It has to be standing at the grinder...

james terrio said:
That's inspiring, Michael! You have a cool variety of designs and grinds going on there, and plenty of them. Keep up the good work! :thumbup:

Build your benches and workstations to suit YOU. Design them so that when you're working, your body is balanced, your shoulders are square, your noggin is facing forward, your hips are aligned with your center of gravity, etc.
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James, I really appreciate that. I mostly just read here and try and stay out of the way, so it's nice to get feedback from people I respect. I'm still in the beginning stages of this journey so I try and stick with what I know. They're simple and a lot of my designs are simply my interpretations of traditional designs that I admire, like the Kephart and the Nessmuk. I'm no "custom" knife maker but I try and produce a handcrafted knife that people use and reach for when they head out on an adventure.

My bench is built high but I'm thinking about adding even more height to it. It's more comfortable to me.

AVigil said:
Your calf muscles (gastrocnemius and Soleus) are important for stabilizing up right posture. As you were grinding your head posture was anterior of your were center of gravity and for every inch your head moves forward it increases about 10lbs of force to your postural muscles. So if your head is anterior of your COG by 6" then at least 60lbs of force was added to the burden of your postural muscles to keep you up right.

As your head went forward the calf muscles and the neck muscle where under constant strain trying to keep you from falling forward.

So the next day when the inflammation and lactic acid sets in the muscles it feels like someone beat the shit out of you :)
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Damn bro, can I get your phone number for those times when my son needs help with his homework? You're one smart mofo.
 
Core Knife Co. said:
...a lot of my designs are simply my interpretations of traditional designs that I admire, like the Kephart and the Nessmuk...
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I'm pretty much the same way. KISS, baby, roll with what works. :thumbup:

I cannot stress enough that you should build your shop based on what's comfortable and efficient for you.
 
oldwolf said:
How do you lock your elbows and shift your weight when sitting? :D
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I grind with a Bubble Jig which doesn't require that your elbows lock. Over the years I've found, staying comfortable, when grinding gives me the best results.
Fred
 
Batch is looking great Michael! I'm impressed with how wholeheartedly you're putting yourself into this. Nice work buddy!

Core Knife Co. said:
I actually tried a stool after watching one of Fred's videos. Not happening. Maybe as my confidence grows and I get more comfortable.

None of these are ready for heat treat. My MAP arm should be here on Monday and I have hand sanding and detail work on every blade I still need to get to. So here is 33 of the 35 I started with. Two of them had problems conforming and getting along so I kicked them off the team. They're all convex ground. Some sabre and some full height.

KnifePatterns414.jpg


KnifePatterns412.jpg


KnifePatterns423.jpg
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Your grinds are awesome, I agree with AV you are definitely standing on your tiptoes.
I do it also, so on long grinding days I sit on a tall stool with both feet planted on the ground in front of the stool.
Works for me but takes getting used to.
CW
 
Had to have some corrective foot surgery bout 3 years back. They cut my left heel off moved it over and bolted it back on. Got to be pretty friendly with the Doc and I know what he would tell ya cause he told my daughter the same. Toss the Vans. I know all the cool kids are wearing them but the cool kids are wrong. Bout the sorriest thing a guy could wear. No support at all. James mentioned some of these deals takes years to manifest themselves and he's right. Wear your Danners. 6 hours under the knife and saw (grosses the wife out when ya starting talking to the Doc about what kind of saw they are gonna use to cut your foot in two but tools is tools and needs discussing), post surgery x rays that look like Frankenstein, (1) 5x57 mm hex head bolt that looks like it came from Home Depot, (3) TI plates, (9) pins and 2 bone grafts from a dead guy later, learn from me. So what caused all this? Probably bad shoes when I was a kid. 40 years ago we called em Keds though not Vans.
 
I'd find something else to do, before I'd spent 8 hours a day at the grinder.

And this coming from a full time maker. ;)
 
What's a 'Vans'?

I have to wear very good shoes to spend all day every day on the concrete floor in the shop.
 
Horsewright said:
Probably bad shoes when I was a kid. 40 years ago we called em Keds though not Vans.
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In my experience this is a van

images



If you mean those flat skateboard shoes,
Vans-shoes-Authentic-%2528Neon-Vibrant-Orange%2529-010604.jpg


then ya toss em.

I had those, and also wore those super flat boat deck shoes when they were popular in the 80-90 too, because that's what you could buy in the stores.

Back when Hush Puppies were popular, I also had some with a wedge that was higher at the toe than the heel,

gawd, they were all awful.

Fashion has NO place in designing footwear.


I like a soft gummy sole with an inside that will mould to my foot.
Doc Martens now have some production in china too, but they are good proven designs.
They cost more than Walmart shoes but my feet don't hurt either.


The floor mats are a good idea too.
and as Don said, break it up.

I have a really inefficient floor plan that makes me walk from one side or the shop to the other for the slightest thing.
Maybe not soo bad.

.
(too slow)
 
For all the humor in this thread there really is pretty good content on a subject that had never crossed my mind. When I first put up the thread I was doing it more to poke fun myself than anything else. Who knew there was real danger involved in injury. I've had laser like focus on certain areas and comfort was never one of them. The more I read through however the more clear it becomes that we're not just talking being comfortable, we're also talking avoiding long term injury done to the body. Really good stuff. I appreciate each one of you.
 
great looking knives man! ,,, as has already been stated, floor mats and better footwear should solve your woes.

good luck and keep grinding!
 
"COOL" is what I am. It's a burden I must carry. :D

I keep waiting to change and become my dad but it's just not happening. I know my wife is still holding out for the maturity to kick in as well. She keeps trying to put me on ADD meds. That's just wrong. I still feel more like I'm 18 than I do 40. Seriously though, If anyone wants some fashion tips, just send me a note.
 
Michael,

You haven't worn Vans until you've worn a pair of these to a Maiden concert!!:D And before you ask......yes. Yes I have!:thumbup:

TrooperVans.jpg
 
So Cal native here. When I was a kid we could walk down to the Van's shoe store and give them any material and design we wanted and they would make us custom shoes.

Thats where they got the idea for all those funky color combos :) way back in 77
 
jonnymac44 said:
Michael,

You haven't worn Vans until you've worn a pair of these to a Maiden concert!!:D And before you ask......yes. Yes I have!:thumbup:

TrooperVans.jpg
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the trooper....

Jonny didn't know you had it in ya.. looks like we're from the same generational spool of madness.... :D

@core, man that's some time spent for sure.. awesome blades man, I'm green with envy....I haven't spent an hour at the bench in over a week... course I wouldn't want the pain either... :)
 
Glad those Danners are helping out. After standing for long periods the walking around the shop deal is probably a good thing.
 
Thanks, Horse

My calves are for sure feeling better. Now it's by gut that hurts from picturing Jonny back in the day.

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Wow this forum scares me more and more every day! :D

PS: I still have my 80's era ALVA kicking around
 
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