Sections of these quotes apply, I've pared them down because they represent my feelings on this, I don't have any pedigree, other than handling quite a few customs, from users to actual safe queens worth thousands.
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 is the honest truth, I can't feel the balance, I can't see it in the sun light, and nothing beats my near sighted eyes for perspective, Coop does amazing things, but even that level of photography pales in comparison.
My name has come up often. I am thankful to be in such high esteem.
One of the things STeven (Kohai99) told me (in private) was my posts bear more weight than the average poster. It was for this reason he openly fought with me on my position on a past display thread. We made up (I hope), but that impression has stuck with me.
Funny, in the past we've discussed how, unless honest critique is asked for, it's rarely going to be received well. One thought: Create one of those post title banners: "Opinions wanted". Once that's in the title, then the natives will circle the wagons. See how infrequent it may be used, though.
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Good stuff being tossed out here.
Coop
Absolutely, I don't offer feedback. What weight do I carry? However if a maker takes a few dozen photographs and asks for opinions, I'd probably give them, based on the limited medium.
Two of the biggest problems I see with critiques are:
1) They are most often made by those who have never themselves made a knife and held it up for scrutiny. They may well be possessed of an exceedingly high level of expertise, but never having stood in the shoes of those they criticize, they don't perhaps appreciate the blood sweat and tears that goes into the product regardless of the ultimate result. Such experience, I suspect, might well produce more truly constructive criticism and less contemptuous dismissal of another's efforts that the individual offering the critique couldn't hope to match.
Just to be clear - I'm just saying that's my approach - it's certainly not the only way to go about things. Some feel that any knife posted is up for criticism - fine - go ahead. Just try to be actually constructive and try also to bring the same thickness of skin you expect of the maker you are critiquing.
Roger
Getting into this, this is where makers need to decide what they want to hear, it's as much about makers having the thickness of skin to hear opinions on something they've poured their heart and soul into. I agree that criticism should be as constructive as possible.
Critics are not (necessarily) mentors.
I will add that if you enter a mentor roll, criticism is key in establishing the level of excellence required.
(W)hat's keeping you from moving to your own drum?
Again, exactly this, as Coop stated, communication, especially written can be difficult, time consuming and worst, could be ineffective.
I enjoy browsing through here and hope that this forum can excel, but I don' think that will happen unless open and courteous dialog such as seen in this thread becomes more consistent.
