OMG! I can't believe it!

Discussion in 'Blades' started by Valkman, Jan 22, 2008.


  1. Valkman

    Valkman Knifemaker Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Last Friday I find a guy at the Vegas Knife Show that takes knife pics and he mentions that he can also submit the pics to Blade Magazine. So I paid $45 for pics of the knife that I made for another maker in the Trade A Blade on USN (we never have exchanged knives yet, thankfully!) and he sent me the knife pic yesterday. Well today the phone rings and it's Steve Shakleford from Blade wanting more info about the knife so they can put it in the May issue that comes out next month! Woohoo!

    And thanks to Rob Szajkowskiski at Balanc Digital for taking the pic and submitting it!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 4, 2014
  2. CRC

    CRC Survivor of Tidal Waves | RIP 7-24-2015 Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Wooooooooooo Hooooooooooo!!!!


    Congrats , Don!!! [applaud]
     
  3. Blackjack

    Blackjack Monkey+++

    Very cool...... and a fine lookin' piece of work there.
     
  4. hartage

    hartage Monkey+++

    Despite it's (I'm sure) massive price tag. It is a good looking knife. Congrats on the magazine accomplishment.
     
  5. Valkman

    Valkman Knifemaker Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    When I told the Blade guy the knife would be $350 for anyone that ordered it he was suprised at how un-expensive it was. The knife costs me over $100 in materials plus the time I put into it. It's a different world in the custom knife biz - I've had several guys last year who each bought 4 or more knives.

    If that knife was stamped with a famous maker's name it'd be at least $600 if not $1000. And those guys have long waiting lists - it's only from guys like me that are relatively unknown that you can get cheaper blades without a long wait time.

    But I do understand the point - until 3 years ago I never looked at customs and all the knives I used were Buck or Gerber or whatever. I started this as a hobby - something to do and never expected any recognition. I certainly cannot afford any customs but have been able to trade my work for some stuff. This is just what I do and as long as I make enough to buy more steel and grinding belts I'll be happy!
     
  6. Tracy

    Tracy Insatiably Curious Moderator Founding Member

    Very nice! Congratulations to you!!!

    Maybe this'll give you that "recognition" ;).
     
  7. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    Congrats Don you deserve it, awesome work.
     
  8. Tango3

    Tango3 Aimless wanderer

    I thought you were already a "famous maker" congrats the exposure will only mean an increase in the demand for your craft work ( goodthing? bad thing?).
     
  9. Valkman

    Valkman Knifemaker Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Oh no, very few have heard of me in the knife world. I post knives for sale and they just sit there many times - if I get more orders that would be nice! :)

    Some makers have everything sold before they make it. They have the funds to buy the best steels in full sheets and then send the sheets to get knives laser or waterjet cut. That's where I hope to get, and where I can upgrade some of my equipment to really good heavy-duty stuff.
     
  10. hartage

    hartage Monkey+++

    Pretty soon you'll be one of those famous knife makers making bank and selling out before you even make the blades. Then you'll forget about us little fish (and poor) at SM.
     
  11. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Don't bet on that, Valkman has a memory.
     
  12. Valkman

    Valkman Knifemaker Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Not much of a memory, but I remember my friends! [boozingbuddies]
     
  13. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Congrats Valkman!... All that hard work paid off![beer]
     
  14. Valkman

    Valkman Knifemaker Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    All because of those tapes you sent me! [boozingbuddies]
     
  15. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Heh heh heh.... seems like just yesterday when we were first talking about making knives, me sending those tapes and soft fire brick ...[lolol]

    I'm really happy for you... and wish you tons and tons of satisfaction and success...

    I'm helping Mage2 with a few things now... I'm sure he'll be the next Monkey in Blade for sure![beer]
     
  16. Valkman

    Valkman Knifemaker Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I really feel like I am sharing this with all who helped me and all that have my knives - that Mayo comparison you made one time really made me feel good and I have always kept that with me. After 3 years what I know is that there's a whole lot left to learn so I'll just keep trying to get better. Oh yea I'm supposed to visit SRJ in a few months. :)
     
  17. Clyde

    Clyde Jet Set Tourer Administrator Founding Member

    Update the website professionally by May. I think it will help with the new hobby of giving guns away to all your family members and monkeys that show up at your door!
     
  18. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Llewellyn knives are definitely on my shopping list. August 2009, once I am building my cabin (hopefully) and out of the military (crosses fingers for stop-loss to be dropped by then).

    I tell you what, Valkman. I already have a request for a small fighter, too. I could send you the cash and you can get started on it if you like. You will have over a year to prepare, lol. I will send you a PM.

    I greatly admire your craftsmanship.
     
  19. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    With the kind of publicity you are about to get, you better be ready to crank them out. You truly do excellent work, sometimes all it takes is just a little spark to light a huge bonfire. Hopefully that "Blade" article will be just the spark.
     
  20. Blackjack

    Blackjack Monkey+++


    You better get that deposit in before the magazine article hits....... I think there's gonna be a waiting list. ;)
     
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