Advice Please!

I am a senior in high school near Asheville North Carolina. I have always been interested in knives and this interest/love has only grown in the past few years. I have now made a few feeble attempts at making knives, with my dad's woodworking tools, but i would like to know more. I have chosen knife making for the topic of my senior project. My problem now is that I need to find a mentor that will meet with me three times and help me to make a knife. If you know how I should go about finding a mentor in my area, or better yet if you are a custom knife maker in Western North Carolina, please let me know!


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This is my first attempt at making a knife. It is made out of a saw blade and some brass that my dad had at his shop. I tried to model it after a swiss dagger. I would also appreciate any advice you can give me as a beginner to the world of knife making.
 
Go to North Carolina Custom Knifemakers Guild. They have a members list.I'm sure there is someone close to you that would be glad to help. I would be glad to help you,but I'm about 4 hrs. away. Good luck in your search.Hope this helps. By the way,nice job on your first knife. Looks good.

Davin
 
Trent,

Asking here is a good start. For a list of makers organized by state stop into a bookstore and pick up a 'Knives Annual' You'll find it in the sports section. The last part of the book is a list of makers arranged by state alphabetically.

If you just wanted to order the book you can do it here - http://www.knifeworld.com/kn81kn20yean.html

Or pick up a copy off Ebay. Even if it's a couple years old the list of makers will still be relevent as most who are listed will still be around and making.

Here's some info on the NC knifemakers guild with members list and info about meetings etc.- http://ncknifeguild.org/About.html

If I were you I'd drop this fella a PM and ask for his advise/assistance. He's one heck of a maker and even if not in your area will probably know someone that is or connect you directly with another maker who's closer too you.

http://knifedogs.com/member.php?416-ArtinNC

It seems odd to cold contact someone and ask them for their assistance with knifemaking but I assure you thats how mentors are found.

Hope this helps you out, -Josh
 
Welcome Trent!

Even if it's a couple years old the list of makers will still be relevent as most who are listed will still be around and making.

Right. You may find a copy in the local public library as well.

It seems odd to cold contact someone and ask them for their assistance with knifemaking but I assure you thats how mentors are found.

Right again. Please don't hesitate to read on this forum and ask questions here also. But certainly the best way is to visit a maker's shop and look over his shoulder.

Your first knife looks quite good. You have a good eye for design and obviously some skill with tools. Keep it up!
 
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