Custom Knife Collectors Association – Any in

Kevin Jones said:
My concern is that a project like this is very difficult to launch and sustain (they tend to start with a bang, just to fizzle out) unless there's commitment, control, defined focus, clear goals and especially unity. So to have too broad a focus such as "ALL Customs" may have us scattered or going in too many directions to start off. In other words "Rome wasn't built in a day".
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That occured to me as well. While I am more than okay with including stock removal knives, I think that that a forged blade collectors association would be more unique, distinct and more focussed. If it's open to all custom knives of any kind, then you're trying to focus on an awfully big picture.

Roger
 
RogerP said:
That occured to me as well. While I am more than okay with including stock removal knives, I think that that a forged blade collectors association would be more unique, distinct and more focussed. If it's open to all custom knives of any kind, then you're trying to focus on an awfully big picture.

Roger
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Very well put Roger.

And even if we do take the forged blade collectors approach, of course it doesn't mean that any collectors would be excluded from membership, just that forged knives would be our main focus.

I'm sure the ABS has many makers that have made stock removal knives and associate members that have stock removal knives in their collections.
 
A few years ago Tim Hancock made a presentation at the Blade Show about a concept he had worked out for a new Collector/Maker organization that was very well thought out. Soon after he had some personal problems that slowed down the progress of the organization.

Kevin, I would suggest you contact Tim and discuss your idea. He may have already worked out a lot of details that might be pertinent to this new organization. He really had a good idea that had a data base that tracked the knives made by members to a persons collection then again as they changed hands.

Daniel
 
RogerP said:
That occured to me as well. While I am more than okay with including stock removal knives, I think that that a forged blade collectors association would be more unique, distinct and more focussed.

Roger
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And I think awfully limited in scope.
Would it be possible and or feasible to include some "styles" of stock removal
knives?
I've had the opportunity to share my collection of Takahashi, Lovett , and
Lovestrand, knives with my "forged knives" buddies and nary a complaint.
Personally I think I'd be missing something if for example I would be
limited to only discussing the forged knives my fellow collectors own.
Paul
 
Speaking for myself, as a fledgling collector and long time enthusiast, I'm interested.
 
DWinkler said:
A few years ago Tim Hancock made a presentation at the Blade Show about a concept he had worked out for a new Collector/Maker organization that was very well thought out. Soon after he had some personal problems that slowed down the progress of the organization.

Kevin, I would suggest you contact Tim and discuss your idea. He may have already worked out a lot of details that might be pertinent to this new organization. He really had a good idea that had a data base that tracked the knives made by members to a persons collection then again as they changed hands.

Daniel
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Thanks Daniel, as I have intended to, but not spoken to Tim regarding this as of yet.
There are MANY details to be worked out as this will be a huge undertaking, so all impute, ideas and involvement is greatly appreciated.
 
Hi Kevin,

What you are interested in doing is going to be a large undertaking, and I think that it would be easier to get something like this started if the primary focus was on one type of knives instead of being too broad. I imagine that many collectors are like me in that they have knives made by both stock removal and forging as well as antique knives in their collections. Although my interests in knives are varied, I agree with Roger in that a forged blade collectors association would be unique, distinct and focused.

Bill
 
North said:
Hi Kevin,

What you are interested in doing is going to be a large undertaking, and I think that it would be easier to get something like this started if the primary focus was on one type of knives instead of being too broad. I imagine that many collectors are like me in that they have knives made by both stock removal and forging as well as antique knives in their collections. Although my interests in knives are varied, I agree with Roger in that a forged blade collectors association would be unique, distinct and focused.

Bill
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Bill just stated my feelings on this. Well put, and would interest me more.

- Joe
 
It sounds like a fun idea, but what would be the strategic purpose and mission of a forged knife association?
 
RWS said:
It sounds like a fun idea, but what would be the strategic purpose and mission of a forged knife association?
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Kevin Jones said:
From just the most basic standpoint, IMO the association needs help to assist and sustain established collectors and enlist, mentor and support new collectors.
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The above as just a start, and awareness and the promotion of knife collecting. There are many things that would fall under these topics.

One of my concerns is that collectors are limited in our ability to reach other collectors or markets to sell our knives as we adjust our collections, thus in many cases not getting full value for them. As an association we could sponsor a one day "collectors show" say once a year where all collectors could bring 2-5 knives to buy/sell/trade with others collectors.

We could have a revolving "expert collector on call" to assist/advice/answer questions from new collectors regarding knives they are considering for purchase, our experience with makers and such.

We would also have our maker members to assist in this.

One thing we can do here is get ideas for an association "mission statement" or "charter".
 
I do think this organization needs to focus on the collector/enthusiast. I can't help but see that at times there may be some conflict of interest with makers/dealers and collectors. Now I'm not saying exclude the makers or dealers, but perhaps their membership can be as an associate. We as collectors just need to get organized somehow.
 
I've got far less forged blades than stock removal types. But, you can't be all things to all people. Agreed.

I say start it and create it with the forged blade as it's foundation, but leave the door cracked open to be able to introduce stock removal at a later date. I dunno what THAT distinction would entail. :confused:

Sure, I am as curious as the next guy, but not as curious as I would be, if I am limited to forged blades. For the above reasons.

