Quote from Ed Caffrey on July 16, 2023, 6:51 am

 What am I talking about?  Bladesmithing/Knifemaking and ETHICS, and this "Forged in Fire" Era of knifemaking.   From the beginning, Forged in Fire has never been about Bladesmithing/Knifemaking, but rather about the drama.  The sad part is, the TV show does make any  disclaimer statements about this, and has led the masses to believe that a knife can be produced in a matter of hours.  Untrue!   You make a lot of KSOs (Knife Shaped Objects) in a short time, but the soul of any blade (which is the heat treating), and the PROPER fit and finish cannot be rushed.  Why am I so wrapped around the axle??   Because I've been waiting for IT to happen, and recently IT did.   What is "IT"???  

  Before I tell you what "IT" is, lemme give you the back story.

  About a week ago, I was making supper, and a guy pulls into the driveway.  I opened the back door and told him I was in the middle of making supper, and what could I do for him.  "I won a couple of custom knives at the Rocky Mtn Elk Foundation banquet, and was wondering if you could put a good edge on them for me?"  I responded with "Sure, can you just lay them inside the shop door, and I'll get them done for you.

  Later that evening I went to lock up the shops, and put the knives on the bench, intending to sharpen them the next morning.  Fast forward to the next morning...  These are both knives that were produced by a self-proclaimed "Bladesmith", who is currently enjoying a degree of success... and both were absolutely horrible in just about every aspect.  In fact, the grinds were so poorly executed (supposed to be hollow grinds) and the edges so thick/obtuse, that the only way I could ever improve them, would be to regrind, and refinish the blades. (one had an edge that was at least .048" thick before it was sharpened, and the other, 055")  I know who the maker is, and have spoken with him several times on the phone, when he's called me, asking for help/advice, and rejecting most of it because "That would take too long", or "That's way too complicated for me." 

  So I waited for the owner of the knives to return, and when he did, I explained all the time and effort that would be necessary to put any better edge on the blades, than they currently have.  He wasn't happy, and then IT happened... "You custom knifemakers are all like used car salesmen!  Saying whatever it takes to make a fast buck!"  I got him calmed down and tried to explain that the Knifemaker in question does not represent all of us and that although it's sad, there are individuals in the custom knife world that do cut corners at the expense of producing a "quality" knife... and that his new knives were prime examples.  I also told him that I felt he should contact the maker, tell him of the problems, and ask that the maker "fix" the issues. 

Don't know if I'll ever find out if that happens, but in the meantime, IT TICKS ME OFF!  Why? Because some JAG OFF, who KNOWINGLY refuses to do the right thing when building his knives, causes the integrity of me, and every other Blademith/Knifemaker to be called into question!   

  Now, I am certainly not the best Bladesmithing/Knifemaker in the world, but I do know what it takes to produce a knife that works as good as it looks and try to teach others that If you are going to put your name on it, ONLY the best efforts ever leave your shop. (including the individual in question here).   I've spent DECADES building a good reputation, and I guard it jealously, so when my reputation suffers because of a lack of ethics and/or honesty from another Knifemaker..... I get very riled up.      

  It boils down to ETHICS and HONESTY.   You're not only representing yourself, but every other knifemaker within our craft. Yes, I know and understand that we are all at different levels within the craft, but for Heaven's Sake!  Wherever that level is for you, NEVER DO LESS THEN YOUR BEST!  To take shortcuts, and do things that you know are not "right", not only makes YOU look like a cheat and a liar, but it also reflects on our entire community/craft.  

  I'll leave it with this...IF you call yourself a Bladesmith, or a Knifemaker, ANYTHING that leaves your shop, whether purchased or given away, MUST be the very best work you can do!  If you find yourself unable, or unwilling to do that..... then PLEASE go do something else!  I refuse to take the hit for your laziness and lack of ethics!