I've noticed a trend that I'm not sure I like concerning the use of this "General Forum" space. While Bladeforums is very strict that sales and advertisements not be posted anywhere but the "For Sale" areas, many "new knife" announcements have been allowed in this "General Forum". Several makers (including one moderator) and the president of at least one knife company have used this space to announce the release of new models for sale. Some have even included availability info and prices.
Now, I'm not exactly upset. I enjoy a post with a pretty picture of a knife in it, especially one I've never seen before. And I have no problem with people posting pictures of knives in the course of discussions to illustrate points (indeed, I do this with my own knife pictures perhaps too frequently). But I do feel that these "knife announcements" are perilously close to advertising and we run the risk of turning this into a "what's new for sale" area.
What's wrong with that, you say? Nothing! I'd like to know what's new and available as well. But I'd like this area to remain free of this info, and have it succinctly presented elsewhere. So my proposal is for a new forum devoted to new knife announcements, sort of another "For Sale" area where posters only put new knife models that area available for purchase or order. No old items and no one-offs, as these can go through normal selling channels. This would give us a one-stop forum for what's new and hot any given week. Plus it would leave this forum free for our less, um, businesslike ramblings.
Your thoughts?
-Drew
Now, I'm not exactly upset. I enjoy a post with a pretty picture of a knife in it, especially one I've never seen before. And I have no problem with people posting pictures of knives in the course of discussions to illustrate points (indeed, I do this with my own knife pictures perhaps too frequently). But I do feel that these "knife announcements" are perilously close to advertising and we run the risk of turning this into a "what's new for sale" area.
What's wrong with that, you say? Nothing! I'd like to know what's new and available as well. But I'd like this area to remain free of this info, and have it succinctly presented elsewhere. So my proposal is for a new forum devoted to new knife announcements, sort of another "For Sale" area where posters only put new knife models that area available for purchase or order. No old items and no one-offs, as these can go through normal selling channels. This would give us a one-stop forum for what's new and hot any given week. Plus it would leave this forum free for our less, um, businesslike ramblings.
Your thoughts?
-Drew