“No color copiers” revisited

Joe Stout uses a file to etch a decorative pattern into the top of a hunting knife.

Several weeks ago, I wrote a post called “No color copiers” about a trip I made to Putnam County, Tenn., to conduct an interview with craftsman Joe Stout.  As promised, here is the resulting story, published this month in the Tennessee Cooperator: Staying Sharp.  (The link will open as a .pdf document.)

Since the magazine came out approximately two weeks ago, Joe says his business has “gone crazy.”  He’s had calls from all over Tennessee and surrounding states, and suddenly has a long waiting list because, he says, “I can’t make them fast enough.”

“I took a perfectly good hobby and made a job out of it!” he told me over the phone.  “I guess I’ll just make knives ’till I can’t do it anymore, and then I’ll tell ’em I’m done!”

If you haven’t read, “No color copiers,” I suggest you do that first.  Enjoy!