Fighting windmills(or the futility of fighting my issues)......

[Kohai999]

Had a long conversation with my dear friend Coop today, we talked about a lot of things, and in the course of the conversation(which included him fuming at me what a negative asshole I am) he pointed out that the difference between my online persona, and me face-to-face, is primarily one of balance…That with the opportunity to have dialogue, my perspective becomes clearer, and somewhat understandable, as I answer questions and make assertions.

My primary interest in custom knives, indeed all knives, is purpose and use-based….I have little interest in:

Miniature knives(actually, I hate them)

Tactical knives with extreme curves, fatness, skewed blade to handle ratio or willful asymmetry(this is mostly aesthetic, but does touch on some use issues)

Overly slick handles, broomstick round handles or overly long handles

Knives not possessing both point and edge

Overly ornate knives combining vast amounts of precious metals, jewels and bullino engraving(appreciate the artistry, but would not personally purchase)

Knives that are “knife like objects” or “sculpture with an edge”…..those really kind of piss me off.

Those that say a dagger or subhilt is not a use based knife have never shaved hair or cut salami with a dagger....works really well, lol!

The Knifemakers Guild formed in 1970, A.G. Russell secured tables at the Sahara Gun Show in Las Vegas, Nevada and invited several knifemakers to display knives there. Later that year, eleven knifemakers met in Tulsa, Oklahoma to form the Knifemakers' Guild: John Applebaugh, Walter "Blackie" Collins, John Nelson Cooper, Dan Dennehy, T.M. Dowell, Chubby Hueske, Jon Kirk, R.W. Loveless, John Owens, Jim Pugh, and G.W. Stone. R.W. Loveless was elected Secretary for a year, and A.G Russell was made Honorary President. Of the names mentioned, A.G. and Ted Dowell are the only persons that I know more than a little bit.

The first Knives Annual was published in 1981. I started actively collecting knives in 1984, and custom knives in 1985, so some of you were not even born or very young when I started, and many of the makers and collectors that helped educate and influence me are dead or retired already. This time period and those early makers very much inform the opinions and values that I currently hold dear.

The knife world is changing dramatically, and I get wound up in my own perception of what a knife is, and design elements that are crucial. I frequently, but not always, explain why my perceptions mean something to me, and why they might mean something to you. Sometimes that doesn’t amount to squat or a whole hill of beans, but it does explain why I go so ballistic sometimes. I have spent the last six months with a knife in my hand for work about 2-3 hours each day, and it has been amazingly satisfying and illustrative.

R.J. Martin told me a few months ago that for the near future, big white mother of pearl and blacklip pearl were neigh on unobtainium, and as most know big quality stag has been scarce for a while now….if you are a beginning knifemaker, with lower quality work being produced…..using the highest quality materials is sort of an insult to everyone concerned….unfortunately, there is no panel or qualifying body to meter out these precious materials, but I do wish that there were, and again, that is MY issue.

I always tell my peeps at work…..”don’t make your problems my problems, and I won’t make my problems your problems”. Well, I have a tendency to make my problems pretty apparent, and it really isn’t doing any of us any good. I’ll leave all the cheerleaders, erstwhile design geniuses and wannabe tastemakers alone and let the community go where it is going to go without my negative voice as a whole, and try to operate in the shadows as I did back in the day…this is not currently particularly fun.

Even less fun is the massive dwindling of quality postings that friends of mine had when I started on BladeForums…..Peter Gill, Stephen Foster, Jerry Hossom, Tom Mayo, Steve Dunn, man, do I miss Randy Morgan….some of the current posters are probably going…”who?”
I’m not making some big exit……just realizing what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen…and not wishing to play along. Have fun kids….feel free to post something of great value or some useless drivel as you see fit, here or anywhere else.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[petah]

...The knife world is changing dramatically...
STeven Garsson

Nothing stays static in life. The only constant is change. Don't be a dinosaur.

