I am curious if this is the right direction for us. What do you honestly think?

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Gus Kalanzis

Gus Kalanzis

Havin' fun, learning and putting up with Bastid.
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I am just a collector that is lucky to have some genuine friends that make knives. I see how they treat other makers. I go to shows and watch how 95%+ of us (makers, dealers, collectors) interact with each other and conduct our business. Those interactions of humility, respect, honesty and sharing along with some strong friendships that have developed over the years are more important to me than any knife I might happen to own.

I see how makers respond when other makers ask them their opinions on their latest work. Being part of those conversations as a fly on the wall when appropriate (meaning I know the askee or the asker well) has been the greatest source of knowledge for me (and I have a bunch of books). That knowledge goes beyond knives.

It is funny that over the years when I have seen huge egos and flag waving it always turns out to be flashes in the proverbial pan. Seeing that type of interaction is a rarity at a Custom Knife show or gathering. Those type of actions stick out like a sore thumb and have been the only source of long term resentment in the "industry" I have seen until the net came along.

Am I being too idealistic in thinking we can create that type of atmosphere in this forum. I write software for a living and most of us that do that are pretty idealistic to begin with.

Any honest feedback by post or by gusk@bellsouth.net would be appreciated. Please keep in mind that I am not interested in the past except to learn from it.
 
Gus,
I can honostly see this as a reality. To me, it can and will work if we expect those type of honost reactions and attitudes. Not only should those be the attitudes we expect, but as a community, we should learn to not tolerate the opposite. By that, I mean we simply ignore it. A lot of problems happen to pop up when as a community, we all tend to jump on people with the bad attitudes. I think by doing this, we all add fuel to the fire. There is nothing wrong with arguements and constructive criticism, but we need to know when it is crossing the line into flaming and verbal insults. When we see people posting something that is obviously flaming or trolling, as much as we will hate, we should all step back. Gus does a good job with the forum. I know we all see stuff like we don't like and jump all over it. The best way to get rid of trolls is to ignore them. Let the moderators handle it and not give them the attention they crave. That is just my opinion. Constructive criticism is welcome here. Death threats and flames are welcome in e-mail.
 
Gus, I sure hope you are not being to idealistic, and that the atmosphere you would like to see created here is possible. I find that I come to this forum to interact with and learn from people I like and respect. When possible I also like to help people with the limited knowledge that I have.

The only way I believe that I can interact with the people here is to treat them with the respect that I would expect to be treated with. For the most part that is the way that other people are on this forum as well. If this were not the case I would not like these forums and would not continue to take part in them.

Some of the forum members do seem to take things way to seriously and juvenile pi**ing matches do seem to happen way to often. IMO if people would just use this forum as a place to meet and converse and share information with other members that share in a common interest, then we might have even a better forum.

Then again, maybe I am just living in a dream world and I should get a grip, I do not know. I like this place the way it is, but it could be better.

Keith.
 
Gus,

As a bond-trader by trade and a knife collector (and newbie maker/hobbiest) by interest, I too am a bit of an idealist.

I find that both industries reflect a certain attitude that I both respect in others and endeavor to portray in my own interactions with others. Whether trading bonds or buying knives, I always take pleasure (and pride) in the honor and dignity with which we try to conduct ourselves.

This weekend I attended ECCKS - my first custom knife show. I have many stories to relate (like the one I mentioned in the thread about my new folder), but the one that is most relevant to this discussion is the experience of meeting Tim Herman.

Now, there have been a few occasions where Tim and I got at each others' throats a bit, either in chat or in W&C. Never having met face to face, it would've been easy for either one of us to really drop the gloves and have at it. But when we shook hands at his table at ECCKS, any hostility we may have had at one time or another was gone.

I told him his Wall Street Tactical was a pretty little girly knife, he told me I was a cheap bastid, we laughed about it, and then talked about my sliver order
smile.gif
.

Now, I really wish I could've met you and, well, all the other folks that hang out here, because once the anonymity of a screen-name is replaced by the memory of a face, it no longer feels like you're just sending a few zeros and ones to a server somewhere. Instead, it feels like you're talking to a friend.

When I read a post, I can't hear the inflection in someone's voice or see the expressions on his face, and smilies just don't cut it all the time. But I do try to keep one thing in mind - that every person in this forum is a potential friend, and some already are.

Debates can be healthy, and people should be encouraged to express their opinions in this forum, but decorum requires that each of us maintain a level of respect for one another, and never forget that the words we read here don't come from a computer, they come from a person - a person we may very well have the pleasure of meeting someday. As long as we all keep these thoughts in consideration in mind, I think this forum will indeed capture the atmosphere you and the rest of us are looking for here. For the most part, it already does.
smile.gif


If I get any sappier, I think I'm gonna barf.

