Howdy from west Texas

[cavemans workshop]

Hello and happy fourth of July. I hope yalls was a good one. We had a nice day, smoked Briskets and time with the family, all in all a great day.
I am new here, my name is Mike Pardue, I am from Midland TX. born and raised. I am a knife nut, and have a few other bad habits as well. I like to hunt, fish, play guitar, and cook BBQ, to name a few.
I married my high schoolsweet heart, who has stood by me for 22 years. She has went along with every crazy idea I have come up with, some good some bad. Tammy has been very helpful in my silversmithing and knife work. I am sure I would not be where I am in life without her.
I work full time as a Firefighter and Paramedic for the city of Midland, where I have been for 17 + years. I got into silversmithing, spurs and cowboy gear about 6 years ago. I have been making items for this lenth of time, and about 2 years ago decided to persue engraving. I have been fortunate enough to turn my hobby into a near full time business. I only work 10 days a month in town, the rest of my time is spent here in the shop.
I got into knife customizing by accident. I did one knife and put on e bay, where it was spotted by Jeff Jones. Jeff posted a few picture of that first knife here and there, and it was seen by several folks, who began to want what I was doing. Well Jeff and I haver been friends for over a year now I guess, and one thing has lead to another, until I find myself here.
Jeff is a great friend and excellent craftsman, if he had not posted my picutres and gave me a call, I figure things might have worked out differently.
I am concentrating now on customizing factory knives. I want to try and put a little bit of TX in each one, with either the wood, engraving or silver work. I still make lots of belt buckles, saddle hardware, jewelery, and do custom engraving for people. I have a web site, it is http://www.parduesilversmith.com
I look forward to hearing from others out in knife land. Let me know your ideas, suggestions, and most of all areas where I can improve. I will also try to lend a hand or answer questions about anything I am doing, I dont have any secrets, and I like to help where I can. Well I best get out of here. Yall have a great one, and give me a holler.

Be sure your right, then go ahead

Take care and God Bless
Mike

[agteacher2]

Hi Mike,

Glad you finally got on here.

Folks if you need engraving or silversmith work there is no finer person or craftsman than Mike.

Jeff

[cavemans workshop]

Hey Jeff, I finally made it. I will try to call you tomorrow. We have been playing phone tag as of late. Hope your doing well

[Mossdancer]

Hey Mike:
Welcome to our home away from home. Looking forward to seeing your work, post us some photos when you get a chance.
W.B.

[Bryan]

Hi Mike,

Glad you made it on board! I'm a big fan of your work. I have a Buck 110 that you scrolled and I always take note when pictures of your stuff comes up::tu::

I hope to see more now that you officially joined the forums. Keep up the great work!

Bryan

[Gr8Scout]

Welcome Mike!

I can further vouch for Mike's artistry; see my Schrade Bowie in the Customized Production knives forum.

Phil

[JOE62]

Welcome to the forum Mike. From what I've seen, you do some really nice work. I hope you enjoy it here. Please fell free to join in anytime. Your contributions and opinions would be welcomed.

[sunburst]

Welcome to the forum Mike, Jeff has graciously shared your work with us and I have heard nothing but praise of the quality and beauty of your work...I can appreciate the testimony to your sweetheart of 22 years, I just celebrated 22 years of marriage yesterday with my highschool sweetheart and could not imagine life any other way...

Welcome,

Sunburst

[LC]

Hi Mike welcome to the forum, you do beautiful work, might have to send a stockman your way one of these days I hope you enjoy yourself here and visit often please

[cavemans workshop]

Howdy, I will be glad to work on a knife fro you. Let me know, and we will see what we can do. I just finished a stockman today. I will post pictures in the next couple of days.
Mike

[jonet143]

welcome mike, i'm new to this sight as well. the other guys have made me feel welcome and i know you will fit right in. i like your work and it's nice to have a fellow texan to talk to.

johnnie