All About Pocket Knives

From time to time I get members referred to me for knife repairs, usually by other members I have done some work for previously. For this reason I thought it was appropriate to make a public announcement here but I am no longer taking knife repairs or customized knife work orders for the foreseeable future.

My medical condition has continued to deteriorate and my hands just won't function well enough to do knife work on a daily basis. The pain level in my hands and fingers elevates with use and it also seems to affect the fine motor control in my fingers. Consequently I am unable to turn out work of the quality I require of myself. I may still do some fixed blade work, as they are usually larger than a folder and easier to work on. I have a few folders that I am working on currently for customers but when those are finished I will be out of the repair business for all intents and purposes. I have no doubt I will continue to work on my own knives for as long as I possibly can, but I don't feel it's fair to customers to make them wait for an extended period of time until my hands can function well enough to finish their project.

I still intend to be around AAPK performing my duties as administrator and I hope to have a little more time to do more research and writing about knives. I plan on continuing my AAPK store and from time to time, as my hands permit, I will offer a customized knife for sale.

I have made many wonderful friends working on knives for people and I intend to cherish those friendships as long as I live. I may even have more time to spend on AAPK, or doing the infamous "Honey Do" list.

To all my customers and friends, a big "Thank You!" And for everyone who needs repairs done, we have several up-and-coming knife mechanics in the Knife Repair forum. I may be having you do some work for me.

Thank you for your support and your friendship over the years.
I will be seeing you around AAPK,
Dale


PS- Here is a link to my “About Me” page in my store if you are interested in the medical details. I didn't want to bore everybody with it in the open forum. LOL
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... tore_id=37

I hope this move improves your pain issues. I still expect your advice to continue. Thanks so much for your invaluable help and advice. God bless, Dale.

Good Luck Dale !!!!!____Wishing you only the best

That's got to be tearin' you up on the inside Dale. I feel for ya man.

We'll definitely miss your custom work.

I consider myself very fortunate to own a piece of your craftsmanship!

Sorry to hear that Dale, for both your physical sake and for the sakes of members who needed your services. The ranks of competent knife mechanics around here are thinning. The young'uns don't have the time and the old'uns just can't "git 'er done" due to health issues. Thank God we still have a few left to carry on.

Best of luck my friend. You're doing the right thing. Take care of yourself first.

Sorry to hear you're having more trouble with your hands Dale. I know this isn't an easy decision for you to make.

Aw man...this sucks. Your work and encouragement was the main inspiration that led me to start tinkering in the first place. I always looked forward to checking out what your next project would be.

I still have the 152 you traded me. It's my only Orvet custom, not even marked. Guess I'll have to hold on to it for sure now.

I understand your decision, I know the struggles you have had regarding your hands. I have issues with my hands as well, but not to the extent you have had to deal with.

If I know you, you will still be in the shop, just not working as fast as you would like.

This is a sad day at AAPK...

Glenn

Dale like the others on here I appreciate your advise and comments you leave on this site. I'm glad I got one of your custom knives while you were still active in the hobby. I wish you all of the best and hope things take an unexpected turn for the better.

Dang Dale, hate to hear that. I hope iot all works out for you though and it helps your hands anyway.

Dale, you will always be the man, if you work on knives or not. You have been a great friend to me here and I think the world of you

sorry to hear this dale.

i understand the cramps and pain..
this weekend i sat an considered giving away all my tools... perhaps go back to my given profession...
i cut the back of my hand grinding scales...didn't notice...blood everywhere...and i still don't know how i sliced the back of my hand?.

fixed blades do seem a bit more user friendly for the mechanic eh?

Its to add to what everyone has already said I too will keep my Orvet custom Barlow as a valuable part of my collection. You are indeed a rare person and a asset to all here at AAPK See you around the forums my friend!

Randy

Dale! My best wishes for you. I hope everything works out for you to do what ever you want to do, your knife knowledge and custom work has always impressed me . ftd

Thanks guys for all the kind words.
I don't expect a lot of things to change, except I won't be repairing knives for other people.
I will still be working on my own knives as my hands permit.

