One thing I'd like to add Michael
I'm as critical as you or should say was, when it comes to anything.
I do my own carpenter work because I know I can do it better than the local joker..
I've made my own foundation/basement for my house, because I'm cheap
and know I can do a cement floor better than the local joker, ask me why I know this?
hell I want to make my own replacement teeth I have the stuff to do it right now
all these guys here want to do a better job and the only thing that will keep you back is you.
a carpenter knows every mistake he's made and hopes the customer knows less than he knows about it. if you don't worry about it you get sloppy like the local joker carpenter,, your customer is buying your soul that you put into your knife not just the knife,
there is more than one way to skin a cat, just be happy doing it.. pressure will kill that bug, don't be your own worse enemy.
you have the know how, you've done it
but you're freaking yourself out of it..look close at the work put into any hand made today , yes some is great almost to the tee and a lot of it is done with many many hours of experience . it take time to get there.
my wife is the type, that if she can't do it right the first time she won't try it again..that's sad to limit herself that way.
I want to prove I can do something and when I can do it I lose interest in it, so for me I need to keep things
interesting..
oh well enough said,,other than a new little saying
in your own eyes..
if you feel you can't make a knife, you will prove it by quitting on yourself.