Lonely knifemakers

[Michael Lovett]

People usually think I'm a psychopath when I tell them what I'm into. Still, I never apologize for it or use any other terminology to describe my hobby. I'm extremely proud of what I do, and this is a part of who I am. You guys should be the same. This is very cool work man.

Well, you are Psyco. Says so right there in you avatar!

Just taking this thread seriously proves you are a little off!

 

[Ryan Minchew]

Join the club Frank. The nearest makers I get to talk and hang out with are three hours away in oklahoma city area.

 

[SShepherd]

I once entered an Arts and Crafts judging in the Culture center of America. Killeen Tx. Yeah Right!!!

First they wouldn't let me enter, Because of my work being weapons. I took the time to educate them on the fact that edged tools were not only mans oldest creations, but were also mans oldest known adorned implements. In other words, one of Mans earliest known Art Forms.

Well., they reluctantly let me enter. I won best metal sculpture, and best jewelry. ( A tiny sward and hand made silver necklace with it.)

I was told to come in at 4 pm for two blue ribbons, and a couple of checks and free dinner passes to a few local eateries. When I arrived, I learned that the honors had been taken away, as I still made weapons. Not art.

It seems that a funny looking little duck, pushed around with a glued on stick, and floppy feet made from a piece of inner tube is Art here in Central Texas.

Back wards Country F's!

I'm so ashamed, I make weapons!

Mike
Maker
The Loveless Connection Knives

my father was an artist (watercolor painting) and would go to many shows.

He called the stuff you describe "SOS"

 

[tattooedfreak]

I have been called a freak for most of my life so people arent really surprised that I make knives. They still find it distinctly odd but they look through the mags on my desk at work and talk about them occasionally. I've sold one to a co-worker for hunting and have two more in the works for others, so at least they are open minded.. Of course it helps that I am in the military

 

[sunshadow]

I married the woman who kept me company in my shop while I worked. She says now that the sound of the machinery and the smell of grinder puts her to sleep. We've been married 6 1/4 years now, she makes sure I can get to Ashokan every year and helps me sell, and does the taxes.
Guess I got lucky

-Page

 

[bbarnettAUS]

I live way out in the woods for a reason!

I don't want anybody to bother me.....

Haha this works for me too:thumbup:

 

[Phillip Patton]

People around here are fairly open minded about knives. Usually the response I get is "My son would LOVE to meet you". Unfortunately, no "My daughter would LOVE to meet you"'s.

Indiana has pretty friendly knife laws. Legal limit for concealed knife is 6" blade. Only thing that's taboo is switch blades.

Usually I tell people I'm a bladesmith. They generally hear it as "blacksmith", which is fine, because the conversation usually doesn't go further.

 

[David Stifle]

I know what you guys are saying. At least, my wife has gotten smart enough to say, oh what a nice hamon! Of course, she's just being nice.

Dave

 

[Rick Marchand]

I got lucky with the girl I married. We've been together for almost 20yrs. During that time I've been a professional martial artist, machinist and an engineer... now, I'm a bladesmith, leather craftsman and wilderness skills practitioner. I think everyone of those jobs has been a turn on for her. She has it easy cuz i'm just horny all the time... no matter what career she chooses.

I live in a small fishing village of about 1500 folks. Lots of horses, farms, fisheries and small businesses. The old Menonite farmers love me because I'm "old school" and the neighbors are very friendly because I fix all their broken stuff and sharpen lawnmower blades. I've got a couple historic sites that I volunteer at and a few locals come by to swing the hammer every once in a while. I'm 20mins from Wally Hayes, Jeff Diote, Abe Elias and a few hours from you Michigan knifemakers.....

Yes.... life is good.

Thanks for getting me all pumped up again..... LET'S MAKE SOME KNIVES, BOYZ!!!!!



Rick

 

[J.Marsillo]

My closest knife maker is Sam
Well that being said I get the same thing...you make what? Out of what?? I dont get it...you make the knives from scratch?

I guess in the day of instant gratifactaion and walmarts on every corner, people cant grasp that there are actually people alive and well happy to make fine cutlery "from scratch" the old fashioned way.

I did manage to corrupt a blacksmith friend of mine into blades

Blacksmith yes,Bladesmith yes,Wordsmith NO...

 

[raylaconico]

I guess I'm lucky because I've not yet gotten any negative response from neighbors, friends, family when they find out I make knives. They're usually impressed when I tell them. I live in a residential neighborhood with lots of people around too. I'm also lucky enough to live within a couple of miles from other knifemakers and forum members, Mike Vagnino, Mark Wohlwend, and forumite Lambertiana.

