"Bast" by Andrei Shurinov (Tula)

Kohai999 said:
Let's have some critique here, not just a back-pat session.
Click to expand...
Hey Steve, put down the coffee... ;)

Your comments are mostly correct. And that's too bad. (And I know with your history you have a good eye). First time a talented fellow has an opportunity to have his work *shown* here I (we) go out of our way to welcome him and encourage him. Having this much talent regardless of the flaws is admirable. I didn't see where we were asked to critique his work—and that's a BIG difference. And so we do the big 'back pat'.

Ya know, I wish I could step in an criticize every knife that shows up here. It's pretty easy to do--and it would seem to be fun and productive for the moment. In the end, artistry and craftmanship are sensitive for individuals, and we could end up doing more harm than perceived good. I agree that in order to elevate ourselves we MUST stand up and get judged. But let's make sure the process of indoctrination has begun. At this point a good 'ol USA 'howdy' is more in order.

Yeah, are some of the comments a little exxagerated? :rolleyes: Maybe. So are yours. We're even. :D

This sounds like a great question that needs to be asked in its own thread. At what point and how far do we go with comments. Hmmm...

Coop
 
Hey Coop,

The only time that I have fun tearing into a guys work is if he is being a total dik.
You are right about not being specifically asked for a critique. I figure that the implied invitation to critique is extended the minute that the photo gets
posted.
The guy who posted the initial photo who is translating for the knifemaker could simply not translate my post, or make something up if the knifemaker is a very sensitive person, and I would not be doing any damage to his ego.
This much talent in one place should be encouraged, I agree, a howdy seems much better than a "kick in the butt", but imagine if you willl how much better the knife could be with some layout and material choices that had been modified somewhat.
You are an artist, and I make my daily bread criticising and being criticized about artwork, and my work is much better for it. My mother used to tell me that my artwork would not support me financially, and Man, she was wrong. Which tought me a lot more about critique than I think mom
expected.
Would you or I have work that is good enough to sell, and make a living at without someone suggesting that we change something? I am just curious, because sometimes my criticism of knives has been referred to as "caustic".

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
2 Kohai999

Hi, I am "The guy who posted the initial photo" my name is Vassili. I like to see this "something Jerry Fisk did 5 years ago". You saing that it is not Andrei's art creation but simple copy, this is serious for artist - please give us a profe. I can accept and translate other your suggestions but I need clearification for this one first.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I am not saying anything about a copy of Jerry Fisk in reference to this piece. The reference was to a "school" of Arkansas Bladesmiths that work in very similar styles. Perhaps it was an poor choice of words.
My statement concerning the knife from Andrei is that he obviously has a great deal of talent, but I thought the pattern of pattern-welded steel that he chose for the knife was wrong, and that he needs some guidance on the sculpture of the handle. This is obviously a work of great imagination and originality, unique unto itself.

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
Thanks, I'll translate it and send to Andtrei then.

<Edited - I found myself being too exxagerated in that comments - I decide to remove them. Sorry, if I heart anybody's feelings.>

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I have an answer from Andrei:
------------------------------------------------------------
&#1041;&#1086;&#1083;&#1100;&#1096;&#1086;&#1077; &#1089;&#1087;&#1072;&#1089;&#1080;&#1073;&#1086; &#1079;&#1072; &#1087;&#1077;&#1088;&#1077;&#1074;&#1086;&#1076; &#1074;&#1089;&#1077; &#1079;&#1072;&#1084;&#1077;&#1095;&#1072;&#1085;&#1080;&#1103; &#1080;&#1085;&#1090;&#1077;&#1088;&#1077;&#1089;&#1085;&#1099;.
Thanks for your translation all suggestions are interesting.

&#1054;&#1089;&#1086;&#1073;&#1077;&#1085;&#1085;&#1086; Kohai999 -&#1089; &#1082;&#1086;&#1089;&#1090;&#1100;&#1102; &#1103; &#1076;&#1077;&#1081;&#1089;&#1090;&#1074;&#1080;&#1090;&#1077;&#1083;&#1100;&#1085;&#1086; &#1091;&#1074;&#1083;&#1077;&#1082;&#1089;&#1103;.
Especially Kohai999 - I kind of owerwork with bone, I have to admit.

&#1053;&#1072; &#1082;&#1086;&#1084;&#1087; &#1087;&#1086;&#1089;&#1090;&#1072;&#1074;&#1080;&#1083; &#1087;&#1088;&#1086;&#1075;&#1088;&#1072;&#1084;&#1084;&#1091; &#1072;&#1074;&#1090;&#1086;&#1084;&#1072;&#1090;&#1080;&#1095;&#1077;&#1089;&#1082;&#1086;&#1075;&#1086; &#1087;&#1077;&#1088;&#1077;&#1074;&#1086;&#1076;&#1072; &#1090;&#1077;&#1082;&#1089;&#1090;&#1072; ,&#1087;&#1086;&#1087;&#1088;&#1086;&#1073;&#1091;&#1102; &#1087;&#1086;&#1076;&#1082;&#1083;&#1102;&#1095;&#1080;&#1090;&#1100; &#1089;&#1083;&#1086;&#1074;&#1072;&#1088;&#1100; &#1087;&#1086; &#1090;&#1077;&#1084;&#1077;- &#1090;&#1086;&#1075;&#1076;&#1072; &#1087;&#1086;&#1083;&#1091;&#1095;&#1080;&#1090;&#1100;&#1089;&#1103; &#1087;&#1086;&#1091;&#1095;&#1072;&#1089;&#1090;&#1074;&#1086;&#1074;&#1072;&#1090;&#1100; &#1074; &#1092;&#1086;&#1088;&#1091;&#1084;&#1077;.&#1057; &#1072;&#1085;&#1075;&#1083;&#1080;&#1081;&#1089;&#1082;&#1086;&#1075;&#1086; &#1087;&#1077;&#1088;&#1077;&#1074;&#1086;&#1076;&#1080;&#1090; &#1076;&#1086;&#1074;&#1086;&#1083;&#1100;&#1085;&#1086; &#1074;&#1085;&#1103;&#1090;&#1085;&#1086;,&#1080;&#1085;&#1090;&#1077;&#1088;&#1077;&#1089;&#1085;&#1086; &#1082;&#1072;&#1082; &#1085;&#1072;&#1086;&#1073;&#1086;&#1088;&#1086;&#1090;.
I installed translation software, will try to install special dictionary - then I'll be able to participate the forum. It translates quite understandable from English, hope it is good for translating to English too.

&#1040;&#1085;&#1076;&#1088;&#1077;&#1081;
Andrei
-------------------------------------------------------------

I hope he'll join this forum soon.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I think the piece is wonderfull. What I see is an engraver stepping out of his usuall roll and creating a wonderfull piece of art. The design is sound, well executed and well finished. His skill with the metal is very advanced and marvelous IMO.

The carved ivory handle is not to my taste, but think it is well done. It isn't the finest carving I have seen, but is certainly very good. I only wish I could carve that well.

Perhaps the piece would be a little more complete as a package without this style of handle. I am not sure if there is a cultural significance to the carving, but my taste leans more toward the overall flow of the knife as one complete package, and this handle doesn't do that.

The damascus doesn't bother me in the least. It is what it is. Andrei didn't forge it himself, and often you don't know what you have until you grind and etch it. The gold inlays are masterfull.

One thing that impressed me is the fit of the blade to the ferrule. The ferrule flows realy nice off the blade, as does the quillions.

From an artist's perspective, I can see where the time went on this piece. Everything has a very nice finish, and that takes A LOT of time.

The shotgun probably took him 8 months or more in it's own right.
 
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