"Asking questions is the beginning of learning.
Knowing which questions to ask is the beginning of wisdom."
I started making knives in 1997, and
almost immediately, I started to write about knifemaking as well, mostly
making notes for my own reference. In 1999, I wrote the chapter on knife
design, and in 2000 the chapter on making a single blade sliplock folder. In
bits and pieces, the other chapters began to take form, mostly in my mind. In
March 2004, I decided to approach a publisher
to get this idea into book form. Got rejected. So it became a website.
I would like to say that this
will become the best and most complete volume
on knifemaking ever written, but that would be a lie. There are a number of
subjects I haven’t touched, such as knife collecting, knife repair, and I am
sure that you, as reader will find other shortcomings as well. The processes I
describe are not the best way to make knives. The best way is the one that
works for you. You might find that some of the things I do, do not work for
you. Do not despair. It took me two years of full time knife making before I
thought my knives were getting up to a standard I strived for. Since then, I
have moved the goal posts.
Take your time, continually evaluate
your work and techniques and every once in a while something will fall in
place and you will develop your own way of working, maybe you will write about
it, and then I can learn from you.
There is no fixed way of making knives. The result counts!
