First you have to know what sharp is.

Mike Krall said:
I wasn't going to put up anything here at all, but then I thought, after rereading Fred's first post and Tai's point of reference to sharp that these two things defined knives as close to true as can be done. Form does follow function and function is cutting. Everything beyond that is a celebration of it.

Mike
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Well said, Mike. I tend to be a little windy when I post. You captured it with much less effort.:thumbup:

Fred
 
Fred.Rowe said:
Daniel,


I believe, what you say above the line

=======conflicts with=======

what you say below the line

...


Are you not stating the wisdom of form follows function ?
Click to expand...



I see no disagreement - perhaps you misread?

The "wisdom" of Form Follows Function is akin "The Sun Sets on Wicked as well as the Righteous". It is merely a point of view, a catch-phrase, a motto to stand behind...something to hang on one's post outside their door. It is not a design principle.


Think of it this way.

Should a screwdriver follow this ideal? Yes.

Should an automobile follow this ideal? questionable...

Should the movie/entertainment industry follow this ideal? no way.


It is not a Universal Truth.



Knifemakers have picked up a catchphrase that was barely applicable to architecture...one that was more applicable to everyday tools (where "art" is 0% of the reason its made)....and have applied it to knives...and, amazingly, custom handmade knives.


If someone came to me and told me my knives were about as appealing as a screwdriver, I'd be miffed. If they told me it was as useful....fine. But shouldn't a knife - especially a custom, handmade knife - have some sense of appeal? beauty? eye-pleasing details, etc?

I think you'd be hard pressed to find a reputable knifemaker that would readily admit to completely disregarding aesthetic.


Instead, knifemaking is about bringing the two together...as you say, balancing aesthetic with function.


Which does not work with Form Follows Function.


Do a little research on the artists/architects that used this as their motto and you'll understand it a little better.

I'll be honest, the first time I heard a knifemaker say this about their work, I nearly fell off my chair - as did a few of my architect buddies. Within the knife community, it's become a catchphrase...but outside of it, and amongst those in my profession, it's laughable.

Akin to "edge packing" within this industry.




You mention the katana and rapier as Form Follows Function....but in what way?

If you mean that the curved blade of the katana follows the desired slicing motion wanted by its owner....or that the rapier's straight yet flexible/light blade is quick and ideal for thrusting....

....isn't that kinda like saying that shoes follow function because they cover my feet? If that was the case....if shoes indeed were Form Following Function, then why do we have Hundreds/Thousands of shoe designs...nearly all of them "equally viable" as foot-coverings...but vastly different in design, colors, shapes, etc.?


I'm not against the quote.....I do like FLW...and it does have a great ring to it. And, I do think it has its proper application.




I think perhaps you and I agree, Fred. That's why I said you might have misread.


I do think knives should balance function and beauty.





AND they should be SHARP!

:D


Dan


p.s. well said, Tai Goo!
 
I find this knife pleasing to my eye, it must contain some beauty.

The knife is quite functional as well.

It took great attention to detail, to accomplish both.

If less attention had been given to its beauty than to its usefulness, it would still function.

Fred:D

I agree; wish I'd said what Tai said.








amc.jpg
 
Fred.Rowe said:
You build from the edge out.
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I agree 100%. I strive to make a knife that will suit its use. Blade and handle shape are certainly part of this as well, but the style of edge comes first.

Tai Goo said:
Sharp is sharp enough to cut what you want to cut, the way you want to cut it.
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Again, I agree 100%. Very well said :)

It's the same with guitars: if it feels good, balances nicely, sounds clear and plays well with your eyes closed, it's a good guitar. Everything else is a bonus. I owned a $300 (used) Epiphone that played just as well as my $2000 Gibsons. Saying this is next to heresy in the guitar world, but I stand by it.

Daniel, I will continue to "throw around" the phrase, 'form follows function', but I have a better understanding of it after reading your posts.

Excellent thread, very thought-provoking. Thanks, guys! :)
 
Don't be giving me too much credit!

I'm sure it's all been said many times before...

... just re-stating the obvious.
 
Fred.Rowe said:
Well said, Mike. I tend to be a little windy when I post. You captured it with much less effort.:thumbup:

Fred
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You are the one that took the time and made the words describe the reality so well... paraphrasing was dead easy after that.

Mike
 
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Tai Goo said:
Don't be giving me too much credit!

I'm sure it's all been said many times before...

... just re-stating the obvious.
Click to expand...

OK, I'll only give you the credit for saying a thing in a way that made a very complete picture in a very few words.

Mike
 
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