Interesting response

[raker]

George is right about knife makers sharing the information on methods and material sources.
And Colinz is right about the customers needs. I always have said that knives will cut, some longer than others, and when all else is equal, the one with the best story is the best. The history of the blade, from where it was born to the adventures it was involved in, are all part of the knife. Great cutting blades, great patterns, and a great story, will make the knife a legend before you can get it home. Some knives make you want just want to cut something, or flip it open, or touch it. Kind of like making a hawk and trying not to throw it after it is detailed out.
I kind of got off the subject but there are good makers that will tell you up front what kind of material, how made, when made, why made, and any other information that you need to know for your own buying needs. There are enough makers that contribute to the forums or are familiar with enough knife makers to make just about any kind of knife that you can think of. When I can't do or am not able to do a particular knife, I will give them some choices to check out. I am just glad that they want some one to make something special for them. As long as we continue to police our own ranks and educate as many people as we can, the knife business will continue to prosper. The only thing that I see that would possibly destroy it, is for every one to start being dishonest. That won't happen.
I would not let anyone that I didn't know sway my interests in any particular activity, whether knife collecting or making. Sometimes they have to look hard to find the people with sour grapes. At least that is my opinion about that. I am starting to sound like F. Gump.

 

[george tichbourne]

I think what Colinz is getting at is a communication problem. The customer is hesitant to ask questions and/or the maker is negligent in communication with the customer. This situation can result in an customer ordering a knife that is inapropriate for the job at hand or the wrong knife being made for the job at hand.

In my experience it sometimes takes a dozen emails to hammer out exactly what is needed and these often include scans of handle materials so the customer can pick out the exact piece of material that will be used on the knife. After all this a written confirmation is created that also serves as a build order for my referance. I think I have had two knives returned in the last seven years because the knife was not what the customer thought he had ordered, not bad considering my volume.

Now the other side of the situation...the customer orders something that was inappropriate for the job, what does the maker do? I try to steer the customer to an appropriate knife or in some cases refuse the order outright. That is a tough thing to do when the sale would put groceries on the table.

It is the customer's responsibility to screen the makers he is considering to decide if that maker has the understanding of the nature of the project before placing the order however.

 

[dsvirsky]

Originally posted by george tichbourne
In my experience it sometimes takes a dozen emails to hammer out exactly what is needed and these often include scans of handle materials so the customer can pick out the exact piece of material that will be used on the knife. After all this a written confirmation is created that also serves as a build order for my referance. I think I have had two knives returned in the last seven years because the knife was not what the customer thought he had ordered, not bad considering my volume.

I wish more knifemakers handled things the way you do, George. I recently received an email from a maker that contained a picture of a beautiful knife he had made for me. Unfortunately, since he "surprised" me rather than getting back to me to confirm the details before building the knife, I had to tell him that it wasn't the knife I've been waiting for (for nearly two years).

 

[mlovett]

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[xuesheng]

I don't know if this post will add much to the discussion but someone brought up Japanese swords as a comparison and I thought I'd add the following. There is a similar controversy regarding the making of Japanese swords. They are "hand-made" by "an individual smith" but that is, in fact, not exactly factual. If the sword is hammered out by hand, there are typically 2 or 3 assistants doing the hammering. More often now days, power hammers are being used which some people feel gets too far away from "hand made." Furthermore, other helpers are used throughout the process and only a very select few makers make their own tamagane (sand iron) any more. No makers polish their own blades (to my knowledge), therefore, they technically do not put the final edge on their swords. The polisher has a dramatic impact on the appearance of the finished blade. There are many shades of gray. I think Bailey's post was right on the mark. I think the guy who posted the article needs to find another hobby until he gets over whatever is really pissing him off (if that ever happens).

 

[T.K.C.]

I am happy that there are so many different knind of knives so we can all be happy!! I love customs and there are some most excellent productions too.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

This is a very old thread that has been brought back up. From experience I can tell you that the subject of custom versus midtech is an area best left alone. I have found that many makers are very touchy about this subject.

 

[T.K.C.]

This is a very old thread that has been brought back up. From experience I can tell you that the subject of custom versus midtech is a area best left alone. I have found that many makers are very touchy about this subject.

I can imagine, and I trust your opinion Keith!!