What level of your knifemaking addiction are you at?

[scottickes]

I've noticed a lot of new makers coming into our little universe here lately. I've always wondered what the breakdown of different levels of knifemaking competence we have here is. So I'm starting my first poll ever to find out. What level to you think you're at:

Please note: Do not confuse the levels with ABS levels. This has nothing to do with how you think you'd be according to ABS standards. I've also kept the poll votes anonymous. Please be honest with your votes. I consider people like Caffrey, Cashen, Bump, Ferry, Wheeler, Ray Richards, etc. to be Master Level in my opinion. They may or may not see themselves there, but I definitely do. My only goal is to find out what the breakdown of experience levels on this forum happens to be.

• Newbie Level...I'm a brand new maker that is just now beginning to learn the basics.
• Basic Level...I'm beyond the newbie level and have most of the basics down now. I still have lots of questions, but when someone else asks a question, many times I know the answer to it.
• Apprentice Level...I'm really strong in the basics and am starting to try things outside of my safe little box. I'm experimenting with my skills and trying new stuff.
• Journeyman Level...I've developed quite a few knifemaking skills and others are starting to look to me for guidance. I'm not up to the level of the best makers here, but I can see what it will take to get there.
• Candidate Master Level...My skills are to the point where I'd feel comfortable charging for lessons, in as much as I know that I have something of value to give. My level is approaching the best makers that I know.
• Master Level...Candidate Masters look to me for guidance sometimes. I'm confident that I make some of the best knives in the world.

 

[bjalongi]

I selected Basic Level. Although, I would call myself a newbie in a coversation simply out of humility. I have much to learn, but feel that my skills are progressing quite nicely.

Luckily, I'm anal and have an engineering background. Being a perfectionist forces me to slow down and try to get it right the first time.

I'm curious to see what this poll yields.

 

[panch0]

I think I am still at the newbie level.

 

[Keith_H]

I think I am basic, It was a tossup between that and newbie, because I have not made enough knives, but know the theory from being on this board.

 

[scottickes]

Good start to the poll. Thanks guys. I've been curious. I think that for about the last year the level was somewhere just a little higher than basic level on average, but wanted to know where it was more accurately. In addition, I've noticed a lot of new makers here with lots of questions, so I'm expecting a lot of votes in the Newbie category as well. If nothing else, it should be interesting to watch, as the results roll in.

 

[scottickes]

By the way, if you're not sure where to vote yourself at, take your time. I've got the poll set to run until the end of the month.

 

[Rob!]

My addiction is currently at the withdrawl level. But I keep going to the shop just long enough to keep hurting for more.



Rob!

 

[DustinHall]

I voted newbie level but, I think I'd fit somewhere in between newbie and basic. I am learning fast and getting the hang of it I think. Good idea for a poll.

 

[NickWheeler]

I don't see a level for Burt Foster!!!

What if we feel we make some of the best knives available but also feel we are at a basic level? :foot:

This is a great topic Scott. Sometimes you see folks that only make 3 piece knives, but they are considered resident experts (in their own mind maybe?). While at the opposite end there are guys that are crazy talented/educated in the ways of knifemaking yet are extremely humble.

I didn't vote, but it's because I've had people pay me to be in my shop, but I feel I am somewhere around the basic status. There is SOOOOOOO much I have yet to learn and try.

 

[scottickes]

I don't see a level for Burt Foster!!!

What if we feel we make some of the best knives available but also feel we are at a basic level? :foot:

This is a great topic Scott. Sometimes you see folks that only make 3 piece knives, but they are considered resident experts (in their own mind maybe?). While at the opposite end there are guys that are crazy talented/educated in the ways of knifemaking yet are extremely humble.

I didn't vote, but it's because I've had people pay me to be in my shop, but I feel I am somewhere around the basic status. There is SOOOOOOO much I have yet to learn and try.

Basic Level? Are you really that humble? I consider you to be in one of the top two categories, with no doubt in my mind. That doesn't mean that you still don't have a lot to learn, it only means that you've learned a lot and are very good at what you have learned thus far. From what I've seen of your knives, the level of attention to detail puts them at the top of the craft. You may consider some of the skills you're still learning to be at a basic level, but that shouldn't discount the quality of the skills that you do possess.

 

[scottickes]

I don't see a level for Burt Foster!!!

