I agree with many of your points, Joe.
But i feel that for Stevens words to be all they could be in terms of passion, constructiveness and effectiveness, they must be tempered by some compassion, forethought and tact. Words well spoken have far more effect than just lashing out. Otherwise he might as well be tilting at windmills, as noone will want to listen because of the way he comes across.
I pretty much said that above, in so many words.
This is a fairly difficult issue to wrestle with. I don't generally talk smack about a maker's work with fellow collectors unless willing to speak with the maker about it face to face. A few years ago, used to call makers directly and comment on pieces offline with the hopes of establishing a dialogue, and a few makers decided to mock me on another forum for doing so....so now, it gets put it out there for everyone to see....if you want to mock me or argue, we can do it publicly....if you just want happy, positive conversation...you can get that too, just ask.
Damaging a maker's hard earned work and reputation is not my goal. A quick sentence or two I typed without much thought created a bad situation for Marcus a few years ago....and instead of learning from it, just moved on, and continued my way.
The greatest compliment that I can offer a maker is to order or own one of their knives......that goes for the rest of you too. It's pretty easy to say nice things about a maker's work, and an entirely different proposition to pay for it. I have never cancelled an ordered knife, I have never not paid for a knife....for as much as it is a shame when a maker stops making knives, to me it is a bigger shame when a collector stops collecting knives. I'd like to own one of Serge's knives because I see so much talent there, and such a different style......just have to find the right knife.
There are other makers I have seen doing so many things "wrong"....and I have seen one or two collectors take an interest in that maker and completely overhaul that makers' business, impacting it so much for the better. Seeing those results are what drives me, and it isn't ego for the most part. It is belief that the time that others have invested in me, the effort that other makers, collectors and yes even dealers can be put to some positive use....but the words that are chosen are not always "correct".
So, the conundrum is....is it better to self-edit and question the effectiveness OR risk the occasional hurt ego/feeling? The best makers that I have known, and if you count the AKI makers as a representative group of "the best", about half have encouraged me over the years, and said that while my critique was often harsh it was also extremely balanced, rational and educational....not that they always agreed, but they appreciated the effort made. Tact is not my strong suit, compassion has, believe it or not, gotten much better in the last couple of years....the posts to Serge were more of a relapse than a reappearance of previously insensitive transgressions, and I feel my posts support that change of style.
The biggest crime that I can commit is to join the voices of fanboys worldwide and just say rah-rah good stuff. I won't even do that with close friends who are knifemakers....it is intellectually dishonest...I come from a world where it can always be done better....and my failure to do it better from time to time is on display for all to see on BladeForums.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
Steven, relax my friend, no need to get drastic. I appreciate your critisism, and look forward to hearing more from you about my future work.
