"Newbie" status???

I'll be the first to admit I'm a FNG! I know just enough to fk up a good piece of steel, But there is no such thing as a stupid question, that's kinda what shop talk is for. I learn something new every time I read this fourm, and one reason I joined it as a maker.

And with the help of reading the posts no matter how trivial it may seem to some, each and every knife I make has gotten better with the little tips and tricks I have picked up from people like Nick who isnt afraid of telling it like it is.
 
Personally, i think i have graduated from "newbie" to "novice" :D well at least in some aspects! some things, like forging, i am definitely still a newbie! but with fit and finish, i think i am a novice. Have done enough of it to have improved a ton, but still have a long way to go! that and i like the way novice sounds better than newbie:p
peace
jt
 
NickWheeler said:
Then there are guys like Robert Dark that make a knife that's clean as a whistle with real nice lines and he's as humble as they come.
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Ah Geez Nick, I got the Fuzzy-Wuzzy feelings all inside.:D

I appreciate the kind words, however, I am, and will continue to be a "noobie" of sorts. If a day passes without learning something new, then it was a wasted day.

When an individual begins a new venture (or perhaps an adventure), and over a period of time feels that he or she has mastered that endeavour, then it is time to lay down and die.

I have spent the best part of 62 years taking a trip on a continous learning curve. It never ends, and if I have the chance to share some of what I have learned, then I can sleep well at night.

New knifemakers remind me of my children. They are full of questions and are seeking answers from someone..... anyone, who will help them through life's journey.

Take a few minutes to answer those questions to the best of your ability and maybe, just maybe, you can make a difference in their lives.

We all have to start somewhere.

Robert (forever a noob)
 
Until I master all aspects of knifemaking I will always feel like a noob. That will never happen so i guess I agree with Robert I will forever be a noob. Like JT I know just enough to realize how little I actually know. I just want to get better at what I do. As long as I can improve I will be happy. Now I just need to get into the shop and work. That is how to improve.
 
I'm still a newbie. Neither experienced, or accomplished. Eager, and passionate about this craft. But still a newbie.
 
i'm not even a newbie! i m wating on this terrible montana winter to end so it warms up enough to get out into the garage and i am still trying to get enough stuff together to get going!.

is there is a less than newbie level?

jake
 
I'm with Jake. If some of the guys in this thread consider themselves newbies then I'm not even a pimple on their backside.
I guess I could call myself a sub newbie.heh.
Later,
Iz
 
Nick, I would say I am a newbie because I have learned new things over the past year and a half that I did not know and to tell you the truth have continued to learn from the members here and learn new things often.
I would say you have graduated from newbie status when you no longer say "wow I didn't know that" or "damn I need to try it that way".
I have been making knives since I was 17 years old and until I found this forum was very content in thinking I was as you say it "accomplished", but the fact is I have seen first time makers that show their knives and make me reconsider that self diagnosed title.
I think if you call yourself "accomplished" your work should be flawless. I don't mean that the customer thinks it is. I mean that you can look at your end product and say it is.
I think that would be the measurement of graduation to "accomplished" rather than "experienced". For me I would say I am still just experienced not accomplished. Striving everyday to improve yourself is the only thing that counts. Titles don't mean much if no one wants to buy what you make.
Hope that helps.
 
I'm with Trace, been makin' these things for 10 years and I don't know crap! You have to use words like "crap" when your from Utah. It's kinda expected. :)

Since the mountain stands before me and I'm at the foot of the foothills, I consider myself a wannabe. Would that be an appropriate title for less than a newbie? Maybe something like "greenhorn" or "tenderfoot" would be more appropriate. :)

Rick.
 
Rick Baum said:
I'm with Trace, been makin' these things for 10 years and I don't know crap! You have to use words like "crap" when your from Utah. It's kinda expected. :)

Since the mountain stands before me and I'm at the foot of the foothills, I consider myself a wannabe. Would that be an appropriate title for less than a newbie? Maybe something like "greenhorn" or "tenderfoot" would be more appropriate. :)

Rick.
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jeez rick your only problem is the underware down there.:eek:
 
I disagree with the guys on this thread calling themselves newbies. I think it is a great mindset thinking that you have room for improvement, but come on! I am the epitome of a newbie because of a mix of minimal experience and naivety. There are stages between asking about heat treating home depot bargain steel and making pistol daggers!
 
what makes me feel really newbie or stupid is reading some of the threads and posts by guys like Kevin Cashen and Stacy Apelt. those guys are smart! i read their stuff and honestly half the time it is soooooo far advanced that i just get a head ache and start twitching. when i get to the point i can read their stuff and understand it...... i will still be a newbie...... well super newbie maybe.

jake
 
I see Bill took time out from re-reorganizing his shop to chime in. :)

All I have to say "gosh" it's good to hear from you even if yo a're being a smart "asp"! ;)

Rick
 
I think my post was kind'a misdirected, but I appreciate all you guys posting :)

The fact my post was a little misunderstood is probably a good reason for me to leave it alone now ;)

THANKS GUYS :)
 
I've seen first knives that looked like the maker had been making knives for years, and I have seen knives where the maker had been making knives for years an they still looked like first knives. There is more to making knives than pounding, grinding steel. Some people have a talent for it and many don't. I'd much rather have a knife from a talented short time than one from a talentless long time one.
 
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