We have always had, in the words of another Bladeforums Member who said it in here, "That OSS Vibe going on..."
I don't see anything wrong with having multiple discussions going on with regard to non-JSP Material. The reason for that is, simply, James is not interested in making the three basic Projects that have evolved from the forum as of late. Ti-Pencil, Ti-Pen and the possibility of a Ti-Ju-jo Device, something similar to that.
You guys don't think I just came up with this stuff in a month, do ya?
James does not lathe his Ti-Sticks. James does an excellent job doing what he does. Obviously, or I would not be here and spend time to his stuff.
James uses drill presses and belt grinders, to simply make some of the finest Titanium Impact Weapons that are currently being made.
Because of this reality, two of the three Projects we have been bouncing around, namely the Ti-Ju-jo Device and the Ti-Pen, James cannot make because he is not a Machinist.
The Ti-Pencil and a Triangular Sleeve Dagger, the Line Drawings, were given to him over a year ago and he has no interest in doing them.
So, there is no competition going on. People have contacted me, with some caution and more than enough respect, and said they did not feel right about discussing it in here.
I assured them that particular line of thinking was proper, but there is no competition if James does not want to make something in particular.
The JSP Forum, a long time ago, developed a particular flavor and I consciously cultivated that aura in here for a reason. The "flavor" was one of Covert Weapons, because James not only specializes in Edged Weapons, but Covert Edged, Impact and Flexible Weapons.
Three things in business, location, location, location.
In here, exposure, exposure, exposure.
Still getting the exposure. So much in fact that James has placed a freeze on Custom Orders for some time to come because of the deluge. That is a GOOD thing.
These "Mini-Projects" that have erupted in here, from the various discussions on extremely exotic and covert weapons have been a benefit to James.
The JSP Forum is different from any other Forum because of this.
I look at it as a Virtual Library where anyone can come to discuss the History of these things, and the practical application of them, simply to study, use or discuss.
That's the beauty of it. And things have obviously grown out of that. The Forum is truly a "FORUM," in the true sense of the word. It has grown beyond a box. But it is still not a "popular forum" here at BFC.
The reason for that is, there are not many people who are into these things. They do not understand or they think that timeless concepts of Covert Weapons cannot be applied.
Perhaps they think Flexible Weapons are nonsense. Many do. I don't have to debate that, and they don't have to come here to challenge that.
Just needed to make a small "Mission Statement." All of this keeps the Forum a very Exotic One, and I like that. And it gives James exposure and that is why any Maker has a Forum.