| What is it about a truly handmade knife that | | | | acknowledge the feeling as "desirable" or "good" |
| causes the pulse to run higher and the breath to | | | | although some others seem to consider it as a |
| become swifter? Blade shapes and materials can | | | | charge or an adrenaline rush. Is it an appeal to a |
| be produced and wrought by means of a | | | | side of human nature and our collective history? |
| mechanized apparatus or they may be handmade | | | | How about the quality of reality itself? |
| with anvil, hammer, coal, and fire. There has to be | | | | Reincarnation? Is it a association to something |
| much more to it than just the means of shaping | | | | basic in our genetic composition? We, similar to |
| and the materials used. There must undoubtedly | | | | steel, contain iron in addition to carbon within our |
| be something more to it. | | | | biological design. Is it some kind of physiological |
| I feel that a quantity of the blacksmith's life-force | | | | empathy then? |
| is imparted into each handmade knife or sword. | | | | We've all picked up a blade that really didn't feel |
| The age old art of crafting blades takes a portion | | | | proper. It felt "dead" for lack of a better term. |
| from the spirit of each metal worker into the | | | | Where has the life gone? Did it ever exhibit any? |
| handiwork. The romance of the blacksmithing | | | | Cutlery machined out in the hundreds via the |
| occupation, heaped within legend and enigma for | | | | industrial machines of commercialism lack the care |
| eons, lends a kind of spiritual essence into the | | | | and spirit given over to a hand-crafted blade. With |
| steel. Many individuals discern the distinction | | | | no caring, living, breathing craftsman there can be |
| concerning a hand forged knife and a machine | | | | no soul in the blade. Whilst a machine furnished |
| prepared blade. There is a unquestionable change | | | | sword can be for all intents and purposes |
| within the blade, as well as a substantial change I | | | | "perfect" in style and shape, it often does not |
| observe even within the smith himself when | | | | have the feel of something forged by a human |
| forging a knife. It is as if a fragment of myself is | | | | being. The small idiosyncrasies of human |
| imparted into each knife completed. Perhaps the | | | | craftsmanship bestow in the handmade knife or |
| almost metaphysical abilities of such famous | | | | sword a character as well as distinctiveness that |
| swords as Durendal and Colada comes from the | | | | is unable to be duplicated by a machine. Though |
| soul and hands of the blacksmith that created | | | | not "perfect" from the scientific standpoint, the |
| them. | | | | hand forged knife is outstanding in more than just |
| It is a intriguing feeling. One that I don't sense | | | | mechanics. Just as with a much loved instrument |
| when simply grinding out a sword. Is it a | | | | or item of singular significance, the handmade |
| connection to ages gone past? I acknowledge to | | | | knife offers a certain amount of comfort and |
| being extremely passionate about history in | | | | well-being to the owner. The owner undeniably |
| particular. I am and have been historical reenactor. | | | | bonds with the weapon's soul and the two coexist |
| This is a hobby I've participated in for a long time | | | | more effectively as one. |
| and I've got to express my feeling that it is a | | | | Those slight feelings not perceptible by the eye |
| exceedingly satisfying experience. I am certainly | | | | are what craft the true difference. Even between |
| not alone in noticing a difference in the quality of a | | | | two superior-quality blades, one handmade and |
| handmade knife. Scores of people I've asked over | | | | another machine made, the handmade knife feels |
| the years seem to feel that the experience of | | | | distinctive; it feels better. That feeling is what |
| using a hand forged sword or handmade knife is | | | | makes you aspire to struggle against the denizens |
| far different from that of using a factory made | | | | of chaos, even if it's just in your own garage. It |
| one. I am not here to represent myself as a | | | | quickens your pulse and places a spring in your |
| specialist on anything psychic or else mysterious in | | | | stride. Your nostrils flare and your muscles flex. |
| nature here, I'm simply relaying what I and others | | | | Whether cutting potatoes or taking practice |
| have observed. | | | | swings at imaginary goblins, we are inspired to |
| Even so, my own scientific rationality keeps my | | | | protect hearth and home, and feel more the |
| feelings on this subject fairly ambiguous to say | | | | masters of our own destiny. Even as every hand |
| the least. But, In spite of this, I just can't avoid | | | | forged knife cannot be physically superb in a |
| noticing a certain feeling when handling a | | | | mathematical sense, the light inside often is the |
| handmade knife or sword. Various people | | | | real splendor. |