Michael Vagnino

itrade · Jul 16, 2003

Today's my birthday and I bought my own present:

A one day class with Vagnino

There was more information than my little brain can hold. What a really easy to work with kinda guy (standard in the knife biz it appears). I went for grinding lessons and will probably be spending a lot more days over there over the next several months. There is a lot to learn isn't there!

Even tho he just got his Master Smith, he's not in the least pretentious. On the contrary he's a very patient, good instructor.

Steve

PS Thanks Nick for the recommendation.

rlinger · Jul 17, 2003

Happy birthday Steve. Still 23?? Me too.

Roger

Bruce Bump · Jul 17, 2003

Happy Birthday Steve!! How old?

NickWheeler · Jul 17, 2003

Steve-

I'm glad you made it to his shop!!!!

I spoke with Mike on the phone the other day and he said you were going to to come by.

Mike's work is some of the nicest, cleanest work out there...flat-out. That's why I went to him when I really needed help...and as you now know, he's a great guy!

Thanks for mentioning him on here Steve...I hope more people around this forum start taking notice of Mike.

Nick

Sylvester · Jul 17, 2003

Have a Good one Bubba

indian george · Jul 17, 2003

Happy B'Day. Hope you got lucky like Sly.

tom mayo · Jul 17, 2003

I hope his wife made you a good lunch........

Mike is a great guy!

itrade · Jul 17, 2003

Dang - Wife wasn't home. We went out for burgers. Good ones at that.

Actually, Roger, I'm 29. I've been 29 for so many years I've forgotten what 23 was like.

Thanks for the well wishes.

Steve

Danbo · Jul 17, 2003

Although I have never seen a Vagnino knife up close and personal, I don't need to. Tim Hancock told me that Michael Vagnino is one Bladesmith/knifemaker to keep an eye on, and that he will be one of the best. That's all I need to know. I will add Michael to my "Gotta Have" list.

ddavelarsen · Jul 18, 2003

Happy Birthday Steve! Congratulations on your great day with Michael, that's something the rest of us could only wish for... Naturally we expect to see the results of your study here soon!

Dave

J. Neilson · Jul 18, 2003

Glad yu had a good one Steve. We wish many more to come.

J. & Tess

Trace Rinaldi · Jul 19, 2003

Mike is a GREAT guy, and his wife is a sweetheart, even if she dont do much cooking

I was there all last weekend..
ALL I know is we had some great New York steaks, and Shrimp on the BBQ Sat night.. While we were grilling, we killed time shooting guns off Mikes front porch..

I had a great time, and they treated me like a king.. Very cool people, and Mike showed me alot of stuff, that really helped me out...

While I was there we made a folder... Heres what we did.. Hope this comes through

itrade · Jul 19, 2003

Trace that's sweet!

I can see that Michael was overseeing the grind

He sure likes a thin blade on those folders. In fact today I'm going to try my hand at a short blade with a thin, flat grind.

We ground a kitchen knife that I don't think I should allow in the house. We still have 3 kids under 8. The other 4 are 14+. However, you can imagine how crazy our kitchen is at meal time. A blade that scary .....

Steve

Trace Rinaldi · Jul 20, 2003

Steve, Yeah the blade ended up being very thin, and scary sharp.. Thats for sure

Sounds like you are well on your way to getting some great instruction.. Good luck!

rfrink · Jul 20, 2003

Hey Steve!...Happy birthday! Michael is one of those guys that when you have a conversation...you can always see the gears turning in his head as he talks. He is always thinking. Very cleaver and very talented, and 100% personable. I meet him at the Blade Show last year.

Please report back after your visit...maybe even with pics...?

Have fun,
Rob

Michael Vagnino

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