I owe Mr. Criswell an apology

[Triton]

Some time back Mr. Criswell was on this forum talking about his swords and I gave him a hard time becuase from the pictures that I had seen they were anything but traditional. I went so far as to tell him that I did not think that he should call his swords katana if I remember correctly.

Yesterday a customer's Criswell katana arrived in the mail and I had the chance to examine one first hand. All I can say is that I really liked it a lot. No, it still is not traditional, and no I'm not sure that it is technically a katana, but I do have to say that it is one heck of a sword. I own a KC29 and it is not even anywhere close to as nice as the Criswell sword that I have here at the house. So, hats off to Mr. Criswell he is doing an excellent job, and I hate eating crow.

 

[Robert Marotz]

Perhaps this is in bad taste for me, but I figure I need to offer something.

While not the biggest fan of nontraditional pieces, I'm compelled to follow suit and offer an apology for my more negative comments towards them...not simply to Mr. Criswell, but to the entire forum.

People may say "well that's how you felt about it," but in reality, some of my "snobby" viewpoints I didn't even totally agree with. Maybe I was getting tired of seeing a few serious people (beginning collectors) being misled (intentionally or unintentionally). Whatever the reasons, they should be unimportant now.

I've slowed down my posting in the last few months, and reduced my negative comments to practically nothing. This was once out of restraint, but now it's more out of respect. A long while ago, I had openly said that there is room enough for all the sides of the spectrum. I reaffirm that statement now. This place, in part, should be so we can help people identify what side of the spectrum they're looking for.

Until recently, I had forgotten that. I'm sorry for straying.

Regards,
Shinryû.

 

[DeathDancer]

Dear Robert,

Well, to be honest, a lot of what you referred to as "snobby" can be attributed to your passion for the Japanese sword. The comments you have made caused me to delve very deeply into what I wanted in a Katana, to study the traditional aspects of Japanese sword construction, and to research what constitutes authenticity. Which has led me to begin collecting Katana with an eye toward Tameshigiri.

That said, let me also say that I own western interpretations of Japanese swords from Barry Dawson, Rob Criswell, and Ted Frizzel of Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works, as well as 26 and 29 inch KC Kats. All are different, all have their good and bad points, and I enjoy every blessed one of them.

And while I have often thought that you were being less than circumspect in telling people what you thought, I have always known that with great "passion" comes the need to educate and make right what seems so obviously wrong.

However, I think that you have finally achieved Balance on this Eight Fold Path, and it takes someone of rare character to admit that he might have been mistaken.

Again, thank you for leading where I may yet follow.

 

[BryanH]

Cool to see someone else here from SwordForum. Glad you liked the Criswell. You're the only person I've know that's actually handled one. And, it's cool that you were able to put your perceptions behind you, and recognize a cool piece when you see it. Whew!
I'm hoping to be sending you a sword or two soon to get scabbards made, but I've gotta juggle that with guns, ammo, knives, CDs, and DVDs. Sigh. Maybe I should just win the lottery!

BryanH

 

[Triton]

Hey Bryan,

Yeah I get around a little anyway. You can find me causing a fuss over at Netsword too.

I like the Criswell enough that I am going to be selling my KC 29 probably to help finance the purchase of one. Have you checked my site lately? Could you give me an opinion on what you think of the new Atrim pics I have up? To light, to dark, not enough detail?

 

[Gary W. Graley]

I'm pretty far from traditional but know what I like and traditional is very nice but for me, I couldn't keep one like that as I tend to go romping in the woods and would do more damage with one like that, so a Criswell was in my future and glad I got mine!

Win Heger had one or two he was going to sell, I got a 12" Tanto from him as well as my 20" Wakizashi and 27" Katana....though a Chef friend that needed one to make some special crepes wanted it pretty bad in Baltimore and now has that one!

The storage scabbards that arrive with the blades are just that, storage scabbards and Rob Criswell doesn't try to state it differently, so in your hands Triton I'll bet you come up with a very nice scabbard! I might have to contact you in getting something made for mine!


G2

 

[Triton]

I'll post a pic of the current project here when it is finished.