large camp knife just finished

[munchh]

Thats why I stopped making custom longboards, I was putting so much time into them, I was doing it for the love of seeing people ride, but thats all I got from it.
your work is worth every penny you ask for mate.

[MJ.]

The problem is 'Primark Syndrome'.

I have a friend who hand-knits, she was asked for a price to knit a shrug* by someone.
She told them something like 40 quid plus cost of wool (at a stupidly low hourly rate), only to be told "But I can buy one in Primark for a tenner, I thought you'd be cheaper "

Very few people value Craft nowadays

i know... everything seems to be sold on one merit these days... its price and the fact that its cheaper so must be better? i bought two MOD survival knives the other day to see what i could do with them by way of improvement for around £40 each and was appalled. mass produced and very poor heat treat and QC. there is a lot to be said for something unique, completely made by hand with complete attention and focus till its done, tested and tested all the way through its creation, agonized over, stared at, pondered over, obsessed over, kept up to the wee hours over, sleepless nights being thought about, held and inspected over and over, worked till its right with 100% QC being made by a person who loves what there making and loves it, made to last a life time and beyond backed up with after sales service and a reputation as long as the maker is alive and able.... i just about pay the bills with the help of my partner and we have food on the table most of the time lol so alls good and im enjoying my days on this earth doing what im doing.

[ForgeCorvus]

I started out my working life as an apprentice blacksmith, then ended up doing various mind-numbing jobs to earn a crust.
Now in my mid forties I'm at a place where I can spend a little time and brass putting together a forge setup, it wasn't until I did a couple of pocket sized pieces (using improvised kit) that I realised just how much I missed banging iron..... I'm back, and I'm not going to stop again

[Malthouse]

Creativity forms the soul...

If I go too long without making something I get really crabby.

People are way to used to value meaning cheap, they are actually opposites!

[MJ.]

its brother is on its way....

[MJ.]

finished the other camp knife and also another bush knife, the bush knife is made from 5mm o1. still applying oil to the scales and have sheaths to make for them.
couple of quick pics before it gets too dark...

[featherstick]

The problem is 'Primark Syndrome'.

I have a friend who hand-knits, she was asked for a price to knit a shrug* by someone.
She told them something like 40 quid plus cost of wool (at a stupidly low hourly rate), only to be told "But I can buy one in Primark for a tenner, I thought you'd be cheaper "

Very few people value Craft nowadays

i know... everything seems to be sold on one merit these days... its price and the fact that its cheaper so must be better? i bought two MOD survival knives the other day to see what i could do with them by way of improvement for around £40 each and was appalled. mass produced and very poor heat treat and QC. there is a lot to be said for something unique, completely made by hand with complete attention and focus till its done, tested and tested all the way through its creation, agonized over, stared at, pondered over, obsessed over, kept up to the wee hours over, sleepless nights being thought about, held and inspected over and over, worked till its right with 100% QC being made by a person who loves what there making and loves it, made to last a life time and beyond backed up with after sales service and a reputation as long as the maker is alive and able.... i just about pay the bills with the help of my partner and we have food on the table most of the time lol so alls good and im enjoying my days on this earth doing what im doing.

I have nothing to add to this post, I simply wanted to endorse it wholeheartedly. When something is made by hand, the craftsman puts a little bit of their soul into it, and it shows.

[Wulfshead]

I'll tell you what MJ, I take my hat off to you for crafting your blades where you do.
I have a 35 ft x 12 ft workshop for crafting mine and I dread going out there in the cold.
About 30 minutes of motors going does warm it up or 10 minutes with both burners blasting into the sword forge makes it a happy place.

At the end of the day I must also add that I like your work very much.

Wulfshead

[MJ.]

I'll tell you what MJ, I take my hat off to you for crafting your blades where you do.
I have a 35 ft x 12 ft workshop for crafting mine and I dread going out there in the cold.
About 30 minutes of motors going does warm it up or 10 minutes with both burners blasting into the sword forge makes it a happy place.

At the end of the day I must also add that I like your work very much.

Wulfshead

cheers, it's getting cold now! was out today with two fleeces a wooly hat and neck warmer at the grinder with very cold fingers! the porch keeps most of the rain off but doesnt stop the wind. i can only dream of having a shed at the moment as know where to put it. the other hindrance is not having a solid bench to work off. my partner is going into hospital tomorrow for a full hysterectomy so she'll be off work for a long time... i just have to get on with it

[lee3]

Realy nice work nicely finished