Filling out your profile

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Aug 20, 2004
Messages
38,518
I thought it was time to make a plea to the newer (and some older) forumites about completely filling out your profile.

If there is a post from a person asking advise, the first thing I do is check their profile. If they have no "about me" or it is incomplete, I usually will not post an answer. I know of several other long time smiths who do the same.

I know a lot of younger folks are into the anonymity of the internet, but places like SHOP TALK are forums where friends give aid , encouragement, and advise...to fellow knifemakers.

It is common courtesy to introduce yourself (In this case,through your profile) when asking a question. If you don't, then people will do one of two things. They will assume you are a kid ( mall ninja, knifemaker wannabe, troll), and someone who knows nothing about knives; or they will assume you are impolite, and not answer your request.
Both of these may be totally wrong, but without any info to go on the wrong conclusion may be drawn.

So:
Fill out your profile....all of it. If you are 16, say so. If you live in Jackson, Mississippi, say so. If you drive an ice cream truck....say so.....
Why???
Because, it is very helpful to know your age, occupation (student, iron worker, retired, bum,etc.),your location, and some details about you. Cute wording, like "somewhere in the great outdoors", "Middle America", or "East of Eden", and such, are of no help, and sound arrogant.

Answers may be different depending on your life station and experience. If a 50 year old welder asked about getting started making knives,I wouldn't worry about him not not having the equipment available, the skills, (or the funds), to start making knives. If a 16 year old student made the same request,I would probably suggest a kit knife. The info in their profile is how I would determine the difference.

If you want to be a great knifemaker someday, then start on the right foot....
Filling out your profile is the same as saying - "Hello, my name is John,I'm 18, and I am a High School senior in Scranton ,Conn................."

Stacy
 
I do understand where you are coming from here, but for numerous reasons I won't get into I just don't feel comfortable posting lots of personal information on the internet for all to see. I hope this does not cause you (or anyone else) to ignore my posts and questions, but I respect your reasons for choosing to do so.

I help answer questions whenever I am able (I am a newbie after all), unless something about the way the person posts makes me uneasy (perhaps they sound young or like they are just trolling, for example), without regard for how much personal information they have or have not provided. I understand the desire for anonymity online, so it does not bother me when others don't provide specifics.

Just to give you one example, it has become very commonplace for employers to Google search the name of any prospective employee before they make they decision to hire them. Unfortunately, discovering that this person likes knives, likes to hunt...whatever, may just be enough for them to move on to a different candidate. It's sad, but it is a reality that some must consider.

Anyway, hope that may provide a different perspective on the issue as 'food for thought.'

Edited to add: this is coming from the perspective of a hobbyist, not a professional.
 
Some basic info is definately nice and enabling their PM option would help incase some would like to pass on info also.
 
Last edited:
Makes sense Stacy ! Afterall, you're not asking for their social security number or anything *that* personal ! Some people are real Trolls and just like screwing around with other people for their enjoyment as a hobby. Makes sense to know you're answering a person's question that actually needs advice and not some kid that is just trying to waste your time because he's got too much of it.
 
Paul,
I understand what you are saying, but feel that it is a little paranoid to assume someone will get you if they know what you do for a living or as a hobby, or that you are a kid.
(I'm not saying you are a kid, it was a generalized refference...... but I don't know either)

Nowhere in the profile does it require your name ( full or otherwise).
All it takes is some basic demographic info.
While many here are known by their full name, or just their firs name, that type of information is full voluntary. If you become a good knifemaker, then everyone will know your name (hopefully).
( A note is that many serious forums will only use real and full names)

From your profile I know that you are Paul , live in Chandler Arizona, and want to make knives. Knowing that you 24 year old welder won't suddenly get your identity stolen, and I doubt that anyone who makes knives ,or hunts, would apply for a job at a company that would be opposed to such things ( nor can I see why they would care, unless they were PETA or such). I can tell you from personal experience ( and since I don't know how old you are, I'll have to assume that I have more personal experience than you do)that having a skill like knifemaking is seen as a plus about 99% of the time.

I am not chiding you on this, and I understand why people are leery of many things on the internet, but this is a place for people who are interested in a special skill and the nurture of that skill. It is not a scary place ( well, not most of the time), and we generally get along well with each other ( well, most of the time).This site is full of professionals and educators , many of them well know and published.

The info youngsters trade on Facebook and MySpace is scary, and real weirdos hang out there looking to lure kids. The older makers here are often folks who have many years teaching others and sharing the craft. We are more worried about your safety and well being than you are often.

No one is forced to fill out their profile, and most people will answer questions from those who don't. It just makes it easier to make a good answer with some simple info to go on.

Again, I respect your opinion, I just believe you are over thinking this.

Stacy

Some info that might help is that I, and some others here that I know, will require a minor to have his parents or guardian call us before we will get into any serious helping in knifemaking. Most have it as a flat requirement that an adult must accompany a youth when visiting for a day of learning.

Stacy
 
Stacy, you talked me right into updating my profile. I use my real name here now simply to remind myself that this is serious business. I'm here to learn, and eventually to sell my work. The information and encouragement I get here, from some of the best in the country, is worth a heck of a lot. These folks deserve to know my name, as will my (hopefully) customers.

It also reminds me not to hide behind my internet-commando-mask and go off in public talking like an idiot. (Usually :o)
 
My original name was "badbamaump" because I used it on several umpiring boards. As I started selling knives on here it was suggested that I change my name to my real name since people would never equate "W. Leavitt" on a blade to "badbamaump" on the board. Makes sense to me.

I do understand the seemingly paranoid stance that some people have about potential employers or people searching them out and finding them here. If you can't or won't use your real name at least let people know where you're at :D
 
Never thought about filling out my profile before....just filled it out now.

