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Constructive Criticisms
- Thread starter jhiggins
- Start date
Mark Williams
Moderator
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- Nov 28, 2000
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- 4,760
Gib Guignard said:
That was my point Gib. There are supposed to look that way and I find them beautiful. Others may look at rustic/ fronteir work and think it's too unfinished. It's all in perspective.
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2001
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When I suggested a forum for only honest critisizm or praise, I stated that if you don't want critisizm then don't post a picture in it. Thats what it all comes down to. Sure your going to get info that may sting a bit, shoot it might hurt like heck at the time, but if you really want to get good at anything you need to be able to listen to what others with more knowledge and experience have to say and then apply it to improving yourself.
Fitz, has been a great help to me in my knifemaking profession and I know he will continue to be a great help to me with criticism and suggestions. I've got a great deal to learn yet, matter of fact, I don't think anyone in the knifemaking profession will ever quit learning, unless they just decide they've come as far as they want to. But the learning process will be speeded up if other makers, collectors and customers are free to tell what they like or dislike about a certain knife without the fears of hurting someones feelings. Hey if my work sucks please tell me, but also tell me what I need to do to make it better. If your willing to listen, your work will improve, if you choose to get mad and stick your head in the sand, then good luck to you because your going to need it.
Dan K., you like fitz have never hurt my feeling by giving honest opinions that I've asked for. On the contrary they've made me look closer at my work so I could see and understand what I needed to change to make it better. And to be totally honest with you, I have more admiration and respect for the other makers that I have frequent communications, that are honest with me. To me thats a true sign of friendship.
Another thing that has been mentioned is its hard to judge a knife by a picture, I agree. But I've seen several knives posted on here by others as will as some of my own that needed some constructive criticism and all they got was "nice job" or " keep up the good work". I've sold knives as many of us have for some pretty high dollars that were only seen though simple pictures, so I believe you can tell a great deal from average pictures. And also when a person really want some comments about certain areas on a knife, like the blade/guard junction, the plunge cuts or the grind on a clip, etc. they can always do a closeup on that particular part of the knife that will show things more clearly.
I truly believe, if everyone that posts on a forum like this, acts like mature adults. It will benefit us all. Example, if I posted a knife with a poor plunge cut and others comment on it and tell how to fix it or what not to do the next time, then others are going to learn from my posting. win win situation for us all. If a person comes in and is a complete ASS then he or she should be banded from the forum.
Once again this is just my throughts,
Bill
Michael, it will never happen. as soon as someone posts a picture in shoptalk and someone says they don't like it or pick it a part. Then that person will take offense and start flaming. No there needs to be a totally honest forum that is just made for criticism as well as praise, and if you don't want to hear anything bad about your knives then don't post in it.
Fitz, has been a great help to me in my knifemaking profession and I know he will continue to be a great help to me with criticism and suggestions. I've got a great deal to learn yet, matter of fact, I don't think anyone in the knifemaking profession will ever quit learning, unless they just decide they've come as far as they want to. But the learning process will be speeded up if other makers, collectors and customers are free to tell what they like or dislike about a certain knife without the fears of hurting someones feelings. Hey if my work sucks please tell me, but also tell me what I need to do to make it better. If your willing to listen, your work will improve, if you choose to get mad and stick your head in the sand, then good luck to you because your going to need it.
Dan K., you like fitz have never hurt my feeling by giving honest opinions that I've asked for. On the contrary they've made me look closer at my work so I could see and understand what I needed to change to make it better. And to be totally honest with you, I have more admiration and respect for the other makers that I have frequent communications, that are honest with me. To me thats a true sign of friendship.
Another thing that has been mentioned is its hard to judge a knife by a picture, I agree. But I've seen several knives posted on here by others as will as some of my own that needed some constructive criticism and all they got was "nice job" or " keep up the good work". I've sold knives as many of us have for some pretty high dollars that were only seen though simple pictures, so I believe you can tell a great deal from average pictures. And also when a person really want some comments about certain areas on a knife, like the blade/guard junction, the plunge cuts or the grind on a clip, etc. they can always do a closeup on that particular part of the knife that will show things more clearly.
