Bob Rankin, wow just 3 years!

Author: The Burn Network
Published: Tue 14 Apr 2020
Episode Link: https://tobyfireandsteel.libsyn.com/bob-rankin-wow-just-3-years

A custom knife maker only 3 years he has the skill set of a man who has been making for far longer. We discuss his transition from new maker to a highly respected damascus maker. “We are all trying to get the same spot and if we get there different ways that’s fine”.

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What we spoke about.

He has been a welder for 25 years before getting into Damascus and knife making.
Started knife making after watching forged in fire.
One day at work he told a friend that he was going to build a forge and it all came from there.
He went on to build many of his tools including his forging press.
The first big purchase he made was an Even Heat kiln.
His real love is the damascas and he makes knives to warrant the time so he can sell knives to pay for the materials.
Part of the reason he sells his damascas is that he loves to see what other people will do with it.
Feels that technology is partly responsible for newer makers skills growing so fast.
People often don’t know they want a custom knife until they have used one.
A knife can be a funny thing they can often carry memories like being handed down from father to son etc.
His own son is in the navy and he made him and himself matching knives out of the same billet of damascus.
He called his company after himself because he stands behind his quality.
Talks about the transition from someone asking for advice to someone that people ask him for advice.
Likes doing a collaboration with other makers.
Knife making is about learning how to fix your mistakes. If you’re not struggling a little on every knife you may be stagnant.
We are all trying to get the same spot and if we get there different ways that’s fine.
Guys like Kyle Royer his attention to detail and precision is just next level.
When heat treating sometimes its better to send it out to a company.
The general public doesn’t understand how much of the original steel ends up on the floor of the shop as scale.
Best advice is to buy once and cry once.