fact that we were somewhat financially okay before I lost my job a few months ago. We are okay now, but its tight, and I have never been crazy about "just getting by". :)
 
jhiggins said:
Last night as I lay in bed waiting to doze off, an idea came into my head like a shot of adrenaline. I got an idea for a mechanism that would allow the knifemaker to determine the exact angle of bevel needed for any knife blade, with consistent and repeatable results. I may explore that today.
boy that could be a nice little tool to have round the shop make it so i can set it and place blade stock on it to set my hand angle :D
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No , not you too Jeff ! Hang in there buddy. I will terribly miss the relationship that you & IG have here . I understand the " just getting by " statement . I have grown up in the Die Shop-Machine Shop like you too.The money is good but not where it should be for the skills & brains you need to do the job.I'm very independant & get in way to much trouble "expressing my opinion" that most of the time , the Boss doesn't want to hear ( Truths ). I'm not a good "Company Man" or "Suck A**" & never have been . I'll bet just from talking to you on the Forum that you are the same :D . Do what you have to but do it knowing that you will be missed ! I'll put money down now on the premise that you won't be gone long. I am stunned by the statement you made " sell off my shop equip. in N.H. At least I seen the words " buy all new sweet ..... " following that crazy statement you made prior to.GOOD LUCK with whatever you do !!
 
i got first dibs on your shop
i mean uuhhhhh good luck ;)
but we won't have higgy at the hammer-ins anymore
oh wait he didn't show up anyway :eek:
sorry i've been hanging around IG too much
good luck higgy, just make sure you have some time for the forums, and a lot of time for the knives. :thumbup:
 
Go for the gold man!! Good luck and keep us updated. :thumbup:
 
You can come by and see me on your way down to Carolina and catch your breath Jeff.

I bet you could find a cheap rental with some shop space.

Good luck Bubba
 
David Wesner said:
No , not you too Jeff ! Hang in there buddy. I will terribly miss the relationship that you & IG have here . I understand the " just getting by " statement . I have grown up in the Die Shop-Machine Shop like you too.The money is good but not where it should be for the skills & brains you need to do the job.I'm very independant & get in way to much trouble "expressing my opinion" that most of the time , the Boss doesn't want to hear ( Truths ). I'm not a good "Company Man" or "Suck A**" & never have been . I'll bet just from talking to you on the Forum that you are the same :D . Do what you have to but do it knowing that you will be missed ! I'll put money down now on the premise that you won't be gone long. I am stunned by the statement you made " sell off my shop equip. in N.H. At least I seen the words " buy all new sweet ..... " following that crazy statement you made prior to.GOOD LUCK with whatever you do !!
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Hey I would never leave this forum, especially with all the pals I have made here. There ain't one of these guys I wouldn't give a kidney to... even the Luoco Portugee Rato ;)

As far as the shop thing: My gear is all manual stuff. I want to upgrade to some higher-precision, higher-quality machines. My goal is to make more art knives, and high-quality folders. I just can't take a serious amount of cash to reinvent my shop right now, that's why I am willing to make a haiatus for a few months to get things right.

Michael J. Spangler said:
i got first dibs on your shop
i mean uuhhhhh good luck ;)
but we won't have higgy at the hammer-ins anymore
oh wait he didn't show up anyway :eek:
sorry i've been hanging around IG too much
good luck higgy, just make sure you have some time for the forums, and a lot of time for the knives. :thumbup:
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You got it, Mike. I'll have a mill-drill and a 9x20 lathe up for sale if I do get that job. I am tossing the idea around of selling my anvil and forge right now to get up some extra cash. I tried spanking some steel this weekend, and my arm just aint what it used to be. You and me can talk about it next Saturday anyway. :D

I was almost getting there when I got the boot from my last job. I had everything all lined up to quit and go full-time knifemaking in July, but the loss of salary really put those plans in a nose dive. Essentially, I was left unprepared.
 
Mark Williams said:
You can come by and see me on your way down to Carolina and catch your breath Jeff.

I bet you could find a cheap rental with some shop space.

Good luck Bubba
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I may just do that, Mark. It'll be good to see ya. :thumbup:
 
Where is the job in NC???
You can baby sit for me when my girl is here.......2 bucks an hr!

Wait a damn Miniute.......I forgot who I was talking too.......you cant baby sit you crazy Bast*** :D Just kidding........
 
I read the thread title, and thought you had just gotten a jar of HT relish, and you where talking about the mexican heartburn.... :D

Really though, I hope everything works out for you, even if I don't have room in my shop right now for the mill/drill or lathe :)
 
blgoode said:
Where is the job in NC???
You can baby sit for me when my girl is here.......2 bucks an hr!

Wait a damn Miniute.......I forgot who I was talking too.......you cant baby sit you crazy Bast*** :D Just kidding........
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I'm just trolling the waters to see what bites right now, Brian. Location really doesnt matter at this point.
 
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