What makes one knife special

peter nap

peter nap

Joined
Nov 27, 1999
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I've been making knives for more years than I like to think about. I have no idea how many total, but hundreds.
Some, I am very proud of, some very ashamed of and most, just happy with.

Every once in a while though, one will turn out to be special. I have no idea what it is that's different. It just handles better and feels better and cuts better. This may be a design that I've built a number of, and done everything the same....the one knife just turns out ...different.

I'm curious if any other makers have noticed the same thing.
 
I think it has a lot to do with the pain and suffering induced during the construction. I tend to like the knives that dont just fall together (rare). The ones that fight you every step of the way and challenge my skills seem to be the ones that are "special". Some just have , as Pat Fogarty says "The Feel".
 
peter nap said:
I've been making knives for more years than I like to think about. I have no idea how many total, but hundreds.
Some, I am very proud of, some very ashamed of and most, just happy with.

Every once in a while though, one will turn out to be special. I have no idea what it is that's different. It just handles better and feels better and cuts better. This may be a design that I've built a number of, and done everything the same....the one knife just turns out ...different.

I'm curious if any other makers have noticed the same thing.
Click to expand...

This is the mystical side of bladesmithing. It is something that just happens. I know what you mean about some you are crazy about and some you are only just happy with. When you get that special knife completed and you can't stop holding it, or you can't get it out of your head, then you know you have a special knife. This is why knifemaking to me is more than a craft or a profession, or a hobby. Its a quest for perfection. Its the constant need for the next level. It's like playing an intricate game that never ends - you only get better and better. Unfortunately, many of us pass away before we even get close to finishing the game. IMAGINE!

Just imagine what Mr. Scagel and some of the past greats would be turning out today if they had the chance to stay alive all this time! Food for thought.
 
You hit it dead square Jeff.

Many times as I am in the finishing stages of a knife, I find myself thinking of the next one.........how it can be better than this one...........

Of course that could explain why the ones that I make are nothing special.... I am too busy thinking about the next one to get this one right.

Good thoughts my man.

Robert.....Out in La-La Land :)
 
A good question Don, I have noticed that when these great knives are produced, a lot of times by pure luck, but if not by luck several things have happened. One is that we have payed attention to what we did in the past to make one, like how it feels in the hand, balance, what are the dimensions and shape of the handle and blade, I wright them down and make tracings, a picture always helps. Then apply these items to other knives one part here and another some place else always trying for that perfect combination. And I have learned? to trust my instants and judgment in what is right and what is wrong and don't get in a hurry.
Just my way. Gib
 
I've heard that every knifemaker has in his mind an idea of what a knife is supposed to be. He spends his entire life trying to make that knife. Occasionally we hit pretty close to that mark.

- Chris
 
Hesparus said:
I've heard that every knifemaker has in his mind an idea of what a knife is supposed to be. He spends his entire life trying to make that knife. Occasionally we hit pretty close to that mark.

- Chris
Click to expand...

I like to think of the average knifemaker as a highly-skilled craftsman, but after reading this, maybe we are artists after all?
 
Most the knives I've made I always feel some sort of excitment but there always a few that raise the pluse rate. Its kind of like catching that big fish but with a knife I think it has to do with feel first and then the look. I get that feeling as soon as I've about got the blade forged. Nothing worse than getting that feeling then and to lose it durring or after the heat treat.
 
I haven't made many knifes, but as a collector I'll offer a thought. Given five knives made by the same guy using the same materials, one of the knifes will have an almost intangible look to it due to a flow of lines. No two handmade knifes are just alike, a slight change here or there will give a knife a different look.

So, I think it's a happy accident of creating a knife with lines that are perfect for that knife. As an example, the next time you forge or cut out a blank and have it somewhat polished, take a black magic marker and touch the lines here or there. It doesn't take much, a slight change here or there creates a blade that is totally different than what you planned.

Just my thought.

Dave
 
I think it's from the heart and sole, it's the one that you wasn't hurried on , it's for you and no one else, and it helps if everything falls in place just right.
, I mean the over all look, the handle complimenting the Blade the colors matching up, Feel, I often say once one is
done it grows on you...and you say Man, I did that :D
 
I know exactly what you guys mean, but can't come up with any better way of explaining it. Alot of times for me its when I've tried something for the very first time and it actually works the way its supposed to. The knife I sent to Iraq kind of had me feeling that way about it. It was the first time I've worked with 1/4" stock, first blade over 5" and first blade I browned. I could have screwed it up at any one of those steps but it came out exactly how I was picturing it. There's still things I would change about it, but it still just had that feel. That you got it right and your one step closer to making the next one perfect.
 
