Here is the link that didnt come through in the original post https://youtu.be/TNisX2XF6d A" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> https://youtu.be/TNisX2XF6dA

Some Pictures of his first knife.  Way better than my first knife!

Wendell Bryenton,

You should be proud to have given a first time student that level of a first knife. I would have been stoked if my first ever knife looked like that. Honest question though, was it enjoyable to teach the craft to a brand new person or exhausting?

A bit of both.  I underestimated the time required, but was quite happy with his result.  Honestly the hardest part was to stay hands off and let him make his own mistakes and then let him fix them.  It was hard to balance "hovering over his work and making sure I was there when I needed to correct something".  It helped that I did other small things while he worked. I made that 4" twist damascus knife to use as a demonstration during the lessons.

It was satisfying to introduce someone else to the craft.  He was honestly surprised at how much work actually went into making a knife and has gained an appreciation of the craft. 

He was a retired Vet Medic and was very meticulous about procedures, which was a good thing, and he really appreciated the safety walkthroughs we did.  He loved the line I borrowed from Blondihacks "Everything in this shop is actively trying to hurt or kill you"

Im not sure I would change much as far as the course goes except to maybe simplify the handle, although that was a good lesson.  And modify the time requirements.  Perhaps break it into two courses.  One on blades, the other on handles.  Then if someone only wanted to do a handle, I could supply the blade.