A common thread

[gudspelr]

I've found something very interesting during the last year.  I made my first bow, quiver, knife, and sheath, all with advice and help from others.  Tonight, I was invited to go spend some time with a local knife maker.  He was forging a knife and thought I might like to watch how he does some of his stuff.

I can be somewhat cynical, but there's just something about guys on this site and who make all this stuff that astounds me.  I've never found a more concentrated group of folks who are so generous with their time, equipment, and knowledge.  Clay Walker put me up for a weekend, gave me a bunch of stuff, and showed me the basics of smithing.  Matt Hayes took me all the way through making a great sheath.  Scott Roush, Lin Rhea, and Karl Anderson (among others) have put up with and answered all kinds of questions from me.

I'm not sure what the common thread is that makes folks so generous, but I wanted to say a big thank you for what you do for guys like me.


Jeremy

[Bobby Urban]

X2

[kbaknife]

"I'm not sure what the common thread is that makes folks so generous, but I wanted to say a big thank you for what you do for guys like me."

For guys like you?
Jeremy, we're like you. You're like us.
We may be a little more advanced, but we all were at the beginning point at one time.
I don't know how many thousands of miles I've driven to go to hammer-ins, seminars, classes, knife shows, etc., but sometimes I almost feel guilty for all I've seen and learned.
If I don't give some of it back, or help others who can use what I've learned, then I don't feel worthy of knowing what I know.
Some guys out there are greedy, and that can be in any field of expertise.
And you can spot 'em when you're out "there". They're all "SPECIAL" and such.
You may not know some of these guys around here, but I've had the privilege of meeting a ton of guys on this forum who make knives, and have made personal friendships with not only them but with quite a few of my customers as well.
They're just regular folk.
(Well, except for Lin. He sort of stands alone and has helped me a lot as well as others.)
We should all feel lucky to be part of such a nice bunch of guys.
Thank you for pointing it out.
I'm all for a Trad Gang hammer-in someday, for those who could make it.
It should get done.

[Scott Roush]

I've said a million times on here how amazed I am at the generosity.

Having folks like Lin and Karl who are willing to share is a great resource.

I still owe Karl A LOT of fish (or fishing that is... I won't bait his hook for him).

By the way.. thanks for mentioning my name with those guys, but if it wasn't for guys like them, I wouldn't know squat.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Jeremy,

Your joining a fraternity of brothers in the knife making world.  Those who have the knowledge and refuse to share it simply do not get what knifemaking is all about. Knifesmiths and smithing in general are on a major upsurge.  With all of todays modern techology and having  so many people involved, we almost can't help but improve the skills and methods of our chosen profession or hobby.  The only thing that could stop this process is selfish people who want to hide new ideas and methods they discover.  The folks on Trad Gang simply are not those kind of people.

Plenty of people have helped me out along my path.  I have the pleasure and obligation of sharing what I know to help others along. I am not the best knife guys around, but I aspire to one day be one of the best.  I still plan to learn a lot from those who have greater skill and knowledge.

[Lin Rhea]

I've watched with pride as I read the answers given here. That is the whole purpose of Tradgang. Tradition and passing it on. It just so happens to be what the ABS teaches too.
The guy who refuses to share is just hurtin himself.

I think this is why Terry puts up with us and gives us a certain amount of latitude.        Lin

[amar911]

I only wish I had the native ability you guys do. I don't, but I can admire and appreciate those who do. Thanks for sharing your craft and your skills on these pages with people like me who can only watch in awe as you create working pieces of art from steel, wood and other materials.

Allan