Community

[Lorien]

I think this little community is evolving. Renaissance? It's been mentioned with regards to the knife, but could it apply instead to the community?

Custom, hand made, artistic cutlery is moving forward. And in my view, it's gaining major steam. I'm not just saying that because of the warm fuzzy glow which Blade show has bestowed upon many recently. It's just something that I'm noticing over time as a newb with only 5 years of forum involvement, and not much other experience.

Where is this all going? How is this shaking out?

Does this topic even reflect reality? Am I completely out to lunch?

You guys who've been at this for decades, what's your read? Is it business as usual? Or are there changes afoot?

I appreciate your input and participation, so thanks to you in advance

 

[Kevin Jones]

Good thread Lorien as I believe you are on to something here.

I will be back to share my thoughts after I get back to registering the 32 new CKCA members who have joined in recent weeks. As I said, you may be on to something here.

 

[Lorien]

I hope that you are right, Kevin.
Or maybe I am just out to lunch

 

[lwrhea]

Lorien,
Your observation is very insightful to say the least. I do agree that there is something afoot. In my opinion, it is the fact that collectors are getting more and more involved in the mechanics of the knife industry and having their voices heard. They are now more vocal with their ability to infuence trends in styles and preferences. Changes in these trends used to take much longer and was driven literally by word of mouth and money. Now the internet and fast access of information has really accelerated the process. Lin

 

[Lorien]

Lorien,
Your observation is very insightful to say the least. I do agree that there is something afoot. In my opinion, it is the fact that collectors are getting more and more involved in the mechanics of the knife industry and having their voices heard. They are now more vocal with their ability to infuence trends in styles and preferences. Changes in these trends used to take much longer and was driven literally by word of mouth and money. Now the internet and fast access of information has really accelerated the process. Lin

Thank you Lin, I appreciate that

So collectors are kind of rubbing elbows with knife makers more frequently and through the various forums available- online, at shows etc. The effects of this interaction is a dynamic industry which generates interest partly due to trends flow, instead of stagnate.

The trends which are occuring now are less reliant on word of mouth and money and more reliant on...? Communal interaction? Common interests? Sharing?

Are collectors and makers finding more common ground? Can the historical relationship between artisan and patron be seen as competitive? Is the change occurring now somehow a reflection of the increasingly blurry line between patron and artisan? More people making knives who'd be more inclined to buying them, and more people buying knives who'd be more inclined to make them?

How about personalities? Where and how are they coming to the forefront of this growing community? What kind of background are they coming from? Why do they appeal to people?

Laws. The rules that provide peace and the power to remove personal freedoms. Lots of skirmishes on that front fought by the knife community. A few successes boosts morale and strengthens communal spirit:thumbup:.

Money. Not much of it around these days. Can't afford to live without friends and loyalty in tough times. That's a real community builder I'll bet.

 

[lwrhea]

Wow Lorien, that's a lot to think about.

I think that instant communication combined with organizations like the CKCA has enabled makers and patrons to work closer than before. Money still is the grease that turns the wheel, but even that flows better because of another combination, communication and the makers striving for a high level of excellence. There is no getting around these combinations.

If there is competition between these factors, that's bad. You WILL see makers of specific styles and collectors of those styles "flock together", but they cant be in competition with one another. Even with these alliances between the makers and patrons, I believe the lines are still clear, no blurring. That would be like a free for all at a football game with the fans running on the field. The game would never get done.

It's all about organization. Lin

 

[Lorien]

I just read an article about the Tactical Invitational, written by a master engraver. The organizer of TI has now joined the CKCA. Never the 'twain shall meet? NOT!

Where once the CKCA was accused of appealing only to a certain 'traditionalist' type of knife/maker/collector, and those bringing the tactical genre to this very forum were met with scorn, it now seems to me that common ground between interests is increasingly easy to find, within the broader community. In fact, disparagement of other's interests seems to have been replaced by interest.

Books on the overall subject of custom knives, such as David Darom's, don't discriminate between 'types' of knife makers or the knives they make. He has given them equal footing by design. I feel that has a lot to do with it.

It seems to me that the lines within various subsets of the knife community are blurring as members within the many niches of cutlery are finding that they have more in common with others across the community than they may have previously allowed.

Lin, as far as organization goes, I agree with you. I pointed out the competition factor because I believe that even though it does exist to an extent, it is now being replaced by cooperation. That cooperation is dependent on understanding, and that understanding occurs when one tries on another's shoes- which is increasingly easy to do as tools and information become more readily available, and as the depth and breadth of custom knife making grows.

 

[wildmike]

Lorien I think you're onto something.

I believe a part of it is due to the internet and forums such as this one. I see in many thread where a collector shows a particularly nice piece he has picked up. That you also see many makers posting comments as well. This has led to a very lively exchange of ideas, styles, techniques etc. Asw ell as more exposure and business for the makers, more good stuff for the collectors. A true win win situation.

Then there is the other side of the equation. I purchase mainly "using" knives. However I have moved completely over to customs. This has been due to an increasing disenchantment with commercialy designed and produced offerings. The forums have enabled me to find quality makers to deal with. Definitely I am not the only one as can be seen by the number of folks reviewing and purchasing customs on the sale forums.

This obssesion/hobby seems to be on a tremendous growth spurt.

 

[Lorien]

However I have moved completely over to customs. This has been due to an increasing disenchantment with commercialy designed and produced offerings.

Ah, let me add to this statement- custom designed and commercially produced knives. This, in my view, has opened the door to this community to many new members, as much as anything