Bob,

Hershey, PA
 
Well, I don't hide who I am on here, it's not hard to find out if a person really wanted to. I do also have personal reasons for not filling out the profile that I won't go into. Doesn't matter to me if folks use their real info, fake info or no info at all. My answers and advice remain the same. Maybe I won't get that in return, but I'm OK with it, I've started exactly two posts on here that I remember, one of them was a question and I got the info I needed.
 
One big thing that I look for is a real location. I may just invite the person over to the shop if they live nearby. If there is no locality I will not offer. Just something some other makers may be looking for also.
 
P J 234 said:
I do understand where you are coming from here, but for numerous reasons I won't get into I just don't feel comfortable posting lots of personal information on the internet for all to see. I hope this does not cause you (or anyone else) to ignore my posts and questions, but I respect your reasons for choosing to do so.

I help answer questions whenever I am able (I am a newbie after all), unless something about the way the person posts makes me uneasy (perhaps they sound young or like they are just trolling, for example), without regard for how much personal information they have or have not provided. I understand the desire for anonymity online, so it does not bother me when others don't provide specifics.

Just to give you one example, it has become very commonplace for employers to Google search the name of any prospective employee before they make they decision to hire them. Unfortunately, discovering that this person likes knives, likes to hunt...whatever, may just be enough for them to move on to a different candidate. It's sad, but it is a reality that some must consider.

Anyway, hope that may provide a different perspective on the issue as 'food for thought.'

Edited to add: this is coming from the perspective of a hobbyist, not a professional.
Click to expand...

They would have to register here first to see your profile.

I think it's a good idea, I like to know a little bit about who ya are?
Ya don't have to tell your life story, but a least give some basics.
Name, location and some of your interest.

Thank you all.

Todd
 
A C Richards said:
One big thing that I look for is a real location. I may just invite the person over to the shop if they live nearby. If there is no locality I will not offer. Just something some other makers may be looking for also.
Click to expand...

I look and do the same thing.;)
 
I agree with Stacy . I always look at the profile , especially if the join date is very recent . It helps to know if the person asking the question is serious or not .
I did though try and answer P.J.'s last post only because when I asked the same question last yr. I got so many good replies from so many I felt the need to pass on what was past on to me and how good that advice was .
 
bladsmth said:
I thought it was time to make a plea to the newer (and some older) forumites about completely filling out your profile.

If there is a post from a person asking advise, the first thing I do is check their profile. If they have no "about me" or it is incomplete, I usually will not post an answer. I know of several other long time smiths who do the same.

I know a lot of younger folks are into the anonymity of the internet, but places like SHOP TALK are forums where friends give aid , encouragement, and advise...to fellow knifemakers.

It is common courtesy to introduce yourself (In this case,through your profile) when asking a question. If you don't, then people will do one of two things. They will assume you are a kid ( mall ninja, knifemaker wannabe, troll), and someone who knows nothing about knives; or they will assume you are impolite, and not answer your request.
Both of these may be totally wrong, but without any info to go on the wrong conclusion may be drawn.

So:
Fill out your profile....all of it. If you are 16, say so. If you live in Jackson, Mississippi, say so. If you drive an ice cream truck....say so.....
Why???
Because, it is very helpful to know your age, occupation (student, iron worker, retired, bum,etc.),your location, and some details about you. Cute wording, like "somewhere in the great outdoors", "Middle America", or "East of Eden", and such, are of no help, and sound arrogant.

Answers may be different depending on your life station and experience. If a 50 year old welder asked about getting started making knives,I wouldn't worry about him not not having the equipment available, the skills, (or the funds), to start making knives. If a 16 year old student made the same request,I would probably suggest a kit knife. The info in their profile is how I would determine the difference.

If you want to be a great knifemaker someday, then start on the right foot....
Filling out your profile is the same as saying - "Hello, my name is John,I'm 18, and I am a High School senior in Scranton ,Conn................."

Stacy
Click to expand...

Maybe im a bit daft but i cant seem to figure out how to add info to my profile. do i need to upgrade membership?
 
Hi my name is William Crump. I am a white male, 6' 1", 200 pounds, I am 30 years old. I like dinners by candle light a good book and long walks on the beach. I would like to know the best way to heat treat O-1.

:D

Sorry but facts are facts No matter who you tell them to.

If Bob from Boston or Ken from Kentucky ask the same question do they get two diferent answers? I would hope not.

I do understand the meeting people in your area thing but Blade forums is not so much a personals site as it is a question and answers / sharing info site.:eek:
 
Sawce said:
Maybe im a bit daft but i cant seem to figure out how to add info to my profile. do i need to upgrade membership?
Click to expand...

Go to usercp on the top of the page. Then edit profile on the top left. Fill in the appropriate fields and save changes. No need to upgrade for this.
 
Putting personal information ANYWHERE on the internet is like walking through a bad neighborhood at night without a gun. You'll probably be ok but it's really not a good idea. If someone wants to find it they will. Public, private it doesn't matter. If it is on the internet it can be found. All it takes is one comment that pisses off the wrong person or more likely something funny enough that someone posts it to 4chan. If anything you say here finds it's way onto 4chan It's almost guaranteed that someone will dig for more personal info. Those guys ruin lives everyday. They are like a swarm of killer bees. If one solitary person takes an interest in you the whole swarm will rush to the attack and they won't stop until you are ruined.
The internet is all connected. This might be a nice safe friendly place but it's on the same road as the part of town the cops don't go into alone.

Those of us who are here to make a name for ourselves have already made the decision to take that risk but I wouldn't ask anyone else to do it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top