Another fantastic custom from NY

[RogerP]

Coop, STeven - well spoken.

Now, could someone please PM me the contact info for the frou frou chi chi forged bowie collectors' club? I wasn't aware that one existed, but I'm keen to join. Now I must return to fluffing up my puffy shirt.

Roger

 

[BladeGoblin]

RL, knows exactly what he's doing, I was reading through this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=535074 that goes for 11 pages, and it pretty much goes the same way this is turning out.

I noticed one particular post by RL, in the above thread, is almost word for word what he says in this thread, odd?

Notice what RL says in post #81 in the link I provided, in the second paragraph "just look at how much attention this thread got versus others from the makers you mentioned."

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

RL, knows exactly what he's doing, I was reading through this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=535074 that goes for 11 pages, and it pretty much goes the same way this is turning out.

I noticed one particular post by RL, in the above thread, is almost word for word what he says in this thread, odd?

Notice what RL says in post #81 in the link I provided, in the second paragraph "just look at how much attention this thread got versus others from the makers you mentioned."

Notice too , that many of the same " detractors" have the same posts , maybe not word for word , but the meaning of their posts is the same.

What is absurd is some of the makers who are talking so much crap on design this , design that , flaw this , flaw that...
Having looked at some of their work on their sites , before you start tossing stones , spend some more time paying attention to the details in your own work.

All knives are not supposed to look the same and feel the same !!

 

[Kohai999]

All knives are not supposed to look the same and feel the same !!

What you are saying is coming through loud and clear, John.....it does remind me of a situation a few years ago.

I have a good friend who is a highly talented knifemaker, and he had crafted a large Persian influenced piece that had the handling characteristics of a sharpened prybar, when it really called for a light and fast feel…he knew this, but because he had never handled a piece of this type in person, and had no archetype to work from, he went for aesthetics over function….one of the few times that I have found this highly objectionable because that was not what he was trying to accomplish, performance sacrificed for looks, that is.

He sold the knife for a tidy sum, and although there was nothing structurally wrong with it, he still knows in his heart that he failed to accomplish what he set out to do. He will have to live with it, and I live with that knowledge. The purchaser has no clue, and probably doesn’t even care.

My .02, which seems pretty applicable to all of this.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Chefget]

Though not a big Strider fan, I like the knife; it is refreshingly different with a well-designed out-of-the-box look (something many makers could benefit from)!

If it didn't weigh so damn much I'd carry and use the crap out of it!

-Michael
(Not much on politics...just knives)

 

[Lorien]

Jim- thanks for not deleting your post. I wish you had the last word on this, but I'm pretty sure that time has come and gone.

Roger- You wear puffy shirts, too? Hey, listen, I was thinking of starting a puffy shirt forum. You interested?



And for jeebus' sake! This thread has been one of the most petty and ill conceived threads I've seen in this particular forum, in a long, long time. Like a bunch of little kids on the playground. 'Piggy died'.

 

[ddd]

Yes, Lorien,

The genetic anomaly we collectors suffer from which sometimes
takes on a form of childish competitiveness as a side effect, can result
in outbursts of such verbal behavior.

In such cases one has to forgive and forget...... Nothing else
can be done about it.

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[Lorien]

The genetic anomaly we collectors suffer from which sometimes takes on a form of childish competitiveness as a side effect, can result in outbursts of such verbal behavior.

In such cases one has to forgive and forget...... Nothing else
can be done about it.

And there you have it!

 

[bandaidman]

strider knives should be admired for producing stuff that is different and appeals to their fans.

the reason these threads keep popping up is the whole scandal of the strider guys false reputation of being "special ops bad-a@@@@" when they were not.

when caught, lame excuses were given and their supporters attacked their detractors irregardless of the evidence

if they actually owned up to it and showed real contrition this would be long over.

to me the response has been "sorry i got caught" instead of "sorry we misled you guys"

 

[Ken Williams]

Sometimes I bait. Last Sept. a bushytailed rat invaded my homestead, chewing up the wiring in 2 vehicles and the salty uppers of a pair of $450 Han Wag boots. Upon taking my bait, the dying rat was deeply sorry, which makes him different than the bait-takers on this thread, save Ren and David.

