Can we bring the experts on board?

[Blue Sky]

There has been a lot of talk lately about the number of custom makers/experts that visit but will not post here. I, like others I'm sure, feel this is a huge loss to this community and can't help but look for a solution.

So I have a suggestion. Create a separate forum for custom makers/experts and make it "by invitation only" for posting rights and "read only" to everyone else, or perhaps basic members and above. This would provide a public forum for them to gather and discuss their work, problems and solutions and we would benefit from the experience and knowledge we're currently denied. Kind of like the old "fly on the wall in the knifemaker's lounge" concept, or watching a televised debate among experts on TV. Threads about topics they are discussing could always be started in the open forums and they would be able to take up questions they see being discussed elsewhere.

How about it?

 

[Cougar Allen]

A forum that only knifemakers and perhaps basic members and above can post in? Have you ever noticed Around the Grinder?

Originally the knifemakers asked for a forum only they could post in, but then they decided they wanted to allow other paying members to post in it too. It's worked out well.

 

[Blue Sky]

Well, you learn something new every day. I didn't realize that posting in Around the Grinder was limited to Basic or above. That's an off-topic area that I don't visit often.

Still, that alone doesn't seem to have been enough to draw in the esteemed lurkers, so maybe my idea of a more restricted area (is 'reserved' a better term?) is still necessary? Posting ability by invite only, visible to all or basic and above? A side benefit might be the nudging of a few more members to pony up for a membership in order to gain read-access to the new area, especially if the quality of discussion turns out to be what I suspect it could be.

 

[DaveH]

IMO it's a horse to water kind of deal, if makers where interested in posting they would, if they are they aren't.

Are you really asking that makers be protected from certain people known and unknown so their feelings won't get hurt?

 

[Blue Sky]

IMO it's a horse to water kind of deal, if makers where interested in posting they would, if they are they aren't.

I can't speak to their state of mind, but others who claim to have first hand knowledge have said repeatedly here that there are many well known makers (and others) that will not post because they have no desire to defend themselves endlessly against those who will argue for the sake of arguing alone.

The question is, would their input be valuable to you and the rest of us if you could get it? If so, what would you be willing to do to facilitate it? Maybe nothing, fair enough, but that's reason I decided to start this thread, to find out. If no one likes the idea, I won't be offended.

Are you really asking that makers be protected from certain people known and unknown so their feelings won't get hurt?

That's one to put it for sure, but I think it's more than just avoiding hurt feelings. I'm also not saying their word should be treated as gospel either, I just think it would be a benefit to see it aired.

 

[Cougar Allen]

I don't know, maybe something like that could be implemented somehow ... I don't really see how at the moment, but maybe something could be worked out...

 

[Keith Montgomery]

An interesting idea. I don't know if it would work, but it sure would be nice to see more makers and other experts in knife related fields taking part on Bladeforums.

 

[Spark]

I can't prevent people from being "called out" if they post something that someone else perceives as being wrong. I'm not interested in providing a "bully pulpit" or a soapbox where only one side is heard as well.

If people have interpersonal conflicts, we do our best to shut that down and try to keep things to the facts. This isn't the first time a concern like this has been brought up, but all I can say to it is what I've always said - if someone steps over the line, we're happy to show them to the door. Otherwise, if it's a matter of opinion, defend your opinion. If it's a matter of science, empirical data is hard to beat. Past that, the facts will speak for themselves.

If someone wants their own private forum, restricted to a certain segment of the userbase, they can approach me and I'll be happy to discuss their requirements and how we can meet them, or whether it's even feasible. That said, the basics for this site work; why mess with success?

 

[OilMan]

I can't prevent people from being "called out" if they post something that someone else perceives as being wrong. I'm not interested in providing a "bully pulpit" or a soapbox where only one side is heard as well.

Amen.

Plus how many members, besides Cliff, are you worried about? Who gets to decide who is and is not worthy of being allowed to post in such an area? If you go by subscription type will you have to change the rules just so Cliff can't post if he upgrades? Who else should we get rid of so makers will only hear good things?

 

[Bastid]

Amen.

Plus how many members, besides Cliff, are you worried about? Who gets to decide who is and is not worthy of being allowed to post in such an area? If you go by subscription type will you have to change the rules just so Cliff can't post if he upgrades? Who else should keep out so makers will be treated with the respect evident in the real knife community?

Fixed that for ya.

 

[Blue Sky]

Plus how many members, besides Cliff, are you worried about?

I am personally worried about no one, nor have I singled out anyone, as you have.

Who gets to decide who is and is not worthy of being allowed to post in such an area?

Spark I would imagine, this is his playground. Since he doesn't like the idea for not unreasonable reasons, the point is moot anyway.

If you go by subscription type will you have to change the rules just so Cliff can't post if he upgrades?

Subscription type was never suggested as a criteria. Again, a discussion of the mechanics is really no longer relevant.

Who else should we get rid of so makers will only hear good things?

Never was any mention made of "getting rid" of anyone.