Knifemakers, do you remember your first knife?

golok

golok

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Oct 20, 2000
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I often wonder how knifemakers feel when they first embarked on their shaky careers and came up with their first knife.

To be sure, not all of these blades were museum pieces. However, the feeling of accomplishment and an innate sense of achievement must have been there.

Do the makers often sell their first piece, or do they keep them as mementos? Something to remind them of their humble beginnings.

For the veterans of steel, these memories must have been like eons ago. For the newer ones, the recollection must be still fresh. The years in between may be just a blur.

I also wonder if any knifemaker has had his first knife framed in his workshop as a sort of a reminder - that's how it began.
 
Yep, total piece of crap too. It has long been destroyed. Most of my first knives belong to either my parents or best friend. Nice way to keep them in existance w/o having to see them too often :). -- charles
 
i remeber my first knife well. I gave it to my Grandfather becase family are the only people that can like your first knives. I looks like i forgot to grind the blade it is so thick at the edge. But you have to start somewhere.
 
My first was a disaster. What began as the blade was so butchered that I ground it into a stick tang, turned the whole thing around and ground what was the full tang into a skinner. It did skin though; as I recall I skinned two deer with it. Dymondwood was as ugly 20+ years ago as it is today... :)
 
have'nt seen it lately, but its around. i was jst able to trade one of my culinary knives for the first one i sold. (#3) its great to have that one back! its a convex ground utility with a 4" blade.
 
Jerry: I see a lot of ideas in that first knife. I like it! Many times a makers first knife is an honest representation of what he feels. Then slowly but surely it is lost. I still have my first completed knife, it is pretty bad, but I still smile at the memories it brings. Presently it hangs on our kitches wall with a lot of other knives.
 
This is my first one using a belt grinder. Good thing the pic doesn't show much detail; it's pretty messy.

bowie.jpg
:rolleyes:
 
Originally posted by Jerry Hossom
My first was a disaster. What began as the blade was so butchered that I ground it into a stick tang, turned the whole thing around and ground what was the full tang into a skinner. It did skin though; as I recall I skinned two deer with it. Dymondwood was as ugly 20+ years ago as it is today... :)
Click to expand...

Yeah I have to agree with you Jerry.., but since you are such a nice guy.., and a philosophical humanitarian type guy :)..., I'd be willing to take that little guy (with papers of provenance acknowledging it's your first of course), for let's say $12..., and I'll pick up the shipping... :cool:


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Shipping too?!! Pete, I'm at a loss for words. Your generosity is truly in a class by itself. :D
 
I won an auction for Neil Blackwood's first ever folder.... And I believe this is an excellent investment...

Plus I got one hell of a knife...

Sweet little knife Jerry - I've seen it on your site and liked it...

First one? Don??? :eek: :eek: very impressive...
 
What an excellent topic.

I would think that most first knives should have a lot of sentimental value even if they are rough. Love to see more pics of those first or early knives.
 
Well, I guess I'm weird, because I'm not ashamed of my firsts at all. In fact I've taken my very first to a few shows and held it under the table. Then if anyone asks what I started with, I can just show them.

I have my first knife, my first folder, my first knife that was stolen (then returned to me after being taken from an unruly 19 year old that chased another guy down the street with it)...and I am sure I will have other firsts that stick around.

Sentimentality holds a pretty high rate with me :)

Nick
 
yup, i still have my first.

it sits in my desk draw .. wouldnt dream about getting rid of it.
its really ugly and i was told some really bad info in its construction which lead to many problems ..

and it took weeks to make, mostly because of the concave 'grind' .. which was done with nothing but 600 grit wet/dry and a very abused finger.
i wish i at least knew what 'grit' meant back then...
:rolleyes:

i should take a pic of it to cheer up peoples day.
:D

but when i am having problems with something i look at that blade and i think how i made it with nothing more than a little bit of fire, a small rusted warding file and a <b>whole bunch</b> of scrap sandpaper i found in the back of the shed... then i look at my workshop now and it gives me the nerve to get back to work.

D.
 
Yep, I still have that ugly thang. It was ground on a replacement cart wheel that I covered with sand paper and chucked up in my drill press. Not near as pretty as some of the "first knives" I've seen posted here on the forums.
 
I believe I was about 9, I stole my dads metal shelf rails, cut them and laid two pieces of thick steel strapping across both rails to make a thick blade. a year ago I found this knife buried under a shrub I moved for my dad. must have been there for 24 years!!! it sits in my house as a joke. on a more serious note my first knife was a norwegian blade I modified and set in crown stag with a small brass crossguard. i still have the knife, use it as a patch knife, made it when I was 12.
 
I wouldn't want any one to see my first knife.
It was a very sad example. After making 2 fixed blades I was ready to go to the folder.Not Really ready but I thought I was.
Then I made the one and only lock back with imatation pearl handle.
It is hidden away in my dads closet...
BRAD
 
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