Blade Forums Customs Forum-Are we changing?

I'd like to add to my previous comments, and this is in direct answer to the changing nature of this forum. i've been making knives since 2005. In that time, I've made around 150 knives, most users. I have, however, stepped well above my level on several occasions and created really, really exceptional knives. Did I post them here? Only once. And the reason is this forum used to belong to the "Giants" of the craft. Knives so exceptional you went weak in the knees looking at them. Heck, just look at Coop's gallery to see what I mean, a lot of those knives were posted here. In other words, a maker didn't post here until he was darn sure he could hold his own with the big boys.

Then, a year ago, maybe two, someone on this forum posted over in the maker's forum, asking them to participate here, to post pictures and join the discussion. That was an invitation to all makers, everyone. So now you are seeing more common styles and in various degrees of skill levels. But heck, you guys (collectors) asked for this. It seems to me you as collectors need to let makers know what you want posted here. If you are looking for knives that are at a certain level, again, clarify (and I think you should expect the best that's out there) Maybe you need to devise a $250-500 range section, $500-$1500., etc., I don't know. As for critiques, I think you should be completely honest, keeping in mind the maker is a human just like you.
 
Dave Behrens said:
I think a lot of the overly positive commentary is directed towards "newer" or less experienced makers, in a kind(although misguided) attempt at encouragement to continue the craft, or the critiquer just doesn't want anyone to "feel bad". I have posted several knives I have made and always requested honest critique but never received any. I am one of those less experienced makers IMO. .
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My experience over the last couple of years has been that the brand new makers are better off and are sometimes encouraged, not directly, but often not gently, to post in the Shop Talk sub forum if they want to avoid having their feelings hurt.;) That may be changing as David mentioned and i wonder of some folks have stopped posting because of that or merely because of perceived "drama" issues?
 
David Stifle said:
Then, a year ago, maybe two, someone on this forum posted over in the maker's forum, asking them to participate here, to post pictures and join the discussion. That was an invitation to all makers, everyone. So now you are seeing more common styles and in various degrees of skill levels. But heck, you guys (collectors) asked for this. It seems to me you as collectors need to let makers know what you want posted here. If you are looking for knives that are at a certain level, again, clarify (and I think you should expect the best that's out there) Maybe you need to devise a $250-500 range section, $500-$1500., etc., I don't know. As for critiques, I think you should be completely honest, keeping in mind the maker is a human just like you.
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David, I for one welcome the increased participation of makers on this forum - both in showing their work and in participating in discussions. I have always both valued and been interested in examples from the craft at all levels from beginner to legend. All should be welcome here, IMO - not just the elite.

For those bemoaning the lack of critique, one question puzzles me - why aren't you offering the very type of critiques you feel are lacking? What's stopping you, exactly? There's no prohibition that I am aware of. You are as much in control of forum content as the next person. Why not make the kind of contributions you want to see?

Roger
 
Kevin Jones said:
So ALL, do you feel the Blade Forums Customs Forum “has” changed?

If so, do you feel the new meeker, gentler, avoid controversy BF Custom Forums is a positive or negative thing for both the forum and the community?

As always, I thank you in advance for your interest and participation, opinions and views.
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Sure it's changed, but not always kinder or meeker.
 
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RogerP said:
David, I for one welcome the increased participation of makers on this forum - both in showing their work and in participating in discussions. I have always both valued and been interested in examples from the craft at all levels from beginner to legend. All should be welcome here, IMO - not just the elite.

For those bemoaning the lack of critique, one question puzzles me - why aren't you offering the very type of critiques you feel are lacking? What's stopping you, exactly? There's no prohibition that I am aware of. You are as much in control of forum content as the next person. Why not make the kind of contributions you want to see?

Roger
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Often it seems the biggest criticisers, also hate their criticisms being criticised. It is often just a vicious cycle that diludes into personal attacks and then the oppertunity to have a valid discussion is quickly lost. The pissing matches over simple personal preference that occur on this forum is why I don't spend as much time here anymore.

Before anyone gets offended I am not pointing fingers at anyone, just stating a common observation.
 
I have been a member here for 14 yrs and I feel that this particular area of the forum, which is to discuss custom knives in general has become a fixed blade bias forum. There are a handful of folder makers that post knives on a consistent basis but for the most part it is all fixed blades.

The critiques were meant as constructive criticism and if you posted a knife asking for input you should be ready for the good and the bad. As a maker I have commented on other makers work in the past and I was reprimanded because it is supposedly bad form for makers to do this. Who better than a maker to critique another makers knives? The ABS judges are other makers, not dealers, or collectors trying to promote someone's knives.

I no longer comment on other makers knives.

I also no longer post pictures of my own knives as often as I used to due to lack of comments. I have posted some pretty unique knives and had 100+ views with no comments, good or bad.

I think that this area of the forum needs to become more well rounded to attract more makers and collectors.
 
Chuck Gedraitis Knives said:
I also no longer post pictures of my own knives as often as I used to due to lack of comments. I have posted some pretty unique knives and had 100+ views with no comments, good or bad.
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I quite like the lines of your yakuza folders. I also always liked the three circles you mill for your thumb openers.
 
Dave Behrens said:
Often it seems the biggest criticisers, also hate their criticisms being criticised. It is often just a vicious cycle that diludes into personal attacks and then the oppertunity to have a valid discussion is quickly lost. The pissing matches over simple personal preference that occur on this forum is why I don't spend as much time here anymore.

