Teachers and influences and thanks

[fitzo]

Hopefully this isn't out of place and may generate some interest for others to post. Recently I quoted my friend Bowie who frequently says "We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us." He didn't originate the phrase, of course, but he tirelessly advocates giving credit. I've never seen a whole thread about where we all "came from", so I thought maybe I'd give it a shot and see if any of you would like to tell us who helped you, too.

I started in 1981, reading the few books available and having a go at it. People have helped me:

Kevin Hoffman, Jerry Rados......I'd go to the monthly AECA meeting/show in Chicago and these guys would patiently look at my knives and give me tips. They were kind, but honest, and their information and criticism was invaluable. They are the guys that helped me stick with it.

Tim Zowada...... Tim's was the first shop other than my own I was ever in, 6 years after I started. Nanc and I spent several weekends at his place outside Battle Creek and he patiently taught me to forge and heat treat in a forge and then how to make Damascus. He was young, totally impressive, and a great teacher.

Bowie..... You have taught me more about Damascus and pattern welding than I ever would have known otherwise, my friend. You also supply an honor an ethic that I look up to and always will.

Ron Duncan....Ron, you made my press and my forge and wanted nothing in return. I will always be indebted.

All the myriad makers I have met on KNET and here in Shoptalk both experienced and new have had something I could learn. I learn something every day. My friends on Paltalk, like Mike Hull, Ken Beatty (ragnoor), Plain Ol Bill, Buxton, Earl Johnson, I have learned much from them. Thanks to all of you, I am indebted. To those I've forgotten: just because I'm having a brainfart and not naming you doesn't mean I NEVER remember your help.

Influences, there are two that I won't forget, though I have never met them and my knives are absolutely unlike theirs. One was Gay Rocha, whose interesting forging style that couldn't be duplicated stock removal made me want to forge. The other is Tai Goo; his style is still the one I love above all others and I consider him one of the most if not THE most creative and artistic bladesmith there is. I've never seen a Goo knife I don't just plain lust to have for my own.

Well, that's a long post but at least not a rant. I have been hankering to do this for awhile and tonight felt good. I definitely continue to learn and maintain my interest regardless of whether I can get in the shop or not. I thank my teachers through the years and thank all of you for what I learn daily.

I hope some of you may feel like saying something, too. Peace!

 

[Will52100]

Good post Fitzo,

The forums and shop talk in particular have been a great help.

Bruce Evans gave me a tremendous head start on forge welding and metal sheaths. A little time spent with Ed Fowler at last years Blade show was an education in itself. Wayne Godard's books and Ed's Knife talk were instrumental, the list goes on...

That's one thing I love about knifemakers, they have got to be the most helpfull group of people out there. And most have the kind of values I aspire to.

Thank you all for your help and hints, it has and will continue to be greatly apreciated.

 

[micad]

Ya, good post Fitz!

Most of what (very little) I know I had to learn on my own. Didn't know any knife makers and there was no such thing as an internet.
I read every thing I could find on the subject, which was precious little. Then my wife bought a copy of Bob Loveless' video which was of MAJOR help!
So, Thanks Babe!

Then I moved to south west Washington and was blessed with the friendship of Nick Wheeler. He has been a true friend and flat knows what he is doing and is very eager to share what he has learned. When ever I've had a question or problem he has always dropped what he's doing to lend a (teaching) hand.

When I first met him, I knew absolutely nothing about forgeing or Damascus (still don't know much!). Nick helped me to build my own forge, showed me what he knew about forgeing and basic Damascus, most of which went in one ear and right out the other. But like I sald, he's always there to lend a hand when needed.

So my hat's off to you Nick, THANK YOU!

Mike

P.S.

Now if I could just make a knife as pretty as those that Nick makes............

 

[J.Wade]

Great post,

I wouldn't even know what a "good" knife is if it weren't for Normak (Eric Noeldechen) nor would I have meet The guy who showed and continues to show me how to make a "good" knife, Jeff Diotte. With out these two guys I would be lost. There generousity and willingness to help my is something I will always be trying to payback.


I would also like to thank everyone on this forum who post there handy secerts for everyone. I'm sure we have all learned somthing from one another.


cya
jimi

 

[basknives]

Great idea Fitzo!

First, I would like to thank my wife and kids for putting up with my long hours at the forge and grinder. Without their understanding I would never get anything done.

I started a little over a year and a half ago grinding old files that I got from work. I picked up a couple of books and that helped a little.

The first knife maker that I met was Jerry Rados. He showed me 3 of his knives, one folder, two fixed blades. These where the first handmade knives I had ever seen and I can still picture every detail. Jerry also gave me information for the Chicago Custom Knife Show and said I should check it out (which I did, and will be checking out again this year). Jerry had another maker with that day by the name of Karl Anderson. As luck would have it, Karl lives about 8 miles from me. He gave me an open invitation to visit his shop and over the past year or so has helped me out greatly.

I would like to thank all the makers that I met at the Chicago show last year and and the Blade Show this year who offered up advice to a new maker they didn't even know. I'm sorry I can't remember all your names but I do appreciate the kindness!!

I have been a visitor to this (and other forums) for the past year or so, but until recently hadn't joined. So even though my name is kinda new I have been benefiting from information for some time now and would like to thank all of you that have taken the time to share your knowledge with us "newbies"

And just in case I missed anyone....Thanks everyone!!!

 

[Anthony Chaney]

Oh my goodness, where would I start? I guess it was around Nov. of 2000 when I found Tim Lively's forum. There were a bunch of good people there who helped me get started. Tim, Calvin Bowman, Carroll "Spike" Hale, Lee Cordochorea, Aboman, Ron Ellis, Randy Skidmore, Thomas "Bog Iron" Powers, Two Walks, Greg Obach, and Glenn Molton, Tai Goo, Prizzim, Sweany and Bud Smith Steve Cole, just to name a few. There were oh so many more. To those who I forgot, I am truly sorry. These guys, I talk with almost daily on the forum. They have been there for me. True friends.

Then, my Pal Talk buddies such as Mike Fitz, Ray Rogers, Ed Caffery, Steve Pryor, Tracy Dotson, A dude we call Roamy sorry I can't remember his name, Ron "Bowie" Claiborne, Harley, Shakudo, there are a bunch more, but just can't remember everyone's name at the moment. Forgive me guys. These fellows have sat many a night answering my silly newbie questions and have become a tremendous source of information for me. I call each and everyone of them a true friend.

All the guys over at the Outpost some of which have already been named.

Raymond Richards, Ron Duncan, Gene Chapman

Bruce Evans, Terry Primos, Dan Gray, Don Robinson, Bob Warner, Cris Crawford for their fantastic tutorials. There should be many more names here as well.

A final Spot has been saved for my Mentor, Ken Beatty. Ken welcomed into home and shop a couple of years ago or so. He has made me countless tools such as my grinder, and forge. He has supplied me with steel, wood, files, sanding belts. You name it and he has probably given it to me. He helped me complete my first 2 knives. In fact, without him, I couldn't have completed them. To be honest, he has taught me just about every thing that I know in knifemaking. He has become such a good friend to me. We go to the flea markets together, sit around his shop and bull chit, email, telephone. I am so glad to have him a part of my life. Knifemaking brought us together, Friendship keeps us together. Thanks Ken, there is no way that I could ever repay you for the generosity and kindness that you have shown me. Thanks for always being there for me.

 

[blgoode]

I started out here Yes, all you guys helped everyday for months! What really helped me out was having Charles Sauer call me after I emailed him a few questions. Since then we have become buds on the net and someone I can call a friend. I also got to visit Winklers shop in Ashville and watch him grind for a whiole. It helped me see that I needed a new grinder!! Now I love my KMG

 

[B . Buxton]

BOY O BOY, there are so many. My dad was my biggest reason for following my knife making dream, a way for me to honor him for all the good fishin and huntin trips we shared before he left us, I feel his presence in my shop every day.

Great Thanks goes to my wife ( she's Encouraged me many times to keep going when I was at my wits end) , Ron Duncan, Corbin Newcome, Late Bob Engrath, Ron Claiborne,Tedd Harris, Bill Burke,Bruce Evans, Bruce Bump, Ray Rogers,Ray Richards, Nick Wheeler,Mike Hull, all those that have been on BFshoptalk and ckd for their help with so many questions and answers, Mike Fitzgerald ( whom I piss off regularly with my pounders mentality, just who I am )
There's many many more, and I apologize for not mentioning them, but time is short and I'm heading out for a few days. A big THANK YOU to everyone, past and present.

Bill

 

[Gossman Knives]

Thanks Mike, good post. Shoptalk has been like striking gold for me. I also give credit to the makers who belong to the Chesapeake Bay Knife Club who have helped me along the way. When I log on to BF and come to shoptalk, it's like taking a class in college. The help and knowledge here is priceless. Thank you, to all who contribute.
Scott

 

[fitzo]

all those that have been on BFshoptalk and ckd for their help with so many questions and answers, Mike Fitzgerald ( whom I piss off regularly with my pounders mentality, just who I am )

Bill

Well, the good thing that came out of that last difference of opinion is that I better understood who my Pa was by gaining insight into what "stubborn as a Missouri mule" was all about.......

Really good point about the valuable role the tolerance and support of the missus plays in this for so many....thanks, Nanc!

Hope you have a good trip , Butthead!

 

[Burchtree]

First I'd like to thank the academy . . . . .

There are a lot of people that helped me along. I remember looking longingly at Rob Simonich's website and blades and that is how I happened upon the BFC, and then the Shoptalk.

I just looked back at some of my first posts and man I had some dumb questions. Since December of 2002 when I first started the knifemaking bug I've depending heavily on all you guys in here to help me out. From Bill Buxton's dead-honest opinion and help to Mike Hull's endless supply of obscure links, and Jason Cutter's help with the Eastern-style blades you all have been a big help.

I still don't know jack though so expect many more years of dumb questions.

 

[ZOO]

Mr Bruce Batin, was the one who showed me how to make knives
He is in his 70s now but he is always ready to help with my questions
he does not make many blades now but is always willing to lend me
his equipment to do so he wont join or even go online:yawn: but
I will thank him here and print screen to show him.. pictures
are not my strong point here on the forum but I will get together
a couple of his blades and show them here. One day I hope to sell
one or two of mine here.... Thanks for everything and the Topic


Zoo

 

[Tom Buchanan]

for my part,I would like to thank all of you on this forum and tkn that have graciously answered my questions.I've came to think of you as friends and not just sources of information.a special thanks to Mike Miller of OK City who stops by about once a month to see if anything he shows me is sinking in.today it was getting that last scratch out on mirror finish.you all know how invaluable hands on teaching is.thanks Mike, and thanks Fitzo for a great topic.

 

[R.Duncan]

Wow this thread died real quick!!!! I figured there was more than 12 makers out there in the world that had learned something about knife making, forging or making Damascus from another maker they wanted to thank.

I'm kind of amazed that there are so many knife makers today that did it all by them selves with out any help or guidance from any one else that they would like to thank for the effort they gave forth so others could learn the art.

I myself have benefited from countless other makers starting with Corbin Newcomb out of Moberly, MO Corbin has been making knives for more years than most of us can remember and still continues to make knives every day.
I have been fortunate enough to have Corbin living within three miles of me and have benefited greatly from his vast knowledge of knife making ever since I became interested in making knives many years ago.

I have also learned a lot from going to the ABS Hammer-In's and other Hammer-In's like the one that Ron Claiborne puts on every year with such talented instructors like Bill Moran, Jerry Fisk, Ron Newton, Chris Marks and a host of other ABS Master Smiths and other great knife makers that give so much to teaching anyone that wants to learn about the art of making knives.

Finally I would like to thank everyone on these forums and Pal Talk that has contributed so much to ward's teaching all of us that we are never to old to learn a few thing's or a new way to do something related to making a better blade.

Great thread Mike !!! Thanks to all for mentioning my name as a source for information and help!!!! Nothing feels as good as someone else telling others that the help they got from another didn't go un noticed or appreciated.

Thanks to everyone that has contributed in any way to wards my effort to become a better knife maker and person.

Ron

 

[Ron Claiborne]

Ron thanks for nudging me off my keister ,I been putting off this thread thinking that I would be typing for at least a week to get to every one that has helped me mentioned or to give them the heartfelt thanks I owe them .
I am The luckiest guy in the world I love Knives ,I love making knives ,and all that goes wit it.

It All Started with Gun Digest — I know your thinking he is an old fart– but like most people my age that one mag started a life long . Love afar with knives ,steel, Damascus , heat treating and all that goes with the craft , so my first thanks must be that old Gun Digest article .
I have been working with knives since I was !8 im now 60 you would think I would have learned something by now and I feel I have , but I had the help of others to teach me
Wayne Goddard has had a influence on my knives as has , Houston Price giving me advice ,.Keith Kelby knives just drove me crazy ,
But I must say the one person that helped me the most had to be and still is James Batson.
Ever since Jim started having the blade symposium I have only missed a few ,exposing the works of the best this country has to offer to learn from I thank them all to many to mention but a influence none the less a big thanks goes to Jim and his wife Barbara ,
I have learned from so many over the years , and relearned that comes with age (grin)
in the past forty I have made a lot of knives thanks to all the people that took the time to teach me I think as I look back the knives were nothing compared to the friends that this craft has afforded me.
I have friends in about every state in this country from Texas To great lakes ,New York to Washington and and they all have helped me –not bragging just humbled that im that rich .I have made life long friends in pall talk and on forums that I have to thank for their helping me ,
but the one guy that has been a great help is my Dear friend Jimmy Hyde .talking on the phone weekly for over 15 years thanks Jimmy ,Buy the way I meet at Jim Batsons.
I can name many that I feel helped me and inspires me to do better - one that come to mind My friend Billy Bob Thanks Billy Bob You just make me want to keep making knives , and I wish I could tell each one a great big thanks . But I know this is long and I warned you it would be .
But last but nowhere the least is my wife that has understood my love fore knives and stands by me for this new adventure . we walk the same path hand in hand . Thanks fitzo for all your help over the past few years you and Nancy have become graet friends your more to me than a fellow knifemaker ,

We Do stand on the shoulders of those before use and I thank them all I cant exspress my thanks in words as i would like . If my heart could exspress in word what i reay feel my chest would burst .
Bowie

 

[NickWheeler]

Man, how'd I miss this?!?!?!?!

Anyway.

Great thread Fitzo! I don't know if I should go into too much detail, it will go ON AND ON!

Very first custom maker I met- Tiny Spencer he looked over several knives I made and was very encouraging and helpful in firing me up.

Lock-back folder class with JP Moss.

Tom Ferry and Bill Cottrell for getting me started with forging and damascus

Mike Vagnino for helping me better understand how to be a precision minded bladesmith.

A TON of people here helped get me straightened up.

Collectors for odering things that pushed my envelope (so to speak ).

Don Fogg, Howard Clark, Jerry Fisk, Terry Primos, Jim Rodebaugh, Tim Hancock, Steve Dunn, Jim Batson, Harvey Dean, Larry Fuegan, Ed Caffrey... just the number of makers that I could pick out and thank for help at ONE show, could go on for pages.

I have been EXTREMELY fortunate for all the wonderful folks I've met and have helped me on my way.

This is too long winded already!
-Nick-

 

[Erik Fritz]

Great thread, I would have to say it started with me with meeting Bill Bagwell at a rifle match and we were talking and he told me he was a knifemaker, had never heard of him. went on to meet several great people one of the most helpful was Rob Simonich who got me convinced to order a grinder and quit playing with files and hacksaws. Then last year Mr. Bagwell came to my shop two different times to teach me to forge. Since that time i have gotten help from Wade Colter and Shane taylor who have never failed to answer a question or help me with a problem. The forums here have been an invaluable source for me getting going and have also never failed to help out when i have been stumped.

 

[me miller]

Tom you are welcome but many people make you relook at the things you are doing to make sure you are doing what your need to on your own. Many years ago Bill Moody in Seymour , Mo.taught this old guy to forge weld cable then helping Craig Steketee when he started damascus made many things possible. One of the people I would like to thank is Jerry Parkhurst at The Gadget Co. in Utica Square in Tulsa , Ok. made me always to look for that last scratch or how tight anything is. Ray Kirk in Tahlequah and our conversations about many areas in the knife making areas really helped. I do mostly stock removal but love to make the damascus when I have a chance. To me if the patterns developed the way I wanted was what turned me on. THANKS to all of you here on the Forums to helpo make you think and expand your ideas into what is possible. Mike Miller

 

[Diamond G Knives]

Fitz
Thank you for starting this post, It is good to look back at where we came form , and to Thank those that helped us along the way.

Jimmy Lile was my first insperation to making knives. He hired me as a 15 year old knife nut who was the Son of his friend. He instilled in me the method, and the desire to make knives.And he carried me much more than I care to admit. I miss him.

Max Burnett. Max I met thru the knife forums. He was close to where I live, and I remember being amazed that a "real Knife maker" was so close to me!!Max tought me the way of the forged blade, the Tribal methodoligy, and the "Way of the Peckerwood"! Thank you Max!

Ron Claiborn. I met on paltalk, and was invited to his hammer in. I was blown away! SOOOO much knife stuff happening in such a small amount of time!! Ron has been a teacher, an inspiration, and at time the devils advocate. He gave me my first taste of powder steel, and flooded my little knifemakers mind with patterns, steels and more! I think of you Ron every time I throw the switch on my press!

Fitz. I met Mike at my first Bowies Hammer in, we had met on paltalk, but got to meet in person at Rons. Mike is a WEALTH of information, my only problem is that most of the time, he is so far over my head its scarey!!! I use at every trip to the forge my first "real forging hammer" given to me as a gift from Mike.A brand new Peddinghaus 1000 gram German pattern Hammer. It is well used, but one of my closest treasures. You have touched everything I made thru this hammer.

Jim Crowell. Jim I contacted to ask if he would teach me a one on one class. The class was to be 4 days, but turned into 6 (at no extra charge). Jim is a true Master of his craft, and a finer instructor hasnt been born. I learned more in 6 days than I could have learned in 5 years on my own. I left feeling like I had known Jim all my life. He is a fine example of the Southern Gentelman.

Larry Kemp. I met Larry thru our working togather in the Nuclear Industry. His Fatherly nature of helping those that need it is known throughout the industry. "Uncle Larry" has helped many a struggeling technician find his way, I am just one of many.We discovered that we were knifemakers, and have become like " Heckle & Jeckel" I dont think I have gone a week without speaking to him on the phone, or in person. Larry is a perfectionist, and it shows in his work. God has blessed me with such a friend.

Kevin Davey. You are always pushing the envelope when it comes to getting the most from steel. I thank you for sharing so freely with your information.

Len Landrum, James Gibson, Larry Harley.Ed Caffry, Wes Byrd, Tracy Dotson, Darren Ellis,Kelly Cupples, Ray Richards,Bill Buxton,Roc Ellis, Ken Beaty, Ron Duncan, and those whom I cannot recall ( I apologize, Im getting older!), you have all helped me, each in your own way. I Thank you all.

I thank the Good Lord for allowing me to know folks like these. It makes life so much more enjoyable! God Bless you all.

Mike

 

[L6steel]

If it wasn't for the unshakable patience of Kit Carson, Tim Herman, Darrel Ralph, and some I just can't remember right now, I would never have gotten a folder together that worked or looked worth a damn!
The forums and everyone on it has helped me in so many other ways I can't name em all! The imagination and technical know how of the people that gather here is absolutley phenominal, as is the caring and giving nature of the vast majority of the folks here!
I've never been around a classier bunch of people before!!!!!!!!
Thanks people!!!!!!
Take care and God Bless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!