Knifemaking new year resolutions.

Jason Magruder

Jason Magruder

Joined
Mar 27, 2004
Messages
570
What is your 2012 knifemaking new years resolution?


Mine is to make better knives :D
Seriously though, I resolve to stop letting my desires for instant gratification get in the way of doing the best work that I am capable of. I am always torn between wanting to make everything perfect and wanting to keep it affordable and finish in a reasonable time. This year I am pulling out all the stops. They might end up too expensive to sell, but every knife I make from now on will be the absolute best quality that I am capable of producing regardless of time or expense. No more compromises. I will no longer fear the loupe or the 10 megapixel closeup because if my work can't stand up to such scrutiny, no one will see it. So, for 2012 you will either see a few great knives come out of my shop or none at all.
 
this will be the first year that I sell my knives. Ive got alot of work to do improving fit and finish, but the blades are good, now just got to learn how to make them pretty! Hopefully, can sell enough of them to cover materials costs! If I can make a profit then that would be cool too, but this hobby is way too addicting to stop.

Joe
 
Spend more time in my shop. Life seems to conspire against me. This year I'll conspire against life!
 
My news year resolution is to shut up, or at least more than I do now, and make better knives. As of now, I am more interested in solid knives and heat treatment than in pretty, but I do my best.
 
New Years knife resolutions:

Quit my nightmare day job and explore knifemaking full time, even if it means drastic life change. Knifemaking makes me happy. Working with criminals does not.

Try forging.

Experimentation with heat treating

More knife testing. Destruction testing.

Become less attached to my knives, and less heartbroken/discouraged when I screw something up. Let things go!

Try some different handle materials and fasteners. Handle options.

Try a piece of damascus or two.

Do away with the chisel grind. More complex grinding.

Try more natural handle materials including bone and stag. Broaden my customer base.

The biggest one of them all.......GET A SHOP.

I have been doing this on the back porch with a Coote grinder on a cheap tool table for too long. I can never get anything done. My knifemaking setup is pitiful. I'm surprised that I turn the work out that I do. Grinding on a Jerry rigged grinder, and doing all of my sheath and handle work in the kitchen at night.
 
finish the 2 I have started...

Order some carbon steel and start learning forging, order some good stainless and learn stock removal...

Read less and do more, buy fewer production knives unless I really, really, really want it... Like the Spyderco Bayou shooters forum knife.

Actually get to drive up to Darrin's place and get some hands on time, and learn the right way to do things.
 
Build a balisong by Feb 2012. Build a 2x72 grinder.
 
Always tell Aldo to surface the steel before he ships it to me, what little I can afford.

Start saving a few pennies so I can build a GIB.
 
Get back in the shop now that I am back in town for good.
Help as many people as possible
Learn more
 
Just getting started here so working on more gracefull shapes with curves and heat treatment. It will be a year of basics.

George Spear
Fat Goat Forge
 
I don't make resolutions, as a general rule... but this time I'll make an exception. In 2012 I resolve to stay more focused and get avoid letting distractions interfere with my projects.
 
Being a new and more a hobby (not a living), I want to try to do one and only one blade a month. That way i won't be rushed into moving on to the next one before making sure I did my best work on the current build. I'm only using files and sand paper so I learn the in's/out's before investing in equipment. I also need to build a forge. Speaking of that, I guess I'll stop armchair bladesmithing and head to Lowes and get some supplies.
 
My hope is to finish gathering parts and building my hydraulic press this year, and get to making more damascus. It is very addicting even with a hammer, though tiring, but I want to do some higher layer counts. Also to keep practicing my grinds, and try new belts until I find what works for me. Would also like to get a kiln but that will probably be next year.
 
...To try and think less and do more.

I've been suffering from "paralysis through analysis".
 
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I made a NY resolution in '93 to never make any more NY resolutions, and have succeeded in that regard for all these years. However, if that wasn't the case, I would make the same one as Tai :thumbup:

Tai Goo said:
...To try and think less and do more.
Click to expand...
 
My resolution is to get back in the shop as much as I used to and try new things. I won't take custom orders cause it feels too much like work. I will only take recommendations on what folks would like to see then sell them on the forum or mailing list. I have been under pressure to finish orders and I make mistakes, and didnt find any joy in it anymore. I am working on something different now and I feel the exitement coming back.
 
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