saying good-bye to full-time bladesmithing

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
9,437
Since I'd rather not air my entire personal life on the forums, I'll just say that there were MANY MANY factors involved in me making this decision.

I am 28 years old, single and trying to make it in a field that for most is a hobby, for many that are full-time- supported by another income, and for only a very slight few with a lot of grit and determination- their only income.

I absolutely WILL NOT STOP making knives!!!

But it was time to change things... a LOT. I need medical insurance...dental...vision...retirement. Things I have not had AT all for the last 5 years. When I hurt my hand last fall, it cost BIG $$$ (out of pocket) to go to the ER and get Xrays and stitches.

I am still planning on going to Atlanta in June for my Js. I am still planning on filling my orders. But shop work will now be relegated to time when I'm not at work.

In case you're wondering, they wanted to hire a young, dumb, and strong individual to work on a demolition team at one of the largest paper mills in the US. I happened to apply at the right time. There IS the possibility to either get into an apprenticeship under their one and only blacksmith/mill-wright, and/or try to get my foot in the door with their Engineering department.

So to recap:

I got a "real" job
I'll still make knives
I'm still going to fill orders

Thanks everyone for the support in getting me as far as I have as a bladesmith. I'd like to think I've worked pretty hard for it, but there would have been no chance of it without a lot of help and support along the way.
 
Congradulations on the job. It sounds like it could prove quite interesting. I'm glad you'll have some benefits now. I wouldn't be able to do this w/o a paycheck and benefits to back me up. I'm not organized enough. I'm hoping to eventually change over to half time bladesmithing and half time day job at some point, but I'm not rushing it. Its a rough way to try and keep yourself fed and clothed..... Good luck!
Ed
 
I hope it all works out the way you want, Nick.
You do make great looking knives, and look forward to seeing some new ones.
 
It's tough having to rely on knifemaking alone for money. I spent about six months layed off and was turning out knives left and rite and working every odd job that came along for enough to pay the then few bills. Got more bills now and make fewer knives, but the bills get paid.
 
Hey Nick, wishing you all the best on the job. IMHO they're lucky to have you on board. I hope it brings you the financial security that's become a priority for your circumstances.

I'll be looking forward with anticipation (like always) for the next piece of bladeware we see from you, since it is always a delight. You're the Gold Standard when it comes to fit 'n finish.
 
Congrats on the new job and defintely keep making the beautiful knives that you do! If I didn't know how to cook ground beef 10,001 ways I'd have to have a regular job, too. Thankfully I'm very talented at scraping by. :)

If you're up this way give us a shout. We'll be heading to the mainland in the next 8-12 weeks and looking to the Vader area just south of you. We've been working on property in Omak but we need to do some building on it before we head up there.
 
Vader?!?! I used to ride to Vader on my Mt. Bike for cardio. I can drive there in 10 minutes.

Crazy what a small world it can be :D

Thanks for the support everybody!!!:cool: :D
 
Nick, determination like yours is rare. You will do fine. Welcome to PT knife making. ....
 
Congrats on the real job Nick. I always thought you were the engineer type. You will do very well in your new endeavor.
 
You can't do that, get back here. Who in the heck am I going to bother now.:grumpy:

Seriously Nick, thats a smart move. If I was 28 or 35 or 40 or even 50 again, I wouldn't make this a full time thing again, but I've forgotten everything but pounding and grinding, so I'm stuck. Good luck and if you see the O mighty Knife Guru, tell him I'll be in touch. :thumbup:

Bill
 
Contrats on the new job. I can't help feeling a sense of unjustice, though -- doesn't seem fair that a maker with your obvious talent has to struggle to make a good living at it. Artisans of all types have a real struggle in our walmart society.
 
Nick, I wish you the best and I really think this will be a wise move. The knives will never stop comming but having health insurance makes alot of sense. I look forward to seeing you at Blade. Ray
 
Our best to you on your new job Nick. I can understand how you feel completely. Having knifemaking being your sole income is a very tough way to go. If it wasn't for the fact that PA offered healthcare for kids (Danny boy is almost 3 now) I'd be doing the same thing.

Your do great work and have been an inspiration to me as a maker. I look forward to to your new knives and I hope I get to meet you this summer at Blade. All our bet to you.
 
NickWheeler said:
Thanks everyone for the support in getting me as far as I have as a bladesmith. I'd like to think I've worked pretty hard for it, but there would have been no chance of it without a lot of help and support along the way.
Click to expand...

Nick. Congratulations. You've realized a dream that only few people on this planet dare to dream. You are an excellent knifemaker. You are strong and young. This life is to do with what you see fit, and you are making good choices. Although we've never met, I am proud that you call Shoptalk your home. Good luck to you, and God Bless.

That said,
Chant said:
Contrats on the new job. I can't help feeling a sense of unjustice, though -- doesn't seem fair that a maker with your obvious talent has to struggle to make a good living at it. Artisans of all types have a real struggle in our walmart society.
Click to expand...

Damn straight. If I didn't have my wife to support everything else, I would not be able to do this full time. There is no shame in this. Even the great ones have times of need, monetarily speaking. In fact, I have been toying with the idea of going back to work for a year or so myself, just long enough to make some upgrades to my shop and equipment.
 
Well done on the new job.
I have only ever been a hobby maker. I just like to make one knife now and again. I make pocket money to support the hobby. 28 I changed jobs also, now I am comming up on 47. I am happy to have had a steady job and a fun hobby. Best of both worlds. If I get too many orders the fun goes out of it for me.

Good luck
 
you'll be fine :) I work 20 min before work then about 2 after And then the weekend. I can only get out about 6 knives a month now but it used to be 4 so I hope to be at 8 in a few months.............so with that said, dont get frustrated and do what you can do buddy :)
 
Thanks for all the support everybody! One of my friends asked me, "Do you really want to go work at that mill, or a mill at all?"

Well, shoot, if all I had to do is what I REALLY WANT, I'd sit around and make knives for fun for a few hours a day, then give them away, but not have anything like food, water, or electricity to pay for every month!!! Oh, and I'd fish and workout all the rest of the time:cool:

There's almost always a bit of haze between wanting and needing.

The worst thing for me, is going from "Nick's schedule" of getting up at 9 or 10 am and working in the shop until 3 or 4 am... to this crap of getting up at 4:30am to go to work!!! I may just have to try and convince them how much better "my" schedule is once I get past the probationary period. :p :D

I did ask to see the blacksmith shop, and started drooling when I found out they have a pristine, 150 lb. Beaudry trip hammer in there. If worse comes to worse and I quit, I'm stopping by the railway shop and slapping that sucker on top of my car before I leave!!! ;)

Thanks again everybody!:thumbup: :D
 
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