01/01/2025
Philosophicalish post.
If you are a maker swearing how much you annually spend on abrasives and consumables, have a think.
Back in the day, materials and consumables were so scares, that you were not able to afford to waste a single grain of steel, and without shaped ceramics and readily available sheet steel whole process took multiples of time you spend per piece now.
It was not only more laboursome, but the capital you have held in stock and tools was infinitely greater than now - which made whole business more risky, and you really had to excel in what you do.
It is also one of the reasons why historically you had to be apprentice for decades, before being allowed to make your first hammer strike or swipe on sharpening wheel - cost of messing up was way to high.
Now you have more knowledge an expertise readily available to you than ever (admittedly you might need to sort through some s**t to find actual expertise)
You have presses, power hammers, grinders with 3kW+ and precision shaped ceramics.
(If you are just starting and befriend someone who do, buy him a bottle and ask for a lesson)
Steel is cheap and widely available, delivered to your door.
You can easily afford to f**k up, and f**k up again without breaking your budget. The only thing that is truly hurt is your ego, possibly your fingertips. You wont go bankrupt if you make one shorter knife or toss a piece of steel in the corner.
Be grateful for the opportunity of f**king up, because there is no quicker way to learn and to discover.
Just remember that these days we tend to be too impatient to be smart and too distracted to learn.
Don't f**k up by recklessly rushing, and stay focused or you will miss your precious lessons.
I am not sure if I am writing it for you or for myself.
I am sure however that this thoughts and conclusions are transferable.
Be patient.
Stay focused.
Be grateful for the opportunity to f**k up.
**kup
