Where Have The Craftsman Gone

[fdf]

In the past there were craftsman here selling priming picks, knapping hammers, priming horns, etc., where have you gone to?

I really missing buying your things, they were nice.

Some of us need things which are nice, Wally you still out there?

[Kermit]

You looking for "wwpete52" Wally Peters? He's still occasionally on the TMA forum, last post there about mid-December.

[Mike Norin]

Look on the Contemporary Longrifle Association web site somebody on there might have what you need.

[fdf]

I read a lot in various forums to learn about muzzle loading and look for nice things to buy for myself and to donate to shoots that I attend as gifts and to raise money for those shoots.

It just seems in the last 18 months or so, there is a shortage of nice things being made to buy, was wondering why the shortage.

I like to buy from individuals so they get the money to support their interests.

[Hank*in*WV]

I'm afraid Wally passed away a short while back.

[fdf]

That's a shame about Wally.  He was a true craftsman and made a variety of nice things.

I bought quite a bit from him.

He will be missed.

[Hungry Horse]

" Where have the craftsmen gone" My question exactly. When I started shooting muzzleloaders everybody was a craftsman. You bought a gun, or a kit, and built it, and then made the rest. Now I see folks on this forum, and others, whining about not be able to buy pre-cast balls for their guns. I think these shooters are missing a giant part of the muzzleloading experience. My skills have grown greatly over the years. I learned skills I would never have attempted, just because it was expected in the group I did all my shooting with. I say put your wallet away and get your hands dirty.

                    Hungry Horse

[fdf]

We all have certain talents and we all have certain limitations to our given talents.

I can build a barn, but when it comes to making cabinets, I do not have the skills or the eye for to design and the ability to build them.

I can do a lot of things, but I know my limitations.  I ranch full time, my hands get dirty, I pull my own calves, but delicate work, I am not worth a durn.

If we all possessed the same talents, it would be a boring world.

I would rather open my wallet and buy nicely made things rather than not have nicely made things that look like I made them.

[Kermit]

Sorry to hear about Wally. I'd heard there were health problems. I think he last posted on another forum in December. I have several of his pieces which I'll treasure even more now.

Edit: Just found this:

http://traditionalmuzzleloadingassociation.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=19155

[fdf]

I ordered a vent pick from him and asked him if he could modify it for me.

He did exactly what I wanted and I gave them away at the WNS to some of my mentors, the picks were appreciated and are valued by the recipients.

I kept a spare for me, it goes in safe.

I wish now I had ordered a complete set of his flintlock sets now.

He had a talent for sure.

[jamesthomas]

 Are those vent picks made of curled steel with a loop on the end?  if so I bought 5 of them this past Dec. gave one to my brother for Christmas. They sure are nice.

[mark esterly]

I know the original poster was looking for a particular individual to purchase his goods but with all the exceptional craftsmen that share their time, skill and expertise with tutorials and pics on this board how can that question even be asked. I don't mean to offend but open your eyes sir the craftsmen are here.  my skill doesn't come close to the gentlemen that keep this board alive but when I need something I do the research and dive in. track of the wolf and other suppliers have everything you could need.  why are you here if not to learn?

[fdf]

"I know the original poster was looking for a particular individual to purchase his goods but with all the exceptional craftsmen that share their time, skill and expertise with tutorials and pics on this board how can that question even be asked. I don't mean to offend but open your eyes sir the craftsmen are here.  my skill doesn't come close to the gentlemen that keep this board alive but when I need something I do the research and dive in. track of the wolf and other suppliers have everything you could need.  why are you here if not to learn?"



I am the original poster and was wondering where the craftsman have gone that I have purchased from in the past.  I have a right to ask a question as long as it follows the web masters rules, which I do not feel I have violated.

I prefer to buy from individual craftsman, not from TOW.

I "did" come here to learn and very rarely post, I read only for the most part as that is how I learn.

Thanks for the lecture, time to  move on.


 
 

[Pete G.]

TOW carries a lot of handmade items that people send in on consignment. After dealing with the public a few times a lot of folks prefer the consignment route.

[ken]

Alot of the craftman are still at th shoots and rondies, and encampments. They have gotten older and some are gone. We don,t work cheap but most people want thing for nothing. Still at these event you will find people that do great work and will love to teach  and explain how it is done. The old ones are great that way and I have been bless to have known  some of them  ken

[mjm46@bellsouth.net]

They haven't gone anywhere, there still here but getting old and tired. 

When I got into this hobby I was young and broke. If I wanted something I made it for myself. If it worked out well I may have made a few more and sold them to further the addiction. I'm still using the very same powder horn and pouch I made in 1974. My old 18th century clothes don't fit any more, and I can't find the time to make new ones. Most of my time is spent in a Zen-like state building a few rifles a year, but that continues to further the addiction.