This background might help in debates.

As you might have noticed in some of our recent debates, I have an opinion that might seem to conflict with many members. That is not my wish.

There are a few members, like Phaedrus, who know me and why I enter the discussions from this standpoint. I think this post might help. Consider it a bill of my credentials.

Technically, I am not a sharpener, nor am I a polisher (those who have entered this guild craft and have been taught by a togishi). I am a "tinker," which is a craftsman who repairs kitchen implements. Think of that as a "yeoman" half-way up the guild.

That does not preclude me from using a polisher's tools and stones. And I try to find sword polishing books and others based on Japanese history.

Being a tinker is my retirement job. While I have sharpened for decades, my adult job was in finance before this retirement.

When I incorporated The Edge Pro into this hobby, I was exposed to Japanese waterstones and met Ben Dale. Ben formerly worked as a sharpener with his own route. He even helps people learn their craft and set up a business. I am one of his "students."

To that, I added the polisher's philosophies and tools to the process of sharpening kitchen knives, as well as the sporting knives used here in Wisconsin for deer hunting. For about four years I had a little stand at our local Gander Mountain, before that store closed.

During this period I met several local chefs. As I worked for them I also obtained my Wisconsin Resellers License and helped them purchase their working knives. One of my suppliers carries primarily Japanese tools.

Here's my point. I cannot help but bring these ideas to the discussion table on a debate. Many times I am in the midst of sharpening, and I take a break to order things on the computer and come here.

As you might imagine, this means I'm repairing a poor quality knife or polishing a nice one. With your hands stained with fresh swarf that condition slants your opinion.:lol:

In conclusion, it is never my goal to belittle or denigrate anyone. If I state that I find a deba is more productive for your uses it does not mean that I find your concept, tools or education to be second-class.

Additionally, I believe in continuing adult education. I have never been to Japan, nor have I handled every manufacturer's product. Members like Chris exceed my skills here, and you will often find me asking him questions.

I wish to be a good member here. I hope this provides some background and explains my overall beliefs when entering a discussion. Thank you.

By 'Buzz' do you mean a guy with the handle Buzz767? If so, I've met him personally.

BTW Chris, I like the way you write, and you've mentioned knives I've never heard of. This isn't a competition, I like to read and debate these issues.

To tell the truth, one of the main attractions here is the fact that we discuss things as adults. There are knife forums where I'm still a member and I haven't been there in years.

And like I said, all you have to say is, "Chico, I disagree."

I will happily do the same and bring my A-game.:bounce:

Ahhh, being a tinker is an age-old craft. In fact the itinerant tradesmen (and the 'itinerant' appears on my business cards) were better known for their showmanship than their ability to sharpen knives and scissors. They arrived from other areas and brought news, gossip, the best jokes and French post cards.

But while mechanized wheels are still used, more and more of them have some form of "water cooling." The Tormek is an example. If a laminate knife shows the color yellow or blue near the bevel you can bet the HT has been compromised.

After all, the blade blanks are originally ground and shaped (stock removal) before they are sent out for HT.

But after all of this historical and technical talk, I believe I was born a tinker, which might translate to "traveling bum." For example, I often relax on the highway going 80 MPH, splattered with bugs and ducking Kenworths. Even my wife gave me a debit card with the instructions to "go ride your Harley."

I was once accused by a cutler of getting "too Zen" on the subject of sharpening. Yikes, go to youtube and watch a polisher work on a katana. If there's a quieter and more peaceful pursuit I don't know of it. Sometimes I sharpen my own jackknife just to get away from the TV and the computer.

And here's the point you might find that sheds light on my character. When I get home from working, I reach into my crappy jeans (well, all of my jeans are crappy) and produce a wad of crumbled fives and tens. I don't count it, I just hand it to my wife. I don't care about the wages.

K.I.S.S.

Knives. Inner Peace. Sharpening Stones.

As a boy in the 1950's I saw the last of the horse-drawn "junk men." Cowboy TV shows were popular at that time, and as a city boy it was the first horse I had ever seen. They used to call the tinker "the rag man."

As a 'boomer, my parents felt my destiny was to succeed in the white collar world. Imagine my mom's surprise had she found out I was to become a modern day rag man.

Oh, my, yes, and I own my own business! Somehow I imagine she envisioned me as a doctor and or a banker. But it was her genes that derailed that career path. Her father worked for Harley, as did I as a younger man, and I still ride them.

I hated credit management. I got fired once and felt relieved. When I report that I find sharpening "peaceful," I mean that in the truest sense. I have a pair of scissors and a personal knife to do tonight, and I'd rather work until midnight on those types of projects than shuffle papers in my "adult job."

If I was to convey any one issue to the members here at CT it would be my joy in being free to pursue the work, hobbies and ideals I find in this new chapter of my life.

For example, how many times do you see a response to a post with the caveat "IMHO." Or with the preface, "I mean no disrespect."

It's a forum, it's a debate. I like knives. I collect them. I repair them. I read about them.

If the entire CT was inhabited by Japanese polishers, the threads would run like, "I love laminates." And then followed by seventy-two guys saying "Me, too."

Admittedly, I'm not a fan of high carbon steel. They HT it quite soft. And while it's easy to sharpen, it's also easy to dull and blemishes with a change in humidity.

So what? Others like it. So we debate. I happen to know two nut-jobs that come close to tossing an embolism if you do not fall all over yourself to worship a convex edge. That's right, the shape of the bevel. Yikes, get a life.

Hey, talk to me about your favorite stuff. I'd like to own a new-style Yamaha V-Max. Drop the macho crap at the door. Go lift a few weights. Look at a pretty girl.

But in the end, I am so glad to be happy and free.