Need help!!

[FoXHounDXD]

I'm a junior in highschool and I can't really decide what career path I wanna take. But I'll I want a hands on job. And I'd like to be part of the knife industry . But idk the possible jobs there are and how to get one . Is there a trade school for anything like that? I live in Alabama somewhat close to bear ops. I'd like to work for them if possible but I also want a job that make decent money. My fallback plan is wielding . And I like to wield but I'm not as passionate to wielding as I am with knives. I really appreciate any help I can get.

 

[EyeDog]

Have you been to Bear Ops and asked about jobs and what is needed to apply? That might be a great start.

You can't go wrong with welding. I come from a family of welders. Two of them made knives as a hobby and one went on full time knife making after retiring. You'll find a lot more welding jobs (world wide) then knife making.

 

[EricV]

You might look into getting skills in milling, CNC, and CAD classes. You can make all sorts of cool stuff, and its very applicable to the knife industry. Many custom small run makers rely on multi axis mills, and I can't think of a major manufacturer who doesn't use them in large amounts. Also a ton of jobs out there for good operators in just about every industry.

 

[jobasha11]

You should probably report your post to a mod and ask them to put this in community.

The best way is to go there and ask questions in person (call before making the trip). People are often helpful to respectful kid that wants to learn.

Have you tried making knives? Don't expect to support yourself with it but with experience it is possible as shown by several makers here.

What is your experience welding? Often times monotonous MIG work can really turn a person off of welding.

 

[22-rimfire]

If you like hands on, I'd look into becoming a machinist. Go to a community college to get things started.

Knife industry.... If I were serious, I would contact Case, Queen and Great Eastern Cutlery about job opportunities. You'll have to move to PA of course. Have no idea of the pay scales. Spyderco and Gerber have factories in the US. I would be more inclinced to look at Busse or a smaller operation where you may in fact do many different tasks rather than doing one thing and learning it well.

When I was a Junior in HS, I wanted to be a geologist or forest ranger.

 

[FoXHounDXD]

Have you been to Bear Ops and asked about jobs and what is needed to apply? That might be a great start.

You can't go wrong with welding. I come from a family of welders. Two of them made knives as a hobby and one went on full time knife making after retiring. You'll find a lot more welding jobs (world wide) then knife making.

Yeah that is what I was leaning to. Is to wield and make knives as a hobby. I've been tryin to widen my skills from wielding, woodworking, and construction to graphic design,and video production. So I can be very versatile when looking for a job. I even thought about opening up a store that'll have knives, guns, and hunting gear because a lot of pp hunt around where I live and the only store around to get that kinda stuff is Walmart . But anyway I really appreciate your help!!! Thank you for taking time to reply

 

[FoXHounDXD]

You might look into getting skills in milling, CNC, and CAD classes. You can make all sorts of cool stuff, and its very applicable to the knife industry. Many custom small run makers rely on multi axis mills, and I can't think of a major manufacturer who doesn't use them in large amounts. Also a ton of jobs out there for good operators in just about every industry.

I've never even thought of that. I'll definetly look in to that. Thank you for your help I really appreciate it!!

 

[FoXHounDXD]

You should probably report your post to a mod and ask them to put this in community.

The best way is to go there and ask questions in person (call before making the trip). People are often helpful to respectful kid that wants to learn.

Have you tried making knives? Don't expect to support yourself with it but with experience it is possible as shown by several makers here.

What is your experience welding? Often times monotonous MIG work can really turn a person off of welding.

The only attempt of making knives i tried is making a wooden handle for a straight razor and making a Bowie knife out of a lawnmower blade with a grinder lol. But I've done mostly arc wielding (because it's more fun to me) , I've done a little wire wielding , and I haven't done any TIG wielding . BTW Thank you for taking time to reply to this post i really appreciate it!

 

[FoXHounDXD]

If you like hands on, I'd look into becoming a machinist. Go to a community college to get things started.

Knife industry.... If I were serious, I would contact Case, Queen and Great Eastern Cutlery about job opportunities. You'll have to move to PA of course. Have no idea of the pay scales. Spyderco and Gerber have factories in the US. I would be more inclinced to look at Busse or a smaller operation where you may in fact do many different tasks rather than doing one thing and learning it well.

When I was a Junior in HS, I wanted to be a geologist or forest ranger.

I don't really want to move away from home though.. But I am gonna look in to being a machinist. If anything I might get into knife making as a hobby. Thanks for your help I really appreciate it!!

 

[link2derek]

Start by making your own knives. And go to knife shows that feature custom knife makers and talk to them as much as you can. Make some friends... and then make some more knives. And then repeat.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You are doing good to start thinking about this now, and form a plan. It will take you the next five or six years to get that plan going. The more education you get the better the job choices. It doesn't have to be a BS in engineering, as long as your plan gets you the skills to have a good job in the industry.

One thing that you should do is stick with the English classes. It is WELDing, not WIELDing. That would be a big turn off to a prospective employer.

Take machining, welding, CAD, and any related courses you can. Study HARD. The more you learn in school, the less you will have to try and learn on the job. Some classes or online studying in metallurgy will be helpful, too.

Write some letters, and visit some places near you if possible. Put on clean clothes, leave the hat in the car/truck, and talk to the folks at Bear ( for example). Stand up straight and listen to what they say. Attitude and how you present yourself is over half of any interview. Ask about internships and externships, as well as job potential.

 

[mike-E]

i dont know about alabama, but in my area there is a huge demand for machinists. if my workplace closed it's doors monday i could land a job on my drive home. most places want someone with a few years experience, but lots of small shops will hire someone with education in the field hoping to get a good employee.