Howdy Friends

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

I've lurked here for a while gathering information, then a while ago I joined, then just recently I upgraded my membership to support the site.

I'm a stay at home Dad. I was a professional butcher for 10 years, but then my second and third kids showed up simultaneously, and one has cerebral palsy. Childcare these days is crazy expensive and cost more than my take home pay. I find myself at home alot, knifes have been the thing to help keep me sane.

When my great grandfather passed I was 5. My dad collected some of his effects and gave them to my brother and I. A Colonial 2 blade jack with clam sides and feau stag was given to me, and sat in a box for 25 years. I found it a few years back and fixed it up. I loved seeing it go from ugly rusty and non functional to shiny and nice. I bought another old Colonial to do it again. And then another. Then a different brand.....Then lots off ebay.

I like to fix up the cheap knives that don't get much love from collectors, and find uses for the "junk knives" that plague most lots. The cheap sak knock offs, advertising knives that are no longer legible, Keychain knives. Primarily though, I like working on old clamshells. I replace the old cell wraps with vinyl, epoxy, paint, leather. I've tried seatbelt, steel stick, bone, stag all with mixed results, but I love tinkering. I also like to make lanyards and knife cases or slips out of salvaged synthetic materials.

I sell the knives I do on Etsy, essentially to support my habbit. I'd like to make something more of it though, because I'm looking into the future and I don't like the idea of punching a clock again. But "cutler" has a nice ring to it...

Today I'm actually signing contract in a space in a brick and mortar vintage/artisan market.

I do come across nicer or more interesting knives on occasion. These I also often sell, and I am thankful for the information I can find when I come here to research. I try to inform people of knife history, because I love it, and I really try to sell people on functionality, because I think old knives are so much better than what you can find in a big box store.

I'm considering also selling knives here, but for now I'm a bit overwhelmed with turning my hobby into a side hustle.

Any who, that's my story. Thanks for reading. Thank you in advance for answering my rookie questions, my esteemed internet knife Uncles.

Photo: The President (my great grandfather's Colonial), a Hammer Texas Toothpick I redid with heat transfer vinyl, and a sak with a lanyard I made with salvaged hardware from a Swiss gear backpack. I call the lanyard "The Wenger Hanger"

[C-WADE7]

Welcome aboard and nice looking knives.

[1967redrider]

Looks like you're off and running to a nice knife collection. to AAPK!

John

[CluelessNick]

Welcome, I hope you are successful in your new venture. I love old Colonial knives and am glad to see someone giving them new life. Seems most cutlers don't care to bother with them.

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

Welcome, I hope you are successful in your new venture. I love old Colonial knives and am glad to see someone giving them new life. Seems most cutlers don't care to bother with them.

How serendipitous. New Life Knives is the name of my store.

A pleasure to meet you sir.

[CluelessNick]

Nice name. You should have a conversation with Jeffin. He calls his store secondlifeknives and has been doing the same as you are attempting for quite a while. Good luck

[Reverand]

Welcome to AAPK!


Fixing up old knives is a fun hobby! I have done a few old Shell-handled knives, and they can be fun. Especially if you can buy several in one lot, cheaply.

If it is allowed (and as you are a supporting member, I am guessing that it is), share a link to your Etsy store!

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

Welcome to AAPK!


Fixing up old knives is a fun hobby! I have done a few old Shell-handled knives, and they can be fun. Especially if you can buy several in one lot, cheaply.

If it is allowed (and as you are a supporting member, I am guessing that it is), share a link to your Etsy store!

https://newlifeknives.etsy.com

There it is for you sir, I'll put it in my signature too. I'm of the millennial age but I'm actually pretty much a caveman with technology. Thanks for the advice.

I write alot of info there that I get from here but here's an open invitation for anyone who sees any mistakes in my history or verbiage to call me out on it. I'm happy to learn and correct.