Just My Opinion

Some honesty, to get me through the day. Knives are my passion. I get through the day every day working on computers, as it pays the bills. I look forward to getting home, going out to my shop, and working in fire, heat, and working with steel, woods, brass, handle materials, leather, etc. I actually enjoy the hand sanding….monotonous, yet satisfying work. It’s a nice relief from the everyday brain drain of a career in the computer field.

I’ve spent the better part of my time while making knives studying. Studying types of steel and how certain steels react at certain temperatures for specific amounts of time. I’ve studied the hardness of a steel compared to toughness of the steel. What processes I will use to create my knives, whether it’s grinding them out or forging them. Whether a steel is able to be forged or is only suited for stock removal. Angles, bevels, degrees, etc. I’ve got so much to learn but continue to expand my knowledge every day.

On my last statement, I have so much to learn…but I’m doing it, every day.

Taking pride in what you make and how your products are made is paramount to being successful in creating one of a kind knives that can be considered heirloom works. So much goes into making a knife; So much knowledge and understanding of what you are doing, HOW you are doing it, and the end product quality and durability.

On the other hand, this isn’t a bragging competition as your knives are about YOU! Knives are not about anything but the product and the quality you can create. The testing….Harsh testing to check your heat treating before you send a knife out to a friend, or a customer. The maker has to know HOW to heat treat a specific steel to get the most out of it, sharpness, toughness, and usability. Being sure that each knife will last. Take pride and study the metals, the materials, and your passion.

I don’t claim one steel to be better than another, though there are many that are superior to others depending on usage. I don’t claim any steel to be the end all be all of steels, in fact there is no PERFECT steel out there. Usage. It’s all about the usage of the knife and what you expect out of it. If you know how to work the steel you are using. If you understand it’s properties to make sure you make it’s soul fit the usage of the knife. Know your knives and know your steel. It will get you a long way.

On another note, I don’t claim that commercial knives are terrible, and I’ve heard some makers state they are inferior to hand made knives. Can that be true? Of course it can. just because it is a knife doesn’t mean it’s a good one. Higher end commercial knives can be pretty spectacular in steel quality, heat treat, and usage, however, most of them lack the creativity of a custom and the attention to detail of a custom. Are those knives one of a kind? The answer is NO, but they are commercially made for the masses. The use of CNC machinery IS there to make replicas, and fast, one after the other. Is that bad? The truth is No. I own many commercial knives myself. I love them and I collect them. I own several “Customs” by true makers as well. The craftsmanship of a custom knife is superior to the commercially made knives, sure, but these are knives I’ve chosen to buy, but you pay the price for a one of a kind custom knife. Respect the time and effort that goes into a custom, and respect the makers time. If He/She knows what they are doing, you will have a knife for life.

The bottom line here is this: I can’t stand misinformation. Own what you’re going to own, and if you choose to own a custom knife, make sure you truly check the maker. Ask them the hard questions, but know what the answers should be so you can’t be misdirected.

If you are a Bladesmith or Knifemaker out there, keep on making and creating! Keep Learning! I respect someone learning, I respect other makers. I respect the real “Knife Guys and Girls”.

Just my opinion….