Kumbaya? Or business as usual?

[Kevin Jones]

Well it's been about three weeks since STeven originally started the thread which kicked off the mayhem over critical critique on this customs forum.

It was my position that we didn't actually have a global issue of rude insensitive behavior towards unsuspecting makers and collectors only wanting to share their knives out of excitement. But an occasional flare up of tension or over zealousness.

Does seem to me that after a few weeks we do have at least a better atmosphere here in participants showing a little more resolve and compassion though we are critiquing as many knives as ever.

Another positive (blessing in fact), we have some new participants here that are contributing and having a productive and positive influence. Just to name a few even at the risk of leaving some out are Wolfgang Loerchner, Bill Buxton, Todd & Tanya Begg, Kyle Royer in addition to many screen names I don't recall seeing before.

We did though temporally loose one of our most active member's input to the various subjects we discuss.

So what do you think? Did we improve things here as a result of airing all the dirty laundry or is it really just kumbaya and/or business as usual?

 

[betzner]

It seems that any time one opens up a discussion such as was done earlier, nothing but good comes from it, even if the results aren't transparently obvious in the beginning. Even if it mitigates an issue just a bit, discussion is a good thing. But in the process, it has made me decide to be a bit more honest, perhaps subjectively, so I myself am setting aside kumbaya for the sake of honesty. But treading softly.

 

[ken erickson]

Because of the Kumbaya thread I posted one of my slips for comments here. My first ever post and I was glad I did. I got a lot of VERY constructive comments! Thanks to the members that took the time to look and comment. From a knife makers standpoint I think I am mature enough to recognize a comment that is something other than a honest ,constructive Interpretation of my work and would dismiss it as such.

To the members that take the time to look at a post and reply, THANKS

 

[betzner]

Kevin - I am beginning to think that ANY comment about knives, no matter how stilted, positive or negative is far and away the better course than all of the personal attacks I have begun to see amongst some of the members. I have never understood why they don't just take things like that to a private discussion room or something.

 

[RogerP]

Are we really going to have yet another tedious "state of the nation" navel-gazing thread? Sheesh already.

Roger

 

[Keith Montgomery]

For me it's business as usual, and will remain so.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Are we really going to have yet another tedious "state of the nation" navel-gazing thread? Sheesh already.

Actually, now that you mention it, my inny looks pretty good. If you would like, I could do a little gazing and give a full report. Just say the word.

 

[RogerP]

Actually, now that you mention it, my inny looks pretty good. If you would like, I could do a little gazing and give a full report. Just say the word.

At this point, I think individual navel-reports might well be of greater use.

I wholehearterdly support discussions about knives. It's endless discussions about discussions that are getting me down.

Roger

 

[tntbegg]

I for one, am thoroughly interested in your navel......please do give us a FULL report, with PICS and a comparison to another navel would be best.


I believe STeven is in the lotus position in deep meditation, reflecting on all that has transpired and will come back.......EXACTLY, as he has always been. Fine by me, I like his no BS approach.

Tanya Begg

 

[jdm61]

I for one, am thoroughly interested in your navel......please do give us a FULL report, with PICS and a comparison to another navel would be best.


I believe STeven is in the lotus position in deep meditation, reflecting on all that has transpired and will come back.......EXACTLY, as he has always been. Fine by me, I like his no BS approach.

Tanya Begg

STeven, aside from capitalizing the first two letters of his name for reasons known only to himself, can rub you the wrong way when you first come in here. Once you get to know him, you find that his critique and advice can be quite helpful, especially if you are a new maker. Unlike some folks who collect knives from a select group of makers (not a bad thing per se, but it means they won't buy my crap even when it is no longer so crappy...lol) STeven and some others seem to be willing to buy from a broader range of makers on occasion and as such, we have to humor...lol. I have run into some folks who are almost TOO encouraging. Bill Moran was like that with newbies or so it seemed from my two interactions with him. He was very positive and inspiring, but you occasionally need to show your stuff to the guys who may be laboring under the mistaken impression that you actually want a thorough critique of your work.

 

[Kevin Jones]

At this point, I think individual navel-reports might well be of greater use.

I wholehearterdly support discussions about knives. It's endless discussions about discussions that are getting me down.

Roger

I really bug you, don't I Roger? Sorry

This was actually meant as a positive thread to acknowledge positive results of the recent threads you are referring to and also to acknowledge the new participants here such as Ken Erickson who posted above.

No one is forcing you to participate on this thread yet you have posted negatively twice.

