Food For Thought

[KFLEISIG]

Regarding Thomas W's leave of absence.

If we do get another chance to have him here, perhaps we should remember that he has no obligation to answer our questions, and having him do so is a privilege. Given another chance, I would suggest limiting our posts to him, to questions and suggestions. If you have a problem with a Kershaw knife or simply do not like something about one of them, remember, it is not his fault or responsibility. If you own a Kershaw knife which has malfunctioned/broken, talk to customer service, that is what they are there for. If you just don't like a design, don't buy it.

Thomas W's contribution to this forum is too valuable to chase him off by forcing him to defend against attacks on the products of the company he represents. Lets all think twice what is worth more, pressing submit on that unfriendly post, or having a Kershaw representative as helpful as Thomas available to us on BF.

 

[G3]

Regarding Thomas W's leave of absence.

If we do get another chance to have him here, perhaps we should remember that he has no obligation to answer our questions, and having him do so is a privilege. Given another chance, I would suggest limiting our posts to him, to questions and suggestions. If you have a problem with a Kershaw knife or simply do not like something about one of them, remember, it is not his fault or responsibility. If you own a Kershaw knife which has malfunctioned/broken, talk to customer service, that is what they are there for. If you just don't like a design, don't buy it.

Thomas W's contribution to this forum is too valuable to chase him off by forcing him to defend against attacks on the products of the company he represents. Lets all think twice what is worth more, pressing submit on that unfriendly post, or having a Kershaw representative as helpful as Thomas available to us on BF.

I understand where you're coming from. My question would be, how do we enforce this? Part of the problem from what I could gather is the fact new members aren't going to know this and will probably just post as they intended to, negativity and all.
The other part of the problem, strictly my own opinion, is that Thomas is responding to certain criticism and complaints on a personal level.

Having been guilty of both sides of the equation, I posted once about a Kershaw that I was unhappy with to start and bashed it. Thomas was more than happy to replace the item and despite me not taking him up on the offer, I truly appreciated the gesture. I also have a habit if taking criticism too personally so I can relate to that as well.

If someone wanted to criticize my IT work, and blame me for a hardware failure that was clearly a defect, I would be pissed off also. If it wasn't his fault directly he shouldn't take it as a personal attack, however I can understand that this happens as people take pride in their work.

"There is no I in team." Thomas is part of a team of Kershaw employees who take great pride in what they do and these forums can be a battlefield trying to defend oneself at times so the combination is volatile unless one realizes he must shrug off some of the blatant negativity with an "I'm sorry you feel that way."
It took me a long time to learn to not wear my heart on my sleeve but it can be done and I feel that I'm a stronger person for it. I wish Thomas the best of luck and hope he can grow his skin a bit thicker.

As for Cliff, the argument that ensued form another thread (see link in Leave of Absence thread), I would be wary of what he says. He's the first to put down well made knives and carries around a cheap noname chinese folder.
Way to support the community.:thumbdn:
One can claim he is an all knowing guru of steels and such but he seems at odds with himself over what he expects of knife manufacturers and what he expects of knives themselves.
How can you call someone out for using an improper steel when you aren't even using one yourself. I believe he even stated the knife he carries uses an unknown steel.
I see all that testing paid off.
Cliff, I'm starting to think you're a walking contradiction to yourself.
This is not an attack, nor am I offended at their discussion. I have however seen the true nature of Cliffs logic and it's flawed. Practice what you preach.

Just my 2.5 cents.

 

[Hair]

Careful now...

It is one thing to be against people pestering Thomas, or aiming complaints at him.

It is another thing to say that nobody can express a negitive opinion about Kershaw since Thomas is here. If Thomas decides to respond to one's opinion, I do not feel they should have to walk on eggshells just to keep Thomas happy.

This is a place to express opinions on knives. Both positive and negitive. As long as it isn't done in a childish manner, of course.

I am not accusing you of this, just giving you my two cents.

Yes, Thomas has been great for the forum, and great for the knife community as a whole. The ZDP Leek is a practical example of the good he has done, and can do more of in the future. It is sad that people's comments may have driven him away. But I do not know what comments he took issue with, so I cannot say whether I feel they were out of line, or if Thomas is being too sensitive.

Does anyone have a link to any of the offending threads?

 

[G3]

Careful now...

It is one thing to be against people pestering Thomas, or aiming complaints at him.

I'm not saying that either, it's bound to happen but how one deals with it makes all the difference.

It is another thing to say that nobody can express a negitive opinion about Kershaw since Thomas is here. If Thomas decides to respond to one's opinion, I do not feel they should have to walk on eggshells just to keep Thomas happy.

That's what I'm saying. He is the icon of Kershaw here and obviously gets all the feedback. Good and bad.

This is a place to express opinions on knives. Both positive and negitive. As long as it isn't done in a childish manner, of course.

I am not accusing you of this, just giving you my two cents.

Then why the "careful now"?


Yes, Thomas has been great for the forum, and great for the knife community as a whole. The ZDP Leek is a practical example of the good he has done, and can do more of in the future. It is sad that people's comments may have driven him away. But I do not know what comments he took issue with, so I cannot say whether I feel they were out of line, or if Thomas is being too sensitive.

Does anyone have a link to any of the offending threads?

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=422664

 

[Hair]

"Careful now" doesn't accuse someone of something. It does the exact opposite. It is a warning of what could potentially, maybe, possibly happen.

I had seen that thread. I am asking for threads in which Thomas felt he was put on the defensive as he eluded to in the thread you linked.

 

[KFLEISIG]

Thanks for the feedback, keep it coming. I agree, of course, that new members would not know about such an informal rule. I think that it is primarily an issue for us regulars though, and we could pass on the "wisdom" to new members that get out of line. In regards to not being able to criticize a Kershaw product, perhaps if we just kept it constructive rather than insulting. If there is something that is not liked about a Kershaw product, point out what that is, and how you think it could be better. I don't think that would be viewed as an attack, just suggestions for improvement, kind of like making a Ti-ZDP Leek. I think this would be a good policy for approaching a discussion of any knife you did not like, Kershaw or not. As for not taking it personally? Come on guys, Thomas is someone who takes great pride in the company he works for and the products they produce, you insult the products and you insult him. I have not always been this considerate in my own posts, but this has been a good kick in the a$$ for me. Let it be the same for the rest of us.

 

[Hair]

I don't think I have seen anyone criticize Kershaw in anything but a mature "I do not like this" sort of way. I haven't seen any bashing. I have seen nothing Thomas should be insulted or hurt over.

Again, maybe I just missed the threads in question.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I would turn this question around and let Thomas answer for it in his own way: he should ignore posts he doesn't want to answer, doesn't like the tone of, doesn't feel it's worth the time going over some old argument again and again.

He does not owe it to the forums to address every question and every demand. He will enjoy his own time here and do Kershaw more good by responding only to posts that are fun.

There are people here who don't bother me a bit. I put them on Ignore. Thomas may not want to go that far, but there is a reason for the function. It saves time by bypassing people who vanishingly rarely provide me with anything of interest.