This week’s interview takes us to Kuwait. When I started this series, it was important to me to try and share makers from as many areas of the world as possible. What I enjoyed most is probably just how relatable he is. Are there differences in culture, differences in obstacles? Certainly, but there really is far more that we share, than what separates us.
To start off, please tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Fahad Al Sayer, I was born in the fine year of 1995 in Kuwait. I am a Mechanical Engineer by degree graduating from San Diego State University and a knife maker by passion making knives since December of 2017, so a little under 8 years now.
What sparked your interest in knives?
It started in the year of 2015 during my time at university simply watching YouTube videos. I had always had a love for cooking, art, and working with my hand doing random things. So, I found that knifemaking combines all those elements. However, since I was studying abroad, I couldn’t actually make knives in my small apartment, but I simply acted like a sponge absorbing everything I could from the likes of Alec Steele, Trollsky, and Koss.
How did you learn?
As I mentioned above most of my learning I did on YouTube; however, nothing beats learning by actually doing. My first knife was basically a brick, but I was so proud of it. Then it was simply a matter of practice and practice.
When did you start making knives?
I made my first knife in December of 2017, literally a week after I came back from the States. Funny thing was during my last days in university I had a waterjet cut 2 blade blanks out of 1018 low carbon steel thinking it would work. It was so thick also I think about 8mm which was crazy, but like I said you live and learn.
What keeps you going?
Before it used to be the challenge of making something new. It used to be if a new knife will include something that I have never attempted to do before that pushed me to make it.
Now I have officially turned my passion into a business so what pushes me is the rent. Lol, don’t get me wrong, I’m loving every second of it; however, now I had to put my big boy hat on and get to work.
Another thing is when someone orders a knife from me, I have this sense of excitement that I put my full effort into making the best products I can make.
Biggest struggle?
The biggest struggle I would say is the work/life balance. I’m recently fully employed and now the owner of a small business. So here I am trying to juggle between those two when it comes to work. I also have to spend time with my family and my wife who has been my number 1 supporter in my journey, and she was the one that actually pushed me to take this leap of faith and open my business. Without her I couldn’t become the person I am now.
What kinds of knives do you make?
I specialize in kitchen knives but like to dip my toes in the outdoor world as well.
What is the most important aspect of a well-made knife?
I think 2 important aspects define a knife, they are:
- Ergonomics, where the knife feels comfortable in your hand and not too forward heavy or handle heavy. Always like a balance point right where the handle meets the steel or at the choil area.
- Final touches, I am always keen on that aspect and try to finish up the knife as clean as possible. Things like clean sanding lines, cleaning the glue after glue up making sure there are no sharp corners on the spine and choil are I think things like that really can make or break your knife. If you use the finest materials but your finishing is bad, then the knife is bad. There are a lot of knife makers that make knives out of the simplest materials, but they have the cleanest finish out there making the knife levels above those who make them out of premium materials.
Who helped you early on?
My parents, and especially my father, he’s the first one that assisted my journey in the beginning. He was my biggest supporter and my harshest critic when I first started. I can’t thank him enough and will forever be in his debt. He is the strongest pillar in my life and always there when I need a shoulder to lean on.
Who are your influences/inspirations?
On the local level it’s the knife makers here in Kuwait. We’re a few people, nothing crazy, but we all know each other and help each other.
Then it’s the whole of the knifemaker community. There is no one specific whether it’s all the folks on Instagram, the channels on YouTube, or the 3 amazing hosts of the Knifetalk podcast.
It’s a community that I truly felt at home with, everyone is there to help and we’re all there to inspire each other. It’s a worldwide community with people from everywhere on earth but all following this beautiful path of making knives.
What is the perfect knife?
If you ask me I’d say a 7” Gyuto out of Nitro-V and an ironwood handle. Easy to sharpen, stainless steel, and an indestructible handle.
How do you approach a new concept and that concept’s implementation?
I usually start looking at videos of people doing things similar to what I wanna do. I find myself nitpicking their processes and seeing minor details here and there which I can then visualize myself doing what I want to create in my own workshop. Then a lot of sketching is involved. I sometimes use Fusion 360 to look at a 3D model and then I get right into it.
How do you approach knife testing?
If it’s a new steel I’m working on or a new design I usually make one for myself first. I use and abuse the knife for months. I then look at the results and tweak anything that needs tweaking.
What is your favorite steek and what do you like about it?
I would have to say Nitro-V. I like how easy it is to work with whether it’s when making a knife from it or using a knife out of Nitro-V. It’s like the 1095 of stainless steel. Straightforward heat treat, it is easy to grind and sand and has excellent edge retention.
What’s up next for you? Any exciting new projects to tell us about?
CNC’s! That’s all I have to say.
To see more of his work, head over to his website http://www.theblademaker.co or check out his Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/theblademaker
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