Message for Newbies-Introductions

Mark Williams

Mark Williams

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Joined
Nov 28, 2000
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Shoptalk is without a doubt the greatest wealth if information you could ever want. Nothing is asked of anyone but to share information. We've all come here with questions and answers to just about any topic under the knifemaking sun.
I't not a rule to introduce yourself here, but it makes for a more pleasent experience to know to who we speak. I know a lot of folks are a bit worried about posting personal information on the net and I respect that. But please at least give your first name and fill out your profile so we know were you live. It wont hurt ya. ;)
 
Mark, good point, you're right. I've been a member for a few months, but haven't posted a lot. I'm Robert Hensarling, from Uvalde, Texas. Been working with blades of one type or another since about 87, but more seriously for the last couple of years. I have a link to some of my bladework at www.mesquiterocker.com. I really enjoy these forums, and want to thank everyone for all the info you so generously give! I go by Rhrocker on the forums because it's my initials, and I make rockers.
 
hi every one
mark hit the nail on the head . my name is david sylvester i'm from waterville quebec canada.i've been hanging out here since i went to ig's hammer-in and met all the great guys that hang out here :D i hand forge all my knives .thanks for all the info i don't post much but i'm here a lot :D
 
rhrocker said:
Mark, good point, you're right. I've been a member for a few months, but haven't posted a lot. I'm Robert Hensarling, from Uvalde, Texas. Been working with blades of one type or another since about 87, but more seriously for the last couple of years. I have a link to some of my bladework at www.mesquiterocker.com. I really enjoy these forums, and want to thank everyone for all the info you so generously give! I go by Rhrocker on the forums because it's my initials, and I make rockers.
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Robert,
I have threatened to stop by your shop on my way out to Carta Valley deer hunting. Now that I no longer hunt there, it will be while longer before I make it out your way. I didn't realize that "you were you" until this post. It will be a while but I will stop by the next time I am in the neighborhood.

Craig
 
Great! Come on by Craig. My Dad and I run a "no secrets" type of shop, be it woodworking or what little I know about knifemaking and bladesmithing.
 
Good point Mark. I'm Dan Pierson, still a beginner. I've been studying
for about a year at the Worcester Craft Center (Mass) with Chuck
Gedritis and his current substitute J.D. Smith. I read a lot of the
messages but post rarely so far.
 
I'm behind you all the way, Mark. I'm reluctant to give advice to anyone with a "handle" and no real name in their sig. So I suggest to all the new folks looking for advice, please take the time to put your name in your sig, and use it every post. Saying who you are here will only last as long as this thread is alive. We'll get to know you better, and you'll get the advice you need. As Mark stated, your location is important also. You never know when you may ask for something and someone here could say, "Hey, I live right down the street. Come on over and check out my shop." ...or something to this effect.
 
Hello

My name Is Kevin Dennis

I live in Sutherlin Oregon

At this particular moment I am basicly a hack with the lofty goal of some day making a knife I would feel is good enough to sell.



Thank you all in advance for the sharing of knowledge.
 
I think I already introduced myself somewhere, but in case I forgot to...

I'm Andrew Petkus from Columbus Oh, I'm still in the newbie stages with 3 finished knives and a few more in various stages of completion. Been hammering for about 5 months with another few months of research before that.
 
Introductions sound like an excellent idea! Here is more background than anyone probably wants... Feel free to read the next sentence then skip to the following post. :)

I'm Bob Quinlan from Austin, Texas. My total production so far is just one knife, and only kinda that. Phil Tham got me started and ended up doing a lot of the grinding in the process of showing me how.

I grew up in a family where woodworking was considered a part of our genetic heritage...and that gene obviously skipped me. While growing up I kept trying to build things and they kept coming out badly. Eventually I gave up and moved on to things I could do with some delusion of competence: like computer software, music, and writing. I don't believe I made a single physical object for almost twenty years.

Then I got interested in knives and started collecting. That eventually led me to develop some unusual ideas for designs. Given my background, it didn't even occur to me to try to make them myself for a long time. Eventually the combination of a lack of money to commission them as customs and discovering a local knifemaker led me to try my hand at shaping metal.

My first attempt was not beautiful, but it came out far better than I expected. In particular, it demonstrated that my design was sound. Since then it has also proven to be a very useful and practical knife. And to my great surprise, I actually had fun making the thing. (Thanks, Phil!)

So now I want to experiment with some refinements on that design. And I have a new one I want to try. And...

The hardest part so far has been just acquring equipment. I realize that people make amazing knives using nothing more than a file, but I need as much help from my tools as I can get. :rolleyes: Being unemployed up until a few months ago forced me to wait. Since then I have been saving my pennies and scrounging whatever I could. Today I finally finished setting up my belt grinder. (That alone took me a lot of hours over two weekends.) Now if I can get the band saw I picked up into usable shape I will have everything I need.

I really appreciate all the advice and help I've already received from you folks. I expect I'll need a lot more as I continue to learn. Eventually I hope I'll be able to give a little back too.

--Bob Q
 
Hi, My name is Dave and I'm a newbie. I live in the slums of Beverly Hills California and I've been addicted to knife making for about a year. I've made a total of ten knives and if you would like to see them, I have included a link showing my second through the tenth, it's not that I don't want to show my first, I just don't have a picture of it. I too want to thank everyone here who so freely shares their knowledge. Dave

http://fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/pictures?userid={09F0592E-EAB6-4349-8C53-65378226375D}&AlbumId={6FBDE27C-8F0E-4BA1-9CF5-AACC7BE7EEC2}
 
Just a quick note to Dave from the slums of Beverly Hills: That's some darn nice work Dave! Sorry for the interuption, now back to the thread :)
 
dlpierson said:
Good point Mark. I'm Dan Pierson, still a beginner. I've been studying
for about a year at the Worcester Craft Center (Mass) with Chuck
Gedritis and his current substitute J.D. Smith. I read a lot of the
messages but post rarely so far.
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Hey Dan, you still have a open invite to come down on a Saturday. Usaually have one or two dudes here and making damascus or drinking beer. OH!! I am the only one drinking beer unless Beaver shows up. :D
 
Hi. I'm Jim Maurer. I live in Covington, WA, which is about 30 miles SE of Seattle. I'm interested in knifemaking, and hope to give it a try in a year or so. Right now I've purchased a few blades and handle materials, and I'm becoming familiar with attaching, shaping, etc. The knives are not turning out perfectly, but they are acceptable.

I've been a Forum member for about a month now, and have already picked up a lot of valuable information from you guys. Thanks!
 
I'm Bob Barnettif you didn't know I have been trying my hand at knifemaking for 6-9 months. My first knife I made at Bob Wearners he held my hand and it came out very nice. The 2 I have made scince are not so pretty allot of scratches. But they are good work knives the HT is good. I need to build a forge and clean my shop to be. I got a grinder about 3 weeks ago and it's still not set up :(
 
Hi everyone!

I'm Mike Routen and I've been making knives for about a year now. I've made and sold a handful so far and I'm looking forward to doing a table at my first show this year. I'm a lot like Bob Quinlan in that until I found blade smithing, I was never very good at making things. I'm a natural when it comes to things like software design, but tangible objects never came out the way I had hoped. :eek:

As a side note, Jim Maurer there is a 100 table knife show in Fife on October 16-17. There will be a hammer in on the 18th (Monday) that will have many of the big name makers from the show giving demonstrations. I would highly recommend attending the hammer in. I did last year and it saved me many months of learning on my own. Last year the event was free, but there may be a small cost to this year's event. Please contact me if you have any questions on this.

Now back to the introductions.....
 
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