New to knifemaking

[Keith Lawson]

I'm new to knifemaking and to be honest I'm overwhelmed and scared it isn't worth it. My background is in woodworking, making custom furniture and fine woodworking. I can make anything under the sun, but I'm getting older and my thoughts were I needed a source of income that I can do with little space. In woodworking you need a large space, the tools are big and the projects are big. I see knife making as a way to release my inner artistic side all the while making a living in a confined space. But then I see where it's going. Cnc, water jet, 200k worth of tools, etc. I have to wonder if it's worth it in this day and age. I'm not a robot. How can I compete using basic techniques? In 10 years where will the craft be? Is everyone going to be searching for the best machine made knife or will the skilled craftsman still have a chance? Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the guy who programs a cool knife. It's hard work. But there is nothing as impressive as a man who does the work with basic hand tools. But will people still respect and seek that in 10 years? I don't want to pursue something that's going to be overrun by keyboard warriors and robots....