I truly believe, if everyone that posts on a forum like this, acts like mature adults. It will benefit us all. Example, if I posted a knife with a poor plunge cut and others comment on it and tell how to fix it or what not to do the next time, then others are going to learn from my posting. win win situation for us all. If a person comes in and is a complete ASS then he or she should be banded from the forum.
Once again this is just my throughts,
Bill
Michael, it will never happen. as soon as someone posts a picture in shoptalk and someone says they don't like it or pick it a part. Then that person will take offense and start flaming. No there needs to be a totally honest forum that is just made for criticism as well as praise, and if you don't want to hear anything bad about your knives then don't post in it.
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2001
- Messages
- 8,474
Burchtree said:
it won't happen here in the general shop talk.
, it has to be isolated to one place made for it..
nothing ventured nothing gained. those that don't like it don't post
just like the wine and cheese,, it's not a place I like to go to.
the question is do we want to know honest opinions or kiss butts
I'd like to say at times that handle just don't go with that Blade
say,, because the Handle has a great flow but the Blade is just,,, there..
Bill B had a great point he wants to know what others want to buy and why. design wise..
I don't understand why there would be any negatives to it if it was set up with do's and don'ts. as said don't post if we don't want constructive crit.
just a thread to avoid.
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2001
- Messages
- 20,978
Bill - you are welcome to sting any of my knives any time...
....you've earned my trust.
I've thought of sending off some of my knives to other smiths for reviews/comments/etc.....so, wouldn't it be cheaper for all of us if we had a place to let it all hang out?
I'd be happy to be the first to post in the Crit Pit - y'all could have a field-day with a few I've made.......(and kept to myself...
)
....you've earned my trust.I've thought of sending off some of my knives to other smiths for reviews/comments/etc.....so, wouldn't it be cheaper for all of us if we had a place to let it all hang out?
I'd be happy to be the first to post in the Crit Pit - y'all could have a field-day with a few I've made...
....(and kept to myself... )
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2003
- Messages
- 1,487
I say this from the point of veiw of someone who has finished a grand total of one knife. I think that more honest criticism could be a good thing. I know that I have learned a lot by looking at a picture of a knife that someone has made then reading comments about it. Sometimes a comment is made that points out a problem or possible area of improvement that I missed. I go back and look and study the knife and feel that I get a better understanding of what makes a knife "work". One thing that I would like to see in the rules is for everyone to try and temper their criticism to the level of the maker. If I have made one knife don't try to hold me to the same level of work as someone who does it for a living. I know that each of you could spend a page or two pointing out the things that are wrong with the first knife I made I just do not know if it would really be constructive at that point. Tell me something like add a third pin to the handle it will make it look more balanced. Work on your finish. I really don't think this would be a problem given that everyone here is very good at encouraging new folks but wanted to point it out. Some people (not me, you all can't get rid of me that easy) might throw in the towel early on if they feel that the just can't do it right and are so bad that no level of improvement will help. Even if they ask for brutal honest opinion it might be alot to overwelm someone. I know that when people put there knives up and ask for comment I will more or less say that I like it or love the blade shape etc. I know at this point I am in no spot to really judge others (on a level other then if I like the knife or not) or do nothing more then repeat what others here have said here before me about a question asked. I doubt this help any but felt like adding my two cents. Sorry to be so long. Thanks guys.
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- Oct 18, 2001
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- 20,978
The Crit Pit - Enter the Refiner's Fire!
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2003
- Messages
- 597
If this has already been brought up, sorry 
but instead of creating yet another forum, why not use the newly created but seldom used Knife Maker's Gallery sub forum and just attach a note on the description that you what honest critique.
I know that I would post a picture of my last knife that got me so frustrated with the design that it kept me out of the shop for a while, and caused me serious self doubt about my abilities and knife making future.
