Journal

I come by my opinions honestly. I mean that to say that I have formed them through experience but also that I am honest when they change and I freely admit when I was wrong. This may be harsh but I consider it the mark of the stupid person to resist considering how they may have been wrong or not admit when they are. Likewise, to be embarrassed about past opinions that one has changed from is a sign of deep insecurity and lack of self integration. Let me explain. In my career teaching knife making, I have developed many...

"What are we going to do about the hammer in this spring?" asked Greg, one side of his headphones on his right ear and the other clamping his scalp just above the left ear. "I don't know, probly should have it around March sometime. Don't want the weather to be too bad but also don't want to get later in the spring when everyone is more busy." I said while scrolling the calendar app on my phone, looking at possible free weekends. There were too many red dots indicating scheduled events over the next few months already. "Well we need...

The winter time is our main class season when we host workshops every weekend. This brings a new group of attendees each week, most of which have never thought about making a knife before receiving a gift for the class during the holidays. Those that have thought about it and signed up on their own tend to have the "How hard can it be?" attitude. This is a reasonable thought considering that over the years we have taken hundreds of people through the knife making process. Experience levels range from professional metal or wood workers down to folks who have...

Over my years of making knives I have used and designed many knives with many geometries. I have noticed that many elements of knife design that are played up as most important tend to be less impactful than advertised. Steel alloy for instance does make a difference, but not as much as proper heat treat or geometry. When I use a knife that doesn't cut well or hold it's edge very long, I look to the bevel geometry first these days. My tendency used to always be to consider the steel alloy or hardness but often it's confusing if the...