What is Your Knife Zen?

Another thought is that when we handle and appreciate knives, it's more than an aesthetic experience. Knives are one of our oldest tools, and perhaps we appreciate them in the same primal way we all appreciate the glow of a campfire or standing under shelter watching the rain teem down.

 
JAlexander said:
For the moment comes in two phases: First when I'm using a bladed tool and I hit that perfect stroke. It could be limbing a tree with an axe, it could be ear-marking calves, it could be using a gouge to carve out a bowl. Whenever the tool becomes an extension of my hand and I make the cut in the best, cleanest way with the least wasted motion. The other part of the moment comes in maintaining my tools after I use them. Typically it's a quick sharpening and wipe down with oil, but if I did something really stupid it can get more involved.
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James, you captured what I had hoped to in fewer words. Great post. Thanks.
 
JAlexander said:
For the moment comes in two phases: First when I'm using a bladed tool and I hit that perfect stroke. It could be limbing a tree with an axe, it could be ear-marking calves, it could be using a gouge to carve out a bowl. Whenever the tool becomes an extension of my hand and I make the cut in the best, cleanest way with the least wasted motion. The other part of the moment comes in maintaining my tools after I use them. Typically it's a quick sharpening and wipe down with oil, but if I did something really stupid it can get more involved.
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well put. especially the part about '.. the best, cleanest way with the least wasted motion.'
i also like where pinnah says that 'practice doesnt make perfect. practice makes permanent'. for some things there is, i suppose, no substitute for time spent.

you ever watch someone who is really good at the task they are doing and they make it look so easy that it doesnt look like they are really doing much at all? but then you try to do the same task and make a mess of it?
 
I dont know if this counts as zen, but what i really enjoy is when life is happening and the need for a knife comes up and NOBODY else has one and I have to pull out a pocket knife and save the day. Yeah probably more pride than zen but i do enjoy that alot.

secondly, perhaps a little more zen. Speaks to what was said earlier, but when you pull out your knife to cut something and it cuts through effortlessly, like it should. Means i got my sharpening right and everything is working like its supposed to. Like when you open a letter or a plastic bag and the blade just slides through like it was nothing (yes sharp should do this, but you dont hit a snag or anything) yeah i think thats pretty zen
 
My Zen changes with the seasons, in the deep winter months it is maintenance, on the gear I've used/broken during the Summer and Fall. When the snow is piled high and it is well below zero, I will sit in my den and sharpen knives, do a tear down cleaning on guns and fishing reels.

Spring is turkey hunting, using that freshly sharpened blade to cut obstructions so I have a comfortable seat by a tree.
Later Spring, is carving out the yearly walking stick mushroom hunting, and Summer is fishing, cutting line/preparing bait.

The most ZEN knife moments I have are in the Fall on those brisk mornings, sitting by a tree waiting for the tell-tale chatter of a squirrel, bolt action leaning against the tree beside me, whittling away at a project or just making a tooth-pick. I'm not sure how many squirrels I have "missed" just because I was too caught up whittling my latest gradeschool-esqe creation. Reading all these has brought back some memories and a smile to my face... great thread!
 
For me is when I had a day or a week full of work and stress, pick up my dog and go to a park or a field or wherever, reach into my bag for my whittler and a piece of basswood, couple of passes on the strop and nerveful beginning to cut slivers of wood. Depending on stress level could take me anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour to reach that state of mind where I forgot the surroundings and my focus is only on the project, not always but sometimes the feeling get so great that I can actually see below the wood and only have to take out what is spare.
Those zen moments usually end with a worried:
Are you OK? from my wife,
Yes I'm OK Why?
You left 2 1/2 hour ago
So much??:eek::eek:

Another great moment is when I'm sharpening and things go so well that seems that the angle of the knife on the stone is fixed, and the muscle memory from years is doing his job. Ending with a beautiful polish shaving edge.
Mateo
 
pinnah said:
James, you captured what I had hoped to in fewer words. Great post. Thanks.
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wouldestous said:
well put. especially the part about '.. the best, cleanest way with the least wasted motion.'
i also like where pinnah says that 'practice doesnt make perfect. practice makes permanent'. for some things there is, i suppose, no substitute for time spent.

you ever watch someone who is really good at the task they are doing and they make it look so easy that it doesnt look like they are really doing much at all? but then you try to do the same task and make a mess of it?
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Thanks, y'all. It took me a while to figure out how to say it. And yes, I've made messes more often than I care to admit.
 
People who give me food give me life, to be at another's table fills me with humility (something I lack in too many situations as I walk) more than anything else they could do for me or mine. Being as most here a 'knife enthusiast' the skill and patiences that have grown over the years to apply a worthy edge on a blade is something I can give back, most folk have imo dangerously dull blades in their kitchen as you well know ;). I tend to take their knives from them to sharpen and return. I tend to be utilitarian with my own steel (but doubt not the edge) but the time I spend working their steel for their benefit and safety is done with a more tender frame of mind ... this gives me that quite and peaceful Zen moment. Oh and I like to listen to these cats while doing it :)

[video=youtube_share;x2QgFgBlBpA]http://youtu.be/x2QgFgBlBpA[/video]
 
At the end of the day, my body goes into auto-pilot mode as I navigate my way through the evening rituals before bedtime. I tidy up any mess I’ve made, shut down my computer, put away any newspapers or books, clear away the dishes on the kitchen counter and stack them in the dishwasher, check to make sure that I’ve locked the doors, and brush my teeth. My mind is miles away as I do these things. It is said that sleep is the brain’s way of digesting, processing and defragmenting the psyche; both conscious and subconscious. Perhaps my evening rituals allow me to ‘gear-down’ to prepare for this process—my thoughts are abstract and my mind wanders freely.

One of my last acts before climbing into bed and turning out the lights is turning out my pockets onto the dresser. Amongst the transient everyday items such as coins, lip balm, Bic lighter, pens, notes, et cetera, my more fixed and permanent objects seem a stark contrast—wallet, keys, wrist-watch, pocket knives—these are fellow travellers and constant companions through life. They were there yesterday and I’ll have them again tomorrow.

I reckon that is my Zen. I guess it’s almost like taking care of a sick family member or friend whenever one maintains their knives—cleaning, oiling, sharpening—there is no rush to do it right.

Thank you for this wonderful thread, Kevin. I have enjoyed it immensely.

-Brett
 
I'm with JAlexander believing that my zen happens when "...the tool becomes an extension of my hand and I make the cut in the best, cleanest way with the least wasted motion." Perfectly said. I don't always think about this, the moment just happens. Last week I was able to harvest a doe with my bow and arrow. My year of practice between seasons paid off and I was able to place the arrow to quickly and efficiently put the deer down. After reaching the expired deer it was time to begin processing by gutting, skinning, and eventually quartering and cutting the meat.
I was given a Buck 110 by my dad when I began hunting and it has helped process many of deer in the 8 years since. Many people say that the 110 blade is too long, a folding knife is not optimal for gutting, clip points are not the best for processing, yada yada yada. In the time I have grown with that knife and learned how to safely and efficiently use it even when I may not be able to see what I am cutting. The moment is special when you become one with a particular knife and that can only be gained with time, use, and familiarity.
 
I wanted to thank everyone again for taking the time to open up and share what really moves you.

It has been much appreciated and enjoyed.

Thanks,

Kevin
 
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