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What do makers carry?
- Thread starter KFU
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2005
- Messages
- 289
Don, I can separate the good in Les from the. . . not quite so good.
You (and Cliff) need to go back to my first post in this thread. No names were mentioned. I tend to not throw out names when expressing my opinions unless as in the case of Bruce it's to make a positive point. You two have your shorts in a knot because I expressed an opinion. Obviously it doesn't matter that I presented it logically, "straight up" as Lorien stated, and with good reasons from a professional point of view. You took it personally. Maybe you should have, maybe not, but you should at least think on what I said.
You guys need to think about the message you are sending. When you ask the price you do, and what I do, for these knives, what message are you sending when you give a de facto endorsement to a $50-100 knife MADE BY SOMEONE ELSE? Yeah, buy the other knife! If my Harley salesman, who worked to sell me my bike, had ridden a Suzuki, why should I buy a Harley from him? Surely you want our industry to grow?
Cliff, I also have hobbies. I ride a motorcycle, enjoy camping and fly fishing, and shooting. At one time I competed with an NRA Bullseye pistol league regularly. If I could I'd have myself a classy 1970 GSX Stage 1 to tinker with. As much as I like recreational activities work comes first. In addition, I am a single parent who is raising his teenage daughter pretty much alone and getting her ready for college in another year. Along with paying regular bills I have the thought of that overwhelming expense rolling around in my mind. So I fully understand expenses. Making knives is the only way I make a living and feed and clothe my kid. I do my part to promote my work in the manner I've stated, and as a result I also help promote our industry as a whole. I'm too busy myself, but I do make the time because it's important to me.
David
You (and Cliff) need to go back to my first post in this thread. No names were mentioned. I tend to not throw out names when expressing my opinions unless as in the case of Bruce it's to make a positive point. You two have your shorts in a knot because I expressed an opinion. Obviously it doesn't matter that I presented it logically, "straight up" as Lorien stated, and with good reasons from a professional point of view. You took it personally. Maybe you should have, maybe not, but you should at least think on what I said.
You guys need to think about the message you are sending. When you ask the price you do, and what I do, for these knives, what message are you sending when you give a de facto endorsement to a $50-100 knife MADE BY SOMEONE ELSE? Yeah, buy the other knife! If my Harley salesman, who worked to sell me my bike, had ridden a Suzuki, why should I buy a Harley from him? Surely you want our industry to grow?
Cliff, I also have hobbies. I ride a motorcycle, enjoy camping and fly fishing, and shooting. At one time I competed with an NRA Bullseye pistol league regularly. If I could I'd have myself a classy 1970 GSX Stage 1 to tinker with. As much as I like recreational activities work comes first. In addition, I am a single parent who is raising his teenage daughter pretty much alone and getting her ready for college in another year. Along with paying regular bills I have the thought of that overwhelming expense rolling around in my mind. So I fully understand expenses. Making knives is the only way I make a living and feed and clothe my kid. I do my part to promote my work in the manner I've stated, and as a result I also help promote our industry as a whole. I'm too busy myself, but I do make the time because it's important to me.
David
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2004
- Messages
- 6,212
i most always carry 3 knives
2 of them i make so i can beat the hell out of then and see or to try a new steel and test how it works in my use. i know what abuse i do to my own knives so if a buyer tells me they were not using it hard but it is beat to crap i know just what it took to make it that way
i also have trouble keeping a necker as its the first thing many see and the first they offer $$$ for to get (even not at a show )
my folder i made my self i cant sell out of respect for Sal Glesser of spyderco as i do not have the permit to sell round holes but its the only style opener i like (i now have 3 in my shop that show how far i have come )
i am due to make a new folder for myself so i ll be shelving one more soon
the last is a spyderco cricket full serrations (mean cutter for its size thats for sure)
2 of them i make so i can beat the hell out of then and see or to try a new steel and test how it works in my use. i know what abuse i do to my own knives so if a buyer tells me they were not using it hard but it is beat to crap i know just what it took to make it that way
i also have trouble keeping a necker as its the first thing many see and the first they offer $$$ for to get (even not at a show )
my folder i made my self i cant sell out of respect for Sal Glesser of spyderco as i do not have the permit to sell round holes but its the only style opener i like (i now have 3 in my shop that show how far i have come )
i am due to make a new folder for myself so i ll be shelving one more soon
the last is a spyderco cricket full serrations (mean cutter for its size thats for sure)
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2009
- Messages
- 351
David ,
Making knives is also what I do for a living . I think that both you and I know several full time makers that do not carry there own knife that are both successful and do a good job at promoting their work and the industry. I don't however find them to be pathetic.
Cliff Parker
Making knives is also what I do for a living . I think that both you and I know several full time makers that do not carry there own knife that are both successful and do a good job at promoting their work and the industry. I don't however find them to be pathetic.
