Knife thread that will change your life.

[HoosierBuddy]

Guys,

I've been sticking my toe into the water on a new hobby the last few weeks. Knife Making. I'm working on my 4th now. I've done 3 folding knives from inexpensive kits. The one I'm working on now is a mid-sized bowie with a damascus blade and hidden tang. I'm making the handle out of some spectacular birdseye maple scraps I ended up with from another project.

So...I'm pretty fricken pleased with my work, I must say.

Then I found this thread on Bladeforum and it makes me want to cry. It's like I just realized that when it comes to tool making skills, I will always be on the short bus.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/612884-SharpByCoop-•-Gallery-of-Handmade-Knives

I mean look at this 1 knife that's on page 5 of that thread ( 1 of maybe 200 just as unique and beautiful).

Somebody went out to their shop and scratch built that knife with their own two hands. You've got to be kidding me. How can anyone just do that? I need a drink.


Phil

 

[expatriated]

Keep at it, fellow Hoosier. I love a nice knife. They have to be tough first, for me, though. I don't mind all the inlay and damascus but if it's not to be used, I don't see the point. To that end, I see beauty in my Randall, Grayman, ESEE, Becker and the like, not just the customs.

Fiddleback in particular is one that I've watched over the last few years develop into something I just drool over. They are awesome.

 

[Packard V8]

Knife thread that will change your life.

I don't think so. Maybe it was an epiphany for you people have been making spectacular custom edged weapons for a thousand years? Not exactly a secret to the rest of the world.

jack vines

 

[larry_g]

I don't think so. Maybe it was an epiphany for you people have been making spectacular custom edged weapons for a thousand years? Not exactly a secret to the rest of the world.

jack vines

I was going to say the same thing but I can't spell epitinany. I have yet to have my life changed by someone announcing that "this will change your life"

lg
no neat sig line

 

[DieselDent]

On the way to my dads farm in middletown is Bill Morans shop and forge if you are getting in to making knives you should know who he is. He was credited as the one who brough the art of damascus steel back and the founder of the American Bladesmith Society. My dad atended his estate sale and said even the unfinished knives were fetching big money.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Moran

 

[woody 73]

Still you have to admit those knives are a thing of great beauty...

 

[MartyO]

Perhaps it won't chanmge my life, but it does make me want to hone my skills!!!

 

[Bull]

Geez, tough crowd. The guy is stoked about something he just learned about. Don't rain on the parade!

 

[Coolabah]

I was going to say the same thing but I can't spell epitinany. I have yet to have my life changed by someone announcing that "this will change your life"

lg
no neat sig line

Larry, your post changed my life

OP : yeh I have already worked out that there are 42 billion people in this world more talented than me. So I am not quite so surprised when I find out how much I **** in things I thought I was good at

example 1 : my best record for Rubics cube: 26 minutes
world record is under 6 SECONDS

example 2 : I have made many knives from scrap steel, NONE of them look like that ... but heck they hold a good edge...


Just keep trying is all I can say...you will probably churn out knives even better than that with a bit of practice

 

[saturdaymechanic]

Great work man! I love a good knife, the fact you are learning how to make them is Kool and the Gang.

 

[Amitygravel]

That is nice work. But believe me it isn't all that elaborate compared to some of the top makers out there. Big money on some makers.

Craig

 

[scott37300]

Thanks for sharing. I've always been impressed with those that hand forge knifes, real skills. Someday I would like to make a forge and get into casting and some other metal work like knife blades and making my own tools. Would like to learn some more about heat treating metals.

You should post some of your work.

 

[bart1]

Look up Don Fogg. He's a great guy and I have been to his shop and hung out with him. I have one simple knife that I designed from him, but he makes some extraemly ornate ones as well.

www.dfoggknives.com

 

[american lockpicker]

Hey I'm on Bladeforums. I like Moras and Wenger SAKs.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I don't think so. Maybe it was an epiphany for you people have been making spectacular custom edged weapons for a thousand years? Not exactly a secret to the rest of the world.

jack vines

Jack,

I must admit, I've made it to this point, 47 times around the sun, WITHOUT knowing that there are people out there still that can turn out a 6-inch knife, no with no more utility than one you can buy at your local Wal-Mart for $3.99, that can fetch more than a good used car costs from a dedicated collector. My greatest influence regarding the national knife market to this point has been watching The Smokey Mountain Knife Works on television. So stumbling across that website and seeing the artistry and proficiency that these people put into their work simply shocked me.

