The Next Level

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Oct 20, 2000
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As knifemakers, you probably have made the decision that your profession is a lifelong educational process.

In the first couple of months, depending on your propensity to improve, you would be making presentable knives.

A couple of years down the road, you would probably discover that your knives have improved through experience and through trial and errors.

Then, it's about a decade has passed, you believe you can now move to the next level. What kind of targets would you set? Do you set more and more difficults tasks for yourself? Or, would you learn to perfect the deceptively simple tasks that your peers have been doing day in, day out without much fanfare?

What in your mind's eye be the "next level" be to you?

I understand that some blades may look simple and maybe even easy to make but on closer inspection, one cannot help but come to the conclusion that the knife is perfect in every way. A flawless piece of handiwork. Would you call that the "next level?"
 
The more you know, the more valuable you are as a knifemaker and you are a well rounded maker. I have gotten to the point where I can build a great folder in a minimal amount of time. Although I still learn something new with each knife. To advance my skill level I have recently taken some jewlrey classes and will continue taking them so I can learn stone setting, casting and new techniques to incorporate into my knives. I have also learned to make damascus, forge to shape blades and occasionally make a fixed bladed knife. This gives the ability to make anything I want.
 
Make the next one better, than the last. Is there such a thing as a perfect knife? IMO, there are quite a few makers that get close, but no cigar. Something to always strive for or hope for.
Ken (wwjd)
 
Not being a maker, my opinion here is as kind of an outsider, but I have to say that what has been pointed out in the previous couple of posts covers things pretty well. Make the next knife better than the last and continue to educate yourself in ways to do your job better. I do not think that improvements come in set stages, but are continuous. Every day there is an opportunity to improve your skills. Those that take advantage of these opportunities will continue to improve. Look at Bill Moran; the knives he makes today are the best that he has ever made. That is as it should be.

There will come a time when skills will diminish, but until that time comes the great makers will always be looking for ways to get better at what they do.
 
The next level as a knifemaker may not be to specifically set a goal of increasing your knife making skills.....given however that even the best can always get better. It might be that a knifemaker's next level is to enhance his business, or marketing, or inventory control skills and that may give him/her more skills as a businessperson, in addition to improving your knife making skills ongoingly.

I know of, but haven't yet met, a knifemaker who is so good at knifemaking that he is considered a "National Living Treasure". You know by that designation he is Jerry Fisk...one heck of a highly skilled knifemaker. You know what Jerry did sometime in the last 6 or 8 months? Paid to take a class to learn engraving....as if his knives needed further embelishment.....but he wanted to keep learning.
Maybe that is taking it to the next level.

Taking it to the next level is going to be acknowledged, or not, by how your customers react to your efforts. Whether they are bsuiness skills or skills as a craftsman and artisan.

But never quit having fun doing it!
 
probably have made the decision that your profession is a lifelong educational process.
thats one thing thats so wonderful about this profession
theres ALWAYS A next level
harley
 
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