There are a number of factors involved in this sub-forum that I find to be interesting when compared to the rest of BF, open discussion and lack of moderation being a good and bad thing IMO. On one hand we get frank discussion- great. On the other hand rampant ego's often go unchecked, and hostility is the result- horrible.
The biggest detriment to the forum IMO is the seemingly prevailing attitude of "this is FACT vs This is my opinion". If it is opinion then the details can be given, discussion can ensue from those with different OPINIONS (why would you prefer guard "a" or guard "b"). Once it is "my truth vs your truth" then discussion and civility is lost in order to argue and, again, stroke personal egos. No matter who we are on this forum (and I am glad I am a nobody), we are a NOTHING to the grand scheme of things to custom knife collecting over the course of human history. If every regular to this forum was vaporized with their collections tomorrow, we would have lost some great knowledgeable people and some great knives. However custom knifemaking will go on, and new collectors/makers will take their place. Something I think we should all be able to keep in mind when finding ourselves feeling superior to others. Your opinion is no better than mine, it is just different- no matter how many thousands of dollars each knife you own is or isn't worth. Nor does who you know make your opinion more valid. Bill Bagwell's opinions on Bowies may have more historical fact and research behind them than mine does- but it does not mean he knows what works best for me, both of our opinions are valid for ourselves within the context of WHY we formed our opinions. (for the record I've never held a Bagwell, talked to the man, or have any true opinion of what I think of his opinions as I am not much of a bowie guy- just a name to throw out that carries a lot more clout than mine does).
I am kind of sick of the "take my ball and go home" attitude that seems to be growing lately. If you see a deficiency in something- do what you can to fix it, and understand that others may not see the deficiency as you do. Accept it and move on. Don't like what somebody says- then ignore them! It shouldn't need to be said to adults, but you do not need to reply to everything that pisses you off in life! I've avoided most conflicts in life by understanding when something really didn't matter, and ignoring those not worth my time. I love BladeForums, the people within, and the atmosphere here. I've electronically met some great people, and as such try to be one of the good guys for others- as my online persona is still my persona and I hold myself accountable to it. I'm not perfect- I have once called out a member that I was sick of, said my piece and moved on. I do kind of regret it as I do not like acting like that, but the other member was getting mighty big in his britches and sticking his nose where it wasn't wanted just to be a jackass, and I was sick of how it made the forum look in my view- bullying isn't something I like to put up with if I perceive it as such.
I think that part of the conflict in this forum is the overwhelming feel of Custom Collector Forum moreso than just the Custom forum. In my perception many arguments are based on future projections of profit/collectability/desireable traits for the future. Why not discuss the knife itself?!? OR how about discussing desirability rather than value? The Collector aspect can drive people away as there are a few major collectors here, yet they are the overwhelming voice on this forum, complete with back history with each other, positive and negative. I know that when I started visiting this forum it seemed that one almost had to pick a side to stand on- alienating some posters as a result. I know that it had kept me from giving my opinion, just based on hostility that others give each other here. THIS THREAD SHOWS THAT CLEARLY AND I THINK THIS NEEDS TO STOP- IT IS THE FACTOR THAT I FEEL IS CAUSING THE MOST EROSION OF THE QUALITY OF THE FORUM! WE ALL LOVE KNIVES- LETS START SHOWING WHY, GROW THE HELL UP AND REALIZE THERE IS AN ENTIRE WORLD WATCHING- NOT JUST THOSE PARTICIPATING.
How many custom knives/knifemakers in the $100-200 range are discussed or even made to be felt wanted in this forum. When well respected members take the attitude that the knives are not meant to be shown here- WE ALL LOOSE!!!! No matter how expensive/rare/affordable they are. I feel that many new/upcoming makers are not given due attention because they might not have a collectable future. "I'll pay attention to them once they have shown they will have a market/be around for a long time"- you will loose out on some surprises with that attitude. How many D. Farmer knives are discussed here? Koyote? Fiddleback? All great makers that sell many knives to many users- but they aren't the "pretty " ones that can be bought/resold for profit- and to me are greatly ignored even though they fall under the scope of the forum. I love the great works of cutting art that are discussed here, but it does seem to be more of a Custom Knife Collectors Forum- whereby the collection aspect breeds harsh feelings and animosity once the Collecting aspect takes over from the Custom Knife aspect.
