Personal Announcement

Good luck, Jerry. Sometimes when you have a setback or need to take some time off it all works out for the best in the long run. Hoping to see some new and improved work from you in the future.
 
Mr. Hossom,

Wish you the best and hope that you will keep up with the knife scene in a manner more fun to you. I do enjoy your commentary on the forums. And I wished that I would have bought one of your knives earlier, as many others do now.

My high school drafting teacher once said: "I'm getting too old to do things I don't like to do." I understand what he meant and I feel pretty much the same way now.

Good luck to you.
 
I remember meeting a very pleasant knifemaker in Winston-Salem. Jerry, your work was and is beautiful. Say this isn't so. Cavelady
 
Jerry,

As others have said knifemaking aside, you are a good man and well respected.

I can understand how much pressure you are under with little chance to make what you want to make, when you want to make it. As well as the dis-satisfaction that goes along with that situation. To me it seems sound that you are stepping back from the frey.

On another note the news on the collaborations is exciting and from the protos Steve ground into the gravel at Trackrock :D, they will do well.
 
Jerry; All the best to you and perhaps some time away may help with your obvious case of "burn out". We'll miss you and Take Care.
 
Jerry, you are beyond a doubt one of the good guys and a very talented maker. I've enjoyed talking to you at shows, and goofing around with you and Tom here on BFC. I'm sure you'll remember the double decker outhouse and the huge shark that ate Mayo. ;)

You must do whatever it takes for you to be happy in your own skin, no matter what the risk or who doesn't happen to agree. I wish you much success, and if we should never meet again I'll remember you well.

Be well.
Phil
 
Jerry:
Your actions are perfectly normal. I wish you luck and hope that you find the balance you are seeking. Sometimes when things you used to like are no fun anymore, it's time to change. Good Luck! :cool: :) :p
 
Jerry, life is too short to not do what pleases you. I'm glad to see you're being proactive about changing things before a complete meltdown, and that you'll still be making knives. I've always enjoyed your knives and your advice, so I'm sorry to see you go, but you gotta do what you gotta do, or something like that! :rolleyes: Best of luck to you in your future endeavors and wherever life takes you!
 
Hi Jerry, I admired your custom knife for many years just can't afford one yet but I have to say I admire your courage even more. I totally agree with you if you don't enjoy making knives do something else. But, for some of us even we don't like our jobs we still have to do it because have bills to pay. Man, life is too short enjoy it to the fullest! Take care & good luck!
 
Mr. Hossum, I wish you the best in the future. I've come close to professional burn-out, but have found that some time away from it will take care of it for awhile. I have admired your work from afar, and have always had you on my list of makers to acquire from. I of course, cannot afford anything from anybody on my list at this point. :rolleyes: I humbly suggest fishing... it is very hard to get stressed out whilst fishing. It is even better if you can take a young child with you... preferably for their first time. Heck, rent a kid if you have to. You see, it's hard to be stressed out while fishing. Often times, you need a cigar and/or beer to round out the package. Just make sure you apply plenty of sun-screen. Don't want to have to deal with a nasty sun-burn... more stress. Anyways, getting back to the kid thing... usually just a cane pole and some wax worms will suffice. Find yourself a nice little pond with some blue-gills, get that kid fishing and you will find the stress slowly evaporating away. Repeat as often as necessary, daily is recommended. Now, if you repeat this on a regular basis, you might just find that you need your knife making muse again. IF this happens, and hopefully by that time, I have paid off all my business loans, saved enough for my kid's colleges and my retirement... I'd like to get on your list. Don't worry, I am a patient man.
Seriously, hug your wife. Kids if you have 'em. Go fishing, alot. We will still be here for you.
 
Jerry,
I hope everything works out for you. I am sure you don't have any idea who I am, but I just wanted to say thank you. You were and are one of the guys on the net that really got me hooked on knives. I have really appreciated your posts over the years, and I wouldn't be making knives if it weren't for guys like you. Your blades have inspired me over the years, and have been a big influence on my own designs. Good luck in the future and thank you again for everything you have done for us newer makers.

Kyle Fuglesten
 
cockroachfarm said:
I am aware of the high regard with which makers and collectors hold you and your work.
Click to expand...

You ain't whistling Dixie, Jack. In fact, I think the only category of individuals who hold Jerry in higher regard than the knife makers and the knife collectors are the knife users. And if you happen to be in that elite group of folks who can lay claim to being a Hossom knife user, then you know just what the hell I'm talking about.

In the decade or so that I've been aware of the higher echelons of the custom cutlery world, I've had friends in the military who swore by Maker A, known martial artists who professed undying loyalty to Maker B, and spent plenty of time with serious outdoorsmen who would trust their lives to none but Maker C. But the true measure of Jerry's skill as a maker is evident in the fact that I can honestly say I've never known another who commanded such loyalty and respect from the complete spectrum of users representing all of the above disciplines. It's truly remarkable.

And I can further attest that Jerry's skill as a maker is only exceeded by his generosity as a person. For any further proof of that, I think you need look no further than the wonderful selection of folks who've taken the time to respond to this thread. The presence of Will York and the Tichbournes alone tell me all I need to know.

My regrets at this announcement are merely a function of the fact that somewhat fewer lucky individuals like me will get to know what it feels like to use a Hossom blade. But I can assure you that these regrets are far outweighed by the contentment I feel in knowing that this is the right thing for Jerry to do at this point in time, and the joy that comes in imagining that my first trip to the Blade Show some day might include the opportunity to walk beside Jerry rather than just stand on the opposite side of a table from him.

All the best to you, my friend.
 
Met and dealt with you a few times at the Vegas shows. You are what others should be, honest, a gentleman, love what you do and a man of his word! Your work (art) graces my collection...I am privledged.
Thanks Jerry
 
Jerry, my friend---I have read all of the postings above and I must say that Bronco says it the way it is. How well I remember the sheath you commissioned me to make for the marvelous knife you made for him---years ago! I have enjoyed the working relationship beween us in the past and look forward to a continuance in the future even if in a lesser capacity. Your decision to curtail your knifemaking is a decision that will definitely disappoint many. It is a decision that I commend you for as it will again give you control of your life. When the passion dwindles from your love of knife making and is replaced with stress, it is time to make decisions to change for the better. I can appreciate the soul searching and courage it took to make that decision. We go this way but once and it should be as devoid of stress as possible. May you enjoy happiness in what you do in your future, you darn sure deserve it. The wonderful creations that are now world wide will be your legacy and claim to fame. The pride of ownership of those creations will cause them to be sought after collectibles that will further enhance the "Awesome Hossom's"
 
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