Tactical Sickles, the Poster Child of EDC - a podcast by The Burn Network: Metalworking Podcasts

from 2020-01-28T21:46:08

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Luke Berkelmans of Makesmith is a really down to earth guy, he lives a simple life that has a lot going on; he’s a knife maker, motorbike and car enthusiast. His home is the ultimate Batchelor pad, with more workshop space than living area, all under the one roof. He shares his journey and passions with us. In the last few years, he’s gone from being a novice maker with an interesting background to a well-respected maker in the knife and EDC communities.

We talk about why he decided that the Sydney knife show 2019 was his time to start selling his knives.
Discusses his worries about the speed at which he has grown and worries about plateauing.
How teaching can really help to learn.
Luke talks about his steel choices and why.
He intends to start doing more hidden tangs as he mainly does full tang knives.
Different handle materials and their drawback and benefits.
Support from the EDC community has help him to grow as maker.
Australia is spoilt for choice for kitchen knife makers, so he makes EDC type knives.
Public perception of knife makers is often worse than other artisans.
San mai, over mosaic damascus knives, and which he prefers.
The progressions and how he keeps his customers up to date with their build.
Luke tells us his favourite parts of knife making.
Matt from RMK Leather Works is moving into Luke’s workshop so we will be seeing some collaborations.
Luke’s style of leather sheath is different to almost any other. His kydex sheathes are wrapped in leather.
Talks about why he has just started living in a camper van in his shed.
Talks a bit about how he grew up, “I used to go visit the neighbour’s kids and their parents would say, ‘leave the knife in the letterbox’.”
Horticulturist, toolmaker, mechanic, civil asset inspector, knife maker.
Owned a 12 second Gemini at 17 years old.
The reason he initially started knife making was purely out of spite to beat a friend over who’s better.
Built a 2x 72” grinder to start knife and axe making with specific characteristics.
Keep it simple stupid.
His choices for handle material and why, based on longevity reasons.
The reason he created THE DESERTER (sad story that followed the Sydney knife show) a giant oversized machete.
Talks about building his own very cheap and easy forging press out of a hydraulic pipe bender.
Finding your own style in the knife community when the knife has been around since before the wheel.
The camaraderie with other makers at shows and bartering with other makers for materials etc.
Local meet-ups between makers the trading of information and skill learning. Learning from incredible makers and artists like Steve Weis.
Luke’s future plans for his work, the idea of going full time and what he feels will go into that.
Taking custom orders and making what he wants.
How he feels about money and the sale process.
The pride of having one of his knives being taken to Everest base camp.
Future outside of knife making may involve tool and equipment including camping gear like a biker swag, shipping container homes etc.
The reason he tries to make knives in batches and how he chooses to take payment for his orders.
How he deals with customers changing their mind during the build process.
Tactical sickle and night-time horticultural work.
I don’t take orders but somehow, I have a heap of them.
Luke talks about his personal EDC.
I don’t smoke, drink or swear.
I don’t have website; it might take the fun out of it.