 

[Kohai999]

Nothing stays static in life. The only constant is change. Don't be a dinosaur.

I think I am somewhat open to change, but for change to be welcome in the knife world by me, there has to be a use based need for that change(in other words, it doesn't need to be used, but it should/could be used).

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[petah]

I see "Everyone with a file and sandpaper making knives" SO many new makers in the past 3 years... Quantity up Quality down? I'll agree that I have seen less appealing stuff.

 

[ptgdvc]

STeven,

First off, Coop is correct.

I post less simply because my collection is relatively mature and there are fewer new additions. I confess that I am a bit opinionated when it comes to my personal taste in knives. Something has to overwhelm my senses to provoke me to post. In the olden days, we used to have frank and unabashed discussions about things about improvements that could be made to designs, or G*d forbid, what the heck was he thinking when he made that absolute mess. It seems now, that honest and blunt discussion gets a lot of knickers twisted.

This board used be much more fun. I know I enjoyed the unvarnished opinions given, in an honest effort to advance the craft, a lot more.

I miss a lot of those people also.

Peter

 

[JParanee]

Steven with out passion this place would be quite boring

Hence half of us would not tune in

I see a lot on here I like and I see a lot on here that I don't but I don't have to comment on the latter because we got u buddy

 

[stabman]

Maybe just take it a bit less seriously?
The knife world's pretty darn big, and I think there's room for just about all the styles (except for Dark Ops of course ).

 

[harkamus]

Hate to say it, but this sub-forum is probably not the best place to vent. Having said that, I always thought most of your responses on these boards were informative.

 

[MVF]

Why would you leave, granting everyone besides yourself permission to post whatever they want to?

I, for one, have learned a lot from your posts. I can understand your frustrations about some of the responses you get, but how about a compromise? You continue to post what you want to, when you want to, and just not sweat the reactions, or at least not get so caught up in them that it raises your blood pressure. I've got to guess that there's a certain amount of satisfaction in seeing the consternation your posts seem to bring about, no?

What joy is there in conceding the field to those you don't respect? I know you care about knives. If you, and those like you, abandon those of us who value your opinions and the opportunity to learn, where will we learn? Sure, everyone and anyone who can hit the keys can have their say here, but I really can't imagine you are comfortable leaving it to those you consider ignorant.

Lighten up, have fun - you really don't have to beat every dissenter into total submission! Or go ahead and keep doing that if that's what you enjoy - I don't mind watching! Wits are as important as knives to keep sharp. If intelligent, thinking people give up just because the less intelligent can make so much noise, things will only get worse.

 

[RogerP]

Fora evolve over time to take on certain characterisitcs and collective personalities. As with custom knives themselves, enthusiasts are spoiled for choice (perhaps overwhelmed by choice) as to where they spend their on-line time. No place is perfect, but I find BF to be a pretty good place to be. There is more room here for the candid expression of differing opinions than a LOT of places I can think of.

I also lament the absence and reduced participation of many of the guys from back in the day. For some, I know and understand the reasons why. For others, I could take an educated guess. I would certainly lament your absence from this forum, STeven. Paranee is right - passion for custom knives is what drives most of us to stay in the field, and you bring that plus a wealth of experience and knowledge. What you contribute could not be replaced. Whether it is worth it to you to be part of what makes this forum better is a personal choice and yours alone.

Look at it this way - and this goes for you too, Gill - if everyone here who had more to offer than they did to gain decided to stop participating where would this place (or any web forum) be?

Roger

 

[Charles Vestal]

I have learned a lot from your post on this forum, and we are better off with you here.

In the past when I would post a knife photo you where willing to give your opinion and I learned from your comments. I think my work has improved because of your passion and knowledge. It wasn't always easy to hear but it was something I needed to get better as a knifemaker.

I hope you will continue to contribute to this forum, we need a kick in the pants every now and then.