I've liked almost every Burt Foster knife I've ever seen. A lot! But I have to admit, I saw one recently that I absolutely hated. The fit and finish was impeccable as always, but the design left me thinking "what the h#$%?".

 

[sharpeknives]

I thought about it hard and tried to be honest with myself. I do feel I have the basics down but am really starting to venture outside my safety zone. So I would say the apprentice level for me.

 

[Dan Pierson]

I'm pretty much in the same boat as A.Sharpe. While I'm not at all satisfied with my basics, I am starting to get outside my safety zone. Sometimes I even pull it off.

 

[galadduin]

Thanks for this thread Scott. Its always good to see what people think of themselves...

Even I'm making knives since 2004 I guess I'm at the beginning. I have always too much questions in my mind but at least most of them are answered at the shop not here so not a newbie I hope... I'm not humble at all but some of us are like Nick . I would also place him at candidate level...

 

[Will Leavitt]

I put basic level down because I'll never be a master....

I do my 3 piece knives and offer advice in what I consider my strong points. I probaby need to take more pictures when I complete knives but I get in a rush to deliver them off. I've got some more "complicated" knives I'm finishing but I get so picky about stuff that it takes me forever. My wife gets mad when I start screaming in the shop (mad not concerned I wish she would get concerned when I scream in the shop but that's a whole 'nother discussion) and throw a guard across the room.

 

[gixxer]

Darn I voted before I really gave it much thought. I voted as a basic knifemaker. I have the ability to make a basic clean knife, different finishes, different applications. But I lack skill in HT, different grind types, exotic handle materials, any form of stick tang, leatherwork. Just a couple off the top of my head. The leatherwork is just as important as the knife itself. The customer sees the sheath first cause the knife is still cased. Unless the order is for a basic sheath, the customer should be equally as impressed with the sheath as the knife.

After that little bit of self inspection I feel that I should be classified a newbie because I do see a lot of room for improvement beyond just a "clean looking" knife. When I can take a basic design and nail it as close to flawless, then I might consider an upgrade.

 

[NickWheeler]

Before I get any more hate mail let me point out I wasn't picking on anyone.

Will, definitely did NOT have YOU in mind with what I said.

I was in particular thinking of guys that I have seen come and go... they'll be all knowing with some real super simple basic knives... and then just go away.

There are many facets of where a guy is. Sometimes, I can get some pretty fancy stuff done when I set my mind to it, but it takes me FOREVER with HEADACHE after HEADACHE on the way. There are a lot of guys that can go from start to finish with out any problems. That's not me. So to me, those guys would be well ahead of where I'm at.

I know a fair amount about steel and heat-treating it (in a knife shop) but there are a lot of guys that can run circles around me.

I can forge a pretty good blade, but someone like Tai Goo or Rob Hudson could make my forgings look like an elephant did them.

I could go on and on like that.... and that's why I feel I'm at a pretty basic level.

 

[Keith_H]

Ok, If nick is basic then I am a newbie

But I have been here long enough to not be new... I guess I am one step above newbie, "Poser"

 

[bjalongi]

I think there is going to be a large degree of conflicting semantics in this thread. By Scott's descriptions of the levels, I assumed the newbie level was more directed towards the beginners who come on this forum asking absolute beginner questions.

I've been making blades on and off for a few years. I've forged about 25 blades and made around 25-30 by stock removal just in the last year or so. However, I've only completed a very limited number of knives, because I've been breaking most of them in search of the perfect heat treat for the few steels that I work with. I feel as though I've got it [HT] figured out, considering the equipment I have in my shop. My free time is very limited since I went back to the University, and much of it has been spent in a "research" capacity when it comes to my knife making, as I feel that we are always learning. Every hammer strike is a new experience, literally.

Considering that many experienced professionals are so humble and only selecting basic, I'll have to downgrade mine to newbie, perhaps newbie+ based on my interpretation of Scott's descriptions.

Have a great day,
BJ

 

[SteelSlaver]

I am somewhere between a newbie and Johan Gustafsson. A lot closer to the newbie side of the scale. I can do some nice work but, it takes me forever. I can beat a piece of steel into submission, but it takes a lot more grinding than one Richard Raymond hammered out. I believe I could pass the performance part of the journeyman test and if I started 10 knives I might be able to finish 5 that could have a chance at the judging, But, until they all turn out that way and I would be capable of supporting myself at the trade I would not be a journeyman. So I am going with apprentice