Call me naïve. I just didn't know. On one hand I find this level of craftsmanship inspiring. On the other hand it is depressing, because I don't have 10 or 20 years to dedicate to developing the skills and craftsmanship to design and execute anything close to what you see in that thread.

I'm too far down the road. I traded too much of the time I was given on things like college, jobs, church, little league, my kids, my wife and that other hateful b!tch that used to be my wife. There's nothing left. There's no time. There's nothing but the everpressing needs of the today and tomorrow and other people's needs and wants of me. There is no freedom to pursue artistry and craft. There is nothing left but the tick of the clock and the coming long descent into the grey dullness of the aged and infirm.

I see that thread and that's what it means to me.

If it means less to you, I'm sorry for wasting your time. For time is in such short supply.

Phil

 

[W650Mike]

I'm stoked for you H-Buddy.

I have a small collection of Cody Wescotts. They will never get used as long as I own them, but are rather a source of amazement when I study their elegance in craftsmanship and perfection.

Knives are a pleasureful addiction.

 

[expatriated]

This thread certainly didn't go the way I thought it would.

Good job, HB! keep up the good work.

 

[Daddy_Rabbit]

I have a former client that actually made his own Damascus steel ... now you wanna talk about being dedicated to your art. This process takes HOURS to make enough material to make a single small blade. It's an amazing thing to watch.

 

[Ritter4.0]

I saw that thread a while ago and it inspired me to make this, even though it looks really bad compared to most of the ones on that forum:

The first one is out of aluminum, I made it when there was absolutely nothing else to do at work. The second is from a leaf spring, and sits in the top of my box at work waiting to be finished.

 

[Jeff]

Hey I'm on Bladeforums. I like Moras and Wenger SAKs.

I'm a big fan of Mora as well.

 

[t100]

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I do not feel that this thread has changed my life.

 

[Amitygravel]

Phil ,
******** , don't sell youself short. Yes life is busy but sometimes you have to tell it to pissoff and make time for yourself. Many of the top makers are NOT the sole author of their finished knife. Engravers , scrimshanders, sheath makers and even jewelers are kept busy by knifemakers.
No one says a knife has to be elaborate to be beautiful. The right handle material , blade design and execution of proper technique and finish makes it all.

Damascus steel.
Its no mystery. Period. Its simply a matter of forge welding two or more different alloys together and folding them over and welding the stacks back together.
Its damn tough work though !
In the middle of winter at my buddies shop , a corrugated UNINSULATED metal building with single digit temps the shop door is open ,a fan going and its t-shirt weather inside !

To all of you that are making knives , keep at it !
Do it for your own satisfaction , but be prepared to spend some bucks on supplies and ( oh darn ) tools !

I started making knives over 25 years ago.
I've been around some of the biggest names in the business.

One other thing. Don't believe everything you read in the knife magazines.


Craig

 

[Weps]

Guys,


Then I found this thread on Bladeforum and it makes me want to cry. It's like I just realized that when it comes to tool making skills, I will always be on the short bus.

don't sell yourself short. you might be surprised at what you can turn out with some time and effort. a lot of knowledge that used to be hard to come by is readily available now. plus, knife making principles do not require any advanced genetics. if you think you're ready to go beyond using a kit, making a knife from an old file file might be a good next project.

 

[larry_g]

Jack,


I'm too far down the road. I traded too much of the time I was given on things like college, jobs, church, little league, my kids, my wife and that other hateful b!tch that used to be my wife. There's nothing left. There's no time. There's nothing but the everpressing needs of the today and tomorrow and other people's needs and wants of me. There is no freedom to pursue artistry and craft. There is nothing left but the tick of the clock and the coming long descent into the grey dullness of the aged and infirm.

I see that thread and that's what it means to me.

If it means less to you, I'm sorry for wasting your time. For time is in such short supply.