Me it's when I put it on the kitchen table after a late night finishing it then walking in to see it there in the morning light and say I really did that.No way am I that good runs through my head and I just stare and play with it and can't put it down.I believe these blades have more of our sole wrapped up in them and it showes.It/s kind of like the guys buying our knives what makes them pick one out of a dozen of the same knives,they say it jumped out at them,was it the sparkle in the light or what.I have noticed this myself at shows,you can be going by looking at all the knives and they start looking like knives on tables then all of a sudden a table will just grab your attention then one piece on it will hold your stare forever it seems.If there wasn't spmething magical about our knives nobody but the first tables in a show would sell anything,the magic makes them more than knives if you know what I mean..

That's it,it is "MAGIC" ;) God was smiling on us when we made that special knife,and said it was time for a pat on the back.Then it is back to work until God's magic shines again :cool:

The next special knife is what I live for the rest are just knives...

On this note how many of you get that depressed coming off a high feeling when you finally finish a special or cool knife,like the anticipation of completion has your adrenaline so high you can't sleep or do anything or think of anything untill it's done,then when done you finally find that closuer makes you stay out of the shop a day or two because you just can't get the feeling back again..
Am I just weird or do others have this same problem?
Bruce
 
This is cool, I know just what you all mean. For me it's when the knife comes out exactly like my imagination had it, the balance, edge geometry, finish, plunge, the ergonomics of the handle, fit and finish, those special touches you make for no apparent reason but that feel right when you're doing them. Creative people of all stripes call that inspiration the "Muse." She's kind of the opposite of the FUF. :)

But I'm just the other way around from Mark, the ones that fight me I never feel quite right about. It's as if something didn't go right regardless whether the finished knife passes inspection. I'm always leary selling those and I'm glad they are few!

If every knife came out with that special "something" I don't think I'd ever be able to leave the shop. Fortunately for the rest of my life, neither the Muse nor the FUF come around too often. :D
 
I have to go with Dave on that one. My wife laughs at me because I claim a piece of steel knows what it wants to be and if I try to make it something else, it fights back.
I hate them.....Other knives almost make themselves. Even among the ones that want to be made, that Special One .....is rare. :rolleyes:
 
Bruce Evans said:
On this note how many of you get that depressed coming off a high feeling when you finally finish a special or cool knife,like the anticipation of completion has your adrenaline so high you can't sleep or do anything or think of anything untill it's done,then when done you finally find that closuer makes you stay out of the shop a day or two because you just can't get the feeling back again..
Am I just weird or do others have this same problem?
Bruce
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I think it's the looks of them in the making deep down you know it's going to be at the least nice,,but maybe a bit afraid what if I can't do it again or loose the touch? with me I have to be in the mood or it an't going to happen with out a fight.. but once I'm into it I'm going to bull it...

it's like a foundation I've biult them too but now looking back I say, how in the hE!! did I do that? well it started with a hole, then leveling it out, then the footer, then ... and so on..

I've taken knives to bed with me ,, lay them on the night stand just to look at them as soon as I got up..then I sell it and a peice of me goes with it, then it's on to the next one.. :( then it starts all over again :D
there is a MAGIC in it...
 
I think my favorites are the ones that I start with a basic style in mind and just let the creativity flow as I work on it. One of the most favorites started out to be something completly different then the way it ended.

Joe Foster
 
There are ones that drive me, and thouse are generaly the ones that I consider special. Something about the feel, look and essence of them just won't let me put it down, it's the ones that you hate to sell, and when it is sold would give just about anything to have back for a little while.

I understand where your coming from too, Bruce, after all the intensity of finishing that special knife, be it plain jane or decked out I'm strung out from the rush of finishing it and am in a fuge for a day or two.
 
Ok now a lot of opinions on why it happens and all probably right. Now how do we as knife makers repeat the process so more of our knives are special. Gib
 
Gib Guignard said:
Ok now a lot of opinions on why it happens and all probably right. Now how do we as knife makers repeat the process so more of our knives are special. Gib
Click to expand...

repeat all of above :footinmou :D :D
 
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