The penny has just dropped

Ihave only been the editor of this magazine since last June so, to be honest, I still have an awful lot to learn. I take advice and direction on what articles should be published in The Shed from our readers first, of course; then our great team of writers; and my friends and colleagues. I’m not sure that anyone can be an expert on everything shed-like but frankly, almost all of our crew of writers are pretty well clued-up on a wide range of subjects.

The ex-publisher of this magazine, Jude Woodside, seems to be totally clued-up on everything shed-related because anytime I have a query on almost anything, he has the answer. Impressive. We are very grateful for his continued involvement in The Shed as a writer and our technical editor, as I’m sure many of you are too.

So, I am learning what content you, our readers, like to read, and we strive to achieve provide that in each issue, but I must admit, I was a bit perplexed by the constant fascination by so many of our readers and writers with knives and knife making. I just couldn’t see what all the fuss was about — that is, until I met a knife maker recently.

As one of our major articles this issue is on that subject, and because there is a knife makers’ show coming up in Auckland later this year, I figured that I had to know more about this passionately followed craft that I understood so little about.

Well, as soon as I held one of these knives in my hand at the workshop of Brent Sandow, the penny dropped. I got it.

These handmade knives are works of art. The look and the feel of the steel. The shape of the blade. The way the handle sits and feels in your palm. The exquisite bone or wooden handles looking just like precious jewels. The balance of it as it sits in your hand. The maker’s skills in creating this instrument are apparent for anyone to see once you get up close and personal. The phenomenal range of tooling and equipment that is required to make knives such as these made my jaw drop.

I have always wondered what folks would want with a knife the likes of which we have featured being made over the years. Are there really that many hunters out there? But now I get it.

Appreciating these knives for the creative gems that they are is already enough for me. I see why so many of our readers seek information on how they are made, and even the skills to make one themselves. To be honest, I am sure there may be some who just collect knives or even put them on display in glass frames — that would not surprise me in the slightest.

Different shapes, beautiful steel, different uses, different handle finishes. Works of art.

I’m in, now I want one, or two. Penny delivered.