Can Makers Challenge Collectors

[joshsmith]

Perfectly stated, Keith! :thumbup:


I don't take part in online "critiques" (except for the occasional comments about design elements, for which all I need are my eyes). I simply can't make a "critique" of any physical object without actually holding it in my hands and feeling the weight, examining the finish, etc. However, when I am at a show and I can actually hold a knife, any negative comment I might make - no matter how slight - will always be made to the maker in private.
QUOTE]

Cockroach,

What I was saying that if this is the approach you take then you're not going to have to be challenged because it is fair and thoughtful. Your not going to have a maker mad because you made a comment that actually had no basis because you hadn't had the opportunity to hold it and really examine it.

My point was that I thought this is an excellent statement and if it's how you handle your critiques then you won't have a maker have a problem with what you're saying.

 

[joshsmith]

That's so wrong it's not even funny .

My intention wasn't to make you mad. In fact I meant to compliment you on your approach and if everyone took that approach there wouldn't be a problem. If I'm wrong then I appoligize.

I can't speak for the others, but I said that I would critique only design elements in an open forum - and if I do that, I look forward to the maker challenging my opinion. And an opinion is all it is, even in that arena. If I say "black" and the maker says "white" and then explains to me why "white" might be the correct answer, I'll be the first to admit my opinion was based on too little information.

Again my point was if this is how a collector handles his critiques you won't ever have a problem.

I have seen too many "critique" threads with opinions like "Gee, that looks like it would be a great user!" or "Wow, the fit and finish looks superb!" All based on a photograph. I feel that I can comment (critique) only on what I have some expertise in - and on what I know through actual experience. That is the reason I don't get drawn into these threads.

Agree.

For instance, if I were to critique an Ed Fowler knife - never having actually handled one - I would probably post something like "Man, that is butt-ugly. It looks like it would be very difficult to work with."

I will leave opinions like that to you "experts".

(FWIW, I spent over 35 years being questioned only publicly about my opinion - an opinion on which my entire livelihood depended. And yes, Kevin, my real name is at the bottom of every post.)

Thanks for the response.

 

[SharpByCoop]

When this whole dialog started a few weeks ago, I thought (wrongly) that there was an overall calling to be able to really lay it on the line about thoughts on a a piece.

Since then I have learned that although this appeared mob mentality, prevailing wisdom has tempered the dialog, and I have been happily impressed with the outcomes.

Like Josh allows, if you speak from your experience and use well-though out words, you will get in return what you deliver.

I think *everyone* has thinner skin than they allow. Notice how often a member will return with a defensive statement when a line or post has been challenged, ever-so-slightly. The threads go one and on with rebuttals. Those with thicker skin would just absorb and leave it.

Maker's challenging Collectors? What a concept. :thumbup:

Coop

 

[cockroachfarm]

Coop, the Diplomatic Corps lost a great asset when they turned you down because you were too short. (how's that for a nasty critique? )

Smilies are not, and will never be, an adequate substitute for body language, tone of voice, or facial expression. I plead guilty.

Personally, I LOVE getting into a constructive dialogue with a maker (holy sh*t, I said "dialogue" instead of "conversation" - I might be turning into a senior civil servant like my wife ) As long as I know something about the subject I am critiquing. I don't think there is a maker around who knows me who has taken the slightest offense in how I have critiqued his (gender non-specific use) knives or business sense! Especially when it comes to blades being centered in the trough or putting price tags and specs on his table offerings. But - I am staying out of "critiques" of knives or wristwatches based only on photographs. That's MY option.

And in the end, all of the critiques, opinions, and criticisms boil down to what my agency partner used to quote: "A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still."