Knifemaking Paradign Shift?

The Goo dude don't forge nude,... I always wear a cup... extra large of course. :)

Will, you can use a $50 dollar bench grinder if it makes you happy. If it makes you feel like you're cheating yourself, then just forget it.

Thanks Don! If you enjoy what you are doing it will show in your work.

Just try and focus on what you “can do” with a simple shop set up, and don’t dwell on or worry about what you can’t do,… or don’t want to do. You'll surly find that there's a lot more you can do than you ever thought possible... Just keep an open mind, positive attitude and go with the flow...

Don't be afraid to learn, grow and change.

Limitations are just in the minds of the already defeated.

True "power" only comes from within...
 
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good for you Will , take it slow and easy and enjoy . I wondered how long it would take to return to the addiction and what did you do with your monkeys ?
 
I started off with a real simple set up, rivet forge, 50 pound anvil, hammers, tongs a few files and bench grinder etc. At that time I really didn't have much confidence in my own abilities, so I went on a tool buying/shop building spree for about 15 years, just to find out it didn't make me happy (didn’t make me a better knife maker) and wasn't why I got into it in the first place. Finally,... I decided to give my self another chance, get back to my roots... and I stuck with it.

I don't regret any of it, because I learned a lot... and it's been a great ride! :)
 
I'm excited for you Will. Anything that restokes your passion is a worthy pursuit.:thumbup:
 
I myself am addicted to power hammers :o Not them giant air suckers like Tai
had, just them old mechanicals. But I like to forge little knives from large
chucks. It makes me happy :D

A maker should do exactly what he/she wants to do :cool:
 
That’s right on Don! You have to learn to be your own guru and follow your own path. It’s different for everyone, but I can relate to what Will is going through.

Back in the beginning for me ,… most of the advice I got from the old timers was just about what power tools I needed to go out and buy. At the time, I thought it was good advice. Looking back at it now,… I can’t think of anything more lame and unimaginative.

Really, the only thing that makes anyone a better knife maker is,… experience. If you just keep making knives, you’ll get better at it.
 
Don't encourage me Don! :D

When I was first starting out, the old timers didn't see me as an individual. They didn't listen to me and they didn't care. I wasn't "Tai Goo" yet. I was a nobody. Instead what they did was just assumed that I wanted to be like them!... What's up with that?

How can anyone assume that?
 
To learn and progress you have to deviate from the norm; more specificly, your norm.

You can make progress with only your hands and feet, a piece of antler and a patch of leather to protect your hands. We did it for ten thousand years.
But it requires focus and the willingness to change in order to learn.
I have never found anything of real value, just stumbling around. The good stuff comes when you seek it out.

I did find fifty bucks on the streets of Chicago once.:)

I admire your conviction my friend.:thumbup:

Personally it would scare hell out of me to abandon my machines. They are like family.

Fred
 
I have a 2x72. In 2yrs I've used all of 10 belts on it. The only other powertool is my drillpress. Other than that ist all unplugged. I wouldn't consider myself Neo-Tribal by any means... (propane forge, purchase mill steel, modern adhesives and solvents. I like the challenge of getting by with what I have. I sometimes feel less than adequate.... other times I'm greatly impressed by my success. Just do what makes you happy... others will know it, see it in your work and respect you for it.

Rick
 
Rick, I think everyone has been defining "Neo-Tribal" for themselves a long time... but it really doesn't matter what you call it. It's all the same anyway,... a little of this and a little of that. Neo-Tribal just is...
 
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