Why do you make knives? Poll

Why do you like to make knives?

  • 1) Out of need or neccesity.

    Votes: 2 7.1%

  • 2) To make a living or subsidize income

    Votes: 1 3.6%

  • 3) To make something from nothing

    Votes: 15 53.6%

  • 4) Other, Short discription why

    Votes: 8 28.6%

  • 5) Enjoy the process/satisfing your inner geek

    Votes: 21 75.0%

  • 6) So you can justify buying more tools

    Votes: 9 32.1%
  • Total voters
    28
Gliden07

Gliden07

Well-Known Member
I know that there are many more answers than the choices given so I have provided an "OTHER" answer just leave an additional reason. I'm curious to see why there are so many hobby makers as well as professional makers. You can pick multiple answers. The pole will close in 7 days.
 
I've been to fairs and such and always gravitate to the Blacksmith, Glassblower kind of exhibits. One of my favorite shows is how its made. really love the process of making a usable item/tool from raw material.
 
It is an addiction. lol.
I think that most men have an affinity for knives and being someone who has always made things rather than buy them, whether it is knives, guns, motorcycles or any of the many other things I have made over the years, I simply enjoy the making process, from the planning it through in my head to the physical making itself. So often I find that storebought offerings do not come up to my design standards and so I always want something that is design specific for MY NEEDS and no-one can do that like I can.
 
For me all of those reasons come into play. As far as selling knives, though, I had to really back pedal and learn the right way to build them first. I realized that I had to do that to respect the integrity of the trade if I was going to sell them.
I also do it to keep myself working with my hands, to pass on knowledge to my kids, and show them the value of "work." Like Von Gruff said, it can turn into an addiction so I also guard my time lately to make sure it doesn't steal from my family.
 
Apparently I do it to have one sided conversations. Here how it usually goes "why did you just do that, why, why, why....... why! You don't want to start over..... maybe some sand paper and a file will fix it." 10 hours later...."That wasn't so bad"
 
Chris Railey said:
Why buy something for $60 when I can make it for $600.
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This is what my wife keeps telling me. :confused:

However it's really the challenge. I haven't found anything more challenging than knife making. I'm not very good at it (yet) but I keep coming back to it. I'm hoping to have more time soon to devote to this insanity...err I mean hobby
 
For me it's a little bit of everything. I love handing a knife to someone and they say "You made that?" It has filled a void I have had, I have always been creative and artistic and felt like I should be doing something besides going to a regular job every day. I'm also someone who likes a little solitude. I love my wife and kids but on the weekends after they go to bed I stay up late and work on knives and allows me to relax and decompress.
Also it's pretty bada$$ to say you make knives...lol
 
I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and tinkering with things. Building hot rods and I’m an Air Force veteran. Was a crew chief on T-37s and F-16s. One of my sons was given a handmade knife for graduation and I thought that was one of the coolest gifts. I was like “You made that? Really?” I didn’t have the time to learn until a couple of years ago in my mid 50s. Wish I had done it a lot sooner. Maybe I can make up for lost time. :)

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I made my first knife after my father died of cancer. He owned a sawmill and I used a piece of his walnut for the handle. Once completed, both of my brothers wanted one. Then my three children. Then my three nephews. From there the artistic/creative side kicked in. Then, I wanted to just get better. Still working on that one. I have discovered that handmade knives make people happy. Last count, I have made 136 knives. Still moving forward.
 
Justin Presson said:
For me it's a little bit of everything. I love handing a knife to someone and they say "You made that?" It has filled a void I have had, I have always been creative and artistic and felt like I should be doing something besides going to a regular job every day. I'm also someone who likes a little solitude. I love my wife and kids but on the weekends after they go to bed I stay up late and work on knives and allows me to relax and decompress.
Also it's pretty bada$$ to say you make knives...lol
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Reading this was like looking into a mirror for me! My Brother is Super Competitive. He was visiting for the holidays last year and said "Well let me see one of those knives you made!!" As he rolled his eyes. I handed him one of them and the doubt ran off his face!! He then said "You made this??" Yes I said, "so you bought a blade and put a handle on it??" "NO, I bought a piece of rectangular steel, cut it to shape, ground in the bevels, heat treated it and attached the scales", his response "NO SH!#". Gave him one for Christmas, now he brags to all his friends he has a handmade knife his Brother built. In my world that is the ultimate compliment LOL!!
 
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