Getting Over Doubts as a Knifemaker: Finding Your Edge Again

Tim Ford
Getting Over Doubts as a Knifemaker: Finding Your Edge Again

Getting Over Doubts as a Knifemaker: Finding Your Edge Again

Knifemaking is a hobby full of highs and lows. One day you're on top of the world making some wild project, and the next, you’re staring at a blade that’s just not working out. If you’ve been feeling stuck or doubting yourself lately, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too, and I know how tough it can be to shake off those anxieties and get back to doing what you love.

The Struggle is Real

I’ll be honest—I haven’t made much in the last year. And a big part of that was this nagging feeling that I wasn’t good enough and what I MADE wasn’t good enough. So much so that even the things I did make I often didn't share because I didn't want to be judged for making something less then my "usual" Standard. 

It Often felt like whenever I did manage to drag myself into the workshop, It seemed like everything that could go wrong, did. Tools broke, knives didn’t turn out the way I wanted, and my grinds were all over the place. Uneven, sloppy, you name it. It was like the more I tried, the worse it got and that really got in my head.

The longer I stayed away, the harder it was to get back into it. I lost some of that muscle memory and the know-how that comes with regular practice. Every time I picked up a tool, it felt like I was starting from square one, and that only made the doubts worse.

Climbing Out of the Rut

I realized that no one gets better by giving up. I knew I had to do something to get out of this rut, so I started taking small steps to rebuild my confidence and skills. Here’s what’s worked for me:

  1. Start Small: I stopped trying to tackle big projects right off the bat. Instead, I focused on smaller, simpler tasks. These little wins were crucial, they reminded me that I could still make something decent, even if it wasn’t perfect. For me it was a couple sharpening and reberb jobs, and then I finally finished a couple blades that have been sitting waiting for handles.

  2. Accept Mistakes: I had to learn to cut myself some slack. Not every knife is going to be a masterpiece, and that’s okay. Mistakes are just part of the process, and the sooner I accepted that, the less stressed I felt.

  3. Lean on the Community: Over the years I've made a lot of friends in this community. It helped a lot to talk to other knifemakers about what I was going through. Turns out, a lot of people have been in the same boat. Hearing their stories and advice reminded me that I wasn’t alone and that everyone has off days (or even off years).

  4. Enjoy the Process: I had to remind myself why I got into knifemaking in the first place. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to make everything perfect, but the real joy comes from the process—the feeling you get when you grind steel into the shape you want, the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands.

  5. Cut out the orders: A big step in the right direction was cutting off any paid orders and only making the knives I wanted to make. Orders can be awesome, they help pay for this hobby which if were all being honest IS expensive. But sometimes the stress of getting that next order done just isn't worth it. 

Moving Forward

Getting over doubts isn’t something that happens overnight. There are still days when things don’t go right, and that little voice in the back of my head starts up again. I wish I could say that never stops me, but it does and is something I'm working on, but the difference now I know why and I'm learning to keep pushing forward, even when things aren’t perfect, because that’s the only way to get better.

If you’re going through something similar, just know that it’s okay to feel stuck sometimes. The important thing is to not let it keep you down. Start small, enjoy the process, and remember why you love this craft in the first place. Before you know it, you’ll be back in the groove, making knives that you can be proud of.

So go on, dust off those tools, and get back to it. That knife is waiting for you, and there’s no better time to dive back in. Just remember to take the time you need and do what's right for you, there's no shame in taking breaks and talking to others. 

If you need real help

If you're struggling mentally and need real help please do. There's no shame in getting the support you need.