What makes one knife special

[jhiggins]

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.

Its pretty cool how everyone has their trigger mechanisims. We all have that one special thing that turns us on about knives, or a special knife. I don't collect as many of you know, but I get really excited when I see a knife I like. Heck, I don't even have to hold it - just look at it. It's like I know it's a special knife... and right then I get pissed at myself got for not making one like it before now!

 

[Riley White]

Almost all of the experiences that have been mentioned I too have experienced. It is uncanny. I was drawn through the post to see what everyone thought/said and enjoyed it. There is one part or aspect of this that I think is related. Have any of you left a piece of steel in your shop and woried over what you would do with it for months or more before you felt right with your decision about what to make with it. Maby it has something to do with what Peter Nap said about a piece of steel knowing what it wants to be.

 

[Dan Gray]

Almost all of the experiences that have been mentioned I too have experienced. It is uncanny. I was drawn through the post to see what everyone thought/said and enjoyed it. There is one part or aspect of this that I think is related. Have any of you left a piece of steel in your shop and woried over what you would do with it for months or more before you felt right with your decision about what to make with it. Maby it has something to do with what Peter Nap said about a piece of steel knowing what it wants to be.

I have a sword blade I ground (11 hours of grinding) heat treated and the works
with out a handle I don't know what I want on it yet, , it's about 4 years old now. maybe more..

 

[Bruce Evans]

Yep do that to..Stiil got some around,I used to stick them up in the window so I could see them everytime I went in the shop and then as I am coming into the shop wondering what to make I would look up and say that's it,and finish it without any problems.Been known to be having troubles with a knife fighting me all the way so I just put it up and then the same thing one day it just hits and she goes together without any problems.
Wierd how this kind of thing happens to all of us,thought it was just something I was doing.

Have you guys ever had a knife started that you need to finish but can never get a fire to finish it?no matter how long it sits it seems like you will just pass it buy to do other things..And this isn't one that has given any trouble while you was working on it..
Bruce

 

[Raymond Richard]

Bruce, I've always got a few of those laying around the shop and then all of a sudden something clicks and there's one less. I think what happens is the forge speaks loader to me expecially this time of year. I think I hear it calling now......

 

[happycat]

Wow, and I though I was this unique individual with unique individual thoughts that nobody else felt...... I guess we all have a lot more in common than I had even guessed.
I can really relate to chasing that perfect blade. Each one is a new attempt at getting closer to that ideal. The ones that really shine for what ever reason, are what keep me motivated. The ones that came close.
I have a hard time finishing some some times. I get about 99 % done, and then realize that I'm actually only 80 % done cause I found something I have to go back and fix. Then there are the ones that never make it past the forging stage. Got lots of those..... Then there's the whole selling part. What an emotional rollercoaster that can be....
I've never really "stuck" with anything before. Tried lots of different hobbies etc. I've never found anything that fed my soul like making knifes. I am so happy to be here. Its really cool to know that so many others know how this feels.
Ed

 

[Gossman Knives]

The ones that are special to me are the ones that bring a smile across the new owners face. Then to top it off, the phone call a few months or even a year later telling me how well their blade is doing for them. When I'm working on knives, I get totally into it and close out the outside world. I don't think about anything but what the end result of the completed knife will be. I have a few that I made for myself that are special because I used them while hunting. To be able to take a deer and do the complete job of field dressing to cutting it up for the freezer with a cutting tool I made gives me the utmost satisfaction. I think the most special knife to date will be the knife for the Special Ops team. This single knife has been giving the greatest feeling of all.
Scott

 

[ddavelarsen]

The ones that are special to me are the ones that bring a smile across the new owners face. Then to top it off, the phone call a few months or even a year later telling me how well their blade is doing for them. ... Scott

Man ain't that the truth! Too few knives actually get used, it's great to know that they can actually do work and do it well. Nothing is more gratifying than an excited customer! Unless it's a second order...

 

[Gossman Knives]

Too few knives actually get used, it's great to know that they can actually do work and do it well. Nothing is more gratifying than an excited customer! Unless it's a second order...

That is so true. Ive had quite a few return buyers. One fellow liked the first knife so much he bought two more! I always bend over backwards for my customers. Without them what's the purpose.
Scott

 

[ddavelarsen]

I always bend over backwards for my customers. Without them what's the purpose.
Scott

HA! I thought I'd start making knives so I could collect em. I'm cheap - I thought it would cost more to buy custom knives than to make them...and who'd know more what I like than me? Sheesh.

 

[Gossman Knives]

You're right about that Dave! That was my purpose in the beginning, but now I feel guilty working on a knife for myself when I should be working on a customers knife. One thing I have found out is, just because I like it doesn't mean someone else will. The coffin handle knife I did was a good example. That type of knife doesn't appeal to me. In other words I wouldn't buy one like that. I ended up with a very happy customer because of that knife.
Scott

 

[ddavelarsen]

I know what you mean about feeling guilty Scott. But Hey! Without guilt life would be a vacation, right? We'd just siesta through it and leave without a trace. Might as well be watching television. ...[How in the hell did we get from "special knife" to TV? ]

The most special knife I have going right now is the Afghanistan knife. I was up till 2 this morning working on that baby and I didn't screw it up! Yet! And you know what? I have orders that would pay my mortage for two months if I'd just freakin build em. Sheesh again! Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. Customers will wait if they don't know what's going on. [At least so long as I make my deadlines (which I intentionally make long enough to make me look a hero when I beat em). (Now that's business acumen for ya.)]

What's more, after about 60 knives in the last five years I'm about ready to take on a couple of projects I dreamed up way back when, when I could no more have pulled them off than I could maintain an accurate checking account balance. At least today, should I ever get caught up, I think I'll be able to give these knives an honest shot. I need to get to work!

But there's a seriously weird movie on called Northfork, that I really need to watch... again. Okay! On with it then.

 

[ddavelarsen]

But there's a seriously weird movie on called Northfork, that I really need to watch...

While all my buddies are watching football, swilling cold brews, dripping dip on their t-shirts and generally having a grand old time. Knifemaking and weird movies are for solitary folks ain't they?