I have always been fascinated by the human need to create, and to discover unique ways to tackle the obstacles that life presents. So much of what is treasured in this world is born from these efforts. I am excited to share this window into the life of a maker, who can’t help but make.
photo credit: Mickael Do Couto
To start off, please tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Chris Meade, I am 40 this year, roll on the mid-life crisis, aha.
I live in Cork city suburbs with my amazing wife Andrea and my daughter Abigail. I make knives part time; my day job is a security supervisor for a facilities services company.
What sparked your interest in knives/ What inspired you to do this, and how did you learn?
When I was a kid, I used to visit my grandad, he was a retired steel factory foreman but loved working with wood. He was the type of guy that made it rather than buy it.
So, I grew up in his shed, helping with whatever he was working on and pestering him with questions. The basic knowledge about steel and heat treating came from him.
When I was 8 years old, he gave me a Swiss army knife, and the rest is history. I became fascinated with knives. I started making knives in one form or another in my late teens. I became serious about knifemaking in my 20’s and it has progressed and become a passion since then.
What did you make your first knife with?
I used an old Chisel; I threw it into the fireplace to anneal it. Then used a hacksaw and files to shape it and file in the bevels at the kitchen table. I used the fireplace and a hairdryer to heat treat and the chip pan to quench it.
Got in a fair bit of trouble for that, ha. I think my father still has that knife/letter opener somewhere?
Do you have a favorite knife you made, and would you tell me about it?
I don’t have a favourite knife per say, but I do have a few of my “first time” knives. Each one holds a memory or an accomplishment for me.
– My first double bevel dagger,
– The first knife I attached a dovetailed bolster on,
– My first Bowie, etc.
What is the most important aspect of a well-made knife?
To be honest, I think there are any number of things that make a well-made knife, but for me it would be heat-treat, edge geometry, comfort in use and fit & finish. In that
order. If you can nail those, you’re not too far away from a winner, the rest is just refinement.
What keeps you going?
A lot of Coffee, ha.
No seriously, I am the type of person who needs to keep busy, keep moving, even when I’m sitting still, my knee is bouncing with a sort of nervous energy, annoys my wife to no end, ha.
I like the technical aspects of making, learning new skills. I just love making knives, It’s half passion, half obsession. I think that’s why I don’t have a specific niche with regards to the knives I make. I will make any sort of knife if I can.
I love working with my hands and the satisfaction I get when a project is completed. I’ll literally plan an entire build or concept in my head. Then spend the next few nights refining that idea and how I am going to execute it. I rarely sketch out my ideas or builds, the build will just live rent free in my head until I make it.
Biggest struggle?
I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself, to get knives finished or start on the next custom on the list. With working full time, making knives as a second business/job/passion, it’s something I’m constantly reminding myself and struggling with, this knife doesn’t need to be finished today. You can take the day off and chill. An ongoing battle to be honest.
What kinds of knives do you make?
All kinds, but I mostly concentrate on the culinary side of things. I love chef knives.
They are one of the most widely used knives in history. Easy to get wrong, but when you hold a great one in your hands and use it. That’s the one you’ll reach for every single time you prepare food. To think that’s a knife I made? That’s a cool feeling.
Who helped you early on?
When I started making there wasn’t much in the way of information, so I’m self-taught to a large extent. Trial and error and a lot of research. I started getting serious about knife making in my late teens/ early 20’s so you’re talking over 20 years ago
now. YouTube, Instagram, social media, were only just getting started or weren’t even a thing yet.
I didn’t know of any other makers for a good few years after I started. I knew of Rory Conner, the Irish legend, I heard about him while listening to the radio. There was a segment on Irish craftspeople and his name popped up. I’m a fairly insular guy, I tend to keep myself to myself. Some people say socially
awkward, I’d agree with that sentiment. Aha, I wouldn’t be one to put myself out there and go seeking people. That’s slowly changing though, in fairness. I’ve gotten to know a lot of other makers over the years. Too many to name really, all legends.
That said, nowadays, I would chat to Sam Dunn @dunnbladeworks fairly regularly, we bounce ideas off each other, concepts or processes, etc. Will this work? How would you approach this? Is this worth pursuing? etc.
How do you approach knife testing?
Testing your work is an essential aspect of any tool craft really, and knives are just that, tools. I use my designs in my kitchen, testing edge retention, food release, comfort in use. Best way to test them is to simply use them. You’ll get a feel for what
you do and don’t like about a knife very quickly that way.
What’s up next for you? Any exciting new projects to tell us about?
No major projects upcoming, I do have a few ideas I want to revisit but nothing concrete yet.
Currently, I’m working on a few customs and some culinary knives for the next web-drop, hopefully early-mid June all going to plan.
To get more information head to his website http://www.cmcustomblades.com or check out his Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cmcustomblades