Dave from So. Calif.
but instead of creating yet another forum, why not use the newly created but seldom used Knife Maker's Gallery sub forum and just attach a note on the description that you what honest critique. I know that I would post a picture of my last knife that got me so frustrated with the design that it kept me out of the shop for a while, and caused me serious self doubt about my abilities and knife making future.
Dave from So. Calif.
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2001
- Messages
- 8,474
C@@L
edited to add,, I personaly would reather see it stay in shop talk.
it is shop talk really..
what you say guys? Idea's
I propose the same name for the thread,
for the week say,, it would be
( dates and names, would be different of course)
Crit pit 6/14/2004-dan gray << dan gray's knife
Crit pit 6/14/2004-Bill B << Bill B's knife ,, so on
Crit pit 6/14/2004-Reg ELLERY
the next week it starts over again.
Crit pit 6/21/2004-joe who-ever
rules would be posted on the first post or posted by HTML link.. saying something like,,
If you do not want constructive criticism on your knives please do not post them here on crit-pit.
only positive critical view points will be given here,
comments on what we can see in a picture and only what we can see.
or ask for a better view of it.
asking for comments from The makers of your choice is optional if
he or she is participating in these threads.
otherwise it would be open for everyone's comments.
noting
if you are commenting, please do so at the level of your expertise
saying something like "use Elmer's glue, it works better that devcon epoxy"
if you've never used either, that comment is not welcome here, it does no good to why we have the crit-pit.
This is not the wine and cheese forum, and will not be used that way.
style of knife comments are meant to increase the popularity of the knife
not to change it into another makers knife or style.
anyone? please add or change the above to make for better rules..
edited to add,, I personaly would reather see it stay in shop talk.
it is shop talk really..
what you say guys? Idea's
I propose the same name for the thread,
for the week say,, it would be
( dates and names, would be different of course)
Crit pit 6/14/2004-dan gray << dan gray's knife
Crit pit 6/14/2004-Bill B << Bill B's knife ,, so on
Crit pit 6/14/2004-Reg ELLERY
the next week it starts over again.
Crit pit 6/21/2004-joe who-ever
rules would be posted on the first post or posted by HTML link.. saying something like,,
If you do not want constructive criticism on your knives please do not post them here on crit-pit.
only positive critical view points will be given here,
comments on what we can see in a picture and only what we can see.
or ask for a better view of it.
asking for comments from The makers of your choice is optional if
he or she is participating in these threads.
otherwise it would be open for everyone's comments.
noting
if you are commenting, please do so at the level of your expertise
saying something like "use Elmer's glue, it works better that devcon epoxy"
if you've never used either, that comment is not welcome here, it does no good to why we have the crit-pit.
This is not the wine and cheese forum, and will not be used that way.
style of knife comments are meant to increase the popularity of the knife
not to change it into another makers knife or style.
anyone? please add or change the above to make for better rules..
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2001
- Messages
- 3,623
I think You Dan G. and Dan K. have outlined the things that we are wanting and will tolerate pretty well. I especially like the last statement " style of knife comments are meant to increase the popularity of the knife, not to change it into another makers knife" , or let me add "style".
We're all in agreement here that there are many,many different techniques to get to the finished product. So, just because someone goes at it differently then someone else, doesn't make it wrong. Its the finished product we're wanting to improve. More desirable shapes and sizes, cleaner grinds and finishes, more attractive and comfortable handle shapes and sizes and finishes, etc. etc. And may I also add, this forum should not be intended to take away anyones creativity. That new and fresh knife shapes and designs is what makes knifemaking so exciting and to say the least, unique.
Sounds good to me,
Bill
We're all in agreement here that there are many,many different techniques to get to the finished product. So, just because someone goes at it differently then someone else, doesn't make it wrong. Its the finished product we're wanting to improve. More desirable shapes and sizes, cleaner grinds and finishes, more attractive and comfortable handle shapes and sizes and finishes, etc. etc. And may I also add, this forum should not be intended to take away anyones creativity. That new and fresh knife shapes and designs is what makes knifemaking so exciting and to say the least, unique.
Sounds good to me,
Bill