Critique needed

scottishsmith24

scottishsmith24

Joined
Sep 4, 2012
Messages
416
Hello all. My friend Jason Kraus is a bladesmith but doesn't really "do" the whole online scene. He is wanting to go for his JS stamp in the fall and I have been cautioning him that while his fit and finish are excellent and his performance is where it should be, that over all his designs and the flow of his knives is still pretty far off the JS mark. So when I told him about this forum and the excellent makers and collectors on it he agreed that it would be a good idea to show some of his knives here to receive a full and undiluted critique of all aspects of these knives so that he can improve for his test. Because he doesn't like doing things online he wanted me to post on his behalf and I will pass the critiques along to him. Thank you everyone in advance for your help.

Jason almost exclusively makes his knives out of 5160, non exotic woods, and micarta.










 
I like the knives. A lot of the ABS judges seem to look for a sleeker overall look though (I think). Some of the lines don't flow as some other JS stuff I've seen. That's only my $0.02 though.
 
Hey Robert,
You're a good friend for helping Jason and this is a great place to seek help. I got my JS last year and I can tell you that is both rewarding but also very involved. Obviously from your pictures Jason have a lot of talent and without handling the knives I can say that he's not too far off the mark. I think the last knife that you posted is probably closer to having the "right stuff" that the judges will be looking for.

Here is probably the best advice I can give Jason: Get those knives in the hands of a MS! Pictures tell about 10% of the story. Getting to Blade to have his knives tested is an expensive and time consuming goal. There is no sense in just giving it a shot. Jason will be do well to have some of his knives, preferably those he plans on having judged, in the hands of as MS. 8 months before I tested I sent my five knives to 2 different MS's. In the end I had to start over again with 5 different knives. The advice and help the MS's gave me was INVALUABLE. Please tell Jason that I think he is very talented and I like his work. It's obvious his has skills.
 
Another bit of advice I can give Jason that you could help him with is to get on the ABS website. They have a page dedicated to all the requirements of a JS test knife and what the judges will look for. They also have pics of test knives that have passed the test. I referred to them constantly to look at the details and styles.
 
I completely agree with Mikes post. Your friend needs to get hooked up with a Mastersmith. The ABS website is a great start and the folks there would like to help him make the grade.
 
As a collector, the quality looks good - very good.

However, there's a stockiness - a lack of flow to some of them. Now, that may be partly the pics and lack of handling them, difficult to say.

Very good of you to help him out............his lack of computer application isn't really a problem per sae - know enough knifemakers who hate the keyboard! - but maybe he needs to mix and rub shoulders a bit more to look n learn - to reach that 'look' the judges may well be after..?

- great knives :)
 
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