What level of your knifemaking addiction are you at?

[Bufford]

I have been making fixed blades for about 23 years now using the stock removal method and working with woods for handles and embellishing them with brass and stainless steel. Yes I am good at that. However, I have yet to try my hand at making a folder.

 

[steelshaper]

In my opinion any one who can build decent knives, and can do it on a regular basis is a journeyman. This would be the majority of working knife makers. I think the word journeyman simple means capable, ready to work, and can do all the basics on their own.

An apprentice is someone who is learning but can do some individual parts of the craft.

The word master can mean two very different things. A master can be a teacher, that has a following or underlings but that does not mean that he/she is one of the greatest in the craft.

Master can also mean one of the greatest. In this way of viewing the word master he/she does not need to be a teacher but is at the pinnacle of the craft. Very few can reach the second type of master. There is no school or method to reach it. One must have a special dedication and insight that can only come from within. Most who try to get to this level will fail, those who do manage it may never be aware that they have. It is the effort in achieving this level of true mastery that drives many of us on, the love of the craft in all its forms.

There is nothing wrong with reaching the journeyman level and staying there. Some folks will look down on the guys who want to make decent working knives and nothing else. Reaching a level of competence and not pressing on may be better for ones mental health. That and knives are tools first art second so making simply good tools is perfectly fine. :thumbup:

With this in mind a newbie may be an aspiring master while a journeyman may always be a journeyman.

I would call myself a journeyman based on my definition. I will add like many others I will gladly admit I am a long way away from being a true master.

Thanks

 

[ddavelarsen]

Well said! :thumbup:

 

[scottickes]

Since this poll is going to be closing on Saturday, I thought I'd bump it to the top for any new members that haven't seen it yet. As you can see, we have quite a few new makers, as well as many that are not new, but still consider themselves at a basic level.

Let's keep up the friendly helpful atmosphere and see if we can continue to nurture the newer makers here. Someday many of those new makers will be the more advanced makers that many of us will be going to for help in the future.

If you haven't voted, you have until January 31st to vote.

 

[Jim Adams Customs]

What is a knife? Put me down as an Apprentice Level.

 

[Kevin Cross]

I've been doing this long enough that some of my skills are at the apprentice level. Then I read something here and I just gotta try it...that skill is now a "newbie." I gave myself a basic because some nights in the shop things turn out beautiful. Other nights after about 10 minutes I look at my hands and say WTF? These things aren't working tonight and walk out before I hurt myself!

 

[indian george]

I would like to think (scary) that I am at least the Journeyman Level.