Jim Skelton: From Collector to Reviewer to Maker

It looks like Jim Skelton has started making knives. Due to his casual use of profanity, I won't post the YouTube links to keep everything family friendly. Apparently, he moved to Dallas, Texas, and met quite a few local knife makers, one of which offered to teach him knifemaking. His work looks nice, from what I have seen on his channel so far, mostly small fixed bladed (my type of knife!).

"I am still discussing issues of steels and performance at this stage." -- Cliff Stamp, May his memory be a blessing
"Life is GOOD", -- Stefan_Wolf, May His Memory Be A Blessing
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I noticed that. He used to show up in my Instagram feed, but I eventually blocked him. I found his non knife related posts to be too distasteful for me.

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Always in search of a good choppa'

Me too....I like some on his knife stuff on occasion.

"I am still discussing issues of steels and performance at this stage." -- Cliff Stamp, May his memory be a blessing
"Life is GOOD", -- Stefan_Wolf, May His Memory Be A Blessing
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Yes, I think his transition is a really neat thing on a lot of levels. I find it amazing that custom knives have such a market that he could seemingly make a living off of reviewing high end ones, and then that that actually pushed him into the field, which is by no means not competitive.

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Always in search of a good choppa'

He does have something going for him already, which is a following. Now how that translates over.........

In my experience its not typically what you know but who.

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I think that's a good point Kyle.

If I'm not mistaken he for the most part reviewed folders, yes? But is his focus only on making fixed blades?

I always wonder if in these situations, the initial interest will wane quickly.

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Always in search of a good choppa'

I hope it isnt JDavis version 2.

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It's not Cliff, its Dr Stamp
#kebabstickcut, it's a thing - make it happen

Just watched his video.. Looks like he has spent some serious catch to start from the ground up with good facilities. His knives also relflect his care to detail and looks.

I think that as long as he doesn't burn the grinds he is going to do quite well

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It's not Cliff, its Dr Stamp
#kebabstickcut, it's a thing - make it happen

I'm not a fan of Skelton's reviews. His knives look nice though.


Chumgeyser on Youtube
E-nep throwing Brotherhood. Charter Member

Chum,
I am not a huge fan either, but he does have some knives that you don't see anywhere else, except maybe Wieners and Steel, and I am not a huge fan of that channel either.

"I am still discussing issues of steels and performance at this stage." -- Cliff Stamp, May his memory be a blessing
"Life is GOOD", -- Stefan_Wolf, May His Memory Be A Blessing
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My issue is that not once have I ever heard him speak of using a knife or performance. He might as well be reviewing custom jewelery as I think that's his take on it

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It's not Cliff, its Dr Stamp
#kebabstickcut, it's a thing - make it happen

I dont think Jim lacks the ambition and drive to do it, I think if anything if it doesnt work the business side may toss it in. I think he will do rather well myself.

That is sort of what happened for me, I will always make knives as I love to do it. But I had to pay the bills, maybe later on down the road I will be able to resign from UPS and make knives as my part time job instead of Excavation, UPS, then knives.

But who knows how long that will be as I am getting a third job at a quarry come April.v

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He isn't going to be making knives as performance tools, just collectible pieces. I can't see a situation similar to John's because Skeleton is a mature businessman.

I would tend to agree with that. Although I did see some of his blades and they looked similar to something I would make. As far as geometries goes..........

I insert 2nd kind of cool from nutnfancy, while knives can be tools they can also function as art ideally functional art. I have Kyleys slip joint sitting on my dresser as when he stopped producing knives I knew I might not get another. While a tool sometime ago it serves as sentiment and art now. I have no desire to wear out what is to me a rare collectible piece.

The fact still remains sexy sells. Most dont want to buy anything ugly, especially paying a premium for it.

Recently with less time in the shop..... well actually none due to my other jobs, I find small differences in steel selection quite meaningless as you pointed out in a video the media being cut is so variant that steel composition plays a small role. That being said cutting sandy conveyor belt I did appreciate the serrated m4 blade I had. But something intrinsic to most to want the "best" steel.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/16/2017 05:10AM by KWB.

I wish I had been smart enough to get one of Kyley's slip joints when I had the chance. I like that knife.

I've been following his instagram for a while and I think the knives he's been putting out are pretty exceptional when you take into account how short a time he's been making them. I've a feeling being involved on the maker side of things is probably going to give him some greater insights into knife performance when it comes to his reviews or at least I'd hope so.