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Dave Martell

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I've been asked before to give advice/tips to new knifemakers. I thought that it might be interesting to make a thread where we can add some little tidbits of wisdom to maybe help others out. We can all learn from others.

To start the ball rolling I'd like to add....


Flatten ya platen!


I find this is something of the upmost importance to speed and quality of work.

Yes even those "ceramic glass" platens need checking and flattening regularly. I just finished doing both my glass and hardened steel platens. A disc (bench) sander loaded with a ceramic disc works great for this task.
 
Don't start, there is no known cure.

If you must, buy the best equipment you can, use good materials.

Find a mentor, learn his method first, then find your own path. 10 makers, 10 different ways to make a knife. If you listen to all of them, you'll be all mixed up.

Hoss
 
It will take several years before you will feel like you know what you are doing. Don't assume)))
 
Get a drill press, if you want straight holes for pins. You will quickly become frustrated with handheld drilling if you want precision. :doublethumbsup:
 
Don't take deposits. Wait lists are fine, when someone's name is called and the work starts, then you can ask for a % up front. If they are no longer interested, on to the next person. Too many of y'all are too burdened and stressed by owed work.
 
Don't take deposits. Wait lists are fine, when someone's name is called and the work starts, then you can ask for a % up front. If they are no longer interested, on to the next person. Too many of y'all are too burdened and stressed by owed work.

Yes...agreed.
 
Don't take deposits. Wait lists are fine, when someone's name is called and the work starts, then you can ask for a % up front. If they are no longer interested, on to the next person. Too many of y'all are too burdened and stressed by owed work.


Yes
 
Side note - Dave, one day, I really really want to have a few beers with you. Just sayin'.

Also, another piece of advice from me would be for guys to only make what inspires them. Uninspired work never turns out as well as a piece that makes you get out in the shop.
 
Side note - Dave, one day, I really really want to have a few beers with you. Just sayin'.


I quit drinking (more than) a few years ago (I had done my fair share BTW) but every couple of years I enjoy a good beer or two just because. I'd certainly be down for hanging out with you (regardless of the beer or not) Tom. :)
 
Don't take full payment until the knife is finished and give realistic deadlines not best case scenarios
 
Don't be put off by the big picture, its like a jigsaw made up off little bites or stages. Think about the details, its a great escape, enjoy it, you can start as humbly as you like, you know your Chef knives here and if you have the goal in your head based on your experiences, its a great start you just need to break it into stages and individual problems to solve.......to gain skills, be a specialist, focus on each task, from just getting a knife you own sharp and thin, moving on to regrinds....then setting out geometry on a grinder on a pre heat treated blank. A series of little challenges to overcome with help and advise and ultimately finding your own unique solutions bringing your own skill set and background into play.

Finally inspiration finds you working so less day dreaming about equipment and space you don't have or really need yet, more working with and enjoying what you have to hand or you can make yourself :)
 
Don't be afraid to try something you have not done before, you might just find a new love. (SPOONS)
Be honest with you customers. Remember, they are people too, don't make excuses. If you are running behind, don't be afraid to let you customer know.
Some times as a maker I lose all interest in a project, especially when I have discovered a bright shiny new idea to try.
Take a few minutes to explain to your customer that you need a breather, and that although they are next on the list your creativity needs to be expressed in another project. You will make a better product for the customer, and as important, you will be keeping your creativity fresh. A friend of mine calls these therapy knives.
Know your limits, don't push yourself too hard. Burnout is more common than most knifemakers will admit to. I have been doing this for close to 30 years now, and I have seen it happen. Injuries happen more frequently when you are tired, know when to call it a day.
Take some time with your family. This may be a passion for you, but if you push too hard, you may find yourself with many regrets.
Thanks,
Del
 
Don't be afraid to try something you have not done before, you might just find a new love. (SPOONS)
Be honest with you customers. Remember, they are people too, don't make excuses. If you are running behind, don't be afraid to let you customer know.
Some times as a maker I lose all interest in a project, especially when I have discovered a bright shiny new idea to try.
Take a few minutes to explain to your customer that you need a breather, and that although they are next on the list your creativity needs to be expressed in another project. You will make a better product for the customer, and as important, you will be keeping your creativity fresh. A friend of mine calls these therapy knives.
Know your limits, don't push yourself too hard. Burnout is more common than most knifemakers will admit to. I have been doing this for close to 30 years now, and I have seen it happen. Injuries happen more frequently when you are tired, know when to call it a day.
Take some time with your family. This may be a passion for you, but if you push too hard, you may find yourself with many regrets.
Thanks,
Del

Great one Del
 
The 2 very most basic "must have" requirements for custom chef knives are...


1. Must out perform/cut better than a $60 Tojiro DP

2. Must work in conjunction with a cutting board. Rope cutting competitors need not apply.


Think about that before moving forward....wink wink :D
 
The 2 very most basic "must have" requirements for custom chef knives are...


1. Must out perform/cut better than a $60 Tojiro DP

2. Must work in conjunction with a cutting board. Rope cutting competitors need not apply.


Think about that before moving forward....wink wink :D

re: requirement 2, so this guy in the video isn't legit? :knife:

[video]https://youtu.be/0NX3enj_NT8[/video]

I'll be cancelling my order then. :)
 
re: requirement 2, so this guy in the video isn't legit? :knife:

[video]https://youtu.be/0NX3enj_NT8[/video]

I'll be cancelling my order then. :)


Well sure Bob is legit.

What I was trying to say is that most any sharp knife can cut rope but not any sharp knife can work on a cutting board. Also, just because it's called a kitchen or (chef's) knife doesn't mean that it is. As a new maker one should completely/thoroughly understand this.

Ex. - Google-fu (under images) "custom chef knife" :lol2:
 
Well sure Bob is legit.

What I was trying to say is that most any sharp knife can cut rope but not any sharp knife can work on a cutting board. Also, just because it's called a kitchen or (chef's) knife doesn't mean that it is. As a new maker one should completely/thoroughly understand this.

Ex. - Google-fu (under images) "custom chef knife" :lol2:

I was just joshing you, as the very first thing that came to my mind when you mentioned rope cutting was that Kramer video. :)

Wondering though, do you think that knife is sharpened the same way as he would sharpen it for just kitchen work? For a dedicated chopper it would be sharpened to a more obtuse angle than for the kitchen or not?
 
BREATHE DAVE !! Step away from the shiny sharp objects and take a deeeeeeeeeeep breath
 
Knifemaker Advice - DO NOT drive your finger tips into a max speed spinning 36x ceramic belt! :scared4:
 
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