Frenchy's

Hi, I'm Paul, but also known as 'Frenchy'. I live in the North of England in semi-rural Northumberland, a few miles north of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. My working background is mainly Army and Transport industry.

Although I have long been interested in knives, it's not until late 2005, following the death of my very best friend, Dave Lisle, that I actually started making some proper ones for myself. What started out as a 'one off' turned out to be a blessing of a hobby for my well being and which, eventually, turned out to be something from which I derive lots of personal fulfilment and satisfaction. Moreover, having been ill for some time now, the therapeutic benefits have been considerable as I am never calmer or more at peace with the world than when I'm working away at knife or stick making.

I have no pretensions of being a genius or an exceptionally gifted craftsman, but I put plenty of heart and soul into this hobby of mine. I'm self taught and if 'experience' is another name for 'lots of mistakes', then I'm becoming reasonably experienced since I started! Now at last, albeit a bit late in life, I get a chance to exercise the latent creativity within me. The learning process is ongoing and the prospect of discovering new and exciting things is a tonic in itself. If I get an idea or someone suggests something, I'll have a go anyhow as that's the best way to learn and, if it all turns out fine, then it's bonus.

I've always been able to 'make and fix things', but work commitments etc., limited the sort of activities I could get involved in. Now my situation is such that I'm able to involve myself in something that I really enjoy doing.

On account of my health situation, this hobby of mine is primarily a therapeutic activity for me, as it allows me to immerse myself and as a consequence concern myself less with some of my my life's negative aspects and limitations. I can't plan ahead too much, but as long as I feel up to it and the availability of materials to turn my ideas into finished objects are to hand, I could be fairly productive on a good day. When I'm not well enough to potter about in the shed I'm even grumpier than normal and yet, it's often during such times that I get some of my best ideas.

There are only so many knives and sticks I can make and keep for myself. Then there is the cost of materials, which aren't exactly cheap. So, what normally happens is that once I finish a knife or a stick it joins my collection where I enjoy it for an indefinite period of time. Eventually I have to turn over my collection so I can buy more new materials to make new knives with, because that's the main part of what I really enjoy the most. This cycle repeats itself at irregular intervals and in the long run things seem to balance out. As things are, I'm able to pursue my interest at a higher level and experiment more than if I were to fund everything out of my meagre 'pocket money'. Moreover, sometimes people ask me to make a knife for them, which is always an added bonus and pleases me no end.

I don't have a fancy workshop with all the latest hi-tech tools. Those who have seen my 'set up' find it hard to believe that I can function at all from my couple of little sheds with barely somewhere to sit, never mind anything else. Still, it's my little domain where I make good use of the little space I have and the few tools I managed to put together. I manage well enough and with a bit of ingenuity, elbow grease, infinite patience and practical common sense the fruits of my labour are paying off. While perfection is open to personal interpretation, I set myself high standards and would have no qualms about re-working and even dumping anything that I'm not happy with. It seems that my way of doing things is appreciated by some as can be seen from the Test Review on British Blades and my Feedback page.

Next to making my stuff, the opportunity of sharing them with like-minded fellow enthusiasts who appreciate such handiwork, gives me a lot of pleasure and satisfaction. I get a heck of a buzz and find the experience highly fulfilling when someone who sees or gets a knife off me says "Wow - I love it!"

I'm very grateful for all my blessings and the opportunity to share with you the content of this website, which I hope you find as pleasurable an experience as I have intended it to be...

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Last update 1/07/09

DEDICATION

I dedicate this website in memory of my best friend Dave (Geordie) Lisle, with whom I shared so much and had planned to share much more, were it not for his early and sudden demise on

15th July 2005, at the age of 54.

A true and steadfast very best friend of all time like Davey

only comes along once in a lifetime...

Faith, Hope and Charity

Have faith in yourself.

Never give up hope in the face of adversity.

Be charitable in thought and deed.