Take care

Charles

PS: We still need to talk about an upcoming project. Let me know when would be a good time.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Look at it this way - and this goes for you too, Gill - if everyone here who had more to offer than they did to gain decided to stop participating where would this place (or any web forum) be? Roger

That's an excellent point.
Many of the partisipants who have the most to offer and most "hands-on" knife experence are leaving or have greatly cut back their activity because (as STeven) they don't like the direction this forum is going.

 

[Kevin Jones]

I have learned a lot from your post on this forum, and we are better off with you here.

In the past when I would post a knife photo you where willing to give your opinion and I learned from your comments. I think my work has improved because of your passion and knowledge. It wasn't always easy to hear but it was something I needed to get better as a knifemaker.

I hope you will continue to contribute to this forum, we need a kick in the pants every now and then.

Take care

Charles

PS: We still need to talk about an upcoming project. Let me know when would be a good time.

Excellent point Charles. I attribute much of what I have learned about knives to this forum. Collector education is as important to the progression of the custom knife community as knifemaker education.

In the past makers and collectors posted up knives and we discussed what was right with then and wrong and we ALL benefitted from the experience. The critique was most often done in a positive and courteous manner, when not we managed to get over it.
Now, it seems we are becoming more a place for friends (makers and collectors) to pump up one another's egos as opposed to a place to learn about knives. I believe the best knife forums are where you have the best mix of social interaction and education and Blade Forums has always been just that.

It would really be a shame to lose STeven here as he helps keep it real.

PS- Charles I'm looking forward to your and Steven's project as well!

 

[Phil Dwyer]

From my perspective, it's usually a matter of nourishment. If an activity nourishes a person they participate in it. Once it no longer does, they participate less. If you're full you don't need to eat any more and you leave the table. Sometimes it's nourishing to keep sharing in the serving of others who come to the table later, but after a while you just need to let others do it as it's time for you to dine elsewhere...or diet or fast...or any number of other ways to balance your needs. Cultivating one's pallet usually does change one's tastes and culinary selections.

Sure the company you dine with and prepare and serve meals with is a part of the equation, but to bemoan their leaving the banquet (whether due to being sated, or not) and belittle "lesser" diners and chefs might tend to promote indigestion further impeding nourishment.

Good luck gentleman.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Thanks STeven for your call yesterday. We talked for 54 minutes. (12 of those minutes were me fuming at about an 8 out of 10.) LOLZ!

You bring up so many valid points. Your historical perspective is revealing, and telling at the same time.

I mentioned (as an exaggerated analogy) how with the advent of Rap music, how would the Rock music lovers react OR survive? Quite well. There is room for both.

My point was that even with the growth of non-traditional and new directions it doesn't necessarily mean that these directions are threatening enough to have to critique them as negative. They are just not your 'cuppa'.

As a whole in the industry or craft, changes in personalities and trends are constant. There is a thread in the Photo Forum about how 'Film is still King'. Ummmmm, I beg to differ, but I didn't grow up on film. Neither did these new guys grow up on the early Guild-based designs.

More to the point and with the support of all those who have posted above: Your critiques ARE informative, With such a long perspective you can influence and see shortcomings that more-neophyte eyes haven't determined. (Mea culpa from me, too.)

Your (My?) keyword was BALANCE. It takes work to harsh out realities and yet have to have to explain yourself. But, human nature and the impersonal dilemma of the keyboard/screen, necessitates we spend that time. I know I do. And, yes, it's time consuming, even for me, because I tend NOT to critique, so I don't have to justify.

For what I suggested to you, it would be harder.

My experience was explained well in your opening statement (thank you): With the longer dialog we allow ourselves to be heard in both directions. And that's the balance.

I look forward to your words--written and spoken. Take a break, as you need. I needed to, also.

Coop

 

[Karda]

As with collecting various knives, participation on a forum is largely one of perception. What you like may not be what others like and what you find unappealing may appeal to others. It doesnt mean either party is wrong, it means they have different perceptions on what they like and how they participate. How a maker makes a knife or a poster participates in a forum setting is entirely dependant on their interpretation of what is before them.

