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Women knife makers and bladesmiths

A KNIFE MAKER'S WIFE WHO MAKES MINIATURE KNIVES

by Linda Ferguson

Being a knifemaker’s wife is what got me started making knives. I have always
been a craftsperson—needlework of all kinds, beadwork, woodwork, etc. When I
married Lee Ferguson in 1999, I wasn’t even interested in knives. As watched him
work and attended shows and shop tours with him, I found myself challenged by a
new craft. I saw him throwing away tiny bits and pieces of beautiful materials
left over from his work, and my imagination kicked in. I prefer to make
miniatures because that is what takes my eye and challenges me the most. It also
makes use of a lot of the scrap from my husband’s knives. I like wearable
knives. I want them to look like jewelry. As I learn the techniques, my knives
get better. Since 2004 I have been a member of The Knifemakers’ Guild. My
husband has been a voting member since 1983. All the knifemakers I have ever
met are all very willing to help anyone who wants to make knives. They all want
to share the craft in any way they can. Women especially are encouraged to
learn, and there are more and more doing so. Children are also learning at very
young ages. Having done a lot of woodworking, I was familiar with power
equipment. Most women haven’t had the opportunity to use power equipment and
are rightly afraid of it, which is probably why most are hesitant to try
knifemaking. Learning to handle the equipment safely is always the first step.
One of my biggest challenges in making miniatures has been finding the right
equipment. Everyone says miniatures are harder to make than the bigger knives. I
made some larger ones (5-6 inches) to have for my first Guild inspection, and I
have to agree that in a lot of ways they are easier to make—more room for
mistakes. However, I found that most of the problem is having appropriately
sized equipment. My husband built me a grinder that will take from an 8” to a ½”
diameter wheel and also gives room for my hands VERY near the wheels. I got a
combination micro-mini mill-drill-lathe for Christmas. Now, if I could just find
some very small, very strong clamps! Some women would definitely be more
comfortable with the smaller equipment. I have very small hands, and I can’t
even change some of the settings on some of my husband’s large machines. I know
how, I am just not strong enough. Most knifemaker’s wives find that they enjoy
the shows more if they can help at the knifemaker’s table. If they will learn
about the knives their husbands make—how they are made, what materials are used,
what is special about each knife—then they can answer questions about the
knives. This will not only increase sales, but will allow their husbands to
leave the table long enough to see what others are making and what supplies are
available. Sharing the craft with your husband also strengthens the bond of
marriage.

5 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on February 17, 2012 at 17:32

I agree Stephen. It must be a love of the finished product to produce such beautiful work

Permalink Reply by Sue OldsWidow on February 25, 2012 at 14:44

found this surfing...might be of interest to others.

http://www.knifemakersdatabase.com/CustomKnivesKnifemakersSites/Cus...

Permalink Reply by Sue OldsWidow on February 25, 2012 at 14:55

Audra Draper, Knife Maker

Riverton, WY

http://www.womenhunters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=a...

http://draperknives.info/

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on March 10, 2012 at 19:53

Audra has to be within the top 5 for me. He work is beautiful and practical

Permalink Reply by Linda Thompson on March 11, 2012 at 1:18

Wow, that knife really is a piece of jewellry!!!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on March 12, 2012 at 19:12

Just relaized I said He work, meant HER work

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on March 24, 2012 at 20:12

Navajo Indian Inlaid Turquoise Knife and Sheath by Native American artist Yazzie.

This Navajo Indian Inlaid Knife is true collectors item! The artist inlaid the handle of this knife with Turquoise, and Lapis (all block), genuine Mother of Pearl and genuine Ironwood in a striking, contemporary design. Each stone of Turquoise, Pearl, Ironwood, and Lapis has been cut, carved, and shaped by hand and arranged in an eye-catching pattern. This was designed and made by Navajo Indian artist Doris Yazzie from Kayenta, Arizona. She comes from the Monument Valley area and she's been making knives since 1989. Full length of the The handle of this knife is 3-1/2", the blade is 4-1/4" long. Complete with a genuine leather knife sheath that is 7" long. Signed by the Navajo Indian artist DY. A beautiful work of art to be showcased proudly.

