Below is the speech that I gave at the CKCA banquet held with the Blade show. It is word for word of what I tried to say.
Let me know what you think of the idea, postive and negative. I or Kevin can answer any questions or thoughts that you have.
It is a long speech, but it also deserves a lot of attention due to its subject matter. It was well recieved at the banquet for those of you who were not there.
CKCA CKCA Jerry Fisk Cutlery Challenge 2011
I hope you all are excited as I am about being here. I’ve been nearly busting a gut all year trying to keep this quite so I’ve really been looking forward to the announcement tonight.
As Kevin mentioned we have something that can take knife making to another level and that’s what I’m going to talk about. I am going to tell you what our idea is and how it evolved. We’ve taken many steps to get here,-- some forward and some back--, and are anxious to get the ball rolling.
Last year---- here at Blade show –--- I was approached at my table by a gentleman that has been collecting knives for a number of years. His name is irrelevant, since he has asked to be anonymous. At first I thought he just wanted to strike up a conversation but I was soon drawn in by his proposal.
He asked me, if he was to donate an “X” amount of money, could I come up with a “Jerry Fisk idea” to stimulate the makers into doing something more innovative. I told him I would certainly give it my best shot. I could hardly wait to get home so Bob and I could begin to throw ideas back and forth. ---At times I was as confused -------as a cow on Astro Turf-------But, after a couple of months we finally settled on what we thought to be a good idea and approached Kevin Jones and the CKCA about managing the project. With unanimous approval,------ we joined hands and created a committee ---to put all the nuts and bolts together.
We’ve had lawyers and accountants give us their approval and we are on our way. The CKCA is in the process of changing their status with the IRS to a 501 C 7 tax exempt in order for them to make this work. ------- Y’all might not realize it but you cannot rush the IRS. ---------We hoped to have this project completed by this time. So when we have their approval, we will be ready for lift-off. I am amazed at the restrictions of giving money away but am finally happy to announce that the first “Custom Knife Collectors Association Jerry Fisk Cutlery Challenge” is now underway. My appreciation goes out for the generous donation, and to the committee for all their hard work and effort put into this program to get it off the ground.
When I was first asked “Jerry, what can you do to bring innovation to the knife industry?” one of my first thoughts was the Wall Street Journal and similar advertisements in upscale magazines. --- No disrespect meant to cutlery magazines, but they REPORT on our industry, INFORM others what our industry is doing and PROMOTE makers and processes within our industry. Knife related magazines are not responsible for marketing our product to the outside world……. We, as makers and collectors hold that responsibility. --------That is what we are doing here with this program; we are trying to be innovative even with the process of getting to our end result - involving others outside our industry, ---while-- producing a spectacular knife.
I wish we could offer this opportunity to each and every knife maker but, ------ it is only being offered to CKCA members who qualify. Our member makers often struggle to make ends meet and find it hard to find time to be creative,----- since they are busy trying to make the truck and house payment. ------ Of all the CKCA members who apply … THREE ------will be chosen------ to receive $15,000.00 EACH------- to make the most innovative knife they have ever done --------and bring it back the next year to be judged. …
Applications will be available on the CKCA website or will be emailed in your CKCA newletters. Be sure and start reading your newsletters because notification of what we are doing and when we are doing it will be posted there and or on the CKCA Forum.
The selecting panel that chooses these applicants----- will consist of knowledgeable knife enthusiasts ---------and they will choose the makers based upon the submitted applications.------------- They will remain unknown.----- No knife makers---- will be on the selection panel or judging committee. The selected makers will be announced _______________ . It does not make a difference if you forge ….or stock removal your blades…… nor do we care what style of blades you do. …..This is all about innovation. What can you do or dream of making?
This endowment money can be used however the recipient chooses----- as long as it relates to making a knife which is more innovative than this year, in a nutshell, the best he can do. --for instance it can be used for training of some sort, such as carving, engraving, ---- or the purchase of needed equipment or related travel------ it could be the innovation of a process-----, a design-----, a light saber------, whatever your mind can think of------- that is more innovative than what is currently being done.-------
There are a few restrictions, (which will be stated in full on the application form), but for the most part they have full freedom -------BUT ALL WORK HAS TO BE DONE BY THE MAKERS WHO WERE CHOSEN, ABSOLUTELY NO OUTSOURCING.
The chosen applicants must agree ---to be photographed and or filmed during the year----- while working on their knife----- and must promise to disclose any methods that they used at the end of the program. The following year at the Blade Show, upon presentation of their pieces, those methods and videos will be used to further educate other makers. These will not be shown until the after the judging.
The benefactor of the program has claimed the “right to purchase” the winning knife.----- and the other two makers will be able to sell to whomever they choose after the judging------- and all put the money in their own pockets.