-Derrick

 
As stated there is alot of friendships on this forum. Those people that personally know each other have a latitude to converse in because they know each other. I think that a lot of newbies to the forum may get the idea that slagging off anybody is the accepted norm. Even if they don't even know the person they are communicating with. This somtimes can get a bit trying. How much s**t do you take from someone you don't even know??
The other thing is trollers and anonimity. If someone has things to say but is hiding behind a cool handle and no other identification they can say what they want when they want with no retributin other than on the forum. This is chicken s**t as far as I'm concerned.
This forum is a great place to interact and share knowledge and I wouldn't miss it for the world.
I often wonder why people have to have anonimity on this forum. I would love to know who is communicating with me. If you have an alterego register it as AKA and get crazy. Besides the first thing most customers do is identify themselves when they contact me with there real name and there posting handle.
I give the guys I know and have met a lot of flack here but know enough to take it easy on the people I don't know. I don't know if others pass on this courtesy.
My opinion only.

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Robert
Flat Land Knife Works
rdblad@telusplanet.net
http://members.tripod.com/knifeworks/index.html
 
I wanted to add to my earlier post by stating that IMO members having a difference of opinion is a very important part of these forums. Only through these differences can healthy debate begin. If everyone just agreed with what everyone else was posting, we would miss out on some of the best solutions to problems and creative ideas that come out of these debates.

Differences in opinions can handled in differing ways. with, as mentioned here, healthy debate, with anger so that no ideas are brought forward and with hostility, which usually turns into these pi**ing that I mentioned earlier. These result in name calling, insults and sometimes threats and do nothing to promote these forums in the eyes of new members. Nor does anything useful come out of these bouts of hostility.

The animosity that is created between the people arguing sometimes reaches epic proportions. At no time should people feel they have to get so worked up about things that happen on bladeforums that they have to threaten physical violence or tey to ruin the reputation of the person that they have had the disagreement with.

This is a place that Knife Knuts should feel they can come to have fun, exchange and gain knowledge, get information from some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry, make aquaintances and possibly friends,and indulge in healthy debate. Let's work towards these goals and IMO this will be a nicer place to be.

Once again I ramble, but Bladeforums is important to me and I thought I should have my say. Feel free to disagree with me, I welcome the opportunity to take part in a free flow of opinions on this subject.

Keith.

[This message has been edited by Keith Montgomery (edited 03-14-2001).]
 
Gus:

You already know how I feel. I'm right beside you!

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Tom Anderson

[This message has been edited by Tom Anderson (edited 03-16-2001).]
 
Gus,
In your absence, I let a little flame fly in a thread between myself and Viper. I worded my opinions poorly and have apologized to all parties concerned.There hasbeen a rash of conflict recently,and that is unfortunate.
However, I think some conflict is inevitible and seems to run in cycles. We have been on a bad patch as of late. I think the norm will continue to be positive communication. You certainly are instrumental in leading this forum in the right direction.
I cannot believe that anyone has sent you threatening anonymous e-mails, as you stated in another post. That is an act of cowardice. It sounds like what someone outside the circle of regular contributors would do. Don't get discouraged!
Maybe things can settle down and smooth out a bit now.
David

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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member

[This message has been edited by davidb415 (edited 03-14-2001).]
 
Great topic Gus! I would like to second the opinion that the relative anonymity of the internet leads to part of the problem. Face to face interactions typically require more thoughtfulness and mutual respect. I am all for honest testimonials and healthy debate as long as people remeber that an individual testimonial is just that, and debates should exclude personal attacks,unless you are debating character issues.
 
Andrew: The more I read your posts, the more I appreciate your perspectives. I only wish all makers had your level of understanding, respect and integrity.
smile.gif


Wouldn't it be a shame if people only interacted in these forums for "damage control" and "self-promotion?"

Gus: When are you going to fire up that customer/maker topic again?
wink.gif


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Tom Anderson

[This message has been edited by Tom Anderson (edited 03-16-2001).]
 
Gus
I'm impressed with your obvious love of knives. I share that love without total cognition as to its cause or all its motivations. Suffice it to say I have a great regard for sharp ,pointy things of steel and other metals and those that make,design, collect and[ with all due apologies] sell them.
I think you do fine and I like your noncloying style. Continue to do what you think is best and let the chips fall where they may.If your any good, you will prevail- if not there is always another day.
Bob
 
It seems that we have a small cadre of individuals here that are rather old school. Myself included.

