- Joined
- Aug 22, 2011
- Messages
- 2
I just wanted to give a quick post to introduce myself...
I have been lurking for a while, and I think I am ready to get started. Here is a little bit about me. I have been an avid woodworker for about 11 years. I started out building furniture, and then got into the money game building outdoor related cedar "stuff" and pen/pencil sets. Enough of that. After 3 sort-of small businesses, I realized I liked to build stuff to build stuff, not to make money. After all, I am an engineer and I like to make things. I moved about 3 years ago into a house that had a plethora of shop space, and started my dream of building canoes. Now the garage is full of boats, and it is time for something else.
About 3 years ago my grandfather passed away and left me all of his tools. He was a woodworker like me (or I like him), but also a blacksmith. He built bird feeders, flower towers, and sundials and sold them with all of the profits going to habitat for humanity. When he passed away, I told myself that I was going to carry on his tradition. Unfortunately, I have little interest in building bird feeders. In going through his books, I found several about making knives, which lead me to this site. I guess that I could carry on the tradition, even if it was an interest of his that he never acted on, right? I think I could really get into this. He left me a propane forge, and anvil that takes 3 people to move, a welder, a horizontal band saw, a couple of 4" angle grinders, and a POS 1" Rockwell grinder. What more does a guy need?
Anyway, I am busy finishing this last canoe, starting to finish off my "metal" shop in the basement, and clear out a spot in the garage to run the forge. I am hoping that in the next month or so I am ready to start my first few knives. I am really into hunting, fishing, and camping, so my first few knives will reflect those hobbies. I would also like to get into forging hatchet and axe heads at some point. I am really not looking to get into another money making venture, just make stuff for myself, family, and friends.
I have been through the stickies for the new guys and have learned a ton. What a great site to get started on! I can't wait to get a few knives under my belt and start contributing!
Thanks!
Ben Mathews
I have been lurking for a while, and I think I am ready to get started. Here is a little bit about me. I have been an avid woodworker for about 11 years. I started out building furniture, and then got into the money game building outdoor related cedar "stuff" and pen/pencil sets. Enough of that. After 3 sort-of small businesses, I realized I liked to build stuff to build stuff, not to make money. After all, I am an engineer and I like to make things. I moved about 3 years ago into a house that had a plethora of shop space, and started my dream of building canoes. Now the garage is full of boats, and it is time for something else.
About 3 years ago my grandfather passed away and left me all of his tools. He was a woodworker like me (or I like him), but also a blacksmith. He built bird feeders, flower towers, and sundials and sold them with all of the profits going to habitat for humanity. When he passed away, I told myself that I was going to carry on his tradition. Unfortunately, I have little interest in building bird feeders. In going through his books, I found several about making knives, which lead me to this site. I guess that I could carry on the tradition, even if it was an interest of his that he never acted on, right? I think I could really get into this. He left me a propane forge, and anvil that takes 3 people to move, a welder, a horizontal band saw, a couple of 4" angle grinders, and a POS 1" Rockwell grinder. What more does a guy need?
Anyway, I am busy finishing this last canoe, starting to finish off my "metal" shop in the basement, and clear out a spot in the garage to run the forge. I am hoping that in the next month or so I am ready to start my first few knives. I am really into hunting, fishing, and camping, so my first few knives will reflect those hobbies. I would also like to get into forging hatchet and axe heads at some point. I am really not looking to get into another money making venture, just make stuff for myself, family, and friends.
I have been through the stickies for the new guys and have learned a ton. What a great site to get started on! I can't wait to get a few knives under my belt and start contributing!
Thanks!
Ben Mathews
