When do you consider yourself a knifemaker?

Motor City Mike

Motor City Mike

Well-Known Member
My wife and I ran into some old friends that we haven't seen in many years.

While catching up, my wife mentioned that I'm a knifemaker now.

I quickly corrected her and said something along the lines of, Well I've made a few knives but I'm not really a "knifemaker". I even made the air quotes.


This got me to thinking...

When did/do you consider yourself a full fledged knifemaker?

After you've make 10 knives? 20? 50?

After your first sale?

After you've made a knife that isn't awful? :)

Obviously there are no hard and fast rules for when someone becomes an "official" knifemaker but I'd be interested in hearing some opinions
 
This is only my opinion, but if you have finished a knife. You are a knifemaker. Of course there are different degrees and talents of knifemaker, but that doesn't take away the fact that you are one.
 
For near 40 years I made my own knives but didn't consider myself a knife maker. It was when I started to make them to order for others a few years back that I started to think of myself in those terms.
 
This is an interesting topic that I had never thought about. I know I wanted to be a knifemaker when I finished my second knife. I'm interested in what other people have to say.
 
I think if you made one knife and never again then you are a guy who made a knjfe once. If you have made a couple are continuing to make them then you are a knifemaker.

If you read on forumns all the time, watch videos of others making knives, spend to much money on tools and material and are addicted to it....you may be a knifemaker...LOL

Hi my name is Justin and I am a knifemaker :p
 
I'm a backyard hack who makes knives.

If you spend more money on handle material than rent you might be a knifemaker.

If you have no idea who won an Oscar but can name all the popular knife steels you might be a knifemaker.

If you can carry on a conversation about abrasives you might be a knifemaker

If you consider buying mammoth ivory that costs more than your car you might be a knifemaker

If there is more grit under your fingernails than in your driveway than you might be a knifemaker.

It worked for that Foxworthyguy.
 
Knife making was a bucket list thing for me. First attempt was a kit knife just to get started. Fast forward to now, I have grinding belts new and used hanging all around the shop, scales and more scales ready for Knives not designed yet, multiple steel bars, pins, corby bolts, ... Somewhere between the kit and all the supplies I became a knifemaker and I better stick to it or all the supplies will bring a loving yet firm glare from my better half.
 
LOL!! This is a GREAT thread!! My feeling is if your buying knife type supplies you think you may need at some point, you are a knifemaker!!
 
If you see a fine piece of antique furniture and can only imagine cutting it up for handle material...

If you have very strong opinions on epoxy...

If you are convinced of the existence of malevolent fairies who roam your shop at night putting scratches into things that were not scratched when you went to bed...

If you strive to make the ultimate knife that can withstand any form of punishment, but is too nice to ever want to use...
 
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