Every pro was once an amateur. Every expert was once a beginner. This is true with all things. However, Knife makers seem to have some sort of unspoken responsibility to one another. You will never find another craft who's craftsmen are so willing to help the next soon to be makers. It's almost a code they live by without ever saying it. A knife maker could walk into a shop half way around the world and be welcomed without the shop owner knowing anything else but the fact that they were a knife maker. How did this come to be? Where did this culture come from and why does it remain consistent without ever being taught or spoken of? Is this your experience as well? 13 years making knives and this has always been my experience. Some say to keep the tradition alive but I think it's more than that. Any insight on this?
The only insight I have is from the first day I joined the ABS everyone has been helpful and like family. I was just in NC and spent a couple of evenings at Bill Wiggins shop with him, Mike, and Daniel. They all reviewed my knife blanks and pointed out what I needed to do to improve my work. Daniel Warren gave me a lesson on grinding that has Improved my grinding like I never believed possible. When I have had questions about a WIP that Bruce Bump posted on a knife forum I called him and he took the time to talk with without ever having met me. Bruce has fielded several of my calls over the last year. When in Clyde I have attended the Haywood Knife Club and was treated like a long time friend. This is just mentioning a few of the experiences I have had.
As a result of being treated well by other makers I feel the need to return the same. It is nice to be treated nice, and it feels good to share what little one can with others. Well I'm head back to NC tomorrow afternoon, hope to catch the last day and a half of the Hammer In!
From my experience, I've noticed a little difference but a similar trend. I've worked with a handful of blacksmiths and knifemakers over the years since I got started, and I've noticed a couple of things.
The younger craftsman are generally helpful and pleasant, making small talk and being sociable while teaching/helping/working.
The older craftsman, by contrast, seem to be a bit standoffish. Almost like they're trying to not get too close to the students. I say this, but I feel that I must add these are the initial impressions. After the first few hours (which I feel is a sizing up period on their part), even the older craftsman seem to relax and become EXTREMELY helpful and sociable. A couple of the guys I've worked with even would share facebook anecdotes and photos during slow portions.
I can't really say I've ever had the displeasure of meeting another knifemaker of blacksmith. All of them have been extremely welcoming, especially the gruff ones! Maybe it's just a common social trait among people who are drawn to this profession?
I like to think it's all in the spirit of sharing knowledge and preserving it for the future, helping pass down what you were taught in a similar mentor-y fashion. But then, that's just my opinion. I have yet to show up to a knifemaker on another continent and test the theory!
|quoted:
As a result of being treated well by other makers I feel the need to return the same. It is nice to be treated nice, and it feels good to share what little one can with others. Well I'm head back to NC tomorrow afternoon, hope to catch the last day and a half of the Hammer In!
You'll have to share your thoughts on it, so the rest of us can live vicariously through you! I wasn't able to clear my schedule to make it out to NC for it, even though my S/O has family in Boone and was hoping I could drag her along with me.
Mike, I feel knifemaking is as with all other things one is passionate about, people that are as passionate as you are verry willing to help. As I used to have a street rod several years ago I found myself getting tips and help from people I didnt even know, from body work to building motors. The only thing I see different is that I was then driving something easy to spot they were passionate about, and its really hard to spot a knifemaker in a crowd. The more you talk to people about the craft the more you will find makers close to you that you didnt even know about. I still hear of people in my area that make knives that I never knew about and a few have only been as close as 20 miles or so from where I live. With all of this being said I feel when one is as passionate about something as you are they will be willing to help you on your journey into it. Landon
I can only share my experience- it's definitely true with ABS members!
Elsewhere I've had a few instances with blacksmiths and knife makers who for whatever reason were not at all interested in sharing, or shop visits.
And before you ask, yes- I'm cute and cuddly and people generally like me on the phone and in person so not sure why the stand-offish-ness... but it was certainly palpable.
