Laurence Segal - Rhino Custom knives

Matt de Clercq

Matt de Clercq

Well-Known Member
I asked a question here a little while back here about tapered tangs and I received some good information as well as an invite to go visit Laurence at his store/knife making shop in Santa Monica, CA. I jumped at the chance even though it is a far drive for me.My wife thought my knife making sickness had finally infected my brain crushing any rational decision making.:20: I explained to her that he is a knife maker and that is what we do, "it will be awesome."

I would like to tell everyone I can how much I appreciate the generosity and spirit of Laurence Segal. I asked him questions all day and he answered them all with straight forward talk and a smile. He also asked me questions and didn't interupt (I talk slow:1:) and took time to make sure he understood what I was saying. He showed me everything he could think of in his shop and all of his techniques that we had time for. I really liked what he could do with his Rhino finger skins as belt backing while finishing handles. He spent all day helping me, a day that he could have spent running his business and making money.

I believe Laurence's willingness to help others and advance the craft and traditions of knife making should be recognized by knife makers, especially new ones, so that we have an example of how to pay it forward to make what we do and where we live a better place.
 
"My wife thought my knife making sickness had finally infected my brain crushing any rational decision making....."

You still haven't proven her wrong.....:biggrin:

That is neat to hear you had a good time. I used to work in Santa Monica for 7 yrs. Wish I had known there was a custom knife shop there!

From what I see on the forums here there are some excellent knife makers here in Montana also!:3:

It is also nice to see you acknowledge Laurence for all his help.
 
Laurence is definitely one of the good guys. I've never met the man personally, but he never hesitates to help answer a question for anyone who asks on knifedogs, or any of the other forums he's a part of.
 
Laurance is definitely one of our assets here in the pound. An all around good guy.
I'm glad you took advantage of his offer. Those types of opportunities are valuable to all of us.
 
Well Guys,
First, let me say that I appreciate all of the kind words.
Second and even more important I would like to thank Matt for coming down and speeding the day with me talking knives and sharing different ways to do things. Matt, You don't talk slow, unlike me and a lot of other people you actually take time to think before you speak, instead of just blurting out sounds.

Its always a pleasure to share with other makers no matter how long they have or haven't been making knives and one thing I learned a while ago was that I get more out of teaching someone than they do. It makes me think through the process and verbalize my actions and during this I have little light bulbs light up with possible improvements on the process I am explaining.

I recommend that all of you Noobs so to speak, don't just learn by watching Videos, find a maker in your area to see if you can spend some time with them, you will not only get some hands on knife making instruction, you may make a new friend like I have with Matt.:happy:
 
"My wife thought my knife making sickness had finally infected my brain crushing any rational decision making....."
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My wife too

Lawrence is always trying to help out here on Knifedogs so I'm not surprised he is a good guy to face to face. Your helping all of us Lawrence by putting a positive face on knifemakers, thanks.
 
I've had a few verbals with Laurence and he definitely has been one of my go to guys, with a few others.. He's always answered my questions and has always given me great advice, not only with knife making but life in general. I consider Laurence a friend and great person..
 
Laurence is a good guy! I did the same a few weeks ago, hung out at the shop all day. Learned a few tips and tricks that I haven't seen mentioned on any forums.

He's always been willing to help others and answer my many many questions without hesitation. Wish more knifemakers were like him. I've talked to a few that refuse to share any info- which is fine I can respect that. However those same people tend to be quite rude.
 
Matt de Clercq said:
I may go back just to watch all the women walk by his shop in down town Santa Monica. :001_tt1:
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Yep!
That is one of the fringe bennies here in Santa Monica! there is plenty of God's handy work of the fairer sex here by the ocean and when the weather warms up, you can put teeth marks in your steering wheel just driving down the street:biggrin: And its always a pleasure to help a young lady in a bikini that has a stack of knives that need sharpening.
 
Good for you! That really helps to take HUGE chunks of time off the learning curve. Laurence probably had a good time too. Sometimes wives don't understand, or just plain don't want to talk about knives to the extent we do. Although I will say my wife is VERY involved in this knifemaking business of ours and is a HUGE asset to me. But still, it's nice to talk knives with someone who has the same level of interest and passion and we don't get that everyday. Like minded company is a real treat when you spend most days arguing with yourself and losing those arguments. :)

Laurence is a class act for sure. Even when viewpoints differ, I've found Laurence to be quite the gentleman. He's a very valuable and integral part of this community. Knifemakers, more than any other group of people Ive ever heard of, have a reputation for being kind, generous, willing to help and treating strangers like family. It makes me happy when I hear of makers living up to that reputation.

Good for you for seeking out the help and making the investment to take him up on his offer. And good for you Laurence for being so generous and helping to pass the torch, so to speak. :35:
 
Hi John,
When I started making knives in 96 I went and bought a book,,

How to make custom knives by Tim McCrieght.
Then after a few weeks I was introduced to a very kind WWII vet and family man Mr Frank McGill.
He was a hobbiest maker and he showed me how he did handles and took me to a meeting of Cal knife makers.

I had no idea that there where all of these custom knife makers! I was so totally impressed with the way they would kindly share their knowledge that I made a vow that if I every got a clue about how to make knives I would readily and cheerfully share my knowledge with any who asked!

John, let me add, if we all agreed on everything, life would be pretty boring! Eh? lol

Thanks for all of the kinds words fellas, I never dreamed that i would be involved with so many great people when I bought that book back in 96.
 
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Thanks Mikey,
I am truly touched by all of the comments from my Knife Dog brothers, even a little embarrassed. :blushing::blushing::blush

I asked my new friend Matt to post this thread so that all of the Pups to knife making can see that not all of us guys that have been at it a little longer are not too busy or just plan scared, Yep! Scared to share their knowledge. It might be that I am going to be at the 20 year mark in march of 2016? God willing that i am still making knives then.

I just don't see as much of the happy sharing of knowledge that I use too? I see more and more that makers feel that if they share, they lose precious time or even create more completion for themselves.

I have found the exact opposite. The more makers there are, the more of us there are to educate the public to the virtues of buying a custom knife and the more I have been able to sell and even at a higher price.

So if you ask someone to help get you started and they say no, Some have injuries or family members that they need to help etc but many are just plain afraid of you!
So keep asking makers until you find one that realizes that he will get more out of it than he gives!
 
Im not surprised at all :) 90% of my posts on this site are questions, and Laurence is almost always the first one to respond. And he almost always gives me something else to think about. He's a great role model for us newbs :)
 
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