Should I or Shouldn't I?

V

viking252200

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Mar 2, 2009
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I thought I would get you input on this...

Lately, I have been thinking about venturing into the world of knife making..
While I hope at some point to make a little extra cash, the main reason is simply to create a knife as I think a knife should be:D

The technical aspects of knife making I am not too worried about, I used to be a tool maker and I spent the last 10 years here in Japan learning how to polish a sword....but while polishing a sword is very rewarding, I have this urge to create something from scratch, something that I can truly call my own, if that makes any sense?

I love knives, love collecting them and using them, but If I start making them, will I at one point get fed up with knives?
I realize that doing it on a hobby base and doing it for a living are two different things.

I guess what I want to ask you Professionals is this:"Is knife making a joy or does it turn out to be a frustrating endeavor ?"
Obviously, there are no clear cut answer, but for you out there, what are your take on knife making?..why do you do it?

Sincerely
Brian Pedersen
Tokyo
 
Brian.
I do it simply because I gain alot of satisfaction from making something
that's well done, useful, and enjoyed by others.

Whether you persue knifemaking or not, I suggest that you
teach hand finishing/polishing...
 
It is both a joy and a frustrating endeavor. I often get frustrated with knives, but could not imagine doing anything else. Long after I am retired from teaching (in another 25 years) I plan on continuing knifemaking until I can no longer hold a hammer or grind a knife. It can be frustrating, but it is always rewarding. I am always learning new things, which makes it kind of exciting, or at least interesting.
 
I agree both with Russ and Bailey. As a fulltime maker it is a money making thing for me but if I had a million dollars I still would make knives. There is always a challenge out there in knifemaking. Always new things to leard and all the while making a utilitarian instrument. I truly love it.:)
 
There is great satisfaction in knifemaking, it brings out your creativity. A handmade knife is functional art, or could be compared to poetry made from steel.

People will admire you for the work you create, and the knives that you make will be hanging on the belts of those who use them long after one dies.
 
I think if you are willing/inclined to be a little obsessive about it, knifemaking can be both very rewarding and very frustrating;)
I'm not sure anything short of obsession would have led me as far down this road as I have gone. There are probably therapists for helping you get over this kind of thing...but I still think the next knife is the best medecine.
 
When knifemaking loses its joy often comes from when it becomes more of a business and less of a hobby. Selling a few knives is fun and pays for some supplies. But, when the orders start backing up, and deadlines push your enjoyment, then it can make one care less about it.
I stopped taking custom orders and the joy went up a lot. I still sell knives, but I sell what I make because I wanted to make it.
 
Sorry I cannot sleep tonite, so I might as well wade in here again. I took on too many orders, and it all became too much during the 90"s. For awhile I got away from the shop completely after I filled the orders as knifemaking had become a toil of labor and there was little joy in it.

Now I just make some, and let customers choose what I have on hand. I will take on an order, but I make it clear to my customer that there will be no date for completion. If they ask I explain why, and most will understand.
 
DanGraves said:
I agree both with Russ and Bailey. As a fulltime maker it is a money making thing for me but if I had a million dollars I still would make knives. There is always a challenge out there in knifemaking. Always new things to leard and all the while making a utilitarian instrument. I truly love it.:)
Click to expand...

Dont let Dan kid you he's got more money than the bank stashed in his matres, oh and he still makes knives.
 
If nothing else it will give you an appreciation of what goes into making the knives that you collect.
 
I think Stacy hit the nail on the head. It can be fun and rewarding until you let it put pressure on you. Then, it becomes work just like anything else.

I haven't finished a knife in a good long while, but I've been making piles of damascus in my shop instead. I really enjoy it and the only deadlines I worry about are self imposed. I had a while where I had orders backed up, and it really made going into the shop a chore, and it stressed my relationship with my wife a good bit as well. For the most part now, I make what I want and sell it to folks who want it. Don't get me wrong, I will take "suggestions" from customers and friends (I just finished a "suggestion" from a close friend that had to be done in very short order), but I won't backlog myself with big orders anymore.

Oh, and forget right now about making any money from making knives as a hobby. If you go into it with that mindset, you'll be frustrated and upset when it just keeps sucking your wallet dry. Decide on a level of investment you're comfortable with, get your shop going, and then see how close you can get to having the shop sustain it's own requirements. Trust me, there are ALWAYS more tools, materials, tools, buildings, tools, tools, and tools that you'll just NEED to have...I mean...I've only got 4 anvils in the shop, and the "little one" is only 240lbs or so (poor little guy!)...there are 7 post vises and they're starting to get lonely without more anvils to play with :)

-d
 
Thanks guys for all the answers:thumbup:

I think I shall give it a shot and make a few knives...I don't think I want to make a living out of it though, I have enough stress in my life as it is:D
 
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