Thank you guys for the kind words, I really appreciate it.
Even though I posted the last update this morning, something really big has happened.
While I was getting ready to make the final arrangents with Paul to visit him in New York in the upcoming week, the most unexpected thing happened.
While sanding a handle, I took a minute to scroll through instagram. As I scrolled throught my feed, my eye picked up a picture of a plane and the words Athens, Greece.
Paused for a moment to read the post, someone was asking for recommendations to Athens, Greece. The someone? None other than mastersmith Karis Fisher! I couldn't believe my eyes and without missing a moment I sent her a message.
She kindly replied and agreed to oversee my test. The best part? She was not alone, her father Josh Fisher came by as well for my test.
Me and my wife picked them up in the afternoon and headed straight to the shop. We had a nice conversation regarding knives in general as a start. Josh asked me a few questions about my past, how I started making knives, who taught me etc.
After that, both Karis and Josh kindly gave me feedback for my presentation knives. I'm really glad to report that no major flaws were found. They did point out some things for me to work on but none of those things are considered worthy to fail. Keep in mind, the knives might fail if I do not make a proper job finishing them, nothing is set in stone until I've passed. They were able to see my capabilities of a finished blade because I had a practice piece to show.
Once I knew I'd test this morning, I retook 2/3 of the test to make sure everything was still fine. I practiced my rope cutting skills and chopped two 2x4s. Of course, I didn't do the bent test with this knife but I had it done months ago when I had it made along with another one.
I was really anxious and it shows in the following video. Moments before we began.
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Aaaand here we go.
Three tries are allowed on the rope cutting test, if the applicant can't do it, the mastersmith may try two more times. That's because a lot of times it's user error and not knife error.
Luckily I got it on the third try. The chopping took me a while, I could not find a proper position to do it without risking knocking the knife on something hard. Nonetheless, the knife performed as it should and shaved hair afterwards.
Finally, the 90 degrees bend test. Since I had worked a lot around this test, I was pretty confident but glad everything went so smoothly.
Seemingly calmer now that everything was over.
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Group photo with the Fisher family.
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With the test out of the way, I spent quite some time with Karis and Josh talking about knives.
Josh also was kind enough to show me his techniques around the guard. Once I'm over with the presentation knives I'm going to give his advice a go.
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I'm really glad this part of the process is out of the way and I cannot thank the Fisher family enough. Not only for overseeing my test or their feedback that it's worth its weight in gold but for the fact that I made new friends today and I cannot wait to meet them again in the futute.
Now it's time to focus on my presentation knives and make arrangements for Ohio.