Custom Forum, ABS Thread

When I log onto BFC I start at the Home page and click on View New Posts. If I see a topic that interests me I click on it. I don't see any topic, question or thread that couldn't be covered in the forums we have available now.

Let's try what Kit suggests in making the Custom and Shop Talk forums better and more focused. Besides if I remember correctly Shop Talk co-moderator Darrel Ralph is supposed to be going up for his ABS Master Smith stamp this June at Blade. Folks we have a wealth of talent, information and experiance here let's try to keep it focused not more spread out.
 
I'm already kinda pissed off about the arrogance I read posted here by or in reference to smithies forging blades as opposed to stock removal.
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I`m with you on that one :grumpy:
 
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I'm already kinda pissed off about the arrogance I read posted here by or in reference to smithies forging blades as opposed to stock removal.
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I've been here for a couple years now and I like shop talk
and it's where I stay most the time..
I've done about enough forging to say I don't.
I will with time do more of it though and I won't forget
stock removal.
There is great satisfaction in forging and stock removal
and there
are many different reasons to do either..

I don't belong to the ABS and never thought I had to,
I will join someday (maybe) but not for recognition or belonging purposes,
not to say anyone does, but for me it would be for interaction
with more makers,
(I'm I right to say I can't get into the blade show if I don't belong to the ABS?)
I've had customers
ask if I belonged to the ABS and I know it may have cost me
a sale for not belonging to the ABS,
this gives you a left out feeling and I ask
myself ( self ) why is he settling on a possible minimum,
and then again it's a curtain amount of insurance for
him if he can't tell a well made knife from a bad one.
belonging does not guarantee him a well made knife as
it should imply.

It upsets me to think that some buyers need an ABS stamp,
when knowing there are many makers out there that can make
a knife as well as if not better then some of the ones with the
??? what ever stamps on them, backing them up.
this is just a fact.
personally, I think and like a place for everyone to interact,
very good Ideas come from the most unassuming places and
fresh minds.
I like Ed's answer

Kit,, I may not have completely understood your post, the full meaning of it anyway?
but I hate to be left out of something just because I don't
so called belong.
I've spent many years trying to be myself,
a unique individual,

I look up to very few and I look down
on no one. we are all unique individuals deserving our own place.

I hope I'm not opening a can of worms here. and no hard feelings intended..:(
 
Excellent posts Dan, Phill, L6, ALL. the ABS does no experimenting, it is individuals who explore. Those who wish to share - post, discuss and learn, those who don't visit are the loosers.
 
I have just read both threads. IMO, Kit and Mike Hull have nailed it. The Custom forum used to be the forum that some are suggesting for the ABS. Why not bring back some of the dialog and encourage ABS members to participate there? What some are suggesting is a good idea (bringing back the dialog) but, as currently packaged, it presents a double standard. For those who believe it validates my opinion, I am a member of the ABS (who likes stock removal, too). :p
 
I'm not a member of the ABS and I don't care if you are. I've got some really good friends that are ABS members. If thats what works for you then go for it.


But why do we need a forum dedicated to just ABS members. I see it as an insult,if SOME of the ABS members think their better then others just because they belong to the ABS and won't share here because of that reason, so what. Screw'em

I know several none ABS makers that can produce a knife just as good if not better then some of the ABS mastersmiths and they'll share their knowledge freely with anyone thats interested.

No, there's to many ABS members that have gained knowledge from non members, and now just because they've gotten a stamp of some kind they
feel like they need their own forum. That just belittles the art of making knives.
We're all here to learn and to share with each other. Knife making is a every day learning experience, no matter if you've been making knives for 10 days or 10 years and just because you belong to the ABS doesn't mean squat, to me anyway.

Bill
 
I do both stock removal and forging. I don't want to have to check two forums for things that are already in one place. don't split it up. This place is already so slplit up I miss alot of what's going on. I don't get on here everyday so the new posts search doesn't work very well and there are already too many different forums to read everything.
 
Well said Bill. An if you are not a hammer jocky
doesn`t mean you are any less of a knife maker
I mite add
 
I agree not to split up the forums. I also agree with Bill and Sylvester. As you may or may not know, I started my knife making hobby a little over a year ago and started with making damascus. But there is no way I consider myslef better than a stockremovalist.

I am just a glorified stockremovalist myself. I make the billet, forge it roughly to shape, well smoetimes not at all, and then profile and grind the knife.

There are definitely good things to be said about forging a knife to within 95% of its final form, but we all have to grind at one point or another.

I personally think the artistry and craftmanship is held in the fit and finish of the knife. Plus the attention to detail. Heck, look at my stuff compared to say, Nick Wheeler (to pick one of the many). We both make damascus, but his presentation, craftmanship, and detail far exceede my current ability. I don't know if I will ever become an award wining smith, just because I have a hard time with attention to detail and I enjoy working in the forge so much more than sanding the handle.

Can I make some "world class" damascus? Yup I think I can.

Can I make a "world class" knife? Not by a long shot.

I am probably not at the level to understand what the ABS is all about, or how it benefits its members. Except for the obvious fact that you have the "stamp" and your knives are going to sell for more $$$$. But I have never personally liked clubs. Like the old saying goes; I would not want to be a part of a club that would have me as a member.

Anyway, lets keep us all together, I think that is the best way. Hell, if I am still doing this craft in 5 to 10 years, I may go after that ABS Stamp.:) Hard telling what the future holds.
 
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