 

[Dmitry.M]

I cut out my first knife with a hacksaw, files and sandpaper. Wife and friends went, :yawn: Thats nice.
Made my first leather sheath everyone went :yawn:
Got my Bader grinder :yawn:
Got my oven :yawn:
Heat treated my first knife in my own home :yawn:

The two nearest makers are about an hour away, at least the ones I know. They are great guys but never get to see them or hang out much. I was in the garage heat treating today hoping a neighbor or someone would walk by and stop to chat, then maybe ask a question or two about making knives. Nothing. Wife got home and I told her I just heat treated four blades, she was ok why are you using my stove then? Do you guys ever get the "you make knives?" look followed by the wrinkled nose look. Maybe they're just jealous. Hehehe...

Same shit bro...
May be it is something wrong with me. But now I can see that I am not the only one. That makes me think I am not that crazy.

 

[silver_pilate]

I think there's a common misperception of what a handmade knife can be. When I mention that I'm a hobby knifemaker, I usually get the skeptical looks and immediate disinterest. However, when people see my work, they're suddenly more interested.

That's the main reason I have a website. Not because I sell from it, but just to show people that a handmade knife doesn't have to be crap. I think most people get a picture in their mind of a badly fit blocky handled, pitted, poorly ground blade or something that you would find on a 19th century pioneer (not that there's anything wrong with historical or primitive knives ), and I think that just doesn't interest many folks.

Luckily, West Texas is pretty knife friendly, at least amongst the grown ups. However, with the grad students I teach and younger people in general, there are WAY too many of them (girls and guys) who have no concept of a knife as a tool and would fit into my definition of sheeple. Luckily there's still some good kids who grew up in the country who come through that respect a good knife. It's the city dwellers (Houston especially, but also San Anotnio, Austin, DFW and even some Lubbock people) that I find are more scared of knives.

Frank, I know how you feel. Though I haven't been to the shop lately, I have had those days of just hoping somebody stops by to chat. If you get lonely, just hop in the car and swing by. It's only a 500-600 mile trip, one way. That's pretty close in Texas terms .
--nathan

 

[p moore]

I am fortunite to have a few makers that live near me. Winston, Roach, Alexander, Ingram, Martin..

I don't get to visit very often, but it is good to get out of the shop every now and again. Work during the day and in the shop at night. My project list that does not include knives keeps getting longer......but I love it.

Paul

Nathan, Even one of my cousins one day said something about my "homemade" knives. I had to explain it to him. Homemade makes me think flea market, these are Handmade.

 

[Justin King]

I honestly don't talk about it much, outside of a few circles. I find that those who have a passing interest in knives are more often uncomfortable to discuss it with than people who are totally uninclined, because of the amount of disinformation and fantaboulistic crap that has been spread about blades and blade making over the years. A discussion about heat treating always includes those fabled Samurai swords that can cut a machine gun barrel without the slightest damage to the blade (those crazy Samurais and their machine guns...). Can you see me smiling and nodding? Cause that's what I usually do. It just isn't worth the time. If they wanted to know, the information is out there, if they already know then you can't tell them anything to begin with.

 

[Dmitry.M]

Yeah. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if all the "weapons" would be removed from the kitchens. I mean ALL of them.

 

[Jack O'Neill]

Since I'm the only one who understands me , I like being alone in the shop , I can finally have an intelligent conversation with someone

 

[tryppyr]

I've told a few people about my hobby. Most say polite things... "wow, that's pretty cool", and "you did that?" But you can see they don't understand the attraction. My wife is one of those. She thinks what I do is pretty cool, but she wonders why I'm compelled to make things that could kill people.

Alas, such is our fate. We are manly men with masculine endeavors... and less manly men (let alone women) will never fully appreciate our motivations.

There's one guy in the neighborhood I showed my work to. he comes around from time to time to watch me work, when my garage door is open. But it's clear he doesn't really care about the end result... just curious about the process. Oh well.

- Greg

 

[m. wohlwend]

I guess I'm lucky because I've not yet gotten any negative response from neighbors, friends, family when they find out I make knives. They're usually impressed when I tell them. I live in a residential neighborhood with lots of people around too. I'm also lucky enough to live within a couple of miles from other knifemakers and forum members, Mike Vagnino, Mark Wohlwend, and forumite Lambertiana.

... I think I am lucky cause I get to rub shoulders with you Ray! and where would we be without Mike?

 

[NStricker]

I live in suburbia, so I'm just happy that no one comes around to ask "what's that banging/grinding sound?"

The most common response I get if I mention I make knives is "Why don't you just buy a knife?"