Most everything in life has a niche, a place, a purpose. A maker, collector, a user and a forum participant all must make judgement calls based on the interpretation of their interests. It doesnt mean that when one finds a blade or topic that doesnt conform to his preferred interest that he must critique and demean the effort. It means that one should focus on the things that interest them and ignore the things they don't. The laws of natural selection will always be present and those blades or topics that the majority find appealing or interesting will remain so and the blades and topics that arent will fall by the wayside as a fad does. One need not try to actively "steer" an activity or discussion it should form on it's own, to grow into being as it's own individual. Only in this way does anything evolve.

If a maker or topic is something that a poster finds disagreeable and it makes them unhappy, they should participate in those that do. If a poster chooses to participate in discussions that they find unappealing they should take into consideration the effort given and the fact that their perception may not find agreement, Either way carefully chosen words and courtesy should be the norm.

 

[i4Marc]

I hope I don't get flamed for offering my opinion here. I'm not a gold member nor have I made lots of knives. In fact I'm still struggling to finish my first knife. But your retreat concerns me a bit. Whether or not we share the same ideals about knives is not important, although it sounds very much like we do. It sounds a bit like an "I'm taking my ball and going home" type of attitude (no offense intended) and I think a valuable opportunity is being missed. Yes the world of knifemaking is changing but I think there is an ebb and flow. The more things change, the more tastes long for things past. Anybody here wish there were still car designers around who could design cars as beautiful as those American muscle cars from the sixties? Sure there are some retro models out there but they are poor substitutes (except for the Ford GT). There is a desperate need for mentors in every field. As the old guard fades away there is a vacuum created. As nature abhors a vacuum that void is filled with anything. But you have a perspective built on experience, taste, knowledge and relationships with masters of the craft. Those are lessons that should be taught and passes on to new generations of makers who don't have the first hand experience you have earned. I love music and I play guitar. My nephews are still young and like a lot of kids these days it seems their only exposure to music is the soundtrack "music" to their Nintendo games. I'm sure they will listen to the latest teen idols and other things that are flavors of the week. But I have an opportunity. Rather than being disgusted (which I am) I'm going to expose them to the music I love and feel is valuable because they don't have the perspective I have. Only time and experience can give you that. So we help those who are new to a thing to gain a wider understanding. Change is good. It keeps things interesting. The classics we cherish were innovative at one time too. So don't go. Stick around. Offer your guidance as opposed to your opinion. I think newbies like me would very much appreciate your help.

 

[RogerP]

That's an excellent point.
Many of the partisipants who have the most to offer and most "hands-on" knife experence are leaving or have greatly cut back their activity because (as STeven) they don't like the direction this forum is going.

STeven has spoken for himself. So has Peter. Which of the un-named "many participants" do you presume to speak for Kevin, when you make sweeping statements about generalized dissastisfaction with the direction this forum is going?

Roger

 

[betzner]

To quote Kevin-

"Many of the partisipants who have the most to offer and most "hands-on" knife experence are leaving or have greatly cut back their activity because (as STeven) they don't like the direction this forum is going."

Couldn't have said it better, being one of those who have left/cut back. I've noticed quite a change over time, and like someone else said, this forum is just not as much my cuppa tea anymore.

 

[Karda]

That's an excellent point.
Many of the partisipants who have the most to offer and most "hands-on" knife experence are leaving or have greatly cut back their activity because (as STeven) they don't like the direction this forum is going.

STeven has spoken for himself - which of the un-named "many participants" do you presume to speak for Kevin?

Roger

Again, this is a judgement call based on the perceptions of individuals. Whether or not they choose to participate is their decision, sometimes sadly so, sometimes gratefully so. One needs to understand the no matter how great their opinion or expertise is, that there will always be those whom disagree or feel they know better. A person needs to participate objectively without regard to ego to purposefully get the point across.

Lets not take this thread into the realm of personal attacks, please.