I may have a bit more time to spend on AAPK now, so y'all may get tired of me.


Thanks again guys for your comments, they really mean a lot to me,

Sorry to hear it, but you've got to put health first. Thanks for all the help and inspiration over the years here. Hope to see you on here still !

Sorry to hear about this Dale Sometimes it is hard to accept that you can`t do the things you once did. If not doing the work will help your condition that is what you must do.

I see from previous threads that you have inspired several members to take up the craft. I have even dabbled with the idea several times after seeing your work and others on this site, I may even follow through one day when I have the time. Trouble is my eyesight is failing me now

Take care of your health first you are needed at home and on AAPK!

Dimitri

Dale, while I hate to hear that you are`nt up to taking on more outside work, it`s great to know that you will be carrying on your fine tradition of offering great advice and performing your work as administrator. While I havent been here as long as a lot of the guys and girls here , in the short period that I have been here I`ve learned a lot from you about repairs and have really enjoyed looking forward to your posts, advice and enjoy sharing stories about hunting, growing up in the "country" and all of the other topics that you also enjoy. Pain is somehing we all have to deal with as we age and it`s definitely a good thing for you to give those talented hands and wrists some time to heal up and hopefully allow you to live with less pain. I will continue to watch your posts and sure look forward to learing a lot more from one of the best repair man I`ve seen. Your body of work is amazing and you should be proud of it! Just want you to know that I appreciate the heck out of you and wish you the very very best!

Bob

I truly hate to read this news Dale. But we all need to do what is "best" for ourselves. And as far as us getting "tired" of you.....Never! Thanks to guys like you and several others, it was a lot easier for a newbie like me to tackle my first redo. Thanks Dale!!!!!!!!!!

A sad day at AAPK...

But as others have said, you gotta do what ya gotta do.

You have been an inspiration to me as well as so many others, to take the step and cut the pins for the first disassembly.
On the other side, I'm looking forward to reading your future posts.

God bless ya, my friend!

....... Joe

Sorry to hear this, Dale. From what I have seen you do excellent work. But like Clint Eastwood said, " a man's got to know his limitations." We will however look forward to your information here on this site. The knowledge you share is unmeasurable and greatly appreciated.

-John

Dale,i've been coming to this sight for about 3 yrs.Talked to you a couple of times about a repair,but thru your postings and after talking to you i
tried repairing for myself.I want to thank for that kind of inspiration,and i'm sure many others feel that way.One day maybe i will be able to live up to the quality of work you did.Thanks
Randy

Dale I sure hate to hear about all the trouble your having with your hands,but I wish you only the best
and will be praying for you. I hope I can still get your advice from time to time pm on the way.I feel very lucky to have
one of your knives you costomize thanks so much for all you do on this site and for this site may God Bless you 100 fold.
I really love you man
Your Friend Donald

Thank you guys for all your kind words. It is very humbling to know that sharing something I enjoy so much has brought so much enjoyment and satisfaction to so many other people. I have truly been blessed!

I intend to be available to our members here on AAPK to answer questions about knife repair as well as to continue in my role as administrator on AAPK. I hope to do some tutorials on knife repairs in the future as well. AAPK has been a big part of my life the last several years and I do not intend to change that any time soon as long as my health holds out.

God bless you all,
Dale

Dale, I hate to see you're having troubles, and I hope they get better, knife work or no knife work. You are one of the biggest reasons, that there are so many new knife fixers on here. When I first came to AAPK, you already had all kinds of advice and tutorials on here. If your hands get to where you can't type, we will get you a voice recognition program, so the advice doesn't stop.

Man, i'm sorry to hear this!! Dale, i've been inspired by many of the knife mechanics on this site, but none more then you! Thanks for all you've done in the past and for all the things I know you'll continue to do for us in the future!

WB