All About Pocket Knives

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

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

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

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.

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

Welcome Mike!

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

Phil

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.

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

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

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