JS presentation #1...tell me what you think

I've asked this question before, but are there specific criteria by which JS or MS knives are judged in regards to design?
 
Ben, It will pass fine. I can see some influences from other makers and there's nothing wrong with that. I can't see F&F.

My own personal change would be to shorten the edge just a bit. I feel it drops too low giving the blade an awkward angle. Try to sharpen a stick with it and you quickly see how the edge slides instead of bites into the wood. Make sense?
 
Lorien said:
I've asked this question before, but are there specific criteria by which JS or MS knives are judged in regards to design?
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Oh Yes, can you imagine a "star wars" design getting the nod from a room full of Mastersmiths with cowboy hats? Them boys like the old designs. Play it their way and make whatever you like later.
 
Lorien,

At every ABS sponsored "hammer-in" there are "ABS judging criteria" seminars, covering many aspects of judging standards.

The standards and criteria for 'Design" are general, reflecting a concern for integrated flow. Specific problems are addressed, ie, "broomstick handles", "broken design lines" etc, but the emphasis is on more general and understandable artistic design ideas.

Ideas are illustrated by drawings, knife examples, and pictures, but no, repeat no, "Artistic freedom killing dictates" are mandated. Design and artistic criteria will always be a subjective area, but art schools and knife schools alike can give valuable guidance, based on tradition and "teaching by example."

The ABS is an educational institution, and the seminars on judging criteria are given by Masters who actually do the judging. The testing, the critiques, the seminars, the classes, are aids to students who choose this educational method to help them in their efforts to improve their work. Guidance on testing criteria is readily available to those desiring it.

John

P.S. You'd be surprised what "Star Wars" designs those Mastersmiths in cowboy hats can come up with....
 
thank you John and Bruce :)
 
No one can pass JS or MS by having pictures looked at. The forums are great for opnions on looks but they are NOT the place to see if the knives will pass or not.
See your local master smith or two or three.
Gary
 
I talked to Jerry Fisk this afternoon and if I heard him right this is what he said to do. Hopefully this remedies the problem John White pointed out though part of that I believe was my photography, lighting etc. Here goes again...tell me what you think.
Ben

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Thanks Stephen, though this isn't your style, I respect your opinion. Half an inch came off the butt, a little more radius top and bottom. Jerry said the shorter handle works with this style better. He's right, it feels better in the hand on the edge up grip.

Ben
 
John White said:
At every ABS sponsored "hammer-in" there are "ABS judging criteria" seminars, covering many aspects of judging standards.

The standards and criteria for 'Design" are general, reflecting a concern for integrated flow. Specific problems are addressed, ie, "broomstick handles", "broken design lines" etc, but the emphasis is on more general and understandable artistic design ideas.

The ABS is an educational institution, and the seminars on judging criteria are given by Masters who actually do the judging. The testing, the critiques, the seminars, the classes, are aids to students who choose this educational method to help them in their efforts to improve their work. Guidance on testing criteria is readily available to those desiring it.

John....
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I strongly recommend the seminar to collectors. It's two hours, but well worth the time spent as it will teach you what to look for when purchasing a knife. I will take it again when given the chance.
 
Ben, I met you in Little Rock and admired and complimented your knives. I am sure you will do great in Atlanta.
Gary
 
I like what 2Knife did also as the blade shape now would be more inline with what a fighter might be. The other thought I had was, "is micarta the material to be used by an ABS maker?" I'd be thinking a natural material would be better particularly when going beyond the JR critique to the business critique. And from the title of the post it seemed that a critique related to the JS status was what was being requested.
 
Looks good Ben. As has been mentioned you have a hard time critiquing fit and finish from a picture, however you can look at overall design. Based on what I saw at Little Rock your fit and finish are good. I look forward to seeing you at the spring hammer in and seeing what you bring.
Brion
 
Thanks for the comments. This of course is not a pass or fail critique just feedback on a design more or less...which I appreciate. This knife and the following will pass through many masters' hands on the way to Atlanta. The feedback I've been getting from the masters who have handled my work has been very good. Now I'm striving to take the F&F on these knives to a level surpassing what they have seen so far. Thanks y'all, Ben
 
One thing I forgot to address, the handle is african blackwood. Only the spacer is micarta. If I'm not mistaken, John White and Kyle Royer use it for that as well. Thanks, Ben
 
'Live and learn', 'ask and you shall receive'. Ben, you are going to do just fine. :thumbup:

- Joe
 
I think the handle looks much better now, but the blade profile still looks to me too much like a chef's knife.



2knife said:
"Tell me what you think" ..

Our opinion doesnt matter , as Bill says - but since you asked. Heres my unqualified opinion. I think the style of blade (wide) and the fulcrum area behind guard (narrow) give it a unusual look (proportions). This is a sketch of your knife from an Iphone App, w/ a slimming of the blade and same handle. I think i like it better.. judge for yourself.

You do great work Ben! Keep it up.
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David
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Yes! I think I would much prefer that blade profile on this knife.

Good luck!
 
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