During my teen years I made a few knives from files, plow disks, and other steel laying about the farm. Dad had picked up a hand operated forge some place and the "hand" on the farm showed me how to operate it. Most of them were NOT great to look at, but they were functional at the time. Myself and a few family members used them around the farm, and now and again I would gift a blade to a family friend as long as they had a nickle in trade.
With the exception of the knife I made while working at GD I have NOT made a knife from scratch since 1984. I have only been "making" knives from blanks that a friend of mine would import from Pakistan for me from one of his customers. Yeah I know, Pakistan steel isn't the best, but I was going for look and not function at the time.
The blanks I would work with were of nice quality looks wise, and I wasn't making knives for use as much as I was making knives for show.
Well, my "importer" passed away a few months back and I ran out of blanks. That turn of events led me to the internet where I found this forum. Basically I was looking for a supplier of knife blanks and not anything more.
After perusing this site for a couple of months before becoming an active member I realized that I have REALLY been slighting the folks I have "made" knives for.
Honestly, the first time I really looked at custom knives on the net was when Roger passed on and I needed a new supplier.
You folks have shown me that there is a LOT more to a custom than just adding some fancy woodwork to a blank.
Yes, I did more than just gluing scales on, and yes I knew about "customizing" the blanks. But what I didn't know was what most of you seem to ooze... Putting your love and name into the work.
Looking at the VERY few pics I have of the knives I have created has led me to believe that I have been truly missing something. This forum has made me want to get the heavy files and grinders out of dad's barn. Sadly, the forge is long gone, and I only have a few files, the OLD grinder (I think 2x48 or so), and my anvil left. Chances are the anvil would have left years ago, but it's mounted to a HUGE piece of log and weighs a LOT!
Hopefully I'll have it all together soon and will show my newest creation that I have made myself, from scratch.
I thank you all for the awakening of my youthful experiences... Steel has been ordered, and it isn't blanks.
I have some damascus material coming for a few bolsters, but may be looking for a billet or 2 in the near future... Any recommendations?
As a side note, I'm VERY LUCKY, the wife LOVES all things handmade and got all sweet on me when I said I wanted to make knives... No, she doesn't have single sister...
Charlie
With the exception of the knife I made while working at GD I have NOT made a knife from scratch since 1984. I have only been "making" knives from blanks that a friend of mine would import from Pakistan for me from one of his customers. Yeah I know, Pakistan steel isn't the best, but I was going for look and not function at the time.
The blanks I would work with were of nice quality looks wise, and I wasn't making knives for use as much as I was making knives for show.
Well, my "importer" passed away a few months back and I ran out of blanks. That turn of events led me to the internet where I found this forum. Basically I was looking for a supplier of knife blanks and not anything more.
After perusing this site for a couple of months before becoming an active member I realized that I have REALLY been slighting the folks I have "made" knives for.
Honestly, the first time I really looked at custom knives on the net was when Roger passed on and I needed a new supplier.
You folks have shown me that there is a LOT more to a custom than just adding some fancy woodwork to a blank.
Yes, I did more than just gluing scales on, and yes I knew about "customizing" the blanks. But what I didn't know was what most of you seem to ooze... Putting your love and name into the work.
Looking at the VERY few pics I have of the knives I have created has led me to believe that I have been truly missing something. This forum has made me want to get the heavy files and grinders out of dad's barn. Sadly, the forge is long gone, and I only have a few files, the OLD grinder (I think 2x48 or so), and my anvil left. Chances are the anvil would have left years ago, but it's mounted to a HUGE piece of log and weighs a LOT!
Hopefully I'll have it all together soon and will show my newest creation that I have made myself, from scratch.
I thank you all for the awakening of my youthful experiences... Steel has been ordered, and it isn't blanks.
I have some damascus material coming for a few bolsters, but may be looking for a billet or 2 in the near future... Any recommendations?
As a side note, I'm VERY LUCKY, the wife LOVES all things handmade and got all sweet on me when I said I wanted to make knives... No, she doesn't have single sister...
Charlie
