Nick Wheeler, JS ~ Ironwood Burl Bowie

coldsteelburns said:
I mainly have wondered why almost ALL of his pictures have 'apparently' been deleted from his image hosting account, with the exception to his "Stuck in the Metal with You WIP"
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fyi, the reason you can still see that stuff is because it's all in my photobucket site :)

When it comes to the long game, we can talk about marketing and temporal things like that all we want, but it won't change the fact that Nick Wheeler is, and probably always will be, a legend.
 
A
Wulf said:
Guys, a quick word about Nick. I have known him for a number of years now, own a few of his knives, and have handled many, many more. If there is one thing that I can say about Nick as a knifemaker, it is that he is absolutely uncompromising about the quality of his work. Some would even call him obsessive. It's just the way he's wired.

What that means for collectors, is that when they buy a Nick Wheeler knife it will be about as close to flawless as humanly possible, and will represent quite a bargain for the quality of work delivered. What this means for Nick, is that he will continue to struggle in silence.

In order to really make it today as a knifemaker, you have to be efficient, productive, and prolific. You need to have new knives posted on Instagram, Facebook, and the internet forums every week or you will cease to be "current." You will need to find ways to streamline your process, or you will fail to make money. This is where Nick will always struggle. Because he is so uncompromising, he is also inefficient, and will not be able to produce the volume and earn the profit margins required to make a good living making knives.

As I said, this is the way he's wired. Collectors who appreciate his work have to understand that you can't be simultaneously obsessive and efficient. For Nick, this means that he will work other jobs to help him cover his health insurance, mortgage, groceries, gas and electricity bills, and his knife production will remain limited.

Roger, if you are waiting for a response from him, I do hope that he gets back to you soon. If he's posting on instagram, he should certainly be able to reply to an email too.
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Best post in this conversation other than the knife is awesome

People use the tools you got

UTube ,Instagram your big mouth :)
 
[video=youtube;RQlpFx-snRU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQlpFx-snRU[/video]

Doug
 
Doug they really work well :)

[video=youtube_share;EuHDtoxJlBc]http://youtu.be/EuHDtoxJlBc[/video]
 
I noted that on Instagram the last knife he was showing had at LEAST one "I'll take it...!"

Yogi Berra: Hit it where they ain't! ;)

Coop
 
Interesting thread. But I think it could use some more Wheeler knives. This one is almost like the Damascus cousin of the one in the OP. Blade shape is very similar, but the handle shape is quite different. Hope you enjoy.

orig.jpg
 
Ken,

NICE. Thanks for the share.
Not often do you see a Wheeler Damascus Bowie..:thumbup:
Or a straight carbon steel version either.

Joe,

Great seeing your Wheeler vid again, you are a fast mover with a powerful blade ! :cool:

Doug
 
Doug- Thank you for having Caleb professionally shoot the knife... that's an EXCELLENT photo. :cool: And thanks again for all your support! :) :) :)

As far as the rest of this goes, I've been doing what I have to, to survive. That means a lot of time working and almost no time in the shop. The little bit of time I have had in the shop has been spent on things as they came into my order book. I have never had a knife to sell on instagram. It's just a quick and easy way to keep a small bit of my stuff out there.

Thanks,
-Nick Who-
 
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sometimes you just gotta walk away.
 
NickWheeler said:
Doug- Thank you for having Caleb professionally shoot the knife... that's an EXCELLENT photo. :cool: And thanks again for all your support! :) :) :)

As far as the rest of this goes, I've been doing what I have to, to survive. That means a lot of time working and almost no time in the shop. The little bit of time I have had in the shop has been spent on things as they came into my order book. I have never had a knife to sell on instagram. It's just a quick and easy way to keep a small bit of my stuff out there.

Thanks,
-Nick Who-
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Great to see you post, Nick.

I think everyone understands you gotta do what you gotta do.

"As far as the rest of it goes" . . . I see this thread as a huge complement to you. I think folks are saying that they really like your knives a lot, and hope things work out for you so they can see more of them. If folks thought you were just another run of the mill maker, there would never be a thread like this.

Anyway, best wishes, always!
 
I have instragram on my phone. I just followed Nick on Instagram. From my computer.


I am glad to see he is still making knives, because they are visually very appealing to me. I have never held one or had the opportunity to eye one up close.

I've noted a few makers who are posting less here, and doing more on Instagram, and Facebook.
 
The Virginian said:
Great to see you post, Nick.

I think everyone understands you gotta do what you gotta do.

"As far as the rest of it goes" . . . I see this thread as a huge complement to you. I think folks are saying that they really like your knives a lot, and hope things work out for you so they can see more of them. If folks thought you were just another run of the mill maker, there would never be a thread like this.

Anyway, best wishes, always!
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I don't think there's any question that a broad cross-section of the custom knife community - myself included - want all the success for Nick that his tremendous talent would ordain. I think the point STeven was making is that tremendous talent alone is no guarantee of success.
 
My two cents: Instagram makes it extremely easy for makers to post images of their work. Literally less than 30 seconds. I think all makers should be on Instagram posting one or two images every week day. Both finished knives and work in progress pics.
 
RogerP said:
I don't think there's any question that a broad cross-section of the custom knife community - myself included - want all the success for Nick that his tremendous talent would ordain. I think the point STeven was making is that tremendous talent alone is no guarantee of success.
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That's it in a nutshell.

The two knives I now own from Nick are not for sale at any price...they are a testament to his skill and talent....as for the rest, those that get it, get it, those that don't likely never will.

Doug, the knife that Caleb took a photo of is exceptional, and you are justifiably proud of it. I would be too!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
...who the hell is Nick Wheeler?


Great photos.

Superb knife. I expect no less. I also don't expect replies to emails or messages, either. :D


Hope you're well, my friend.
 
NickWheeler said:
Doug- Thank you for having Caleb professionally shoot the knife... that's an EXCELLENT photo. :cool:
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Very welcome, Nick, hope to add another one of your knives someday. :)

This might make you smile..
I was talking to Jason the other night as he's going to work on a Fighter for me.
As we were discussing the guard, I called him Nick. :eek: :o

Awkward moment.:D

Jason has nothing but the highest regard for your work.

Thanks again for building this Bowie for me, Nick, I love it.
Same goes for your sheath, Paul.

Doug
 
Just saw your vid now Doug - very nice indeed. That's a very thick spine, but knowing Nick's grinds and distal taper I bet it is one quick blade. Next time add some commentary to the vid!
 
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