saying good-bye to full-time bladesmithing

I think your making the right move Nick. You can always go fulltime when you eventually retire and collect a pension. That's my plan. IMO, I think trying to make knives fulltime to pay a mortgage and all the other bills would really be stressful. Burnout would really be a problem. Good luck and be thankful you were able to find a decent job. It tough out there in the job market.
Scott
 
Nick
Good luck but you having a real job really scares me you having to answer to someone might be a mistake :thumbup:
Sam Fogler
 
Just getting into the daily grind will be the tough part for awhile till you get used to it Nick. You will turn around about twice, look back and wonder where all the years went. I believe you made the right choice buddy. You will have to get used to the smell of that place, but think of it as the smell of money!
 
You know Nick, I don't know you very well, but you seem like a decent guy. I also know where you are comming from not having any insurance. I've been there. As matter of fact, I just recently got insurance back after being off work and in college the last 3 years. It was scary. "WHAT IF" was always in the back of mind. BUT listen, a job is a job and if you ain't happy then find something that makes you happy. It's a compromise. I haven't had many jobs in my lifetime and I was just never real happy with any of them. Seems like I was happier in the ones that paid the least. It wasn't until a few years ago that I decided to leap and take a chance on the medical field. I like it. Maybe not as happy as I am when I am talking to you guys or working on knives, but I am ok.

Time has a way of sneaking up and biting the chit right out of you. Remember that!

Also before I go, I will tell you something a friend of mine used to say.

WORK is for a mule and even the mule turns his ass up to it. :D
 
Good luck Nick
man,, I'll be down to only one engineer to bug now;)

Nick
I'm not sure why you didn't go to a engineering job with engineering under your belt. but I'd say if you can make your money now while your young
you'll pat yourself on the back later for it.

I'm trying to talk my oldest into going that way, but into engineering in the business end of it,,
there is some big money there to be made and with the right plan you'll be as full time as you want in making knives with money to play with before you know it.
it's hard to see from your end of age...but from this end it sure seems like the end is a lot closer then it use to be..watching freinds die off..
believe me hind sight is 20:20 and I challenge anyone to deny what I say..

it's nice to do what you enjoy for work but being poor doing it, it has it's own set of problems as you now know of some of them now..

but if you have to do a job you don't like you may as well make good money at it. I worked at a job I hated for years and got no where but it was for the kids not me..now it's my time, still not a lot of money but that was the path I saw I had to take , I sure wished now I had a better education..
don't waste yours.. good luck to you..I'm sure you'll pop in often , I hope..
 
Nick, I wish you the best in your new direction. It sounds like you have a great opportunity to better yourself in more ways than one so take advantage of it. Although I am currently a part time maker I understand how tough it is for full timer makers. I have been self employed for the past 12 years and started making knives on the side about a year ago.
It was great meeting you at Blade West and look forward to seeing you in Atlanta in June.

Butch
 
Nick

I have never met you but I have always marvelled at the consistently high quality of your work.

I have no doubt that you will do well in whatever job you take on. Many of the best engineers (electronics) that I have ever worked with have either had or later did start their own business. They were not only smart but had big balls though they let the results of their work do the bragging for them. You show the same qualities. Knowing that you have something to fall back on should make it easier to take some of the crap at the job and should help prevent the boss from ever thinking that he "owns you".

Unfortunately, a knifemaker's income (even one as good as you) will not pay for the things that one needs outside of the profession. As an engineer, it isn't easy either. From what I can tell, the job market is picking up so you have a better chance of getting a job that is good for you.

I look forward to when you can retire from your job (or you find a sugar-mama!) so that you can return to knifemaking fulltime. Your work will be more mature and even more special. Hopefully, I will be able to afford to buy some of it then.

Phil
 
Nick,

I can see that this was a difficult decision, but it sounds like you made the right one.

I wish you luck in your new job and in your part-time shop!
 
Nick,
I feel you are doing the right thing and also feel you will come back stronger than ever.All the best with the new job.:thumbup:
You have to come back,I don't have a one of your knives yet. :o
:D

Doug
 
Congrats Nick.

It's obviously quite difficult to make a decent living as a full-time knifemaker when you're competing against a lot of hobbyists who sell knives only to pay for new belts and steel and get their medical coverage from their day jobs. To cut costs, a lot of full-timers skimp on the insurance, but that's one area where even a minor problem can bury you completely. It's good to know you're not taking chances and are thinking practically about this.

Also, a new job means new skills and new friends (plus a regular paycheck!) and maybe a lead to an even better job down the road - nothing wrong with that at all.

I do hope you enjoy your new job and look forward to seeing how your knifemaking evolves now that your paycheck doesn't depend on it :)
 
Nick,
Congrats on the job.
Itis good to see you continue with your dreams in a smaller way.
I wish you luck on both fronts.:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top