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You have to realize that most who carry knives have never handled a handmade knife. The reaction I get when people learn I make knives varies from raised eyebrows to "That's cool" to "Why don't you just buy what you want."

If you're gonna grind steel, you might as well grind something hardenable. I know I've heard others advise to use mild steel. But, when you grind out a good one all you have is a knife shaped paperweight. . .

Sorry to hear about the layoff. Enjoy the knifemaking time! Sounds like you have a plan in place, so I hope it works out!

Get the wooden paint stirring sticks. Cheap, and they grind FAST!

That's going to be a great shop when you have it all together. Keep the pics coming! I recently moved my equipment from the garage to the shed I have in the back yard. Eventually I'll run the electric out there. . .

Use marking fluid or even a permanent marker to mark where you want your grind to stop. File some, check to make sure you are not going over the line, and file some more. The process isn't that different from grinding on a belt grinder. It's just much slower.

Hey, I don't sweat those guys. The first guy I actually heard make that remark about Buck/Case knives was some guy in his 70's at a farm auction. He paid $80 for an old Case Congress. He never even inspected it ahead of time, and didn't find out until later that 2 of the blades were broken.

Around here, I usually here something along the lines of, "Bah--if it ain't a Buck or Case, it's crap. . ."

Sugar can be burned. It is a simple 6-carbon chain (well, glucose is, anyway). My point is that sugar chemically breaks down into water and carbon dioxide when heat is applied. So, I wonder if this is nothing more than a water quench. . .

Good luck, IG!

Rudy, Thank you very much for offering your vice in this GAW! I am thrilled! I recently relocated my shop from the garage to the shed in the backyard. I got everything set up a couple of weeks ago and started in on some of my first knives in about 9 months. This will be a great addition...

I picked up some scrap pieces of white Corian countertop that I used for my reloading bench. It's stable (no twisting/warping) and the white not only reflects light, but allows me to see any spilled powder, small screws, etc. It's a plastic resin material used for countertops, so it won't...

Monday Monday, I'm in I'm in!

Some of these guys might be interested: http://www.letsmow.com/ :)

Thanks for all the good info, Les R! I studied (among other things) conflict resolution and negotiation in grad school, so I fully grasp the Opportunity Costs. For a maker to understand the Opportunity Costs it all goes back to understanding--yep--position in the market. If you have all of...

Les, There have been a number of threads where "position in the market" has been mentioned. How do you suggest a new maker goes about determining that? How would you define it? I imagine that a number of characteristics are involved--type of purchaser (collector vs. user), art knife vs...

Well, hopefully the title caught your attention. I've been perusing the threads through the business section here, and there's a lot of good advice on good things to do for your business--pricing strategies, dealing with customers, taking deposits, etc. We can all point to makers in the...

Here's a related question--how important is the volume of knives or makers that a particular dealer is promoting or offering? I'll give a couple of examples. There is one dealer's website I've seen in the past who offers knives by only 3-4 makers. There are a lot of knives offered, but not...

Some people buy knives as an investment. Someone bought your knife, and regardless of the reason for selling it, was able to make a return+profit on that purchase. Collectors/buyers are not doing it to lose money. Also, I've noticed, on the forums especially, there are people that buy...

Aside from the issues with recycled steel is one caveat--you used industrial/commercial mower blades. Many newbies hop onto the forums and read about knives here and there made from "mower blades" and "saw blades" and don't necessarily understand that it's particular mower blades and saw...