Why the newcomers 2nd or 3rd knife is better then the old timers 10th or 15th knife

i was completely clueless when i found this site... after years of using knives professionally. i felt confident going way over the top with the first few knives i ever made just because of the information you guys are so free with here...
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this is #1. d2, NS bolsters/pins, gabon ebony. HT Butch Harner! it's obviously a user, i've put this knife through hell both at work and at home =)

ill say it again, thanks a million, your knowledge is priceless.

~jeff

(i wanted to get all of these together, there are 4 of them, but the other ones are in knife rolls around town, one is at my parents' house, so its kind of tough to make that happen. oh well, someday!)
 
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I started making knives out of files, rasps, leaf springs from the farm when I was a young kid. I was given a bunch of older books from my uncle and he gave me a few pointers but most of it was trial and error and just the wrong darned equipment.

Then I found bladeforums, I think I crapped my pants when I saw someone had wrapped a blade in painters tape when working on the gaurd and the handle...I was like "well hell that makes alot of sense why didnt I think of that?" now...no more scratched blades :D. But it didnt stop there, it's those little things like the small files they use, the type of apoxy, JB Weld, belt sanders. Ever try doing a flat grind on a Harbor Freight flat sander and all ya got is 80 grit on the belt? I did ALOT of hand sanding before finding out about new tools and different belts specifically for this stuff.

I am no "maker" I am a hobbyist who when I have time make stuff for family members or myself for fun. But it becomes ALOT more fun when you learn things that take the aggrivation out. Plus it helps to know that breathing certain things aint good. I just hope there's no permanent damage from before I knew I needed a mask:p

So to all you makers who post techniques and WIP threads. We appreciate it guys!
 
Great thread! Many, many thanks to each and every one of the great makers out there who share their hard earned knowledge and valuable time answering our questions and keeping us heading in the right direction. Without your support and guidance, we would all be trying to reinvent the wheel...THANKS GUYS!!!
 
I consider myself an "Ol Timer" here so I feel qualified to say "You're Welcome".

I joined in Dec of 1999 and was a green horn at that time. In just a few years my knives jumped from selling slowly for $50 to a backlog for $1000 knives. I owe it and still owe it to the Old Timers that were here at that time. I think most are gone now for one reason or another but I cant get through the day without my knife forum fix. If I've helped anybody here its because of the fine makers when I was in your shoes. Knife people are nice people.
 
Bruce is right on! Knife people ARE nice people.

So many old timers were so helpful to me when I was getting started, now it's my chance to give something back to the next generation of knife makers by helping them.

Newbies, don't forget what Bruce said and keep it going! Someday, you'll be in a position to help someone just getting started.

Cheers!
Mike
 
I've only made two knives, but my second one is leaps and bounds better than the first. Thanks to those of you on here who don't mind sharing the info. I'll be sure and return the favor as I get better.
 
Most comments here are from makers, from "Knife people are nice people" to references about how much is learned from one another in the forums.

I happened to have reason to send a fellow collector and forumite an email today, having nothing to do with this thread, but one that really hits home on how knife makers have helped one another - from way, way back. Here is an excerpt of an email to me, though I don't feel I can mention it's author without permission, though doubt the author would care:

"Hello Bob. Buster and Julie (Warenski) were always very willing to help us when we were first starting out in the knife business and when we started to do lapidary Buster helped us decide on the right equipment for us and then he would send us small pieces of moss agate that he had collected that would work out perfect for our folders, and as Julie helped us pick out our equipment for our engraving, ( she even bid on our microscope for us on e-bay) of course they would never accept any compensation so we decided to make him a piece of damascus, it is the only piece of our damascus any where but on our own knives, that is the piece on the AKI folder"...

I think this speaks for itself. The Warenskis helping make others' knifemaking dreams come true - because knife people are nice people. This is but one example of all those who, from many years ago until today, have helped others go forward.

Best,

Bob Betzner
 
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I have to say thumbs! I had the pleasure of visiting Delbert Ealy's shop yesterday and wow....It was an amazing, eye opening experience. He was such a great host...had no issues answering any questions I had. He would say"Hey, have you tried this?" or "Hey, check this trick out". Really reinforces the feeling that this is more than just an "online community", It is more like an online family. So to all the giants whose shoulders we are standing on, thank you all!
 
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