Visit to Nick Wheelers shop

SteelSlaver

SteelSlaver

Joined
Feb 17, 2007
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I went down to Nicks shop yesterday and meet Nick and spend the day with him in his shop. First let me comment on what a well equipped and laid out shop for a limited space. Amazing really. A power hammer, press, forge, milling machine, surface grinder, a variety of grinders and much more all well organized thought out in the area what was a small 2 car garage. Best of all, Nick was friendly and extremely knowledgeable. I got some great tips and pointers and it is easy to see why his work rises to the top. He goes the extra mile on every step and explains why he does what he does. He forged out a bowie to show me his method and then assisted me in forging one in his manner.. Then he proceeded to show me the steps he goes through from there to ready to harden. His concern and methods for getting everything straight, flat and centered impressed me as well as his approach to the initial grinding. I mentioned I have been wanting to try a hamon, so the blade was forged from W2 and he even showed me his method for clay coating. The blade blank is on my counter with the dried clay and ready for the oven. He also showed me how he forges a damascus billet using his hydraulic press. He has a well thought out and very efficient method and excellent equipment for the job. After cleaning, cutting and rewelding and drawing out a billet he has been working on he got another partially worked billet from his stack of projects and drew it out into a nice sized piece and presented it to me as I was leaving. What can I say.

Well!

I want to say THANKS for a great day and everything else Nick. It is always GREAT to meet such a nice young man and learn from him. It was also nice to meet your parents and get to know your dad who is my age and see such a great relationship between father and son. Say hi to him for me and congratulations on raising such a fine man.

I am sure Nick will go far in whatever he pursues.

Jim
 
Wow Jim, thanks! The pleasure was all mine... you're welcome back anytime.

Jim is sort of an anomaly, because he's one BIG, TOUGH look'n son of a gun, but he's just as nice as could be. Definitely the kind of man you feel better for meeting.

Wish we could have fit some finish grinding in there so I could prove that I can actually get an even grind! ;) :D

I'm glad you had a good time Jim, I know it was a lot of fun for me.

I'll pass on the kind words to my folks... I KNOW it will make both of their days :D
 
That sounds fun! I thought that Nick's shop was bigger from his action shots thread.
 
Hey that's great guys. Thanks for sharing the news, although I hoped for a few pix too. But I know what its like trying to cram as much productivity in as possible. Photos just aren't on the radar scope. Was it a long drive Jim?
 
Phil- I tried, but in a 24X26' shop, I just couldn't get back far enough to fit all of big Jim in the frame. ;) Actually you hit the nail on the head... I had hoped to snap some shots, but just got so involved in what we were doing that I forgot to take any! Next time! :)

Jim had a hell of a drive... about 2 hrs - 40 min. each way. :eek:
 
Hey Nick. How far of a drive do you think it would be for me to get up there? :D. I'd love to spend some shop time with a high tier maker and learn how to actually make a decent knife. Sounds like you had a great time, Jim. If only the east and west coasts were closer to the center of the country I could meet some of you fellas and actually attend some hammer-ins :grumpy:. Course, I do need to head out to Arkansas for the School of Bladesmithing which is only about a 9 hour drive, so I really don't have any good excuses except for a lack of a forge, anvil, and hammers ;).

--nathan
 
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Nathan- Come on up!!! It's only ~1878 miles and can be knocked out in ~28 hours. You up for it? :D

If you're ever anywhere around here, please come on by! :)

The crazy thing about the forums is finding guys that you end up having as real good friends, but you're just too far away to hang out other than at stuff like the Blade show.

Maybe when I build a big new shop, I'll throw a hammer-in and invite all you bastids over :D :D :D
 
I want to say THANKS for a great day and everything else Nick. It is always GREAT to meet such a nice young man and learn from him. It was also nice to meet your parents and get to know your dad who is my age and see such a great relationship between father and son. Say hi to him for me and congratulations on raising such a fine man.

I am sure Nick will go far in whatever he pursues.

Jim[/QUOTE]

Jim , I also had the pleasure and opportunity to visit with Nick 2 weeks ago . I have to agree with all you said and know you had an enjoyable time . I just don't know how he gets anything done being so organized , if that was my shop I could not find anything . Since his dad is your age and mine also , maybe some time we can show up together and tease him about being a puppy while he teaches us stuff . :eek::):)
 
Nick is very generous with his time. I had the opportunity to visit his shop for most of a day (9:30am to 8-30pm) a couple of weeks back. He does have an incredible amount of fine equipment crammed into an itty-bitty space... yet somehow is soooo organized that it doesn't seem crowded. It was about a 2-1/5 hour drive each way for me... but I already want to go back. (and not just for the Mexican food). :thumbup:

Erin

(edit... It's funny, but now when I look at Nick's avatar I pick up on things like the refrigerator in the background where he keeps his endless supply of soda and his ITC-100.) :p
 
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