Again-- these three chosen makers will have their pieces judged as to who is the “Most Innovative”. -----We will bring in judges from outside art galleries, art field magazines, well known museums, art councils,--- fields other than the knife industry. -------The makers will not know who the judges are until it is announced at the CKCA banquet. We will introduce them at that time and get them to say a few words--- so that the membership can meet them.
The endowment program will pay to bring in the judges------ and will pick up their tab for the week-end here at the Bladeshow----so they can be immersed in our field as we present it. This way they will see EVERYONE’S work,------ NOT just the pieces they are judging. ----The judging will be on a Thursday morning connected to the Bladeshow.
Only one person will sit on both -----the selection committee----- and on the judging panel----- this person will be a collector. ----- This way there is a source for information and background experience for those outside judges to go to, instead of just wandering around.----- On the same thought---- a single person’s vote neither can------ nor will----- sway the vote. ----- There will be an even number of judges -----If there is an odd number of votes it is “cut and dry” on the winner.------ With an even number of judges---- on a tie---- they will be forced to discuss the merits of the submitted pieces. ------since these are “art” people and innovation itself can be subjective.--
Each maker involved will receive an--- equal-----physical artistic award -----that can be displayed at his table and in his home to denote that he was chosen for this endowment award. These awards will be presented at the annual CKCA Banquet when the judges select the winner.
My grandfather told me years ago that if you give a man a fish he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will drink all your beer…….well, people we want them to drink our beer --– drink in--- all that we do --------and offer with our work. ------
We want coverage in magazines,---- TV----, and media not common to the knife industry. We are working hard to open doors to people and places that have not previously perceived knives as pieces of “art”--- wether they are used as a tool or put on display. Also, for the maker, we are working with a production company for an agreement -- to contract with the winner.
……………. I’m telling you folks that this is an opportunity that we all need to take advantage of. ----Unfortunately, most of you will fall in the same boat with me --- in which you won’t qualify to be an applicant -------nor receive any monetary award --- but I am officially challenging each and every one of you to go home after this week----- and come back next year -----with something you have never done before,------ collectors and outside people will be looking at your work, -----and remember the innovation you bring ----may choose----- you--- for the next round.
Only three makers will receive money to boost their motivation, but just knowing that everyone is making the effort - we WILL be noticed and will no doubt draw a larger crowd next year------- If nothing else---- they will wander in----- wondering whats going on---—that’s getting these people pumped up. ------- I promise to stretch my little brain to present something new ,….. I WANT THESE PEOPLE TO BE GOBSMACKED!
Now----what does this mean to knife collectors? ----- Going by what little I know about marketing---, this program is a start. -------By bringing outside craft/art people we increase the interest in knife collecting, we also increase the publicity that knives get in publications--------- because we will be careful choosing judges that are both talented and connected to media. That opens up the possibility of new enthusiastic collectors. ------All of this will mean an uptick---- in both primary and secondary markets. ------- You, the collector will benefit from this--- – it may be that your knife or knives are chosen to be published in some of these “outside the normal publications”. ----- There will need to be interviews of collectors. ----------You will see more innovative ideas coming from the makers, thereby enriching your current collections.
With marketing, an “idea or product” hits a tipping point as to -----will it drop??--- or---- how big it will go?--------You need to be able to recognize such when and how to make it tip in your favor. ------ By tying all this together we feel like we have reached our tipping point in this field and it is time that we address it. ------ This program gives us a tool that we can use to push over this point. -----And People, let me tell you knives have been on the tipping point of success for so long my crotch is sore.
The makers in their shop each try to reinvent the wheel. There is currently no joint effort to make a forward push of marketing our work; -------you just have a few savvy individuals pushing that make ---or collect. ----- --This program should bind us together with a few knowledgeable leaders and market not just these three makers -------but both our maker and collector industry. -------
Many of you in this room who collect knives are successful in your careers. We may need to call upon some of you at various times for advice or help. If you are willing to help in some way,----------would you mind raising your hand so we have a feel for how much support we have with this? ------ Some of you may know------- editors or publishers---- in various magazines or other media, and we can certainly use------ the help of our cutlery magazines that has supported us for so long. -----We can use the help of each of you. ------Collectors and makers, talk this up;----- let’s get some Buzz going all across the country.------ I am not saying a new day is dawning in the knife world------ but I am saying if you do not get out of the house you will miss the bus.
Again, CKCA knife maker members who wish to participate will be able to get an application form--- from our CKCA website--- Start reading the CKCA newsletters and participate with our Forum so you can keep up with the progress.
……………People, I haven’t said this many words since I tried to talk my high school principal into signing my diploma!
Now, does anyone have any questions?
Jerry Fisk
Bruce, If this does not answer some of your questions let me know. As to will it help a guy making say, Loveless or Moran styles. I think so as it should open a broader market. Not every one wants an embellished piece so for those shown some will like the designs but want it less fancy. So that should open that up. I have no idea what the judges will look for since they will not be knife people but they will certainly know design what flows and goes and what does not. Embelishment is just the ear ring on the pig, you still got to like the pig first.
