Knifemaker, Knifesmith, Blademaker and Bladesmith

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I'm a stock removal guy and consider myself a knifemaker. I don't forge my blades so calling myself a smith of any kind would be inappropriate. I don't just make blades, the blade is a portion of my work, so I feel that knifemaker is the best fit for me. In my mind a blademaker or bladesmith is someone who is focused on that portion of the product, whether they're the machine operator stamping out blades from sheet stock or a smith who passes off to another craftsman for further work.

Looked at another way, if I buy a blade from an outside source, whether another craftsman or a company making them by machine, I am still making a knife, but I'm NOT making the blade so I wouldn't want to be using that term in my title. I'm still making the knife, but just like I'm not a sawmill operator or corby bolt producer, in that situation I'm not the blade producer, just the finished knife. (And yes, I agree that disclosure of the blade's source is the only ethical choice when selling them, at the very least making it clear you were not the maker if you don't want to reveal the exact source)
 
Before I became a Knifemaker, I was a knife user.
Before I became a Knifemaker, I was a knife dreamer. (To say designer isn't right)
Before I became a Knifemaker, I made a few knives for me and my friends.
Before I became a Knifemaker, I hung around Knifemakers.
Before I became a Knifemaker, I worked with Knifemakers.
Before I became a Knifemaker, I worked one on one with a Master Smith.
Before I became a Knifemaker, I made knives for a year full time, no income.
Before I became a knifemaker, I swore to remain honest to myself, my craft and my customer.
Before I became a Knifemaker, I was a guy making and selling knives on the internet.
Before I became a Knifemaker, my peers, mentors, customers and folks whose opinions I respect accepted me as a Knifemaker.
THEN, I became a Knifemaker and have been for the last 3yrs... "Bladesmith" is more fitting and just sounds cooler IMO... lol.

I am swimming with the Big Fish, now.... I one day I hope to swim AMONG them... but that is for the Big Fish to decide.

Rick
 
Rick Marchand said:
Before I became a Knifemaker, I was a knife user.
Before I became a Knifemaker, I was a knife dreamer. (To say designer isn't right)
Before I became a Knifemaker, I made a few knives for me and my friends.
Before I became a Knifemaker, I hung around Knifemakers.
Before I became a Knifemaker, I worked with Knifemakers.
Before I became a Knifemaker, I worked one on one with a Master Smith.
Before I became a Knifemaker, I made knives for a year full time, no income.
Before I became a knifemaker, I swore to remain honest to myself, my craft and my customer.
Before I became a Knifemaker, I was a guy making and selling knives on the internet.
Before I became a Knifemaker, my peers, mentors, customers and folks whose opinions I respect accepted me as a Knifemaker.
THEN, I became a Knifemaker and have been for the last 3yrs... "Bladesmith" is more fitting and just sounds cooler... lol.

I am swimming with the Big Fish, now.... I one day I hope to swim AMONG them... but that is for the Big Fish to decide.

Rick
Click to expand...

But Rick, I thought it was just a $60 per year fee?













:p





I think we all know if we make knives or not! It is pretty easy to figure out.
 
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Some very good opinions and ideas that relate directly to my question - thank you for your well thought comments and the time it took to think about what was asked.
 
Regardless of what title best fits the craft of "kit-knife" building, I think what's raised most folk's hackles is the marketing ploy:

'My knives are better than those from other knife makers because I design/engineer them and my vast real-world experience guides that design/engineering.'

This could be a perfectly legitimate tack (though a little obnoxious), except that it appears the contribution of your vast real-world experience to the design/engineering of these knives is limited to which blades and handle materials you select from a catalogue.

Finishing out "kit" knife components is a legitimate craft. Some people do it very well and their work results in pieces that seem to be more than the sum of their parts. It's a part of the craft of knifemaking, but without the full scope of creativity and technical skills required to design/engineer fine tools from scratch.

Nothing stopping you from taking the next step in the craft ...
 
For someone who wants something to be so S I M P L E. BMK sure does like the weird spin, the runaround, and the hair splitting. And aren't you the one who says he sees things in black and white?

This isn't philosophy. (your pseudo philosophy is hilarious btw)

You sound like Bill Clinton in his hilarious televised speech asking what the definition of "IT" is.

The bottom line is.... You are not a knifemaker. You are a handle affixer. A bad one at that. (there's no evidence that you even do that.)

Go away troll.
 
As with any group, if you have to ask then you're not one.

You can play linebacker or be a linebacker.

You can ride a bike or be a biker

You can make knives or be a knifemaker/bladesmith.

I'd love to hear Tai Goo's thoughts on this and what song lyrics he'd post for us.

As for myself I have no doubts about my label, I'm a student of the craft. Everyone is welcome to follow the path.
 
The terms knifemaker, knifesmith, blademaker and bladesmith refer to someone who creates a knife from basic materials via stock removal, forging, machining etc.

Adding a handle to a mass produced kit knife will never make you any of those.

Your sad attempt to rationalize your fraudulent behavior by debating common sense terminology is especially pathetic.
 
Rick Marchand said:
I would also like to add: If boobs had no nipples, they'd be pointless.


Which reminds me.... What is the point of this thread?
Click to expand...

Post count... I've been gone for awhile :D

As a follow on to all of the various threads BMK has started.... I sold my first knife in 1994, I've seen people come and go.... mainly go. I learned to quit worrying about most of these type of people and to concern myself with my own blades.
 
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