Woodcraft-skinner.............................

[gmusic]

Here is the latest, just finished it today. An unusual shaped blade it's sort of a woodcraft-camp-skinner sort of thing. I really like the way it turned out (except for the red spacer). It fits nicley in the hand, nice balance, clean solder joint and finish out.......................I only forgot one thing!

My damn makers mark! Can you believe that!

[philco]

Hey Gary,

You may not be proud enough of it to put your mark on it, but I think I like it the most of all you've shown so far. I think you are super talented at knife making and I see a bright future for you in that arena. Keep up the good work, and let me know when you start takin orders. I want to get my name on that list.

Phil

[Hukk]

Well, you need an etch. Though most that forge prefer a stamp over an etch - showing that it is indeed forged rather than being made by stock removal. Most all stock removal guys use an etch.

What are the specs - oal, blade length, etc - from 52100?

I like the shape, a knife that will make a good skinner looking at the first couple inches from the tip and looks like the blade is thick enough for camp chores. Nicely done!

[knifemaker3]

Gary, your just getting better and better. That looks really nice. I really like the handle, looks like it would be comfortable.

Keep up the good work!

[gmusic]

Thank you Phil..........................

I'm my own worst critic. I want a knife I sell to be perfect and to perform well. I figure by August-September I'll be ready. I'm heading to Wyoming at the end of the month, I'm going to spend five days with Master Bladesmith Ed Fowler. He is the man when it comes to a performance blade.


Hukk.................It's 10" overall with a 4 3/4" forged 01 blade. That piece of red G-10 I threw in there really looks out of place. I'll do something about the mark (or lack of one) I don't know what yet! I still can't believe that I overlooked that. One just gets all excited about the quench and forgets to take a second to mark the blade. It dawned on me as I finished up soldering the guard and I wasn't about to start all over.



Craig.....................Thanks a bunch! I really enjoy making knives and the ideas just keep coming. I would like to venture off in so many different directions, but I think these Scagle style hunters will be my fortae.


Thanks again guys.....................

[Cope]

Gary I am really liking your work. You are making some beautiful knives. I have been wanting to compliment you on them but "at home" I'm on dial-up and it's hit and miss getting logged on to the site. Here at my sister's, she has high speed so I get on everytime. I've only recently gotten interested in fixed blades and began looking at them for what they really are. You are making some fine lookin' knives my friend. Keep up the good work and please keep me in mind when you start taking orders. Definitely put me on the list. I'm wanting a smaller fixed blade about 3.5 or 4" blade. I'm not finding much that catches my eye but your stuff is looking like just the ticket. Keep up the good work.


Brad

[orvet]

Gary,
It is hard to say, but that may be my favorite of all the knives you have made so far.

I have an Electro-Chem Etch machine.
If you want to have a stencil made I will etch it for you.

BTW, I kind of like the red spacer. It adds a touch of color.
I really like the overall effect!

Dale

[islander]

I'm a city boy I don't hunt or skin things ,
camping to me is the holiday inn ,but I sure as hell like your knives
and I would like to have an example of your work
one day when you put your work up for sale.

______________
Don

[Hukk]

I think you may have to etch your mark now. IMG makes good etching power supplies and Patricia is great to work with when setting up your art work if you decide to buy into that route - it's what I use. I also have the raw stencil material and the developer to make a stencil if you have the artwork. I have not made one yet, but I know how to do it and can make one if you need one. (the project I bought the stuff for fell through - oh well, it's not very expensive).

http://www.img-electromark.com/catalog.php I have the SS 211 which was marketed as being specifically for knifemakers when I bought it and it came with 3 electrolytes of my choosing as well as a neutralizer for the electrolytes once the etch was done.

The electrolyte must be neutralized and fully washed to avoid rust.

Anyhow, I can make a stencil, just let me know. I'll let you know what I need.

[gmusic]

Cope...........................Thanks a bunch for the reply. Your going to miss that high speed when you get home!


Islander.............................Thanks for the nice reply.


