Knife Making Instruction: When, How?

The reason that I've created this page is due to the huge amount of requests I've received for knife making instruction. If you are one of those people who've requested information, programs, or even DVD-based offerings for knife instruction from me, I'm honored and flattered that you would ask, but this is not something I do.

Currently, I'm years in orders, and any time I take for any extraneous activity would only put those orders back further. Since these clients have invested their money in my work and the collaborative works of James Beauchamp and Rusty Russom, I owe it to them to continue working through their orders and fulfilling my commitment to my clients. While it may be attractive to some day be able to offer training to other makers, quite simply, this is not something I can afford to take the time to do.

Knife making is a fascinating field and that is why it attracts not only users and collectors of fine handmade knives, but also people who are interested in making, creating, and becoming knife artists. These range from a guy who just wants to know what it takes so he can make one good knife for himself, to college metals artists who want to know what it takes to create and run a successful knife making business and career. Answering some of those questions is why I'm writing a book on the subject currently. While I do not intend it to be a shop process "how to" book, it will have large amounts of viable, reasonable, and clear information on this very career field that remains unavailable in any other resource.

What can you do if you're interested in making? There are currently numerous how-to videos, DVDs, web sites, forums, and most importantly, books that are available through a simple internet search. The reason I emphasize books is that they are more permanent, solid, and grounded resources than the other media. Books have references, are dated, are something that you can keep in your library that will outlast every other media. You don't need a special browser, reader, player, or any electronics to use a book, just a good pair of reading glasses (if you're older, like me!). You can drag the book into your shop and keep it right on your workbench, next to your tools, without worry about the safety of a plasma display or circuit boards.

Your next question might be, "Just what books can you recommend?"

I may have a detailed source list in my own book, but right now I'm not making any recommendations but one: The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening by John Juranitch. It is by understanding the simple cutting edge, the very last thing you will do if you make a knife, that all other skills that lead up to it are understood. Without the ability to create and maintain a reliable, long-lasting, and easily maintained cutting edge, all of the rest of the knife is useless. By reading this work by somebody who for decades professionally advised textile mills, packing plants, and industrial manufacturers on what constitutes a well-made cutting edge, you will be able to develop your own personal perspective on what the basis for a knife is, historically, in the future, and in your own knife making pursuits.

There is also a tremendous amount of free information, right here on this website. This is my contribution to our own tradecraft and field. By understanding how I do business, make knives, and forward my own craft and art, you can gain great insight into your own personal applications. As an aspiring, hopeful, or practicing knife maker, I'm honored that you have taken the time to be here, and you're invited to visit any time!