But sorrowfulness is not the expectation because both baiting and bait-taking are dual forms of verbal masochism played by those desperately needful of others with views they despise, to experience the double ecstasy of injecting and receiving sub-lethal doses of venom simultaneously, which is why these threads end up so protracted and dreadful for the non-player on the sidelines.

Don't know if RL is baiting or not, but I'll defend his right to initiate threads the way he did this one and to love Strider knives from the cockles of his heart. That I may not share his joy, in the CONTEXT of this thread, is ridiculously unimportant.

ken

 

[Habber]

This is nuts...but not the first time.I really don't understand how it turned so bad by someone pointing out that the thumb-hole intersected the grind,and that they didn't like that aspect of it.Is it BECAUSE it's a Strider that he couldn't point that out?....A while back I posted a photo of a knife I had aqcuired,and it was pointed out and asked of me that the Hamon looked to be too close to the cutting edge,if I remember correctly,it even garnered concern from other makers.But in that thread,no one was chastised as being uncool for pointing it out,and it didn't turn into a huge fiasco,the knife wasn't a Strider,but it was from another controversial maker....Shiva Ki.I also felt no angst to any of the posters that responded,I actually appreciated the info and feedback.I ,personally, appreciate when people point out design elements that I might not have noticed at first,as it helps me further define what it is I look for in my next knife.
I really find it hard to believe that Mick Strider would have a problem with ANYONE asking him,even in person,and stating thier concern about the thumb-hole/grind line.I would assume that he would be happy to discuss it,and waylay thier fears of it,or thank them for considering his work,even if it is pointing out something that some might not like(I know these are assumptions..I've never met the man).
Thanks, and lighten up a bit eh?
another RL....Rob Lindquist

 

[severedthumbs]

I think the point of the thumbhole was just a polite way to point out the fact that a $2100 knife didnt even have symmetrical blade grindage.

 

[Habber]

I went back..and you are correct...it does appear that the original poster of the thumbhole/grind line did state it with a bit more contempt than just pointing it out.
I still stand by my post

Rob Lindquist

 

[RogerP]

Rob - this joint could use more posts from a guy like you.

Roger

 

[bluejaunte]

it does appear that the original poster of the thumbhole/grind line did state it with a bit more contempt than just pointing it out.

Contempt? Only contempt of mediocrity.

When I look at any piece of craftsmanship or artwork--regardless of the name attached to it--and I see what appear to be glaring flaws, signs of rushed work, poor planning, or just bad design, it sticks in my craw. It sticks worse when it's from an established artist/craftsman who knows better, and still sets the price at the same level as a flawless piece.

So what if the market will bear such a price? Names like insert overrated musical act or neo-pop "artist" of your choice here have definitively proven that popularity has nothing to do with quality. Before anyone tries to put words in my mouth, this is NOT a comparison of the maker of the above knife with Britney Spears, Jeff Koons, or their ilk. This is only a refutation of the oft-repeated mantra "well it was worth that much to somebody, so it must be OK."

 

[ADD]

David Schott

Neil Ostroff here from True North Knives.

I see now that your excuse for being an unprofessional drama queen for this is his past - nice deke. Nice drama attempt.

Do you exhibit at the Blade Show? If so, let me arrange a meeting between you and Mick Strider—you can tell him to his face how you feel about his knives and of course his past. Maybe you will accept this invitation?

I hope so, because you will be the first knifemaker to tell him to his face what you feel cool about saying behind his back.

Have a nice day.

Neil Ostroff / TNK
TrueNorthKnives.com EST 1999

Goodness, this is the way a businessman/knife dealer chooses to express himself?
Tempered threats by proxy and playground bullying?

This is bothersome...

or perhaps just a simple vested interest?

IMHO, this just reinforces whatever negative connotations these knives and the personalities behind them have.

