My 34 years of working with my hands has been well spent stockpiling knowledge and skills. I have two design degrees and have worked extensively as a potter, sculptor, graphic artist, and in both landscape and architectural design. Also, many years were spent as a welder, mechanic and in the machine shop. Along the way I realized that my tool room and in house processes would be ideal to pursue knifemaking. I not only enjoy the craft, but the association with other makers. I am a founding member of NECKA (New England Custom Knifemakers Association) and a member of NCCA (Northeast Cutlery Collectors Association)
I find that knife making compliments my other creative work as I explore different materials and learn new techniques. Most of my work is one-off examples. I am currently doing stock removal in stainless steels such as 440C and 154CM and tool steels such as A2 and 01. Future plans include trying my hand at liner locks, learning more of the jeweler's art, building an addition for a forge and learning the ways of damascus. Suffice to say that I see the possibilities in knife making as a giant smorgasbord - the only problem being is that my eyes are bigger than my stomach.
For those who have watched this site, there have not been any new knives added since 2004. Other creative outlets have been occupying my time. THose other pursuits are doing very well and they deserve my attention. That being said, I started making knives because I love the craft and I was looking for another creative outlet that did not saddle me with the demands of production. Equally important, there is so much to learn about knife making that for me, the learning mode often has to take precedence over the earning mode.
Second, my knife-making activities were messing up my shop with noxious dusts, etc. I had to stop and come up with a solution to this problem. Also, about 2 years ago, I started learning to forge. As I took a hard look at where I was going with all this, I determined that the solution was to stop making knives and build two new shop areas; one for making (grinding, polishing, machining, etc) and one for forging. Well, the new buildings are done and most of the equipment has been installed. My power hammer is finally in place and I have some work to do yet on my coal forge. Most importantly, I'm installing a state of the art cyclone-based dust collection system. I know this is taking some time, but I'm determined to do it right.
I'm not sure when I'll get going again. As my wife and I move closer to retirement, it is our hope to down size our main business and concentrate on non-productioin creative endeavors such as the knife making and related metal crafts. I have taken some orders, but without firm delivery dates. For now, I've moved all my images to the Gallery, made them larger and of better resolution. Please look and enjoy.
Bob VG
