- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
Knife making in general is a pretty tough way to make a living. High end knives are not a necessity so even the upper echelon of custom knife makers are not carving a very fat hog.
Knife making in Alaska is even tougher. High fuel prices, cold weather, inaccessibility of tools and raw materials make it worse. Everything has to come in on a boat or airplane in remote areas. I hear some folks in the lower 48 can even forge outside under a lean-to. When we go to a knife show, airfare costs us extra, we have to make the first $2,000.00 (for two tickets) just to break even. Many areas up here fall outside of fire service areas, this makes fire protection and insurance impossible to get. (don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, we are all where we choose to be)
It's for these reasons and more that I feel a special kindred for Alaskan knife makers. Alaskans as a rule are independent, strong people, if you don't believe me just ask one of us. Though I don't know them as well as I'd like to (They live 875 miles away from me) its my sense that Adam and Haley would never ask for help. They could rebuild by themselves but they have no reason to, they have friends. You'd have to be blind to not know that already.
I feel the same way many of you do. Knife makers are a tight knit group, we have to help each other when we can.
I'd like to offer one of my 1911 Combat Survivor Bowies for auction to help Adam and Haley rebuild.
The winner may choose scale color, either brown or green Micarta or camo G10. You may also choose sheath color, black, digi camo, woodland camo or khaki. Lets start the bidding at $100.00. You can bid here, email me, PM me or call me on the phone. 100 % of these proceeds will go to help Adam and Haley. This auction will run for one week. It will run until noon my time on Wednesday the 13th. Also, the knife you win will not have Terry Millers name on it, it could have your name on it if you like.
It's hard for strong, independent people to accept help from others. Adam and Haley seem almost apologetic for the help they are receiving. But Adam and Haley, you needn't feel that way. These things people do are as much for themselves as they are for you. We need to feel like we can help in some way, it helps us feel better to do something however little. It gives us a sense of community, gives us a renewed faith in human nature. Accept these gestures willingly and gracefully. Besides, if I help just a little, I will be a little responsible for the outstanding knives you create when you get going again.
I wish I could come down there and actually help build the shop, that would be a blast, but I have to say with great apprehension that I have five knives to submit in June.
Godspeed, please keep us posted on the rebuild. Your friend, I hope, Mark
Knife making in Alaska is even tougher. High fuel prices, cold weather, inaccessibility of tools and raw materials make it worse. Everything has to come in on a boat or airplane in remote areas. I hear some folks in the lower 48 can even forge outside under a lean-to. When we go to a knife show, airfare costs us extra, we have to make the first $2,000.00 (for two tickets) just to break even. Many areas up here fall outside of fire service areas, this makes fire protection and insurance impossible to get. (don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, we are all where we choose to be)
It's for these reasons and more that I feel a special kindred for Alaskan knife makers. Alaskans as a rule are independent, strong people, if you don't believe me just ask one of us. Though I don't know them as well as I'd like to (They live 875 miles away from me) its my sense that Adam and Haley would never ask for help. They could rebuild by themselves but they have no reason to, they have friends. You'd have to be blind to not know that already.
I feel the same way many of you do. Knife makers are a tight knit group, we have to help each other when we can.
I'd like to offer one of my 1911 Combat Survivor Bowies for auction to help Adam and Haley rebuild.
The winner may choose scale color, either brown or green Micarta or camo G10. You may also choose sheath color, black, digi camo, woodland camo or khaki. Lets start the bidding at $100.00. You can bid here, email me, PM me or call me on the phone. 100 % of these proceeds will go to help Adam and Haley. This auction will run for one week. It will run until noon my time on Wednesday the 13th. Also, the knife you win will not have Terry Millers name on it, it could have your name on it if you like.
It's hard for strong, independent people to accept help from others. Adam and Haley seem almost apologetic for the help they are receiving. But Adam and Haley, you needn't feel that way. These things people do are as much for themselves as they are for you. We need to feel like we can help in some way, it helps us feel better to do something however little. It gives us a sense of community, gives us a renewed faith in human nature. Accept these gestures willingly and gracefully. Besides, if I help just a little, I will be a little responsible for the outstanding knives you create when you get going again.
I wish I could come down there and actually help build the shop, that would be a blast, but I have to say with great apprehension that I have five knives to submit in June.
Godspeed, please keep us posted on the rebuild. Your friend, I hope, Mark
Last edited:
