The importance of taking your time

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
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I think I may have posted about this before (memory is not too good when you get older :() but I think it is important and the latest knife I made is a good example I think.

When starting making knives you are eager to finish some and that can lead you to rushing the last part of the process, let's call it the fit and finishing part. And it is perfectly understandable since it is the part where you see the least amount of change compared to the number of hours of work invested. All the changes at this point are small when compared to steps like profiling, grinding and handle fitting. But this is deceptive. As small as these last steps are they actually have as much of an impact, or in some cases even more, on the final product.

It is hard to put it in numbers since we all work differently but if I had to guesstimate for myself, the first 90% of the work takes about 50% of the time. That means that the other half of the building time is spent on the last 10% of fit and finishing. I know that this may be a little vague but it is just to emphasize the importance of taking your time at the end of the build. No need to go to this extreme at first of course, but try adding a little more time with each knife on the finishing part. You'll be surprised of the results.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are two pics of my latest knife.

First one where like I said, 90% of the work is done. When I showed it to my nephew, the first thing he said is that it looked finished to him.

laminated_bowie_2.JPG


And the finished knife where I spent almost as much time working on that last 10% as I did on the first 90%.

ejector01.jpg


Of course the second is a glamor pic but still you can see it was worth it.
Well I think so anyway. :o

Not that there would have been anything wrong of course if I finished the knife faster, as far as it being a perfectly good knife. But when you get to the point where “good” is just not cutting it anymore and you want get to another level (whatever that means), this is a good place to start.

I hope that this will be of help to some and feel free if you have any questions as writing is not my forte.
 
That's one of the nicest knifes I've seen from you, Patrice. Well done! Clearly you took your time and focused on your fit and finish. But I have a question, why the copper pin, button?
 
David, I am not sure there is a reason behind the copper button. I guess at first it was to add a little color to that big mass of stainless. Tried a few shapes and this one looked like an ejection button, a little "steampunkesque" maybe. Since this is a style I like mostly because it stimulates the imagination (something I like to try and do with my knives), I decided to keep it. I'll keep this one as my personal knife so it might change in the future if I decide it is not working at some point.

Randy, as soon as I get time for another photo session (and figure out why my camera won't connect to the laptop anymore :() I'll get a take down pic.

Thanks for the good words guys.
 
Good thoughts, Patrice! For me, patience was one of the hardest skills to learn in this craft. And one of the reasons I enjoy this hobby so much is that it FORCES me to work slowly, methodically, and carefully. Sort of like therapy, when you think about it. :cool:

Cheers!
TedP
 
That's a dandy knife...................

Good job

Corey "synthesist" Gimbel
 
every bungle I have made with knife modifications has been due to impatience, I wish I had your discipline it obviously pays off!
 
Funny, the first thing I thought while looking at the button was "ejector seat button", then I thought that maybe it was to activate the machine guns. :D

Definitely inspires my imagination. Gorgeous work (and a lot of it!).
 
Patrice- I couldn't agree with you more about patience in knife making. I'm on the same page with you regarding your statement that when a knife is phyically 90% done there is still as much time still to finish the knife. I seem to always kid myself at the 90% completion point and think "well almost compete" and then spend another huge amount of time on the finish. But I think that's what makes a good knife into an exceptional one.....patience and lots of time and attention to detail. No short cuts. It's called art. ;)
 
Kevin Casey said:
I seem to always kid myself at the 90% completion point and think "well almost compete" and then spend another huge amount of time on the finish...
Click to expand...

That's exactly what happens to me with almost every knife. lol I am glad to know it's not just me. ;)

And thanks a lot for the compliment. :o You don't know how much it means coming from someone who's work I admire so much. :thumbup:
 
Patrice- You got that right about taking your time! I think it rings true with most craftsman oriented trades/crafts... It takes 90% of the time, to do the last 10% of the work.

And 87% of all percentage figures are s-w-a-gs made up on the fly. ;) :D

Very unique knife with a lot of attention to detail my friend. :)
 
You guys sure are good for morale. :o Many thanks.

And Nick, no idea what a swag is but I assure you that my figures are not made up but expertly calculated using an axiomatic system that is completely described is a special kind of formal system; usually though, the effort towards complete formalization brings diminishing returns in certainty, and a lack of readability for humans. :D
 
From one who handles the 'finished' product often, and with an eye for what a buyer will want, your point underscores this truism.

90% of the buying public will not understand the 90% of the construction no matter how complex (S.W.A.G. figures). What they are looking at (for?) is microfinish and fitment.

Now, this attention to the detail will take inordinate time compared to the build portion, however it's an area you must learn to create methods which will expedite the finish.

Or... just take your time. :D If it's inevitable, then learn to enjoy the work.

Coop
 
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