Newbie knife makers and pestering other makers

W

Walter

Joined
Apr 25, 1999
Messages
46
I am very interested in making knives and there are a few custom makers in my area but I am a little shy about approaching them and asking if I could hang around their shop and pick their brains. So I was wondering how other makers feel about this and if they have ever allowed a stranger to come into their shop to pester the hell out of them.
Thanks
Walt ( the other walter)
 
Hey Other Walter
First don't be shy it will just make you miss out on allot of great times and learning.
Call them and ask most will say sure come on by.
One thing though you don't want to be a pest and having someone that is not familiar with a shop can make a maker nervous, knife shops are dangerous places and can really mess one up.
Hanging out is normally not a good thing most makers are pressed for time always and need to work.
I love to have folks come by but if they are not shop savvy I do get nervous because of the liability thing.
Don't touch with out asking and if they say you might want to move do as they say or you may get hurt.
bring protective gear, safety glasses are a good start but you should ask if they are going to work wile your there and what you should bring.
Have fun and be safe.
ED
 
Walter, I am new to making knives myself but have found that most of the makers I have approached and have asked questions would bend over backwards to help you out. Once you get to know them they might even invite you by and then anything can happen.
smile.gif


If you have the talent and drive you will succeed!
smile.gif
It's a great hobby for me and I have meet some life long friends already!
 
Walt,
As far as my shop goes, it is so cluttered up that I am embarrassed for anyone to come over. Actually I wouldn't mind, but personally, I would appreciate prior notice.

I have learned quite a bit of stuff from going to some of the trade shows where there are quite a few makers. Gun shows for instance, are sometimes a good place where quite a few makers may be with a booth or display area. I don't know where you live but there are quite a few knife shows around the country. If one is close by, go to one. Don't worry about asking questions. Most knifemakers are pretty good folks and are more than willing to help with any questions. You could probably learn as much there as you could going to their shop unless you were interested in seeing the equipment they are using.

In my experience, I have found only three subjects to stay away from. They are religion, politics and heat treating. If you stay away from those, you'll be fine.
(That is stated with tongue in cheek, of course)

CLWilkins

 
use a little politics and youll go a long way, like maybe buy a knife from the guy... or at least some steel or something...i dont mind guys coming over but after about a half hour or so i tell them its time for me to get back to work...which means putting on my mask and glasses and not speaking for the next few hours.....and one other rule..DONT TOUCH ANYTHING//do i need to repeat that? i have a nice long sharp wire for my one friend who refuses to believe that rule....

[This message has been edited by tom mayo (edited 05 May 1999).]
 


Normally I welcome new makers in my shop if they have specific questions that I can help them with ie fitting handles etc but because I usually have work to get accomplished I do not encourage a visitor to "hang around".
This is mainly because I do things in batches, today is planned as repolishing blades after heat treating, not the sort of thing that a visitor can learn anything new after 20 minutes so the visitor would be wasting his time and I would feel obligated to entertain him. There are not enough hours in the week now so I appreciate it if the new maker comes in with a few questions whichI will answer to the best of my ability then he will take his leave as soon as possible. This course of action will ensure that he is welcome back at any time.

The one thing that I am not prepared to do is have a beginner operate my equipment because of risk of injury and possible damage to the equipment itself. It is only after I have satisfied myself of the individuals competance that I might invite him to try something himself on the sander or buffer.

By all means contact the local makers, making knives is difficult enough without each individual having to re invent the wheel so to speak. Tnis is one of the reasons that the Canadian Knifemakers Guild was formed to assist all knifemakers and promote communication among them. In the Canadian guild this assistance is extended to all levels of membership including friends of the guild. Check out our web site at www.ckg.org for more information. I know that many makers are a little more accomodating if they know that you are a member.


------------------
george

PS I know most of the makers in your area and they are very friendly as long as you do not overstay your welcome.

[This message has been edited by george tichbourne (edited 05 May 1999).]
 
Thanks for all the replies, I guess I really should have qualified what I meant by "pester" heh, I didn't mean that i would sit there and bother the maker,in fact thats the last thing I would want to do, but many of you who replied suggested exactly what I was hoping and expecting and just having someone answer some of my questions or just show m how something is done would be great.
George..you can expect an email to the CKG from me very soon I was taking a good look at the site and admiring the work of some of the gentlemen from my area. I found the site to be very well done, now all I have to do is muster the courage to contact one of the makers.
Thanks alot
Walt (the other walter)
 
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