Nice job. I know you won't/don't do things mediocre, Kevin. :thumbup: This will do well.

Coop
 
I'm interested but...
(1) I think this shouldn't focus on the method of construction.

(2) There was a couple threads back in May where we discussed extensively the concept. There were some good ideas, and I'll BTT them. Personally I would like to see an organization more broadly defined than a collectors' org. I'd like to see an orginaisation dedicated to the promotion of the custom knife as a fine craft, that would supplement but not directly compete with the ABS. I would like to see makers, collectors, and dealers represented. I would like to see a fixed numbers of makers recognized as the top makers in terms of artistry, skills, and thought leadership - maybe 100.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=480027

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=477498

I'd be interested in not only being a member but actively participating in such an organization.
 
Joss said:
I'm interested but...
(1) I think this shouldn't focus on the method of construction.

(2) There was a couple threads back in May where we discussed extensively the concept. There were some good ideas, and I'll BTT them. Personally I would like to see an organization more broadly defined than a collectors' org. I'd like to see an orginaisation dedicated to the promotion of the custom knife as a fine craft, that would supplement but not directly compete with the ABS. I would like to see makers, collectors, and dealers represented. I would like to see a fixed numbers of makers recognized as the top makers in terms of artistry, skills, and thought leadership - maybe 100.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=480027

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=477498

I'd be interested in not only being a member but actively participating in such an organization.
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Sounds great Joss. :thumbup:

The association that a group of us have has been discussing would definitely NOT compete with the ABS but supplement it from a collectors stand point.

An organization as you describe is very ambitious, just how many hours a day are you able to commit to it's development? ;) :)

But seriously Joss you have great ideas, my point is just that from a project management and development point of view, I believe we need to be realistic with what we will actually be able to accomplish with the limited resources, time and labor we have to put into it.

A small project such as the BFB Bowie required a LOT of time and effort over a period of 8 months.

And I hope no one thinks that I'm trying to steal the show or an idea that came up in a thread last May. Myself and a few others see a huge need here and now that the BFB is over, we are serious and plan to act. I started this thread to see if and who are interested and get as many views and opinions as possible.
 
Kevin Jones said:
The association that a group of us have has been discussing would definitely NOT compete with the ABS but supplement it from a collectors stand point.

And I hope no one thinks that I'm trying to steal the show or an idea that came up in a thread last May. Myself and a few others see a huge need here and now that the BFB is over, we are serious and plan to act. I started this thread to see if and who are interested and get as many views and opinions as possible.
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1) I can't conceive of how anyone could even perceive this as competition for the ABS (though some of the perceptions of that organization have me scratching my head of late). While collectors are welcome in the ABS, it is far and away not an orginization for collectors. A forged blade collectors association, however, could certainly be of a significant benefit to ABS makers (and others) and be an excellent compliment to stated goals of the ABS.

2) There's no property in an idea such as this - people have had many different ideas for many different knife-related organizations over the years. Relatively few have come to any kind of fruition and fewer still attain success or longevity.

Being serious, having a plan and ascertaining interest are all good starts. Keep on truckin'! :)

Roger
 
Kevin - I agree that such an organization might be too ambitious & might fizzle. On the other hand, I'm re-reading this thread and I can't find any specifics on the goals and objectives of this organization - am I missing something?

BTW, I agree that it makes sense to reduce complexity / scope at first to keep things manageable. However, I think that to do this by limiting the method of production is the wrong approach. I think such an organization would be come branded "forged blade", and become impossible to change. Also, you would end up with a large number of nitpicky distinctions to make on what is a forged blade.

Kevin - I certainly don't think you tried to steal ideas discussed previously. It's a given that anything we discuss here has been discussed before, and if we can bring back the previous threads rather than start from scratch, so much the better.
 
If it is to be a forged knife collectors association, hopefully that would mean all forged knives. I definitely wouldn't be intereted in it being the ABS Forged Knife Collectors Association.
 
Joss said:
Kevin - I agree that such an organization might be too ambitious & might fizzle. On the other hand, I'm re-reading this thread and I can't find any specifics on the goals and objectives of this organization - am I missing something?

No, I have only touched on the basics as to what I see the goals and objectives being. We need to hear ideas and opinions.


BTW, I agree that it makes sense to reduce complexity / scope at first to keep things manageable. However, I think that to do this by limiting the method of production is the wrong approach. I think such an organization would be come branded "forged blade", and become impossible to change. Also, you would end up with a large number of nitpicky distinctions to make on what is a forged blade.

IMO, we need focus and unity among the membership to avoid splinter groups from forming and going all different directions. Without this I'm afraid our efforts just might die on the vine so to speak. The ABS was built masterfully into the strong organization it is today by a handful of initial members starting with a strong foundation and then building it stronger block by block.
I do agree with you in that it should be open to collectors, makers and dealers as most are also collectors. And even if we are a "Forged Collectors Association" I don't think that necessarily limits stock removal collectors from becoming members. I don't believe we will be able to please all collectors here, however feel we have the opportunity for all collectors to benefit.

Kevin - I certainly don't think you tried to steal ideas discussed previously. It's a given that anything we discuss here has been discussed before, and if we can bring back the previous threads rather than start from scratch, so much the better.
Agreed
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