- Joined
- Sep 9, 2003
- Messages
- 2,361
Attention: this is not just for MI makers but for any in the Great lakes area that are within driving distance.
At the last Scagel Hammer-in a good friend of mine that has been starting to make knives, pulled me aside and said that he thought we should start getting Michigan makers together more to share ideas, and not wait until a the ABS comes to put on a seminar. I told him that I had wanted to do just that for many years but had a rather lukewarm reception anytime I approached the established makers about it.
I am not sure what is up with MI makers, but we seem to be a feircely independant breed. I also think that some have a subconcious inferiority complex, since I have seen many MI smiths travel across the country to learn from those with their names in the magazines. On the other hand, there are a good number of Michigan guys who traveled to Arkansas to take a class from a guy named Cashen
. But think about that, go all the way to Arkansas to get information that could be had for free just a short drive away. Not that you could get the same advantages from a short visit that you could get from a full, hands-on, 2 week course, I still recommend the class.
The great lakes area is the industrial center of the country, we have all the supplies we could need within a days drive. With Scagel, Marbles, and the other knifemakers, both custom and production, we have a richer knifemaking history than most, and yet we are not a "hotbed" of knifemaking. Take a look at any area of the country that is a "hot-bed" of knifemaking and you will quickly see what they have in common- the makers work with each other and learn.
After discussing this a bit with with my friend, I decided that the answer was to go for new blood. Folks starting out and wanting information, would be much more eager to get together than the guys that are set in their ways, hopefully we can get the seasoned guys also, I have a few interested now.
Perhaps this infusion of new enthusiasm can counteract the apathy that has resulted in the ABS having to drop the Scagel Hammer-in due to poor turnout. Yes, we are on our own again, so I think my friend had a bit of psychic intuition when he proposed this idea.
That idea is this- We need to start communicating and sharing ideas better, but it shouldn't be business. Business can burn one out and get tedious. It should be fun! It doesn't cost a thing to have a regular get together of friends who share a common interest. One location can get tedious and can exclude those who live far away. We can learn more and make it more interesting if we do shop visits; see how they next guy does things. If we can pick dates and times and communicate via E-mail, it could work. It does not have to be hands on,(my insurance guy would have a fit!) but it could be at some locations, but more importantly, there can be demonstrations and sharing of ideas, as well as seeing other shop setups.
I am willing to open my shop up to a visit first. I will need to get my hands on a new calendar and would be ready starting in January. I will start the mailing list off like this-
If you are interested send me an E-mail message with the words "MI Makers" in the subject line, I already have a filter and folders set up for it. I will make a list of addresses that will allow us to keep informed as to dates and places.
My e-mail:
kevin@cashenblades.com
Remember to put "MI Makers" in the subject line.
At the last Scagel Hammer-in a good friend of mine that has been starting to make knives, pulled me aside and said that he thought we should start getting Michigan makers together more to share ideas, and not wait until a the ABS comes to put on a seminar. I told him that I had wanted to do just that for many years but had a rather lukewarm reception anytime I approached the established makers about it.
I am not sure what is up with MI makers, but we seem to be a feircely independant breed. I also think that some have a subconcious inferiority complex, since I have seen many MI smiths travel across the country to learn from those with their names in the magazines. On the other hand, there are a good number of Michigan guys who traveled to Arkansas to take a class from a guy named Cashen
. But think about that, go all the way to Arkansas to get information that could be had for free just a short drive away. Not that you could get the same advantages from a short visit that you could get from a full, hands-on, 2 week course, I still recommend the class. The great lakes area is the industrial center of the country, we have all the supplies we could need within a days drive. With Scagel, Marbles, and the other knifemakers, both custom and production, we have a richer knifemaking history than most, and yet we are not a "hotbed" of knifemaking. Take a look at any area of the country that is a "hot-bed" of knifemaking and you will quickly see what they have in common- the makers work with each other and learn.
After discussing this a bit with with my friend, I decided that the answer was to go for new blood. Folks starting out and wanting information, would be much more eager to get together than the guys that are set in their ways, hopefully we can get the seasoned guys also, I have a few interested now.
Perhaps this infusion of new enthusiasm can counteract the apathy that has resulted in the ABS having to drop the Scagel Hammer-in due to poor turnout. Yes, we are on our own again, so I think my friend had a bit of psychic intuition when he proposed this idea.
That idea is this- We need to start communicating and sharing ideas better, but it shouldn't be business. Business can burn one out and get tedious. It should be fun! It doesn't cost a thing to have a regular get together of friends who share a common interest. One location can get tedious and can exclude those who live far away. We can learn more and make it more interesting if we do shop visits; see how they next guy does things. If we can pick dates and times and communicate via E-mail, it could work. It does not have to be hands on,(my insurance guy would have a fit!) but it could be at some locations, but more importantly, there can be demonstrations and sharing of ideas, as well as seeing other shop setups.
I am willing to open my shop up to a visit first. I will need to get my hands on a new calendar and would be ready starting in January. I will start the mailing list off like this-
If you are interested send me an E-mail message with the words "MI Makers" in the subject line, I already have a filter and folders set up for it. I will make a list of addresses that will allow us to keep informed as to dates and places.
My e-mail:
kevin@cashenblades.com
Remember to put "MI Makers" in the subject line.
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