Hey all,
I have read much about forging, and have long since been interested in becoming involved with all parts of smithing. In recent years, I have read of neo-forging, and have bought a few books, but have not the courage to do it completely solo - As I'd like the guidance from someone who has made the mistakes I am invariably going to make, pick me up, put out the fire, and show me a better way to go about it. Several years ago when living up north, I asked if I could hang out and learn at a forge that dealt almost exclusively with knives (which I'll detail why in a moment), but was given a really harsh and resounding no. I exited stage left, and have been in the background until.... well just now! ;-)
When I was young, my Father and I were in the Scouting movement together, and camped with frequency. Every trip, he would bring his trusty fixed blade knife in an old battered leather sheath. It had nicks and dents on the backside of the blade and wooden handle from usage through the ages, but was always razor sharp as my Father loved this knife. One trip, we had to pull to the side of the road for a repair on our u-haul trailer, and I put his knife and sheath on the roof of the car, after we used it for some task. We completed the repairs, got back into the car, and drove off. Several miles down the road, he noticed that he didn't have his knife (or more importantly I didn't have it), and pulled over. After we re-traced my steps, we flew down the road back to the site of the loss. We found his sheath, but his blade was gone. I offered to save up my cash, and buy a new one for him but he sadly explained that he had got that knife from a kit when he was my age, filed down the blank, sanded down the handle parts, and crimped the handle together all himself. He further explained that those kits haven't been on the market in years - and we moved on from that horrible moment in time.
After 15 years, I have searched for a way to replace this knife for my Father, and I can think of no better way to repay my him, well for being him, than to make a replacement for him. The reason why I am here? I live in Charlotte, NC and want to find someone who can guide an enthusiastic soul like myself through crafting a knife as a Christmas gift for my Dad. Although I am not talented artistically, never took shop in school, I am a quick study. Like everyone else, I don't have a ton of cash, but can trade in expertise in my own field (computers), and general labor for whatever needs done. Although now a city boy, I love the outdoors, and am absolutely not afraid to get dirty.
With that rather verbose introduction, if you can help, thank you. If you have a friend that can help, thank you. If you just plain know a guy who knows a guy that can help, thanks! My father is retiring this year, after a long and distinguished career in the Forces, and I can think of no better gift to him for Christmas. Thanks in advance for the consideration, heck, thanks for reading this, even my wife doesn't know the knife guilt I suffer ;-).
