- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 751
As a new member to the forum and developing knifemaker, I wanted to pass along some thoughts and observations I have made. What got me started was reading a couple older threads on learning and making a living (or just some money) at knife making.
For me, this brought up a lot of old questions. While new to knife making, I have spent over thirty years in craftsmanship pursuits. Roughly, for the first decade I was a studio potter, the second in architecture and the last 11 years as a model maker (see website for further explanation). To prepare for a career as a craftsman back then, I took a four-year Fine Arts degree program, which enabled me to learn the chemistry, physical and technical end of a profession in addition to the creative end. But most importantly, I was able to experiment, experiment and then experiment some more.
Now, I dont advocate a college degree for every craft, but my point is that time spent learning is an invaluable investment. I worry about people rushing into production as soon as they can buy professional equipment and before they have achieved a more complete grasp of the craft. I have no doubt they will produce fine work, but when I look back, it seems a shame to deny ones self the opportunity to explore a new medium. I know a lot of people are looking to this art as financial salvation for many folks to delay making some money, or buying equipment to learn is a luxury they cannot afford. However, much can be learned from a very modest investment in equipment and the investment in time spent learning, experimenting and exploring will pay off in spades greater than bucks sunk into that new Bader or Frink (which I want as much as you!).
From reading Ed Fowler, I think he would appreciate this approach - after all, look at what he has learned and contributed just in the investigation of one type of steel. I am sure this involved the sacrifice of much metal and time. Again, I dont advocate that you have to spend that much time and materials, but try and figure out what your "budget" would be for this learning time and then set that aside. One more comment to Ed as a Massachusetts resident, I can appreciate the references to Thoreau, though I dont think you would want to see the present Walden Pond.
Another observation on the time theme. I have been learning freehand hollow grinding on an "economical " setup. Once this started to work for me, it was has been a lot of fun. I also noticed a sort of debate going on about freehand verses grinding aids. Many new makers were frustrated with freehand. Well, when I learned to throw pots on a potters wheel the old fashioned way years of practice. I noticed my first real comfort level after about three years, and for several years after that I noticed improvements. The point I want to make though, is that I noticed a similarity in throwing a pot and grinding a knife. First, it is a combination of concentration, steadiness and breathing. Second, while throwing a pot may look like one fluid motion, it often is not just like grinding. You often make minute adjustments that are not noticeable to the observer or even the maker, for that matter this is the intuitiveness that takes time to develop. Third, IMHO, I personally think that while expensive equipment in any craft will improve the look of your work and process, it will not substantially eliminate the learning curve. Though as a tool freak I also have to be honest and say that I dont need much of an excuse to go tool buying.
Last, all this was prompted by the questions I have wanted to ask myself about what I am going to do with knife making. For now, I dont want to even think about the economics I enjoy this too much. I do know that when I took my favorite hobby, model making, and turned it into a full time business that I lost something important to me. For as long as possible, I am going to continue to explore and ask questions. BTW, the best part of this has been the openness and helpfulness of other makers. For example, my intro to heat treating would not have been possible were it not for the step by step assistance of Danny Gray, who I "met" on the internet.
Anyway, I hope I havent stepped on any toes here or been too presumptuous as a new maker. Just curious what you all think & I look forward to hearing from you all on this post.
Bob Van Gelder
http://www.southrivermodelworks.com
For me, this brought up a lot of old questions. While new to knife making, I have spent over thirty years in craftsmanship pursuits. Roughly, for the first decade I was a studio potter, the second in architecture and the last 11 years as a model maker (see website for further explanation). To prepare for a career as a craftsman back then, I took a four-year Fine Arts degree program, which enabled me to learn the chemistry, physical and technical end of a profession in addition to the creative end. But most importantly, I was able to experiment, experiment and then experiment some more.
Now, I dont advocate a college degree for every craft, but my point is that time spent learning is an invaluable investment. I worry about people rushing into production as soon as they can buy professional equipment and before they have achieved a more complete grasp of the craft. I have no doubt they will produce fine work, but when I look back, it seems a shame to deny ones self the opportunity to explore a new medium. I know a lot of people are looking to this art as financial salvation for many folks to delay making some money, or buying equipment to learn is a luxury they cannot afford. However, much can be learned from a very modest investment in equipment and the investment in time spent learning, experimenting and exploring will pay off in spades greater than bucks sunk into that new Bader or Frink (which I want as much as you!).
From reading Ed Fowler, I think he would appreciate this approach - after all, look at what he has learned and contributed just in the investigation of one type of steel. I am sure this involved the sacrifice of much metal and time. Again, I dont advocate that you have to spend that much time and materials, but try and figure out what your "budget" would be for this learning time and then set that aside. One more comment to Ed as a Massachusetts resident, I can appreciate the references to Thoreau, though I dont think you would want to see the present Walden Pond.
Another observation on the time theme. I have been learning freehand hollow grinding on an "economical " setup. Once this started to work for me, it was has been a lot of fun. I also noticed a sort of debate going on about freehand verses grinding aids. Many new makers were frustrated with freehand. Well, when I learned to throw pots on a potters wheel the old fashioned way years of practice. I noticed my first real comfort level after about three years, and for several years after that I noticed improvements. The point I want to make though, is that I noticed a similarity in throwing a pot and grinding a knife. First, it is a combination of concentration, steadiness and breathing. Second, while throwing a pot may look like one fluid motion, it often is not just like grinding. You often make minute adjustments that are not noticeable to the observer or even the maker, for that matter this is the intuitiveness that takes time to develop. Third, IMHO, I personally think that while expensive equipment in any craft will improve the look of your work and process, it will not substantially eliminate the learning curve. Though as a tool freak I also have to be honest and say that I dont need much of an excuse to go tool buying.
Last, all this was prompted by the questions I have wanted to ask myself about what I am going to do with knife making. For now, I dont want to even think about the economics I enjoy this too much. I do know that when I took my favorite hobby, model making, and turned it into a full time business that I lost something important to me. For as long as possible, I am going to continue to explore and ask questions. BTW, the best part of this has been the openness and helpfulness of other makers. For example, my intro to heat treating would not have been possible were it not for the step by step assistance of Danny Gray, who I "met" on the internet.
Anyway, I hope I havent stepped on any toes here or been too presumptuous as a new maker. Just curious what you all think & I look forward to hearing from you all on this post.
Bob Van Gelder
http://www.southrivermodelworks.com
