Of this group four completed knives within the given timescale (of these one was an original group 1 member, two were from group 2, and one was new), two other new makers submitted partly made knives which were completed later and three did not get started.
All names used are pseudonyms.
Andy
Andy is just 14 and has been making knives for 8-9 months as a hobby. He has only made fixed blade knives before and this was his first attempt at a folding knife.
He is open about the disasters he had whilst making the knife; a chunk split out of the wood when he was drilling the pivot hole, the pivot hole was too large and it ended up too close to the end of the knife. However, for someone of his age, this is a major achievement and it is also really great that he also has the confidence to share it with us.
Tim
Tim is in his late 20s and has been making knives as a hobby for about 5 years, mostly with hand forged blades. This is the first folding knife has has attempted and he found it quite challenging, but has enjoyed getting to grips with both the design and mechanics of the knife.
At the time we received it for photography, the knife was still in pieces but he was keen to have it back and complete it.
Paper model, acrylic prototype, steel blade and spring:
Jill
Jill is in her early 60s and collects old folding knives but has minimal knife making experience, having just made a few small whittling blades from old files. She wanted to make a small knife that would fit in her handbag that would be useful for small, practical tasks. It took her longer than expected because she had to remake some parts which did not work first time around but she felt at the time she sent it for photography this time it would work when she put it together.