Turquoise has been, since about 200 B.C., extensively used by southwestern U.S Native Americans and by many of the Indian tribes in Mexico. The Native American Jewelry or "Indian style" jewelry with turquoise mounted in or with silver is relatively new. Some believe this style of Jewelry was unknown prior to about 1880, when a white trader persuaded a Navajo craftsman to make turquoise and silver jewelry using coin silver. Prior to this time, the Native Americans had made solid turquoise beads, carvings, and inlaid mosaics. Recently, turquoise has found wide acceptance among people of all walks of life and from many different ethnic groups.

Permalink Reply by Sue OldsWidow on March 24, 2012 at 20:28

OH yeah!.........nice knife jewelry..........

Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on March 24, 2012 at 21:21

Very nice Jan...

Jan Carter said:

Navajo Indian Inlaid Turquoise Knife and Sheath by Native American artist Yazzie.

This Navajo Indian Inlaid Knife is true collectors item! The artist inlaid the handle of this knife with Turquoise, and Lapis (all block), genuine Mother of Pearl and genuine Ironwood in a striking, contemporary design. Each stone of Turquoise, Pearl, Ironwood, and Lapis has been cut, carved, and shaped by hand and arranged in an eye-catching pattern. This was designed and made by Navajo Indian artist Doris Yazzie from Kayenta, Arizona. She comes from the Monument Valley area and she's been making knives since 1989. Full length of the The handle of this knife is 3-1/2", the blade is 4-1/4" long. Complete with a genuine leather knife sheath that is 7" long. Signed by the Navajo Indian artist DY. A beautiful work of art to be showcased proudly.

Turquoise has been, since about 200 B.C., extensively used by southwestern U.S Native Americans and by many of the Indian tribes in Mexico. The Native American Jewelry or "Indian style" jewelry with turquoise mounted in or with silver is relatively new. Some believe this style of Jewelry was unknown prior to about 1880, when a white trader persuaded a Navajo craftsman to make turquoise and silver jewelry using coin silver. Prior to this time, the Native Americans had made solid turquoise beads, carvings, and inlaid mosaics. Recently, turquoise has found wide acceptance among people of all walks of life and from many different ethnic groups.

Permalink Reply by stephen tungate on March 24, 2012 at 21:25

good story and good job linda....

Permalink Reply by stephen tungate on March 24, 2012 at 21:31

also doris yazzie you do some beautiful work just amazing..........

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on March 29, 2012 at 19:00

Biography
Janice "Osalita" was born in Texas and raised in Arizona. Her parents are both artists who worked secular jobs and raised Janice and her sisters in a normal Christian home. From the first time she was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she said, "An artist."

She began the craft of Scrimshaw in 1977 and with help and advice from her father, also a Scrimshander, she progressed from making necklaces and earrings to larger pieces that required three months to complete. Her best pieces of ivory Scrimshaw are in the private collections of long-time customers. Janice continues to produce this work at special request.

Years later she began to produce beadwork, starting small and working up to the more difficult pieces. She takes great effort producing the most natural Native American utilitarian items such as pipe bags, knife sheaths, purses/bags, amulets and clothing with genuine reflection to the past. She makes each beaded object an original. This uniquely creative work has led her to the special feeling she now has for her ancestors of Native American heritage. Her father's side of the family is the source of her Choctaw Indian heritage. Her mother's side of the family is where she gets her Cherokee Indian heritage. Herability to solve creative problems is a gift from her mother.

Janice presently lives in Gold Canyon, Arizona at the foothills of the Superstition Mountains with her husband and a number of cottontail rabbits, birds and squirrels that her husband feeds in their back yard. Her three grown sons live nearby and continue to be a source of great joy for her. Her favorite thing to do when she is not beading is to go fishing.