Good or bad, I put my name on every post I make. I'm not ashamed of my thoughts or who I am. I stand behind my comments. I also say "Please", "Thanks you" and hold doors for ladies. These are values I grew up with. I also believe in treating others with respect . . as long as they'll let me.

Going to Custom Knife shows, I'm always amazed at the number of nice people I meet and love coming away with a new knife after interacting with a maker or dealer.

In this day and age, personal interaction skills and basic manors seem to be lost on some of the "alias" generation.

Sorry for the rambling, you've hit on a sore spot with me.

John
 
I have always sorta been self-serving and out for myself, but in a community such as this I am beginning to realize that that doesn't work well, and I have opened myself to criticism, both good and bad, and can only hope that I don't piss too many people off. I know I can be hard to handle at times, I come out and say exactly what I think, not one to kiss anyone's butt. This is one of the few places I can come and feel semi-normal interacting with people with the same interest.

All I can really say to Gus is I hope that your optimism is catching and infectious. If enough people catch the optimism bug, there may be a chance that the community will thrive. But as in any community in the real world, you're gonna have a few people who like to start problems, foement unrest, if we don't let it discourage us, we will weather the storms.

We can make it happen.

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Peace

Paul
Custom Knife Purveyor
Circle P Knives
 
Gus,
As a maker, I enjoy and appreciate all the feedback, criticism and suggestions I recieve here on the forums. 99% of the time people criticize in a friendly, encouraging manor. I think sometimes people here take things the wrong way that wouldn't happen in a face to face discussion. Maybe I'm missing something but it seems to be quite friendly around here lately?? At least here in the custom forum. We haven't had any of the knock down, drag out threads like those in the past!! Some of them DID make entertaining reading
wink.gif

I also say......keep with what your doing. Your obvious love for knives and the entire knifeworld shows in your efforts here.
I think the custom area is the favorite of many members and there IS a reason for that!!

Neil

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Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
Hang in there Gus, It's guys like you that hold it together.

As for the troll's ETC, don't even give them the satisfaction of a reply. They will soon go elsewhere.

Just because someone wants to be an a$$, that's his problem.

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old pete
 
When I joined the forum about 7 months ago, I didn't know what to expect. But I quickly found out that there were a lot of great guys out there who were more than ready to share their knowledge and experience.

I was amazed at their generosity in terms of time and thoughfulness.

It is not too much indeed to expect a healthy atmosphere in a forum like this. Of course, we do occasionally encounter one or two emotional people but that's to be expected.

Whenever I post a topic or a question, I never fail to get at least one satisfactory answer.

Of course, I expect some people to jump in and have some fun. That's great, too. Life would be too boring if there are too many serious people.

Funny or not, even the jokers are clever in their own ways, as I have found out. There have been times when these same people have come up with replies that benefited me a lot.

We all try to help one another the best way we can. Bladeforums is a great place for knife collectors. In fact, it is about the best place I know to find answers and make friends.

I have heard many times from many members that they are having a great time here and they have made many friends. Same with me.
Is it any wonder then that the membership has grown by leaps and bounds?

I personally believe no one person has all the answers. Nobody is right all the time.
There is no perfect knife. There are however many excellent knives.

Different knives are good, excellent, and terrific, depending on the conditions they are subjected to and on the circumstances they are used in. So a good blade may not perform so well in some tasks while another may do a good job.

Different collectors have their own ideas of what a great knife should be but not all will agree on any particular knife at any one time.

We all have our own criteria. That's why we are human. That's why we are here on earth to learn. If need be, from others cleverer than ourselves. If we think we can educate others, so be it.

I hope some day to teach and inform others what I have gained from my learned colleagues in this forum. Ultimately, I guess that's what it's all about.

We learn and then we learn some more and then we teach the others who come after us. And it goes round and round. The knowledge circle widens, friendships are formed and everybody benefits.




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Make Love your strongest weapon. Compassion your shield and forgiveness your armour.
 
A bit sappy, but golok sums it up well.
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Lock it up Gus, and go to bed content.

Steve
 
Have not gotten any nays and the emails reflect what has been posted here.

Thanks folks it really was not meant to be a cheer leading session I just wated to see how folks felt. Lets get on with our normal stuff and I will get going on finding some one who has the time for the next topic.
For now lets go with styles and we can branch out into other areas later.

Like Wulf, I hope at sometime in the near future I get the chance to meet all of you in person. In the meantime I guess we have to settle for typed words
biggrin.gif


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" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis
 
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