 

[Kohai999]

Goodness, this is the way a businessman/knife dealer chooses to express himself?
Tempered threats by proxy and playground bullying?

This is bothersome...

or perhaps just a simple vested interest?

IMHO, this just reinforces whatever negative connotations these knives and the personalities behind them have.

Neil is a straight shooter...he speaks directly...he does what he says he will do....he does not bullshit, and does not put up with bullshit.

You can see it as a veiled threat, I choose to see it as facilitating a person's accountability for their perceived LACK of accountability...bringing the mountain to Moses if you will.

David apologized, imo, because he felt genuine contrition....and that is good.

I would go back to what Coop said, I think it is a lesson for all of us. The OP SHOULD have at least discussed what he liked about the knife, and the rest of us SHOULD keep the discussion to the likes or dislikes about the knife itself...if we must editorialize about the makers shortcomings outside of the product itself, perhaps a new thread might be in order, might make for shorter threads with less drift.

That said, as well, I do think makers should ALWAYS be free to express an open and honest opinion, recognizing how they put themselves and their work in the spotlight at the very same time.

It might not work, but as an idea, is possibly worth the effort.....?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Habber]

Contempt? Only contempt of mediocrity.

When I look at any piece of craftsmanship or artwork--regardless of the name attached to it--and I see what appear to be glaring flaws, signs of rushed work, poor planning, or just bad design, it sticks in my craw. It sticks worse when it's from an established artist/craftsman who knows better, and still sets the price at the same level as a flawless piece.

So what if the market will bear such a price? Names like insert overrated musical act or neo-pop "artist" of your choice here have definitively proven that popularity has nothing to do with quality. Before anyone tries to put words in my mouth, this is NOT a comparison of the maker of the above knife with Britney Spears, Jeff Koons, or their ilk. This is only a refutation of the oft-repeated mantra "well it was worth that much to somebody, so it must be OK."

Contempt was probably the wrong word for me to use(I'm no wordsmith)
As I said before...I'm glad it was pointed out.Personally I think it detracts from the grind.I like the look of nightmare grind(I think that's what it is) but the hole being placed so that it intrudes on it takes away from the overall aesthetic.I doubt it has any structural implications,maybe it was an oversight...I don't know.I do think it was a valid observation though,especially on a knife forum.

 

[BladeGoblin]

Neil, you say, what I highlighted, about everyone.


You accused me of dodging you at a show, but never extended an invitation, (meet for a duel?) to me at any point. Then when I don't speak with you, which I didn't know I was supposed to, you say I dodged you. Grow up.

He told other people that I was afraid to come to his table, I know because these same people told me, via email, after the show was over. I told him before that I wouldn't be doing business with him anymore because of his attitude. So if I wasn't doing business with someone, why would I need to go to their table?

If anyone needs proof, I still have the messages. Yes I saved them because I was warned about his attitude.

Neil Ostroff does a fair amount of bullshitting, he still hasn't disputed what I've said above. He's been on this thread a half dozen times in the 24 hours since I posted this.

Neil Ostroff, is a man that talks behind people's backs and jumps in on these types of threads to get a little attention for his business.

 

[jdm61]

I read this thread when it first came up and hadn't looked at it since then. But when I saw it had stretched out to 6 pages, it was kind of like a car wreck. I just had to look A Strider thread going Chernobyl...who'd a thunk it? lol.

By the way, I am in agreement with a number of folks on the thread. Not my cup of tea, but an interesting design using nice materials and some cool technique like the fluting and the damascus "half scales". However, I would prefer the knife to have the thumbhole not only not impinge on the hollow grind, but to appear to be straight and farther back on the blade. Looking crooked may be an optical illusion, but that is what I see and at that price point, I shouldn't be seeing anything that looks even remotely out of place. At $3000 for a semi-fancy damascus folder, if that is the correct price, you are at or above the price level of much of the work of guys with names like Parker and Hanson among others and the bar has been set VERY high. Just my opinion.