Hard Heart:
If they ask for your advice, offer it with kindness. If you have nothing positive to say, then say nothing at all.
You are 100% wrong.
Having been "solicited" by more than a few makers. I found that early on when asking me for my "opinion" that some merely wanted a "pat on the head".
Ultimately, I made the mistake of giving a "pat on the head" response to a maker who then asked me "Great, how many do you want to buy?"
At that instant I was forced to admit that I was just saying what I thought he wanted to hear. Rightly so he was pissed. He came to me for an honest critique of his knife and I gave him the "Very Nice."
From then on I vowed that when a maker asks me for my opinion, I will tell them exactly what I think. Yes, there are makers who ask me and have difficulty with what I have to say.
More than a couple have said back to me "What do you know". My answer is "YOU must think I know something. Why else would you seek me out and ask me my opinion.
Everyone wants to hear they are doing the right thing, a good job, etc.
The reality for knife makers is the quicker they understand where they need to improve...the quicker they will do so. Saving them time and money, both short and long term.
The same holds too for collectors. The quicker they understand what type of knives, materials and which makers produce those knives...the quicker they will be able to maximize the effect of the dollars they are spending.
The main reason custom knives are not viewed for their investment potential to a large degree is your comment that is in quotation marks.
No matter who you are, maker, collector, dealer, supplier, etc. Your opinion counts.
Now, depending on your position in the entity I call the "Custom Knife Market" some opinions will carry more weight.
This has nothing to do with being a "Snob". It has to that individuals personal experience.
Some brought Bill Moran's "Sole Authorship" style of making. Bill was certainly known for that and is no doubt a legendary figure among knife makers. If you get a chance check out the photos of the knives that Bill submitted for his Master Smith stamp.
Obviously Bill's opinion was sought out by knife makers from all areas. Why, because his opinion carried so much weight with those makers that they took everything he said to heart...as they should have. As Bill would give a knife maker an "honest" critique.
One thing not discussed in this thread (or maybe I missed it).
Responsibility.
Makers, everything good, bad or indifferent that happens with your knives in your "primary" market....is your responsibility.
If you sell out at every show you go to...you are responsible for that.
If you don't sell a single knife....you are responsible for that.
If you get articles, covers and/or win awards....you are responsible.
If you don't, get articles, covers and/or win awards...you are responsible.
Collectors, every knife you buy is 100% your responsibility.
If you sell the knife and you make money...you are responsible for that.
If you sell a knife an lose money...you are responsible for that.
So whether you are a maker, collector or dealer, you are responsible for the knives you make and sell or the knives you buy, sell or trade.
So no matter who you are your opinion counts.
If people think you are a "Snob Collector" then so be it. You took responsibility for your collection and developed it to suit your tastes and "eye". No need to apologize for that.
I keep reading about "Snob Collectors" What about "Snob Makers"? Is that what you call makers who only build very expensive knives?
What about "Snob Dealers" who only sell high end expensive knives?
These collectors, makers and dealers, collect, make and deal in the type of knives that they like. Again, there is no reason for them to apologize or explain themselves to anyone.
If you don't like what a maker is building...don't buy it.
If you think a collector is way off base in what they are collecting...don't buy those knives.
If you don't like what a dealer is offering or you think it is too much money...don't buy those knives.
As the Blade Show approaches, some of these groups will be asking questions to themselves.
Are my knives good enough to sell in that room with all that COMPETITION.
Are my knives good enough to make Journeyman Smith or Master Smith?
Thinking about submitting your knife for one of the Custom Awards at the Blade Show? My advice is bring your "A" game.
That particular room with hundreds of custom knives in it is completely devoid of Kumbaya! The BEST wins.
Collectors will be entering the "University of The After Market" where they will find out if they did their "homework" correctly. Remember if you lose money on a knife you sell...you are responsible for that.
Hard Heart,
During the "3 Days of Enlightenment" that most call the Blade Show. I will receive hundreds of "solicitations" (as will many others) from makers and collectors a like with regards to the knives they are making or Buying/Selling.
There will be no "Kumbaya" the critiques will be accurate and most informative to those who ask.
Some will be happy and some will bad mouth me as they walk away. Regardless of their feelings towards my critique (or any one else they ask) they will know, that from me they got the "Truth".
The Truth is always better than Kumbaya, no matter what form it is conveyed in.
My name is Les Robertson and I take full responsibility for everything I say and do.
Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com