A reality check for most makers

Tai Goo said:
I don't think some of these elitist collectors are qualified to critique anything. All they do is follow the trends, by blue chip names, and pat each other on the back... who can't do that?

Who can't pick a knife apart,... any knife?
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Don't tell me whats wrong with one of my knives if you can't show me how to fix it.Tai I totally agree.:thumbup:
 
I disagree.

I don't have to know how to build a car to know it's not running right.

I don't have to know how to make furniture to tell you it's not comfortable.

I don't have to know how to build a website to know when I see a bad one.

And a collector doesn't have to know how to fix a knife, he just needs to be able to spot the knives that need fixing.
 
joshsmith said:
I disagree.

I don't have to know how to build a car to know it's not running right.

I don't have to know how to make furniture to tell you it's not comfortable.

I don't have to know how to build a website to know when I see a bad one.

And a collector doesn't have to know how to fix a knife, he just needs to be able to spot the knives that need fixing.
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Exactly correct.

Roger
 
Hi Sharpe,

First, nice web site, good photos.

Second, you have no prices on your knives (unless I missed it). Put prices on your knives....don't make a potential buyer "Guess" what you are charging.

Third, while I understand that you were making a copy of the SOG knife. There is a reason that knives provided to the US Military use brass. It is the cheapest material they can use.

You are a custom knife maker, get rid of all the brass you have an resupply yourself with Stainless steel. 416 would be the preferred guard material, 303 would be second choice.

Whether the knife is going to be used or not used brass is probably the worst choice for a guard material. It bends and nicks up easy (in the field) for a collector knife it "patina's" . This of course is a fancy word for "rust". It gets ugly and has to be cleaned. As you probably know if you store a knife with a brass guard in a leather sheath...it turns the snap and keeper strap green.

Last, brass is the least favored guard material (and handle pin material) by collectors out there.

Many collectors have an "eye" for what to look for on a knife. Yes, they can be an incredible resource for pointing out both good and bad area's.

If you only want critiques from those who point out your flaws and tell you how to fix them. You should only show your knives to other makers.

Sadly, they don't buy very many knives.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
joshsmith said:
I disagree.

I don't have to know how to build a car to know it's not running right.
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Now that makes sense right there !
As long as you have something to use a comparison as to what running right actually is correct ?

something to ponder :
One of my cars had a 3/4 cam in it ( street racer- dont do that at home kids its not safe ) , and I was given more suggestions on how to fix that " idling " problem by many not in the know mechanics.

When I informed them it was supposed to do that and it made all its power above 3000 rpm , which is when it cleaned out and " came up on the cam " as its called.

Perhaps one way to fix all of this so that nobody gets offended , is to offer SUGGESTIONS , instead of trying to institute hard stead fast rules of design , combination of materials , etc. Remember there are no RULES , everyone has a personality , and an opinion , as well as likes and dislikes.

Personally I totally dislike the looks of timascus , but have many friends who LOVE it , point is nothing is made for everyone , if it was , it would be BORING.
 
joshsmith said:
I disagree.

I don't have to know how to build a car to know it's not running right.

I don't have to know how to make furniture to tell you it's not comfortable.

I don't have to know how to build a website to know when I see a bad one.

And a collector doesn't have to know how to fix a knife, he just needs to be able to spot the knives that need fixing.
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I totally agree Josh. I was going to say somrthing close to the above, however decided that statement didn't even deserve a response.

I really appreciate your objectivity in these discussions. You don't represent the maker or the collector, just call them the way you see them straight down the line. :thumbup:
 
Hi Hard Heart,

You are correct it was in fact Midlife Crisis I was quoted.

Roger, thanks for the comment.

Midlife thanks for your clarification. We are on the same page.

Josh, As you stated in a previous thread anything that helps custom knives benefits all of us.

Anthony, I heartily accept your endorsement. LOL

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Les Robertson said:
Whether the knife is going to be used or not used brass is probably the worst choice for a guard material. It bends and nicks up easy (in the field) for a collector knife it "patina's" . This of course is a fancy word for "rust". It gets ugly and has to be cleaned. As you probably know if you store a knife with a brass guard in a leather sheath...it turns the snap and keeper strap green.


Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
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Les, “rust” is not the correct term. Rust is associated with ferrous metals, not nonferrous metals like brass. The term “tarnish” would have been more accurate. “Patina” is a very broad general term that means surface discoloration of both ferrous and nonferrous metals. I'm not so sure that the word "patina's" is even a real word.
 
As far as Les's point about brass goes though, I think he is fairly accurate from the perspective of current market and collecting trends. However, from a more universal and historical perspective, brass has been used on quite a wide variety of cutlery, and has been considered acceptable. Of course there is the whole "galvanic corrosion" issue, which is probably just a trivial point,… except under certain specific conditions.

Galvanic corrosion:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_corrosion
 
I'm by no means an expert on galvanic corrosion, but it is a real phenomenon. Basically, when two dissimilar metals come into contact in the presents of an electrolyte, the anodic metal corrodes at an accelerated rate.
 
joshsmith said:
I disagree.

I don't have to know how to build a car to know it's not running right.

I don't have to know how to make furniture to tell you it's not comfortable.

I don't have to know how to build a website to know when I see a bad one.

And a collector doesn't have to know how to fix a knife, he just needs to be able to spot the knives that need fixing.
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I couldn't agree more. Aren't knives being produced for collectors/users?
 
I think most of the collectors who think they have the knowledge to critise knives and knifemakers probably haven't a clue if their knives are any good for what knives are for, to cut stuff. The expensive, pretty knives they have in their display cabinets could be made out of the softest mild steel and they will never know since the only thing they will cut is thin air.
 
Shing said:
I think most of the collectors who think they have the knowledge to critise knives and knifemakers probably haven't a clue if their knives are any good for what knives are for, to cut stuff. The expensive, pretty knives they have in their display cabinets could be made out of the softest mild steel and they will never know since the only thing they will cut is thin air.
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Some don't have a clue. But most of them do :)
 
Shing said:
I think most of the collectors who think they have the knowledge to critise knives and knifemakers probably haven't a clue if their knives are any good for what knives are for, to cut stuff. The expensive, pretty knives they have in their display cabinets could be made out of the softest mild steel and they will never know since the only thing they will cut is thin air.
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i think that is an unfair statement......i have custom knives that i will never use.....i also have custom knives that see alot of use.....i also think you are insulting makers with that statement.....ALL of the makers i have bought knives from pride themselves with their perforumance.....ryan
 
Ryan, dont sweat it. His post is not even worth a reply. If we ignore the trolls they will eventually just go away. :thumbup:
 
very true charles....thanks.....now i gotta figure out how to put people on the ignore list.....ryan
 
Hi Tai,

Tarnish would probably be a more accurate description. Either way the collector will have to polish brass often.

I agree that in a historical perspective brass was used through out the world.

However, I work in the now and the future. As you accurately pointed out I am very accurate with regards todays current custom knife market and what collectors want.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
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