Where'd you learn to make knives?

M

MrTroubleSnake

BANNED
Joined
Oct 16, 2011
Messages
142
Hey custom knife makers, where'd you learn to make knives? Did you learn from your father or grandfather, or go to a blacksmith school?
 
I taught myself stock removal mostly using forums like these and books but also from my dad who used to making throwing knives from lawn mower blades for black powder rendezvous. I learned to forge at an ABS hammer-in. Karl Andersen has also been a HUGE help for me. But.... I don't think I've really learned yet. Knives are hard to make.
 
ScottRoush said:
I taught myself stock removal mostly using forums like these and books but also from my dad who used to making throwing knives from lawn mower blades for black powder rendezvous. I learned to forge at an ABS hammer-in. Karl Andersen has also been a HUGE help for me. But.... I don't think I've really learned yet. Knives are hard to make.
Click to expand...

Thats pretty neat, you taught yourself:D Throwing knives from lawn mower blades? :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Like Scott said I don't think I've learned yet. But have picked up a lot from talking to and badgering other patient more knowledgable makers, reading books and this forum has been a wealth of information, and another place I can badger makers from all over the world. I have found knifemakers as a whole to be great people always willing to share knowledge and help out people interested in thier craft.
 
I taught my self mostly you know? School of hard knocks? Trial & error method?
But back thirty some years ago when I started, I didn't have these forums. So when I did need some help - pointers? I got me a Blade Magazine opened it up, found a phone number and called it. Well that number just happened to belong to Bob Loveless, I didn't know who he was than? But I would call him six or seven times in one day? He was always very nice trying to help me. I think it about drove him nuts though? :rolleyes:
One day he says - Todd I have a little guest house out here behind my shop. If you come out here to California, you can stay here as long as you like and I'll show you everything I know about making knives.
I never did go, but he sure did help me out a lot! Thanks! Bob......:thumbup:

A few years ago when I was still making fix blades a lot, I made a nice one and sent it to him for helping me. He sent it right back. :rolleyes::)

TA
 
I was lucky enough to find myself 30 miles away from Jerry Rados, whom I happened upon quite by accident.
Right out of the chute he told me it took 25 years to be a good knife maker.
I thought he was full of it.
That was in '97 after I had already been making knives for a couple years.
So, basically 16 years or so later, here I am, only to discover that he was not only correct, but what he really meant was 25 years IF!!! you were VERY astute, attentive, undistracted, financially independent, single, full time, fully equipped, sober, logical, sane, humble and a close friend of Jesus. :)
And you can NOT have an ego when you walk into that shop.
You can't have a mirror in the shop to see how you look in your work clothes.
If you do, then only people who will like your knives are yourself and those, who, for some reason, find it necessary to promote your work because it makes them look better, or feel like their part of some special club.
It's about the knives.
It's got to be.
If it's about trying to look good and please others, you're nothing but a puppet.
If you walk into that shop to BE! a knife maker, and make the best knife you can, and not worry about how others view you, then you might - MIGHT! - make it in 25 years.
 
My dad taught me the basics in 1981. Trial and error every since.

I've picked up tips from other makers and givin out a few too.

Still learning. :D
 
About 7,500 visits to Russ Andrew's shop in K.C. helped me quite a bit. ;) :)
 
Read a lot, listened a lot, asked a few questions. I have never seen another maker make a knife. I just extrapolated and jumped in.
 
I mostly learned about Bladesmithing itself through tips, tricks, and stolen ideas from other much better knife makers than myself. But the most important stuff I have learned, in regards to forging and metal movement, came from a guy by the name of David Burnette. He's a jack of all trades, and better than most at them. Other key folks that deserve credit for helping me get started and develop my "skills" are Greg Neely, Jason Knight, Burt Foster, and Shelby Mihalevich. Great people all.
 
I learned to make knives in the shop, and I try to learn how to do it a little better every time I go out there.

A lot of reading books, before the internet, have learned a great deal more from the www. Steve Johnson's video showed me there's easier ways of doing what I was trying to do, Thanks Steve.

To many other makers to list that have shared tips and techniques on this forum and others. Thanks everyone.

Take care

Charles
 
1. Bothering everyone in the ABS and half of metal pounders in Europe who had an e-mail account for 6 years.:D
2. Hammer-ins. I have been to 8 since 2005 if my memory serves me correctly. By the third one which happened to be my first visit to Batson's, I was actually doing more learning and less running around acting embarrassed. LOL
3. Knife shows. I have been to Blade 6 out of he last 7 years including having a table in 2009 and 2010. That is the single greatest concentration of knifemaking expertise that you will find anywhere on the planet, IMO.
4. Buying videos
5. Right here on the various and sundry interwebz forums.
6. Book and magazines.

I know that folks say that you learn by doing, but if you read, listen, watch, ask and bother anyone who will give your the time of day, you will find that when you finally try something new, those folks have helped you on the way greatly by telling you many things that you are NOT supposed to do. That eliminates a fair amount of trial and error that many of them had to go through in the days before the internet, etc.
 
Last edited:
I haven't learned much in the grand scheme of all things knife making, but what I have learned has been self taught so far, with lots of help from these forums.

When I decide to do something I usually do it all the way. So it was with knife making. I had been collecting factory/custom knives, selling factory knives on a website, and doing sharpening/minor repair work for some time when one day I decided I wanted to make one, and now here I am fifteen months later completely addicted with no end in sight.

Thanks to all those who put up with my questions in the beginning and those who encouraged me early on......Matt Bailey, Coty Handley, Richard J, and most of all Ken Onion, who has been there to guide and motivate me!:thumbup:
 
I learned the hard way and just started sawing, grinding, drilling in all the wrong places with bits too big, bits too small, wrong belts on my grinder, wrong pins, wrong heat treat, wrong finishing and everything else that can and does go wrong. It was all a lot of fun and a bit exasperating at times. If you have a person you can lean on at times that makes the learning curve suprisingly steep. Mine flatlines quite often and then a light goes off in my brain and the curve edges upward. Just keep designing, sawing and grinding is the answer I think and eventually you may produce a few good knives. Then again...you may not! Ask questions and do not get put off by the very few who will not help you. 99.9% will help and they are worth every second they will talk with you. They are the ones who help switch the light on in your brain.

John Lloyd
 
Dan Farr taught me. I am really impressed by those who manage to more or less figure it out on their own. I'm fairly sure I would not have been able to.

Roger
 
Of the little I know most has come from Lin Rhea. His patients with me and his willingness to help has made all the difference in my learning. Hope to have one worthy of being shown here soon.
Chris
 
First and foremost i have to give all blade makers a hiphip hooray!:D You guys are the best, much love and respect from ME! Please keep up the hard work and dedication, a custom hand made knife is just so much more beautiful than any expensive production style knife. Thanks guys and y'all have a merry christmas:thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top