how to win friends and influence knifemaking - maybe

Matt, good stuff.
I've been thinking about something along these lines recently.
I was at Chris Mark's place about 6 weeks ago, getting some tutelage on the hammer and anvil. My first real session with him.
He was showing me something, hammer in hand, and said, "this is how I do it, it might not work for you, but this is how I do it."
His comment really hit home with me. Too often I think I "know something" and think it as such. That what I know is "it."
And this gentleman with a lifetime of working with steel lets me know that he knows what works for him, but ain't the only way and something else might work for me.
Dozier
 
Chris is practically the definition of experienced yet unpretentious. We should all strive to get there one day!
 
i find this theme runs across most of my life, with people who don't know anything or at best know barely enough to be dangerous who beak off as if they have all the answers. with my job, i have to deal with ignorance around the world and dance around delicate topics that people will die for and kill you for if you don't agree. whether it be religion, politics or knives... a little ignorance can cause a lot of damage and as has been stated, it's usually the ones who know the least who are the most resistant to learn anything. I very rarely engage with the know-it-alls as it's it usually results in frustration for myself and absolutely zero change in the opinions of the genius i'm trying to inform.
 
Matt, dropping knowledge.

You might be surprised when you google the name of some people who seem to act as an authority and you can hardly find a good picture of their knives, if you do find them it is from several feet away and in their sheaths with no close up for detail. When a picture does pop up you can see the fit and finish does not match their online expertise.

Many great makers no longer put up from the nonsense of such people and no longer participate, it is really sad and often a topic of discussion at various knife shows.

Luckily there are still many here that are awesome, generous and it is an honor to read their helpful posts. One thing I have noticed is the GREAT legends in the knife hobby are usually the last ones to be condescending and rude and it is the ones who want to be the big fish in the small pond that causes the rukus to chase off them off.
 
There is a lot of material and feedback missing, forum wide, compared to several years ago.
 
ron_m80 said:
There is a lot of material and feedback missing, forum wide, compared to several years ago.
Click to expand...

most likely a similar percentage missing as is knowledgeable folks who went missing over the years for one reason or another... and no doubt the difference can be accounted by the ones who just choose not to comment as much due to the very thing this thread is based on.

Adam... was that directed at me? lol. Rustyrazor is not my own name obviously and i don't mark my knives with my name, and i don't have any real decent pictures done by a pro, or a website, and pretty much only have pics on my FB site for now since i can't really take the time to make this a real job or even spare the time on any site or marketing HOWEVER, i'd like to think i don't speak about things i'm not at least partially familiar with, so i hope i don't come off as a know it all... for god sakes tell me if i do. i hate those people, lol.
 
Matthew,
A quote comes to mind after reading this thread,

"Those of you that think you know everything, really Piss off those of us that do!":D

I can't say I was born humble by any stretch, But a nice slice of :foot: in mouth every day hopefully keeps me going in that direct!;)
 
Hahaha Rusty!

No, if you have to ask it is not you :)

BTW your knives are very nice and easily found on Facebook.
 
AVigil said:
Hahaha Rusty!

No, if you have to ask it is not you :)

BTW your knives are very nice and easily found on Facebook.
Click to expand...

Thanks! yours too, but you know that i'm sure. Anyway, i don't want to derail this too much so i'll get back on track. I am the same way Lawrence... as soon as i get a bit cocky, i do something that absolutely puts me back in my place, so i guess that's my key to humility: being just good enough to mess up just enough to know i'm not that good. story of my life
 
There was some difficulty a while back with posting pictures of your work-especially if it was for sale.
This might have kept people from posting pictures. I know it did for me.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
There was some difficulty a while back with posting pictures of your work-especially if it was for sale.
This might have kept people from posting pictures. I know it did for me.
Click to expand...

That did a lot to chase makers away from blade forums, many just went to Youtube and Instagram to avoid the nonsense and just got better known
 
AVigil said:
That did a lot to chase makers away from blade forums, many just went to Youtube and Instagram to avoid the nonsense and just got better known
Click to expand...

From what I have seen lately, it's not a problem to display your work if you don't mention sales (for non paying members). I know that I would love to see more experienced guys joining in the shoptalk discussions. More WIPs or mini tutorials for specific processes would be good to see as well.

We could make shoptalk a more productive and informative place to hang out by adding more content or discussions.
 
Well, Youtube and Instagram are better for marketing to potential customers (mostly non-knifemakers.) Posting stuff here is a good way to get known within a certain community, but anyone relying on showing work here with a tacit solicitation for business is misguided in my opinion...
I understand that a presence on the forums is good for business, but a better spot for that is over in Customs and Handmade. Or in the Exchange.
Every once in a while the atmosphere gets a little funky in Shoptalk and we have to have a show of good faith and a round of WIPs and good knifemaking stuff. Maybe it is coming around again.
 
Has any one noticed that knifemakers on this forum that have shown pictures of their work and have established their credibility like, Salem Straub, Don Hanson, Nick Wheeler, Bruce Bump,( and their are others) etc. use their real names.
 
I haven't felt I have the credibility to do a WIP, but with some of the more experienced members not posting much, I have been thinking of contributing. Maybe something like doing a skinner with bolsters for the guys just starting out. I have nothing to offer in terms of bowies that hasn't been done better by the guys mentioned in the previous posts.

I'm not a great knifemaker, but I do post a lot since we just don't have the frequent posting of the more experienced guys. I stick to things I know about, and things I know how to do. If a post isn't answered in a couple days, I sometimes comment on things I have read from others but haven't done so the newer member at least has someplace to search from.
 
AVigil said:
That did a lot to chase makers away from blade forums, many just went to Youtube and Instagram to avoid the nonsense and just got better known
Click to expand...

Knife Dogs received a mass migration at that time.

Now karda is gone, but you will have a hard time getting those makers back.


I really miss Brian F and Bruce B, I always learned something from those posts.
 
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I'm going to break a long silence on these particular forums and say "Thank You" to Matthew for his insight on this particular subject.

Many of the things he mentioned are the very reasons why I no longer post or offer advice on BF. Speaking strictly for myself, when I attempt to answer a question, or offer solicited advice, then get either an attempt to start an argument, or an arrogant "Your Wrong!" in response... my thoughts go to "If you're ego is that big, then why even ask the question?" I simply don't have the time, nor the willingness to participate in that kind of drama. Repeated instances of that variety are the very reason that many makers no longer are seen on BF.
 
Hey, Matthew- you got Ed Caffrey to post! Nice.

Good to see you in here, Ed! It is unfortunate that you and some others of the highly experienced type have moved to greener pastures... but please do consider dropping in occasionally. I know I've learned quite a few things from you over the years!
 
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