THE
FLORIDA KNIFEMAKERS' ASSOCIATION
MEMBER PROFILE
ROGER GAMBLE
I have used knives since I borrowed my Grandmother's paring knife to play Tarzan at 5 years old. It had a stag handle, thin carbon blade, and was very sharp. Later, we used knives to make blowguns from bamboo and cane, bows from oak, ands spears from whatever was long and straight enough.
About age 12, I found out about the importance of strong blades. Again, I had a kitchen knife, a butcher knife, when I took a "double dog dare" to jump on an alligator that was living below the bridge at Joe's creek. I stabbed him in my best Johnny Weismuller imitation as I jumped down 5 feet to straddle him. The blade broke, but we had a new form of entertainment. My cousin and I took turns jumping on and riding him until he left a few days later. The next gator lasted two days. The next gator was 8 feet long and that was the end of that game.
Like most boys we made knives out of files. Knowing nothing about heat treating they rarely lasted through one session of knife throwing. I hate to think of all the Imperial hunting knives we ruined using trees for targets.
I had collected custom knives for years, before I decided to make folders for my family at Christmas of 1992. Making those four folders was an eye opener. I gained a whole lot more respect for knife makers. I also got hooked on making knives. I became a member of the Knifemakers' Guild in 1996 and am a charter member of the Florida Knifemakers' Association.
EXAMPLES OF MY WORK
HOW TO CONTACT ME
Roger Gamble
2801 65th Way North
St. Petersburg, Florida, 33710
(727) 384-1470