Well said and remember 

"We do this not because it is easy"

"But because we thought it would be easy"

Nick Coffey,

I am only asking inquisitively, so please don't misread my intentions. My question is simple: are you sure?

The one big take away I have received from my short time speaking to Master Smiths is that they are almost always open to a better way for their own skills to advance. Not to say that they are superior humble beings; but moreover to suggest that they seek to improve constantly and that anything being "good enough" or the only way seems to be concepts that could keep them from their own pursuit of being a MS. I believe the reason I am asking is one of amazement. I am absolutely learning something new with each hammer strike, cut, twist, etc. I hope to become I a Master Smith, but I think if in 20 years someone new came up to me and said in an earnest way: "Sir, maybe try holding the steel this way, or strike this way to be easier on your joints". I would give it a shot. Maybe what you are saying is: Be the best or Mastered version of yourself at each moment you can, until you improve. I would just be shocked if today was the best I was ever going to be.

My journey in knifemaking has taught me that most days, I know just enough to stay out of trouble. What I do know, however, is that there's still much to learn. That's why I not only aim to acquire the necessary knowledge, but also to put it into practice—over and over again. Practice doesn’t lead to perfection, as they say, but it does lead to greater proficiency in the craft.

Neels Van Den Berg,

Dude... Neels in the house! Wise words my friend.

 Here's my two cents worth.

"Mastery" is an ever-elusive goal. You can achieve it, but only in small incremental levels. If you ever think you have learned everything there is to know about something, it's time to choose another occupation.

I think that what Nick refers to as

Posted by: Nick Coffey

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a master of your techniques and your style

, what he really means is control over your process. In my book on craftsmanship, that translates to "doing what you intend to do." For me, life is all about focusing your intent. In knifemaking (or any other art or tradecraft) this means design first, build second. This is the foundation of Journeyman level in any tradecraft. Can you focus your intent on a specific design and then execute that design in physical form?

Looking at the ABS guide to Journeyman testing, you find these words: 

exhibit a level of fit, finish and design that is among the best in the world.

Failure to focus on design leads to organic development, and it shows in the final product. Focus on design leads to intentional processes and that also shows in the finished product.

Mastery is not an endpoint. It is a process of continual growth and experimentation. Achieving the ranks of Journeyman and Master are the recognition by a group of peers that you have achieved a level of growth that exhibits a certain level of skill, but that is not, and should not be, the end of the journey. Unless that is "good enough" for you.

 Joshua C States,

That was powerful there. I am definitely still struggling with skills required to complete an exact design. But each time I try I gain a huge amount of experience in the failed process. 

@Michael Samdahl

I have failed a lot, so I got used to it. I still fail a lot, though not as drastically as I used to. Unless we are talking about making crucible steel 😮 

If you aren't failing every once in a while, you are stagnating.

Posted by: Joshua C States

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If you aren't failing every once in a while, you are stagnating.

I like that!

I try and live by "To find the limits of the possible, you must venture into the impossible". Usually means a few failures.  But I have also found that the limits of the possible keep moving further into "my" impossible.  (I still have no idea how some of you masters do what you do!)

Until someone comes along and shares a new technique or method for doing certain things you have to master what you currently know.  You have to find YOUR best way of doing something. Look at swords and knives in museums, those makers had not electricity, no modern pleasures and they still made absolutely beautiful works of functional art.  They were the mastersmiths before there was such a title.  Your knowledge and skills as a bladesmith should be fluid.  Able to adapt to improvements and easily refined.   The same solution doesn't always work for the same problem equation, you have to try doing something in different ways so that you can apply that skill in a variety of situations.  you are bound only by your imagination and your motivation.  If you want to learn then you will. Lack of shop, money, time or anything else will not stop a dedicated individual.  I started making knives 5 years ago as of this coming December and it amazes me how much I've learned and how much I've grown as a maker in this short time.  I'm self taught, YouTube, my mistakes, and my successes have been my teacher and master.  Practice doesn't make perfect, but practice does teach you how to be the absolute very best you can be.  

I just finished doing my first set of lessons.  I started every process with "This isnt the right way or the wrong way.  Its my way."  My student would then state: "Well its my way now too".  I then typically responded with, "When you find a new/better way, be sure to let me know!"

He was a retired Army Medic and it was funny because we would repeat this almost word for word at the start of every lesson.

The more I learn, usually by failing 3 times first, the more I realize I dont know...