Neo-Tribal Definition

[Tai Google]

A group of NTMS founding members,... in back of my old shop, 1995.

Front row left to right: Bill Randall, Tai Goo, Virgil Taylor.
Back row left to right: Emily Johnston, Matt Grogan, Tim and Marian Lively, Joe Electro.

[Ray Rogers]

Neo-Tribal: a school of knife making that emphasises the enjoyment of the knife making process. N-T combines ancient and modern tools, materials, and techniques which can include such things as harvesting their own wood, using rosins instead of glue, and forging in wood or coal fires. N-T keeps the use of electricity to a minimum, prefers creative solutions over technology, while encouraging high-quality, original hand craftsmanship, innovation, and the efficient use of resources.

I borrowed a little from everything that was offered. Tweak it some more if you want to. Remember that this is basically the first thing that many Newbies will ever know about N-T and it will draw some of them to you if we do a good job here.

I wish you had a picture of that dove too, Tai. I do have a picture of a Gray Jay landing on my hand and not a day goes by without a sparrow or a chipmunk crawling on me somewhere. Squirrels follow me around like I was a peanut laden rock star and bears sometimes watch me forge. Still, I've never painted my butt blue but there's still time ......

[Matt22191]

Tai,

That pedal grinder is sweet! I recently started looking for a cast-off bicycle to convert to a small wood lathe (for turning handles).

[Tai Google]

We've come a long way since the beginning... thanks to the enthusiasm of our members.

It's been a great ride!

Hey!
You know you might be Neo-Tribal if,... a Martian metalsmith shows up at the FMP.

[Tai Google]

Originally Posted by Ray Rogers

Neo-Tribal: a school of knife making that emphasises the enjoyment of the knife making process. N-T combines ancient and modern tools, materials, and techniques which can include such things as harvesting their own wood, using rosins instead of glue, and forging in wood or coal fires. N-T keeps the use of electricity to a minimum, prefers creative solutions over technology, while encouraging high-quality, original hand craftsmanship, innovation, and the efficient use of resources.

I borrowed a little from everything that was offered. Tweak it some more if you want to. Remember that this is basically the first thing that many Newbies will ever know about N-T and it will draw some of them to you if we do a good job here.

I wish you had a picture of that dove too, Tai. I do have a picture of a Gray Jay landing on my hand and not a day goes by without a sparrow or a chipmunk crawling on me somewhere. Squirrels follow me around like I was a peanut laden rock star and bears sometimes watch me forge. Still, I've never painted my butt blue but there's still time ......

I think you are doing a good job Ray! Thanks!

[Ray Rogers]

Thank you all for your input and your patience. As of right now, I plan to use the last definition, which is:

Neo-Tribal: a school of knife making that emphasises the enjoyment of the knife making process. N-T combines ancient and modern tools, materials, and techniques which can include such things as harvesting their own wood, using rosins instead of glue, and forging in wood or coal fires. N-T keeps the use of electricity to a minimum, prefers creative solutions over technology, while encouraging high-quality, original hand craftsmanship, innovation, and the efficient use of resources.

[Matt22191]

Nitpicky: I'd probably say "charcoal or coal fires."

[Ray Rogers]

Really? I thought I saw Tai say something about using a wood fire a week or two back.

Neo-Tribal: a school of knife making that emphasises the enjoyment of the knife making process. N-T combines ancient and modern tools, materials, and techniques which can include such things as harvesting their own wood, using rosins instead of glue, and forging in charcoal or coal fires. N-T keeps the use of electricity to a minimum, prefers creative solutions over technology, while encouraging high-quality, original hand craftsmanship, innovation, and the efficient use of resources.

[Matt22191]

I know some folks do use them (I've been known to throw a little wood on a charcoal fire and let it convert to charcoal on the fly) but I have the sense charcoal is more common. I could be wrong, though. Like I said: nitpicky.

[Tai Google]

The Neo-Tribal Metalsmiths are transmutating!

[toddhill]

I think I saw one of the green people in your fire at the last FMP, Tai. They seem to be especially attracted to your shop. Do you have something you need to tell us?

[Martin Brandt]

If you stay up so late forging that you see fire spooks in the flames. If you get all excited over an old wagon wheel rim. If worn out files get your creative juices flowing. If you're depressed for days after missing a load of chain saw bars that went to the scrap yard two weeks before you stopped by. If you have to think for a while to remember the last time you used a piece of fresh bar stock. Uhmmmmq!!

[metalbender]

if your PROUD to have about a 1/4 acre of scrap steel in your yard

[Lawrence Kemp]

If you've ever caused a traffic jam to get a length of cable from the side of the road into your trunk....

If you've ever been seen "dumpster diving" in the back of the Chattanooga Saddlery..........

[Blaine Whitney]

Originally Posted by toddhill

I think I saw one of the green people in your fire at the last FMP, Tai. They seem to be especially attracted to your shop. Do you have something you need to tell us?

Just dropping off some meteor probably.