JP (IG: @bigdaddysknifeshop)
Welcome to this week's #weldershowcase - we had the opportunity to sit down with JP from @bigdaddysknifeshop and talk a little shop.
If you would like to be featured in our weekly showcase (100% FREE) please send us an email to leo.benchmarkabrasives@gmail.com to get you scheduled in an upcoming week. These showcases are intended to highlight your skill, your business, and your tips and tricks. Most of all it's to have a little fun!
Enjoy and Grind On!
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Name: JP Big Daddy Business Name: Big Daddy's Knife Shop Location: Bozeman, Montana Socials: IG: @bigdaddysknifeshop Specialties: Rustic pioneer ranch style knives with a Montana Mad Max feel. I like to make gnarly savage blades but with pretty handles. Something you could cut bailing wire and hunt with but you could also wear on a date with your wife as well as to church. |
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? I have always been into sharp things and weapons and making things. I was really inspired during C19 quarantine to take it a little more serious and scratch my creative making itch while my tattoo shop was closed. It really took off from there and has become a serious passion. I have now been making knives for around 18 months.
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? I am motivated by people in the trade who have taught me to have no fear and push my limits. I’m motivated by other knife makers as well as the end users. My wife and my family are also huge motivators and my biggest supporters. They encourage me every step. I have an amazing circle of friends and mentors as well. Shout out to my boys Jason Knight, Brandon Franklin, Michael Hoops, Jeff Davidson, and Jason Lowe. |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? That would definitely have to be a Michael Hoops hammer. His work is so stellar and he makes the tools to help make my work easier |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? So far I would say I do have so many favorites but currently this baby is number one. It is a 21” Raptor slaying Bowie knife with a brut de forge finish, wrought iron guard, and a sanbar stag handle. |
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If you could have any job as it relates to question 1 what would it be and what would you do with that? I would love to make pioneer Mad Max bowies with matching tomahawks as a full time blade smith. |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
My favorite Benchmark Abrasives product is the 2x72 36 grit ceramic belt! |
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
I was most surprised and impressed by the surface conditioning flap disk! It surfaces my anvil to a fine level finish that helps with the overall outcome of my forging.
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What tips and tricks do you have for us that might be different or eye opening for others to try with BA product?
Belt progression is super important and something I learned is that you can cut out a lot of hand sanding time and effort by using the 3 step conditioning belts. This was just conditioning belts and no hand sanding.
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
I would love to collab with Jason Lowe from Tavern Hill Blades! I think his Appalachian style and my Montana mojo could make a good goulash baby. |
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
My best advice is make whatever you want and do not be afraid to fail, you learn just as much, if not more, from your failures as you do from your successes. |
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What are your future plans for your shop?
My future plans are to keep growing, keep learning, keep improving, and sharing my knowledge with other makers as well as with my daughters. I want to keep sharing my excitement and passions as much as I can.
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Thanks for sitting with us and sharing your story with the community - is there anything you'd like to add?
I would love to just include a few pictures of my favorite works and thank you so much for this opportunity!! |
A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, JP! That was a pretty useful tip about using the conditioning belts to save on hand sanding - thanks!