Guys.......................I'm trying to keep from putting a date on when I'll have knives available, it will be when I'm 110% comfortable with the results. I'm studying two of the best guys in the business and trying to combine their techniques into the style I've adopted. They are both perfectionists with two totally different styles. If I can combine the teachings of the two men and apply it to my own work I will have a heck of a blade.


Hukk....Dale..........................Thanks for the comments and thanks for the offer to fix me up on the little goof, I'm in no rush to do it. I'll be sure to get in touch when I decide which way to go.

[knifemaker3]

Hey Gary,
Glad to see you are going to get some professional teaching. I learned just by reading and hardknocks, but I still don't consider myself self taught even though I've never taken a class from someone.

Just remember one thing. Yes, you can learn a lot from studying under somebody and being influenced by them. But, your work will have to stand on it's own or all the teaching in the world isn't going to help you.

Those big time makers put their pants on one leg at a time just like you and I do. Yes, they have been through the learning curve and yes they have made theirselves a great reputation. But, It's kinda disappointing when you hear such fantastic praise given to someone and then when you get to hold some of their knives at a show you think "My oh my, I thought they would be much better than this!!!"

Back in the early 90's I had been hearing much praise about a certain very famous maker. I won't mention his name here because I just don't do that. But, I got to examine several of his knives at a dealers table and frankly I thought they weren't any better in fit and finish than what I was doing at the time. I guess maybe I'm my own worst critic but I could see scratches left in his finish, the solder joint wasn't the best cleaned, the sheath supplied looked like a child had made it, and this guy was one of the most famous at the time.

The point I'm trying to make is this. It is great to learn from some of the professionals, but don't rest on that as being what's going to make you big in this business. It's what YOU produce that will make YOU a well known accomplished knifemaker.

That being said, I think you are making some very fine looking knives. I like everything I see about you knives. Keep up the good work. Learn all you can from whomever and whatever source you deem necessary to acheive the level of perfection you desire. And when you reach that goal, keep on learning and improving.

I'll get off my soap box now.

[gmusic]

Thanks Craig for the advice, I do understand what you are saying.

These guys both hand forge and it's in that area I want to improve my knowledge and skills.

Besides all that...................... it's an adventure!

[stagman]

Gary, this one is also my favorite so far
Just a gorgeous knife !!!
And being from Michigan and being a Marbles fan
(before they went global)
This knife blade shape is right in between the woodcraft & fieldcraft
Has the bow type curve on the bottom like the woodcraft
but is longer and comes to a bit more of a point like the fieldcraft
With what your putting out and all the equipment Hukk is putting
together, maybe we will have a new knife company out there in
California in the future, if you 2 join forces !!!
Great stuff Gary, proud of ya !!!
Will
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/clearcreekknives

[gmusic]

Thanks Stagman...........................

I got a picture in my mind grabbed the hammer and went with it....................I didn't know before hand how the blade was going to turn out. That's kinda poor planning (no planning)...................but it worked on this one.

I like it...........................Hukkary knife works! We can apply for a bailout, give ourselves big bonuses, and file 13.

[rayban]

Very nice Gary...the blade reminds me of a Marbles Cowboy skinner which I've always liked except for the guard....your guard and of course your handle is much mo betta.
Can I buy one of your knives b4 you make the big time????

[gmusic]

Thanks Rick!

I think I will be offering knives out around August or September. I have the summer business to take care May 1st to August 1st, then I'll be back on the knives. Between now and May I'll be honing my skills and making give-a-way knives for family.

I have a list going of guys interested in my work, you are on it. I only plan on making one or two a week, soooooooooooo it's a slow processes.

[Gunsmoke47]

Gary, put my name on your list, I don't care if it is this year or next. For true. I aint jokin, I aint lyin, and I aint kiddin. And as soon as you get my knife out, I'll have Rick make me a sheath for it! Thanks, Smoke

[gmusic]

Will do Smoke.......................

Thanks for the confidence in my work.