Blade Forums - User Names?

Esav Benyamin said:
I can't imagine why a businessman like a knifemaker would not use his own name, at least in a signature line. When I offer to buy a knife from someone on the Exchange forums, I immediately email them with my full name and address. Why would they do business with "anonymous"?

But usernames are an internet tradition, more useful in some places than others. On one forum, I had trolls posting all kinds of information about where I lived and how they were going to firebomb my house. Only I didn't live there -- it was my parents' house. Not nice.

A search engine (to use a Bladeforums metaphor) is a two-edged sword.
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I would say you have a GOOD reason to use a screen name.
 
ptgdvc said:
Kevin,

Seriously, way back when, my name was not available from my email service. I went with a combination of my initials PTG, and Colonel Cooper's motto, Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas.

Also Jones, I like keeping you confused!

Peter
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Not a hard chore there. ;) :D
 
I thought about using the nickname that Jason Mewes gave Shannon Elizabeth in "Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back" but "Boo Boo Kitty F**k" was already taken, so I just used my initials and birth year, whihc is what I have always used a variant of on line:D
 
RAN said:
R-iad
A-boul
N-asr
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I'm good with the initial thing, its names that leave you clueless as to who someone is that I question.

Someone posted using their screen name this morning asking if BFB Bowie received a payment from them via paypal last night. How do I know as paypal uses actual names identifing payees not screen names.

Maybe, we need a roster of actual names paired with screen names :confused:
 
The reasons for having an anonymous, cryptic forum name are many. However, I don't agree with any of them. :p

Maybe it's because of the stigma of knives that force intelligent folks to shield their true identities. Maybe it's a cool way of attempting to stay young, like wearing a baseball cap backwards when you are over 30. :rolleyes: Yeah, I know there are some LEO identities that should be covered. Exceptions to the rule.

On any of the top photo forums, most everyone's handle is their true name or readily available (read my signature line). I don't understand why any maker or anyone in the trade won't be forthright.

We tend to share advice that is learned and sometimes hard-earned. I am never eager to work that hard when someone is pulling the shade down in front of me. The internet is impersonal enough. When I see a REAL name attached to a post, I recognize there is a another human connecting with me through a keyboard. When I see a forum name I see one who is unwilling to share my own sense of trust.

Those who have the most to offer tend to be the most transparent and confident in their identity. The cream always rises to the top.

Who'd I piss off.....???! :D :thumbup: ;)

Coop
 
BTW, I have a draft email of about 20+ real forum names I have learned. I like to refer to it when I PM or make a personal comment.

The USN had a great system of ensuring that members real names were in their profile. I though that a good tool. Best of both worlds. Not that it would work here, but it's the way I would handle a forum.

Coop
 
If using your real name for a screen name benefits your use of the forums or happens to be your preference, then go for it. If the rules change, I suppose I'll change with them.

Personally, since I'm not a big time collector or knife maker, I don't see where it makes a difference for me. It's been my habit, based on some history, to be anonymous on the internet. I value my privacy and feel the anonymity is maintained using a screen name.

Anyone I buy from or sell to gets my name address and phone number as part of the transaction. That works for me and is obviously necessary.

Cheers,

Gary
 
Kevin Jones said:
Thought I would dive into this topic again, as I wish everyone would use their real names. The recent blade show strengthen my opinion on this subject.

IMO, makers put themselves at a disadvantage by using screen names.

I know there may be legitimate reasons, however still? :grumpy: ;)
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I have a tough decision to make. I am a knifemaker. The problem is, I haven't made any knives. Just A knife. Guess maybe I should make a few more then use my real name? :D

Seriously, I am okay with usernames if there is information in the profiles. But, there are a lot of profiles that are blank, so it does make it hard to know who you are communicating with. And, knifemakers (vs. collectors and interested parties) should be more open, I feel. Most are.

I hope to have a small forge in time (John White took off in his fifties!!), but enjoy collecting and learning about custom knifemaking presently. Semi-retirement isn't that far off for me. I know my user name might make some think I already have a knife business established. Not so, but I do have a domain saved and plan to work toward that goal in the near future.

If you promise not to laugh, I'll post my first and only knife. I did the two-day course Don McGinnis gives in Ozark, Missouri this year and would highly recommend it to those who want to learn more about the custom knife.

Joesfirstknife3.jpg


Coop, you'll have to wait until they get a little better. :)


- Joe
 
DJobim = Daniel Jobim

In my opinion, i think that it would make things much better between maker and buyer, and much better to people who go to shows and don't know that maybe the person on his side could be a friend from the forum.

Best Regards from Brazil
 
Joe, I agree with Don, that is a good looking knife.

I have no problem with pseudonyms, as long as they are not used as something to hide behind when being a jerk.
 
Guess one of the main reasons not to use your real (first) name is that there are many identical names and the forumsname only exists once!? :confused: ;)
My forums name on other forums is Wrangler, taken from my beloved `91 Jeep Wrangler and the meaning of wrangler isn`t bad either! :D
As Wrangler was taken already I used Wolfgang what`s my first name (in real life ;) ), of course.

I don`t think it`s any bad to use a forums- or nickname but some of the cryptic letters and numbers mixed are really hard to remember. :foot: :D







@canineforge
Joe, that`s a beauty! :thumbup:
I`ve seen knives of makers that made dozens of knives already and that do not even come close to this one! :D
 
I'm shocked and very impressed with your first knife. Shocked because even with your screen name, I never expected you were contemplating making knives.
Great job, two thumbs up for a first knife. :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
My user name is basically my real name. Andy Moon Wilson = moonwilson
I think that using one's own real name serves to keep one from indulging in bad behaviour, rudeness and other stupidity. (In my case, with limited success.) I'm an artist, so my identity is already fairly public. If I were a knifemaker, I would certainly use my full, real name-that just makes good business sense. Every time someone sees a knifemaker's name, it's a little bit of advertising. I know I really appreciate it when I see Sal Glesser or Jerry Busse posting in person, it shows their level of commitment to their customers.

Though I can certainly understand why folks who are LEO, or military or govt. would prefer to remain anonymous.
 
rnrossi said:
So what's the security issue in using your real name?
Security for me is remembering my name!

My great fear is waking up someday and not remembering any of my passwords.:eek:
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Yeah, there are days when that happens:D :eek:
 
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