Knifemakers - The Early Days

[golok]

I know many knife makers started the hard way. Lots of sweat. Long hours at the machines. One knife at a time.

I would love to hear stories from those who had to undergo some interesting periods before they hit big time.

No pain no gain. How true when it applies to knife makers. Trial and error was probably the order of the day at the beginning. Perseverance, persistence and determination make an excellent knifeman.

Who has the story to enthrall all of us here?

 

[Jerry Hossom]

No matter how long you've been making knives (20 years in my case) you are still learning, and it still hurts sometimes. I tell those who are contemplating getting into knifemaking that pain is one of the prices. Forget the economic pain, a lot of trashed steel and countless hours of frustration. Physical pain is a reality (for me anyway). I've been to the Emergency Room twice. The last time they even recognized me, and that leads to emotional pain - those looks which suggest you should seriously consider another profession. Three years ago I had a piece of equipment break and rip a patch of skin off my left palm. It hurt like hell, but walking into the Blade Show two weeks later with my hand completely bandaged was even worse. Next time, I'll bleed to death before I allow my fellow knifemakers to have so much fun at my expense.

Recently a visitor in my shop counted the number of times I said "ouch" while I was finish grinding a particularly pointy Stiletto. The number was 23 as I recall. When I am finish grinding a batch of blades I always grind holes in the tips of my thumbs. Unless the blood interferes with what I'm doing I usually don't stop. When I do, I wrap some tape around them and work on less pointy blades for a couple days. Burning your fingers is how you avoid overheating your steel after tempering. Wearing gloves prevents you from feeling what you need to feel to make it right.

All knifemakers start the hard way, though some are better equipped to deal with it than others. On the "First Knife" thread, it's clear that I started well behind most others in that pack, but I guarantee there was blood spilled on all those blades.

I'm sure these forums help some avoid the most common mistakes. Nothing can help you avoid those we have all invented on our own. A couple months ago I had a 36 grit belt break, whip over my right shoulder and slap me in the middle of the back. Stung like hell, but no real damage. One other time I had a 60 grit belt break and take off the side on my little finger.

All that said, and no matter what happens, there is still little that is more satisfying than the look in the eyes of a youngster to whom you've given a knife. That heals all wounds...

Fun Question!

 

[Mike Hull]

I first got into knifemaking,like Jerry about 20 years ago,in a serious way,I had no machine experience,no money,just the desire.I get a little upset today when I see new makers griping about veteran makers supposed "million dollar shops",I had a gun and small knife collection,I sold it all with the exception of an old 1911,45 auto.Next I sold half my furniture,and even my dirt bike to get equiptment.I have never regretted it.A few years ago,internal and structural,ie;intestinal,and back/neck, problems started to interfere with knifemaking.Much of that is,hopefully,behind me now,and cant wait to start burning my fingers on a daily basis when I recover from neck surgery.