What are you in real life? Does that help your knifemaking?

In real life I work in Aerospace manufacturing. I have a few machinists who give me pointers and answer questions that I put towards the knifemaking.

I work in purchasing and planning, so I have access to vendors specializing in steels, titanium, and aluminum. Comes in handy when I need to know some particulars about these materials.
 
I have done a lot of things from oil patch rough neck to commercial fisherman. Finally spend most of my working life as a fabricator in welding shops and as a pipe fitter. Always like to make things and work with steel. Knife making allows me to use my steel experience to make something beautiful and useful. Jim
 
I have worked construction since I was 14 yrs of age. I told my Dad I wasn't planning on doing this for a living just needed a job for the summer, (39yrs later):eek::D.
My folks didn't have much money but don't remember going hungry, so I also learned from my Dad how to manufacture things we didn't have and couldn't afford to buy.
Cabinet maker, trim man, furniture maker, residential and commercial constructuion. I have done it all once apon a time!:D
It helps in I have a idea about fabricating things and an eye for detail! The sheath side comes from watching and helping my Dad sew and repairs shoes. My folks were old school and during the depression nothing went to waste. Oh I forgot to mention I was not a planned baby as Mom was 40 and Dad 42. So I got the benefit of thier knowledge and the fact we lived in a very rural area in Nebraska!

Oh yeah does it help, I would have to say yes!
 
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I am a graphic designer / artist for a national restaurant chain. I do the menus, websites, help with interior designs and help install graphics sometimes. I also do the design work and installs for the owners American Lemans race team. They have 3 cars and two semi trucks that have to be updated and changed as the sponsors change. I am working on one of the cars now getting it ready to run at Long Beach in a couple of weeks.
I love to get out to the shop also to work off the steam that forms during the day. Pounding on hot metal just takes me to a different place and helps me unwind. Fortunately or unfortunately I have many knives forged at this point because I have been forging like crazy during the cold months. Now I guess I need to get grinding:)
 
I run a rock climbing gym. It does not help in the slightest.

I'm in school for jewelry/metalsmithing, so that does help. However, if I have to hear my professor say "I think you should just quench in used motor oil. It is the best quench" one more time, I may dump my 5gal pail of parks 50 on his head.
 
h0ya5axa said:
"I think you should just quench in used motor oil. It is the best quench"
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Ask him if it matters how long the motor oil was in the vehicle... or what the make of car was. Do used synthetic oils work better? ... then before he opens his mouth, kick him in the crotch and set him on fire.

or don't do that.



Rick
 
I Own rental Properties which makes me a Plumber (actually spent 4 years getting this license to cut down on expenses), Painter, Roofer, Cleaner and Rent Collector. My family and friends make fun of me because there isn't a moment that I don't have a knife on me, there isn't a day I don't use said knife.

I also am a part time Fire Fighter and SCUBA Instructor. my knife making has severely cut into my SCUBA time.
 
Rick Marchand said:
Ask him if it matters how long the motor oil was in the vehicle... or what the make of car was. Do used synthetic oils work better? ... then before he opens his mouth, kick him in the crotch and set him on fire.

or don't do that.



Rick
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This makes me laugh :)

I am a male prostitute. I apprenticed with Fred Garvin. It comes in very handy because the knives I make are a by-product of where I have been and what I have done!!! ;) :)
 
I am a Stone mason for the past 16 years. The only crossover aspect I can see is strong forearms helps with stamina when hammering all day.

I had mentioned to my dad about 3 years ago I wanted to Learn to forge knives. My parents house keeper was Bill Morans house keeper also. I mentioned that I sure wished I could have met Bill before he passed. My dad told me he knew another maker who learned from Bill and worked with my dad at IBM. One Saturday my dad took me to meet Jay Hendrickson. From then till now it has become a true passion. I try and visit with Jay about once a week and pick his brain.
 
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I am a 3rd year Chiropractic student. I've been a cook, welder, insurance salesman, armed guard, home security installations manager/trainer, ranch hand, EMT, LMT, bartender... The list goes on and on... None of these have really helped me with knifemaking but it was being a Scoutmaster that got me interested in it (well, my boys did anyway!). Working as an armed guard I worked with a guy who used to shoot for Hoyt so he got me into archery and that helped me get into knifemaking because I was (and still am) a broke college student so I had to make a lot of my gear and learn how to do it right. It was through guys knife posts over on archery talk that made me think, "hey, I can do that!" and then the encouragement and excitement from my scouts to make their own knives (and then Kelly Cupples' and Guy Isom's help) that started the obsession. Granted, I don't make pretty knives but I feel they are functional to say the least! I am not a patient person so the finishing steps usually really piss me off. I also have absolutely zero design ability. I cannot come up with designs to save my freaking life! And for that reason I have a folder of pics of knives that I like, or that have characteristics that I like, to help me with my knifemaking.

Wow, got to rambling and spaced on the original question... Mark, what did you want us to comment on? :D
 
Worked as a welder out of a Lather union Local for 15 years, welding light and heavy structural steel then got tired of all the Union BS and went self employed as a farrier and I have been shoeing horses and doing small blacksmithing jobs going on 13 years now. Started making knives while healing up from a shoeing accident in 2007 if I recall correctly and was going nuts not doing anything.

Also worked in a manufacturing plant for a couple of years and a second job back in 90-92.

So my day job has been very beneficial to me in my knife making venture.
 
NickWheeler said:
I am a male prostitute. I apprenticed with Fred Garvin. It comes in very handy because the knives I make are a by-product of where I have been and what I have done!!! ;) :)
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So the truth comes out!:eek: I always wondered why everybody called you dreamy!!!! :eek:;):p:D:D:D:D:D

Boy this thread is degrading by the minute! It will self destruct in.............................................
 
Rick Marchand said:
Ask him if it matters how long the motor oil was in the vehicle... or what the make of car was. Do used synthetic oils work better? ... then before he opens his mouth, kick him in the crotch and set him on fire.

or don't do that.



Rick
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Nearly spat my toast.
 
I'm just getting into knife making. I have been a graphic designer for 12 years and a CNC programmer, laser, punch and brake press operator in sheet metal for 3 years in between graphic design jobs. I believe the experience I've gained will help me to succeed in knife making. I also have a very good mentor teaching me.
 
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james terrio said:
Just today? :rolleyes:

I've had a lot of jobs but the only ones I really liked involved attention to detail, craftsmanship and creativity.
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That's nice n all. But we're looking for characteristics that relate to your knifemaking, Mr T.:eek:

Yup, I went there:thumbup:

Just wait... tomorrow's my B-Day.... wanna talk silly.....:D:p
 
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