Before anyone gets offended I am not pointing fingers at anyone, just stating a common observation.
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David, I guess I'm criticizing that we don't critique knives any longer. I stopped posting critiques here when
it became obviously (at least to me) that the participants of the forum no longer wanted to see them. It seems
now it's mostly "high 5s & at a boys" that's desired. If it becomes a common and expected practice again as it
has been in the past, I will again start offering them if I'm still participating here.
 
I've offered critique several times, and have never met with animosity- indifference, maybe, but never animosity.
 
Maybe I'm not as observant as others, but I don't see much difference in the amount of critiques now as before. I mean, I don't remember a time when there was a lot of constructive criticism in the past either. It's usually pretty jovial all around. Then from time to time there'd be a flare up as egos clash, but then it dies down. Then often not long after there'd be a thread like this questioning whether or not the forum has gone from this to that and whether or not it's a good thing or a bad thing.
 
I know I've posted a few knives here that probably should have been posted in the "Knifemakers Gallery".
I see others do this also. I can see where this might inhibit conversation among members on the merits
(or lack thereof) of our work. Maybe we should restate the purpose of each of these two forums so that
we're all on the same wavelength.

I know that I find an informed critique to have real value. Heck, I've gone to some great lengths to get them
from people whose opinions I respect. Let's not lose that opportunity here.
 
Kevin Jones said:
David, I guess I'm criticizing that we don't critique knives any longer. I stopped posting critiques here when
it became obviously (at least to me) that the participants of the forum no longer wanted to see them. It seems
now it's mostly "high 5s & at a boys" that's desired. If it becomes a common and expected practice again as it
has been in the past, I will again start offering them if I'm still participating here.
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I really would love to read honest, detailed critiques from the more experienced/eductated crowd. It would be nice if these discussions could be had w/ out anyone on either side getting their panties in a knot over a differing opinion. Maybe that's asking to much.
 
I like to post pictures of my knives here and I really enjoy seeing works from other makers of all skill levels. For me the "Custom" forum here is for inspiration. Why would someone see the need to "criticize" a knife here unless specifically asked to do so? Isn't there a Reviews and Testing sub-forum here somewhere for that? I guess that is one reason I and others really kick-back hard against STeven here. I mean everyone has different opinions about what makes a knife bad - so what? Isn't it up to the collector that buys the knife to make the final decision? If I just made a knife and posted it here, it is probably because it has recently sold. If a bunch of guys criticize it, then that makes my collector feel like an idiot even if he loves the knife. What is the point of that?

I come to this specific forum for personal inspiration and hopefully to inspire others. Anything beyond that is perhaps rude and uncalled for... unless it is called for, of course.

Good topic. Take care.

~M
 
Michael Rader said:
I come to this specific forum for personal inspiration and hopefully to inspire others. Anything beyond that is perhaps rude and uncalled for... unless it is called for, of course.

Good topic. Take care.

~M
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Posts like that are why you are one of my heroes..
Represents my view point 100%
Huge Respect..
 
Personally when I post a knife I want it to be critiqued, if there's something wrong with it or if there's a better way to do it, I want to know. If there's not than that's fine, I appreciate the compliments.

I'm 23 and have been making knives for only 3 years as a business, 5 total, which is a drop in the bucket; I know I have a lot to learn. Maybe it's just me, but I want to learn everything I can so that I become one of the best knife makers out there, not so I feel like I'm one of the best.

Just my 2cents.
 
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Kevin Jones said:
We rarely see these critiques anymore.

Recently, I have seen knives posted up with substantial defects yet post after post followed stating how beautiful these knives were.

Who benefits from this?

The knifemaker or collector posting the knife doesn’t benefit, as they miss a learning opportunity that may help them make or purchase
better knives in the future.


If so, do you feel the new meeker, gentler, avoid controversy BF Custom Forums is a positive or negative thing for both the forum and the community?
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You bring up some great points
The reality is quite simple. If a knifemaker posts work here before seeking personal hands on guidance from a skilled professional knifemaker then he is an idiot and it does not matter what you criticize because he will always be an idiot.

This is the Premier Custom Forum in the World. If you call yourself a Knifemaker you better bring your A game..

Thats like going to the Daytona 500 and asking the crowd/fans how to drive.. You better know how to drive before you get there.
Honestly, if a someone calls themselves a Knifemaker and they have not had their work critiqued one on one by world class makers then they are phony and all the positive criticism in the world can not help them..

I would like to hear one example, just one name of one knifemaker who posted junky knives and as a result of positive criticism went on to become world class.. Just one example of someone who is now on the cover of Blade.. One example of someone who won an award..

Interpretation through static images on a forum is just too subjective to offer criticism that could possibly benefit anyone or have a positive effect on anything..
 
This may be a little off subject but a while back I was reading a thread where a comment was made that photos on Coop's sticky were of knives that were never meant to be used . This person also said that any knife that cost $500 plus were most likely safe queens anyway . That led to my comment that wasn't always the case as I used a $1,200 custom chopper in the woods . I think this was a younger collector who most likely didn't like or simply couldn't afford a custom . A lot of that thread content also was of the opinion that their $50 knives could do anything a expensive custom could . Obviously we all have different opinions , likes & dislikes so to each his own I guess -
 
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