I prefer to leave the investment threads alone, as I invest in the diversity of knives in order to help my own making in the future. However I do read them and take note of what those with more experience in that area have to say- to understand how the other side thinks. I also read about knives I do not like in order to perhaps find out more about why you like what you do (it has worked wonders for me in the slipjoint world). Loveless knives hold no real special aesthetic to me, however as I have never held one and have read much about their ergonomics I understand that there is something that I am missing, and may never realize. This knowledge is that I am missing something that I may never appreciate, but I appreciate that I cannot fully understand the knives BECAUSE I have looked into areas that I have exposure to through this forum. Perhaps if one sees a change in opinion/fad/outlook as time changes it behooves one to investigate why. If your opinion is suddenly or gradually being shunted to the outside, understand the factors leading to it and you may be able to shift things back to where you are comfortable, or you may find yourself becoming part of the new wave. For example I have almost no use for guards on a knife- in general I hate them. I'm a user who doesn't mind putting good dollars into a knife I may scratch, get superficial rust on, or even loose as I am using it. I have used knives my whole life and have not seen a need for my own uses for a guard- my fingers are still attached! I likewise have no need for a lanyard on a knife. Now- I don't go around saying that all knives with guards are shit- they are just not my thing. I don't like silver wire inlay- 99% of what I see looks amateur to me and detracts from a knife. Moran might have disagreed (okay he would have), and most of the collectors out there must think I am nuts when I say that I genuinely don't care for most of his knives. That doesn't mean I downplay what he means to knifemaking, or that I ignore how desirable they are. If you gave me one I would be honored, but I'm not about to start saving for one- they aren't me.
I have also discovered (much to my dismay) that some makers are somewhat afraid of shaking the tree as it may insult/turn away their customer base. To me this is almost disgusting! I don't blame the makers because they have to put food on their tables and must be aware of the market, but how does knifemaking/knife ownership benefit from stagnation? Personally I have been trying to find a slipjoint maker to outfit me with MY grail knife, one that fits my uses. Because it is not a traditional pattern I have not had much luck. Some makers were polite and said that they only make existing designs- understandable. Others ignore me- thier call. What gets to me the most is when a maker has agreed to take on my design, and then drops me as a client without contacting me or explaining why, and won't communicate further with me. I feel that a large part of this is because of pressure within the Traditional Community to not give new designs a fair chance. In some minds it is X+y+z=slipjoint and other aspects are an abomination. I've actually been asked not to post pictures of a makers designs that I own because of the fear of backlash from the traditional buyers. How does this advance our cause by staying stagnant and only making what is considered "right"? This has to be placed on the shoulders of the collectors who have made such a hostile environment that a maker feels they can be essentially ruined for trying to think outside of the box. As a result- hundreds of my dollars have gone to other makers in other styles willing to work with a customer, and I have written off those makers who blew me off. Both of our choices, not one that I like making, and honestly a realization that actually hurt me.
I am not going to stop posting wherever I feel that I can interject something of value, and most of these thoughts have been percolating in my mind for a while so I felt that this is a good venue for a mental vomit. I hope that I have been clear in my opinions, impartial in my insults and have pissed everybody off equally. I love this place and will strive for its improvement. I will comment to the positive and negative as I see it, always trying to not insult and give constructive feedback.
I do this because I will always love knives, as I think we all do.
Not that I'm presuming to speak for anyone, naturally. 
Indeed, it's hard to fathom how such a comment could be interpreted that way. 
