Makers I owe my gratitude

C

Chris Hatin

Joined
Dec 20, 1999
Messages
123
Everbody join me with this one. Here's a list of makers and industry friends that I owe a little, if not a lot, of gratitude. Without there help and inspiration, I would not have become a knifemaker, nor would I have the skills that I do to be one.

Thank you so much to all the following:
(In no particular order)

Russell Easler
Jim Siska
Allen Elishewitz
Randy J. Martin
Kit Carson
James Schmidt
Barry Davis
Paul Champagne, Doug Deloury, and Dan Johnson of Stephen Bader Grinders
Tim Zowada
Les Robertson

These folk have taken the time to answer my never ending questions, and offer there constructive critisism, (without selfishness and the petty fear of giving away secrets to the competetion) so I may become a better knifemaker. To these fine people, I owe my gratitude.

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Chris Hatin
hatintec@dellnet.com

www.geocities.com/chrishatin/hatintec.html
 
Chris,
What are you talking about?? I figured everything out all by myself
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NOT!!!!!
I will give this some thought because I would hate to leave anyone out, there have been many!
I will post a follow up here later!
Neil

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New Hawkbill Pics!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html

 

I apprenticed under the watchfull eye of Ed Fowler for 4 years, Ed shared his knifemaking skills, and a good dose of his wit, humor, and his an incredible ability to tell tall tales!!! I soon learned how to sort... I also learned some great knifemaking techniques, To Ed, I owe a great deal. Will always remember my days at the Willowbow ranch. Others I owe are to many to count, but here are a few.
Wayne Goddard, Steve Schwarzer, B.R. Hughes , Hank Knickimeyer. The Montana
bunch, whom welcomed me to their Hammer-ins even though I was a GIRL!!! Thank God for folks like Paul Burke who believes in you, before you do!
The whole knife making comunity has been incredible kind and giving.
I have to thank the most inspirational person in my life, that would be my husband, Mike Draper, he has pushed me when I wanted to give up and has pulled me when I had given up... I know I would have never made it this far without him..
By the way he can make just about anything my heart desires, (as far as tools and equipment goes) He insists that I not spend my entire nights in the shop. Just the days!
His theory on me is " He likes to stand behind me,(it's safer back there!). Thanks to all of you out there! Audra Draper
 
Thanks Audra and Chris. In this medium it all too easy to not keep in mind that the people involved are just as an important an aspect of knifemaking as the knives themselves. There are quite a few makers out there that have had a positive influence on me and I do not even make knives!


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"Life is too short to carry an ugly knife." Steve F.


[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 01-08-2000).]
 
Ok, here it goes!
First, although my dad was not a Knifemaker, he was a shop teacher. One of the favorite projects of older students was to make a fixed blade knife! To make a long story short, before I was old enough, I must have watched him along with his students make at least 50 of them before my first attempt! This was my first exposure to knifemaking and It seems to have stuck! On a sad note, my dad passed away on New Years Day!
I have only visited one other makers shop! Bill Simons, long time Guild member and almost my neibor here in Lakeland Fl. He makes incredible traditional multiblades, and other folders. Visiting him in his shop and watching him work is facinating! He will share ANY knowledge for the simple price of asking him.
Many makers have shared important information with me at shows! Taking time to talk to a newbie maker was very much appreciated
smile.gif
They include, Frank Centofante, Ralf Turnbull, Jerry Hossom, Roger Gamble and Reece Weiland. Delanna actually drew some prints at her table showing me several of her methods for zero gaps with her incredible lock backs! Ron Newton gave me a crash course on Titanium anodizing. Complete with suppliers, notes and everything I needed to get started!
Makers I have met through the Forums have been very helpful! Allen, Kit and Ralph in the shop talk area have been a godsend! George Tichbourne has helped me VERY much with my mirror polishing, suppliers and other sources. All of the participants in the shoptalk area are an important source for supplies and other special equipment. RJ Martin recently suggested a different heat treat process for my D2 that I will be experimenting with. Tom Mayo has inspired me to start using Talonite. One or two of Toms Talonite knife pictures posted there was all it took!
Lastly, Lynn Griffith has taught me a valuable lesson in regards to customer service. After buying two of his knives, I now realize that making the knives is only half of the business. Every thread I have every read about Lynn mentions outstanding service, communication and on time delivery.
Not bad qualities to try to copy!
If I left anyone out, I am VERY sorry so go on, give me hell!
biggrin.gif

Neil

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New Hawkbill Pics!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html

 
Well I'm fairly new so my list is short. Check back in a year it will be much longer.
But I wanted to put in my thanks.
1. Mike Irie of Colorado springs who really got me started. I'm very sad (for me) that he's closing shop.
2. Jay Maines who has given me much advice and kudos. Thanks Jay!! www.sunrisecustomknives.com
3. Chris and Marti at www.toptexknives.com
These are fantastic folks. Be carfull Chris will talk your leg off. Thanks Chris
4. All others whose work I admire and try to copy

John Yeackley

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http://www.toptexknives.com/yeackley.htm My contribution to the world of knife fanatics.


 
Well my list is not too long but the ones on it are special Wayne Goddard ,for his articles J Bruce Voyles ,for starting Blade Mag. Robert Hajovsky (Bob Sky) for all his knowledge and a couple of others Frank Roberson ,Martin Pullen ,for their Advice Ernie Self ,Shane Sloan for specific Knowledge

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TbarK Custom Knives
I am Opposed to Millionair's but it would be Dangerous to Offer Me The Job,Mark Twain
http://vip.hpnc.com/~tbark
 
Giving credit and accknowledgement is nice. for me, it was Jot Singh Khalsa who got me started. He taught me how to grind, profile etc. and the various ways to construct and assemble a fixed blade. Jimmy Fikes and a local blacksmith name of Steve Nichols taught me bladesmithing and the fundementals of pattern welding. Bill McHenry got me up to speed on folder making, and Paul Jarvis helped me to conquer my fear of learning to use machine tools, and to think more sculpturally. there are of course dozens o f others to numerous to mention, but thanks to all. j.d. smith
 
This may seem like a terrible cop-out, but it's true. I'm sure that I have gained from every interaction I've had with another knifemaker, especially those I have been next to at knife shows. It's like Sherlock Holmes said of every crime. You always take something with you and you alway leave something behind. At the Denver show last year, a young man who had just made his very first knife and wanted my opinion and suggestion, taught me everything I know about finishing exotic wood handles. That's after 20 years of my doing it wrong!!

Plus, and I'm sure we'd all agree, knifemakers are about the friendliest, most helpful and gregarious bunch you'll ever meet. I think it might come from working long lonely hours alone in a dirty dusty knife shop, talking to yourself.

My thoughts...

Jerry

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Jerry Hossom
knifemaker
www.hossom.com


 
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