 

[Kevin Jones]

STeven, aside from capitalizing the first two letters of his name for reasons known only to himself, can rub you the wrong way when you first come in here. Once you get to know him, you find that his critique and advice can be quite helpful, especially if you are a new maker. Unlike some folks who collect knives from a select group of makers (not a bad thing per se, but it means they won't buy my crap even when it is no longer so crappy...lol) STeven and some others seem to be willing to buy from a broader range of makers on occasion and as such, we have to humor...lol. I have run into some folks who are almost TOO encouraging. Bill Moran was like that with newbies or so it seemed from my two interactions with him. He was very positive and inspiring, but you occasionally need to show your stuff to the guys who may be laboring under the mistaken impression that you actually want a thorough critique of your work.

Joe, just is case I fall into your scenario above I have added or in the process of adding three maker's knives to my collection in the last year and a half. Don Hanson, Larry Fuegen and Kyle Royer. So it's not as if the door is welded shut. I expect STeven will come back soon. I going to call him shortly, should I beg him?

 

[RogerP]

STeven, aside from capitalizing the first two letters of his name for reasons known only to himself, can rub you the wrong way when you first come in here. Once you get to know him, you find that his critique and advice can be quite helpful, especially if you are a new maker. Unlike some folks who collect knives from a select group of makers (not a bad thing per se, but it means they won't buy my crap even when it is no longer so crappy...lol) STeven and some others seem to be willing to buy from a broader range of makers on occasion and as such, we have to humor...lol. I have run into some folks who are almost TOO encouraging. Bill Moran was like that with newbies or so it seemed from my two interactions with him. He was very positive and inspiring, but you occasionally need to show your stuff to the guys who may be laboring under the mistaken impression that you actually want a thorough critique of your work.

Well said, Joe.

I for one, am thoroughly interested in your navel......please do give us a FULL report, with PICS and a comparison to another navel would be best.

Mine's an "inny" too, currently lint-free.

Roger

 

[jdm61]

Joe, just is case I fall into your scenario above I have added or in the process of adding three maker's knives to my collection in the last year and a half. Don Hanson, Larry Fuegen and Kyle Royer. So it's not as if the door is welded shut. I expect STeven will come back soon. I going to call him shortly, should I beg him?

Does that make 5 or 6? lol Getting in early on Kyle's work, eh? Well after seeing that feather pattern, I can't blame you And it is good that you are also supporting struggling, unknown artists like Don and Larry....lol. As for STeven, he did make an appearance in the sub-forum which shall not be named long enough to call me a dork, so I think that he is gradually coming back...lol.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Does that make 5 or 6? lol Getting in early on Kyle's work, eh? Well after seeing that feather pattern, I can't blame you And it is good that you are also supporting struggling, unknown artists like Don and Larry....lol. As for STeven, he did make an appearance in the sub-forum which shall not be named long enough to call me a dork, so I think that he is gradually coming back...lol.

Actually, I currently have 9 maker's work in my collection, so it will be 11. I do have a piece on order with Spencer too (SAR), but that's going to be my EDC. That piece is just too cool to set in my collection. I will have to use that one.

I talked to STeven a little earlier and couldn't even bribe him to come back early. Really, I think he just believes it will make his Blade Show review have more impact on everyone. :thumbup:

Yep, I'm getting in on the ground floor with Kyle. I have a spot, we just need to come up with what it will be.

I would like to have one of Karl's take downs too. He showed me one at Blade last year and it's so clean inside and out. The only problem is, I'm afraid I would wear it out taking it a part and putting it together so often. Trust me it would be addicting.

Looking forward to seeing yours at Blade too. Remember I examined a couple last year.

 

[jdm61]

Actually, I currently have 9 maker's work in my collection, so it will be 11. I do have a piece on order with Spencer too (SAR), but that's going to be my EDC. That piece is just too cool to set in my collection. I will have to use that one.

I talked to STeven a little earlier and couldn't even bribe him to come back early. Really, I think he just believes it will make his Blade Show review have more impact on everyone. :thumbup:

Yep, I'm getting in on the ground floor with Kyle. I have a spot, we just need to come up with what it will be.

I would like to have one of Karl's take downs too. He showed me one at Blade last year and it's so clean inside and out. The only problem is, I'm afraid I would wear it out taking it a part and putting it together so often. Trust me it would be addicting.

Looking forward to seeing yours at Blade too. Remember I examined a couple last year.

Yeah, I remember....try a little harder not to snicker this time

 

[2knife]

I actually think it has gotten better.

I think Les Robertson and Tai Goo both have had very good effect here lately.

Les, for his comprehensive market-analysis approach, giving the experience-based judgements, which any collector should value.

Tai, for the general "free" thought he brings to Knives, nothing has to fit into any preconceived packaged idea.

Both, Willing to challenge and participate through temper-flares. And keep it fun.
David