Cliff Parker
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2009
- Messages
- 1,000
That's one of the reasons I don't make many "carry" blades or hunting knives. If I'm not comfortable using the knife myself, I have no idea how it would be for someone else to use.
I have a hard time working fixed blades into my lifestyle. I rock/ice climb a lot and it's easier and less annoying to have a folder in my pocket for that type of activity. I could probably stand to have a fixed blade in the workshop, but that means I'd have to switch out when I leave to go climbing (often with little notice).
For these reasons, I'm working hard on designing a folding knife that I would be proud to carry on a daily basis. The G10 mock-up is finished and I'm getting ready to make the knife itself (there's a lot of learning to do).
Here are the blades I use every day:
Phillip
p.s. I will hopefully someday find a fixed-blade carry solution that appeals to me. Until then, I will keep carrying folders and using my own fixed blades in other situations.
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2009
- Messages
- 351
Hi Lorien,
I myself don't really thing it matters what kind of knife you carry.
I myself don't really thing it matters what kind of knife you carry.
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2004
- Messages
- 6,212
shoudl have read this thread before PMing
but nice razor
oo and i have my own kitchen knives i use here at the house and most all my razors get face time to test them before they head out he shop
so i get lots of feedback on what i make the most of
but nice razor
oo and i have my own kitchen knives i use here at the house and most all my razors get face time to test them before they head out he shop
so i get lots of feedback on what i make the most of
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2005
- Messages
- 289
Carrying a knife a maker designed in collaboration with a manufacturer seems okay to me. Not as good as one he made, but okay.
I would also make an exception to my "rule" if it were to field test another maker's knife as long as it was agreeable to both makers. I've done that before and will do it again. It's fun and it promotes the work of both makers, because it does matter what you carry or use!
David
thats obnoxious
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2005
- Messages
- 28,401
^ I just thought you really, REALLY wanted to get your point across
Ok, so how about a knife maker who NEVER carries a knife?
That's like a bike shop owner who doesn't ever ride a bike- I know a couple of those
:barf:
Ok, so how about a knife maker who NEVER carries a knife?
That's like a bike shop owner who doesn't ever ride a bike- I know a couple of those
:barf:
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2006
- Messages
- 207
I have until this year used a fixed blade skinning knife I made in 1990 as my deer skinning knife. It will finally be retired this year with a new model I want to try out.As far as folders I always carry my own builds and use the feedback for new designs.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2002
- Messages
- 12,297
David, No shorts in a knot here. I have a good handle on what I'm doing. I can carry a cheap yellow handle Case knife and still sell my knives. I use kinves I've made, but I've been carrying Case knives all my life, not goin to stop because I now make knives....
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2007
- Messages
- 2,624
I can understand David's views , and while I do carry one of my own to show when someone asks , I also enjoy carrying & using knives made by friends.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2002
- Messages
- 12,297
My favorite old Case knife has a bad blade, doesn't hold an edge, too soft. I am going to
make a new blade for it soon. Does that count?
Actually, I'm also going to make a new blade for one of Cliff's Case knives, from his damascus.
This would be a three-way collaboration
make a new blade for it soon. Does that count?
Actually, I'm also going to make a new blade for one of Cliff's Case knives, from his damascus.
This would be a three-way collaboration
- Joined
- May 16, 2002
- Messages
- 475
I carried this small damascus sheath knife for a few years, it's just under 7 inches long total, fits in my pocket just right. I keep it hair popping sharp and use it on just about everything from opening letters to peeling an apple. This little dude has served me well........and in my other pocket..I carry a Emerson A100...why?...CUZ I LIKE IT.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2006
- Messages
- 2,912
As a very novice and recent knife maker, I have alternated between a couple I've made and a couple others' knives. I carry others' knives to try out designs learn what works and what doesn't. With an output of about 1 knife a month these days, I don't have have as many options to explore designs without using others' knives.
That said, I certainly understand David's perspective and I think I tend to agree. Certain circumstances aside, such as a gift if it had a personal history, I strive to carry knives I make as much to promote as to learn.
At the moment I am using a Lucas Burnley kwaiken for home but at work I carry a fixed blade that I screwed up the grind on. Not the best promotion but it cuts well and I'm not concerned about hurting it.
I do have a new EDC and kitchen knife in the works though and I am excited to use these.
That said, I certainly understand David's perspective and I think I tend to agree. Certain circumstances aside, such as a gift if it had a personal history, I strive to carry knives I make as much to promote as to learn.
At the moment I am using a Lucas Burnley kwaiken for home but at work I carry a fixed blade that I screwed up the grind on. Not the best promotion but it cuts well and I'm not concerned about hurting it.
I do have a new EDC and kitchen knife in the works though and I am excited to use these.