Las Vegas area Knifemakers?

Sam:

Thank you...that's him..I couldn't remember how to spell his last name and even when I looked he's not listed in the local directory but I did manage to hunt him up via the website information you provided and gave him a call...

He wasn't a bit brusk or anything. He did say that right now things are really tight as far as "free time" goes due to some family stuff he has been having to deal with (he didn't go into any details) and that he is just now getting back into being able to work, after, as he put it a "long dry spell"..He suggested I give him a call again in two weeks or so, cause by then he said he should be a bit more loose time wise.

Apparently he is like very, very busy trying to get caught up..So I will be calling him back...

Thank you once again..

Jason
 
Hello!!

I called Jim last night and I am heading over there this afternoon. He gave me directions (not far at all from me) and well he said I will probabloy be disappointed cause folks thing he has all this equipment and all when all he has are a couple of forges, a couple of anvils, a couple of grinders and presses and a 1/4 hp buffer along with three walls full of hand tools.. Gee..I guess you really don't need more than that.

He said he will be welding so I am to bring my own eye protection and apron (no problem..I already have those) and prepare for a lot of heat cause as he says the place gets a bit toasty. I will let ya all know what happened later today.

I am a bit excited to be truthful.

Jason
 
Hey guys,

I'm living in Green Valley. I talked to a fellow on the phone the other day looking to rent some industrial space for a knife shop. He mentioned someone else was making knives out here but wouldn't give me his name. Still looking for a place to bring my shop up from texas to here though. I would love to meet some fellow makers and enthusiast.

Jimmy
 
Hello Again!

Well I am totally freaked out, and not in a bad way either. I went over to the good Dr's yesterday afternoon and well, his instructions to his place were right on the money as I probably couldn't find it on my own thanks to the way Henderson has its streets layed out, with some going through, some stopping..But I found the place. Right on the corner. nice huge yard...

When I walked up to his workshop to say it was toasty was an understatement. I felt like I was walking into Dante's Inferno. Jim has a thermometer on the inside of his shop and it was reading 126 degrees F.

When I walked in the wall of heat was immense, but I got use to it. He was welding up some cable, it looked really easy to do, I think he said it was 1 1/4" dia. Never seen that done before in the flesh and I can say the man made it look so easy. He said it is very easy if you use a bottom swage like he does. And that 8lb hammer he uses really moves material.

He works out of a nice sized shop off the back of his HUGE house. He's right, I was expecting a whole lot more equipment than what he had and from looking at the pieces he has laying around, apparently he doesn't really need any more cause they were gorgeous! I read about and saw pics of compoiste swords but when I got my first look at one he did..boy, that man is talented.

I spent the whole afternoon just watching and asking a whole lot of silly questions, and I feel that I learned more from yesterday afternoon than I did in the last couple of years.

I am really grateful that I had this chance. Jim said if I need any supplies here in the Las Vegas area, good luck (yeah, I know that already). He said 99% of his stuff he has trucked in, and after having a peek at what he has in his out buildings I believe he does. He could open a knifemaker supply company...

We took a break from the heat and the hammering, went into his cavernous home for some more ice water and he has a Gatlinggun in his dining room?? Wow that was neat. His house looks like the Addams Family lives there...

I tell ya, I learned a lot yesterday and this afternoon I am going to do some of my own stuff. He gave me a couple of pieces of 1095 and 5160 to play with, alomg with some nice hardwood blocks he had seasoning before I left, that was really nice... I can't wait to get out there this afternoon and see how badly I can screw them up...

All in all I'd say after our first meeting he really is a decent fellow...

Jason
 
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John T Wylie Jr said:
Vegas guys , lets try to do a get together , day the first weekend in Sept ?

Email me if you are interested.
Click to expand...

Sounds good. I'm not sure if I'm off but I'll check. Looks like we got enough people to start our own society with regular meetups. So any suggestions were we could all meet up at?
 
Some bars have semi-private mtg. rooms.....Mr. Wylie, if there is one near you in Henderson, call it and lets meet on Fri. the 5th at 6pm. I would go find it myself but I'm in Tulsa 'til Sat. the 30th. I can find a location next week when I get back if that works better for everyone. Then I'll post the location. Just let me know.....

I think this is a good thing.....

Brad
 
only place I have done meet and greets at is Gordon Biersch over on Paradise and Flamingo area , but a real pain to get to at that time of the day.

I haven't been to a bar in a long time. Let me do some checking.
 
I don't think any bar around here that has a meeting place is going to be ok with us bringing knives. Then we have to worry about the patrons as well. The only place I can think of that would be knife friendly would be bass pro shops, but they don't have any meeting rooms that I know of. Any local pub would be ok if no body brings there knives and we just meet up.
 
Nobody bring knives ? now , we cant have that... ;)

It all depends on how we conduct ourselves. At Gordon Biersch , there were plenty of guys comparing knives , we were on the patio and they were aware of our group.
Let me make a couple calls this week , any place with an outside patio area or similar area would be fine.
 
I can help out next week by checking some places as well if need be.....I agree if we behave and if we are up-front w/ mgmt. (and tip well)... we'll be fine........
 
If the management is ok with then we should be fine. I have had some people freak out here though just for using a pocket knife to open a piece of mail.
 
OK....I found 4 places today that will be glad to have us (especially if we eat while there). They are all on the South side of the valley. How many would be interested in linking up? Once we find out how many are interested, we will decide on the location. As far as the date and time.....how about Thur. or Fri. this week (4th or 5th) or next week (11th or 12th) at around 6 PM?

I am waiting to hear from those interested.....

Brad
 
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