Phil

Phil
You are putting up excuses for not getting to work. You list a lot of good things you are doing, kids, church, little league. All great and nobel things that need doing. Been there done that. All good things will consume you, take all you can give and ask for more. My wife and I have been around that cycle a few times. Doing good charitable things till we were burned out and finally said no to all. We would pull back and refresh only to get sucked back into the good works. Life is finding a balance where you give a bit to others, make your job work and your marriage work, but you also have time to rekindle yourself. Fish, yardwork, model railroading, or in your case make knives. Find a small part of knifemaking you can do. then find a few minutes a day that you can do it. That is what I found I had to do.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Monte]

That´s a real knife

 

[jmauld]

I hate seeing threads like that.

Don't need another hobby. Must resist.

Seriously, thanks for posting the link.

 

[SIDECAR BOB]

Geez, tough crowd. The guy is stoked about something he just learned about. Don't rain on the parade!

well said.

 

[american lockpicker]

That´s a real knife

I don't know its not made from Solingen steel.

 

[Trucky]

That´s a real knife

http://www.mehr-als-werkzeug.de/medias/sys_master/716247_01_P_WE_8.jpg/IMG][/QUOTE]

What is that, obsidian or something of the sort? Looks crazy.

On the whole knifemaking hobby, I think I'll just stick with the premade knives for now. My Benchmade does just fine for what I need, maybe if I get a little time when I'm older I'll venture into knifemaking.

 

[DaMaN]

I do not feel that this thread has changed my life.

Ditto...

 

[blue dog]

I would have no clue how to make a knife or even attempt to, but i do have an addiction of spendy knives. I have carried a emerson or strider every day for over 10 years.
Check out what this guy makes from files.
http://michaelmorrisknives.com/current.php
I would like to place an order for one of these.
Good luck on the knife making and keep us informed with pics. Like anything else, time and experience and you will hone your skills.

 

[justanengineer]

Ive made a knife or two, and personally dont care for all of the fancy "Damascus" steel. Something I found that holds an edge much nicer and is more enjoyable to work - iron armor plate.

Of the fancy knifemakers, I think the best ones are usually artists in their own right and typically not known for their knife making skills, such as Kenny "Von Dutch" Howard.

 

[MattT]

I must admit, I've made it to this point, 47 times around the sun, WITHOUT knowing that there are people out there still that can turn out a 6-inch knife, no with no more utility than one you can buy at your local Wal-Mart for $3.99, that can fetch more than a good used car costs from a dedicated collector.

If you think $4 walmart knives are a match for higher quality blades you've got a lot to learn. Knives that either break or won't hold an edge aren't useful. As you step up in price/quality the improved performance and durability is noticeable so long as you stick with utility knives.

Once you stray into pretty knives you're obviously paying extra for cosmetics. A $2,000 knife is a $400 knife with $1,600 worth of pretty. It'll still outperform anything walmart carries if the maker values his name though.

Stay away from SMKW tv infomercials and start researching blade steels

 

[Monte]

I don't know its not made from Solingen steel.

no, but japanese stone as good as solingen steel

What is that, obsidian or something of the sort? Looks crazy.

right !

http://www.mehr-als-werkzeug.de/product/716247/Obsidian-Knife-by-Suemori/detail.jsf

 

[Packard V8]

Ive made a knife or two, and personally dont care for all of the fancy "Damascus" steel. Something I found that holds an edge much nicer and is more enjoyable to work - iron armor plate.

Knives made from iron? Not sure what you're using, but the Confederate ironclad Merrimacwas built of iron plates, but I think it's been steel armor plate for the last hundred years.

jack vines

 

[W650Mike]

Hey HoosierBud - are we going to get a chance to see your work?

 

[jabberwoki]

Cool i`ve been saving old chipper blades to give to someone that does this but have not found anybody locally

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Hey HoosierBud - are we going to get a chance to see your work?

When I get done with the bowie I'm working on, I'll post pictures here.

It's about 70% done.

Phil

 

[Amitygravel]

Phil
We need to see photos of the knife as it progresses. Let's see some of the tools your using too !

Craig