They really do need meetings for us...
Just a short bio, I am 35, from Southwest Virginia (Not West by-God Virginia but the little tip end here near Bristol)... I have been collecting, maintaining and modifying/repairing knives and some old tools for more than 25 years. My recently departed Grandfather started me on this addiction with the gift of my first knife when I was probably too young to really be trusted with anything sharp. I am a veteran Law Enforcement Officer previously in Denver, and now here in Southwest Virginia. In that profession I have done pretty much everything... I am currently on a multi-agency active meth lab enforcement team, defensive tactics instructor, officer safety instructor, and several other things that aren't very interesting to anyone other than another cop... I am an Eagle Scout, former Search and Rescue Team leader, outdoorsman, fly-fisher, and most importantly father and husband...
I started making knives completely blind, just figuring I would give it a go on my own. I was lucky enough to discover a very helpful Mastersmith and member here, Mr. Foster, who showed me his shop, and gave me some of the most valuable advice I have received so far. Thank you to him many times over. He is a just a down right good Christian human being on top of being a world class knife maker.
I have had luck selling a few knives here and there to keep supplies in the shop and fuel my creative outlet. Hopefully I am improving with each build, and so far have received nothing but warm welcomes and sound advice. Even if some of it was a bit bitter to swallow, it was much needed and appreciated. I am a cop after all, MOST of us are pretty good with criticism... lol.
So far this has been the most rewarding, confounding, and expensive hobby I have undertaken... and I fly-fish... that's saying something...
To date this has been my most prized effort. Built as a commissioned piece for a member of a non-knife forum I am a member of. Specified to be a camp knife with a specific shape, 3/16" 1095 steel, blued finish, olive micarta scales with hollow stainless pins, lanyard hole with glass breaker pommel, long convex grind (it looks short and blunt but its not, the plunge was "softened" per his request), differentially hardened. Sheath is 8oz vegetable tanned leather bushcraft/multi-carry style with all steel hardware.
Critique, as always, is welcomed...
Cheers!
Hey Eric, I think I responded to a post of yours over on BF last night.
Good to have you here, try to get down to the Fall Hammer-In at Haywood College if you can, there're a lot of us in the area, and some between you and here, good to put names to faces. Spending time in the shop with other makers, not only cuts the boredom, but really accelerates your learning pace, as you've already seen. Everyone here will do their best to answer any questions you have, but in some cases you just have to see it done.
Traditional pole or tenkara? <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//wink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />
Wecome to the forum Eric. First knife from Grampa did it huh? Gotta love it.
Thank for your public service. We could sure use you back in Colorado.
If you would like a real critique of your knife, our forum has just such a section. Then we can ask some ? too, if we choose.
Any plans for your JS stamp? Dan
Thank you Javan and Dan. Yes, Javan, if it was to the etchant question you did, and it is much appreciated... I will be all in for any event within reasonable driving distance. I really NEED to get in the shop more with some of you very talented and wise fellows... Burt has been most helpful, but very busy and I have a Blacksmith friend who is good for a lot of stuff, but not for knives. I worked at a historic old homestead for a couple of summers as a volunteer, and there I was in the blacksmith shop. That is where my love of pounding hot metal really started although that bit of skill was rusty as heck since I hadn't had the chance to use it until I built my forge. Very little of that applies though as we mostly made tools, forks and spoons, just basically something to bang on while the visitors walked by... There was a master blacksmith there who supervised though and also made all of the period implements for the homestead. But yes, my dear grandfather gave me the bug... lol.
Incidentally my great uncle passed his boot knife down to me when he died. He carried it stuck in his boot every day of his life from about age 20 as far as I know. I finally ended up researching it this year only to discover it may be the only 1906-11 Marbles #66 Stag handled skinner known to still exist intact. With the original sheath no less!
I will post my stuff up for critique this evening... thanks for the warm invitation and thank you for appreciating those of us in blue. Yes, the JS is certainly a goal I wish to achoeve... I am BLOWN AWAY by the quality, artistry and attention to detail in everyone's knives I have seen here. Certainly sets the bar very very high.
Cheers!
Welcome to the ABS, Eric!
It's great to have you here. I can't wait to see some of your other work in the knife critique thread.
Good luck on your journey <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//cool.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />
Nice to have you here. Nice sheath I can see the law enforcement influence in your leather work.
Welcome Eric, and thank you for your law enforcement work. I don't think there's a cure for it. We just have to make them. Good to have you here and in the ABS. You are lucky to have Burt near you, great knives and a great teacher. If you have any questions we will try our best to answer them.
Welcome agsin.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Eric
Welcome to the American Bladesmith Society and the ABS Forum. Please join in our discussions and ask questions.
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Thank you all, truly. I have pursued other hobbies throughout my life, but the warm welcome of the knifemaking community and the bounty of good people willing to lend an ear, an eye, and pass along sound advice is truly unmatched. I think it can clearly be seen by the ever improving and evolving of this craft that knowledge is shared and we all grow together. Unlike some disciplines where the "secrets" are closely guarded and fierce competitiveness abounds. Obviously there is a competitive spirit here as well, but I have found so far at least when someone does something extraordinary, or something superbly, they are rather open to teach their techniques so that all may share. It is truly refreshing to be sure.
The world I live in at work is a very negative one, and it is great to have a positive activity and community to offset it. Reminds me that not everybody out there is a "mope", "dirtball", or "sh**bird." Lol...
welcome Eric!
Hey Eric,
Good to see a fellow Southwest Virginian here. I am about 45 minutes from you near Richlands, VA. I am in the process of setting up a small forge and getting started as well with Bladesmithing. Any time your over this way let me know maybe you can stop in and we can chat.
Rgds,
ET Bowman
Eric,
Welcome on board. You are very right about Mastersmith Foster, a Great Person. I had week one of my intro class with him. I have talked with him at hammer-Ins and he freely shares his knowledge. His tips on knife photography are very important to those starting out. Saves you a lot of headaches and with that knowledge your marketing efforts get a great boost.
Your knife is very nice. I like camper/bushcraft type knives that are a big part of survival items in a kit.
George
