Hi BF, I'm new to knifemaking and am working on my second and third knives.
I remember from history class that during the Renaissance period, apprentices learned by copying the work of their masters as well as other master artists. This was a way for them to understand the fundamental techniques and ideas behind what they were doing.
While there are obviously styles I like and ones that I don't, I want to use that Renaissance technique to accelerate my learning process. I've learned about proportions, grinds, etc. by physically recreating them. I'm one of those people that learn by doing, not by reading. Once I recreate a few knives, I'll have a much better understanding of what I want to do that comes from my own mind.
My first knife was a recreation of a Kephart, taken from the discriptive text of Kephart in one of his books. I don't believe there is an issue with infringement because the knife is immediately recognized as a Kephart.
Now here's my question: is it frowned upon to recreate existing knives when beginning knife making? Not 100% identical, but very close, and something that would obviously be seen as a recreation, just much less refined. I like the Bose Lanny's Clip pattern, but am sticking with fixed blades for the time being. And sure enough, there was a Koch Tools/Enrique Pena designed Lanny's Clip fixed blade. If I were to recreate that knife by Pena, which was designed by Bose, is that wrong in the eyes of the knife making community? I would not be passing it off as my own design, and would acknowledge that it is a recreation of another knife-maker's design. And I also wouldn't be selling it, it would be for my personal use.
My third knife is a recreation of Kyle Ver Steeg's Imp. I am very interested in ergonomics, and who better to learn from than a hand surgeon who's also a knifemaker?
Am I supposed to get permission from the makers before recreating them? Or can I post photos to get critiques of my technique as long as I provide attribution to the respective makers/designers of the knives that I recreate?
I am trying to be respectful, and understand how the ethics and values of the knife making community handle this aspect of the learning process. My goal is to learn as fast as I can so that I can create my own designs that are grounded in solid foundations of design.
I remember from history class that during the Renaissance period, apprentices learned by copying the work of their masters as well as other master artists. This was a way for them to understand the fundamental techniques and ideas behind what they were doing.
While there are obviously styles I like and ones that I don't, I want to use that Renaissance technique to accelerate my learning process. I've learned about proportions, grinds, etc. by physically recreating them. I'm one of those people that learn by doing, not by reading. Once I recreate a few knives, I'll have a much better understanding of what I want to do that comes from my own mind.
My first knife was a recreation of a Kephart, taken from the discriptive text of Kephart in one of his books. I don't believe there is an issue with infringement because the knife is immediately recognized as a Kephart.
Now here's my question: is it frowned upon to recreate existing knives when beginning knife making? Not 100% identical, but very close, and something that would obviously be seen as a recreation, just much less refined. I like the Bose Lanny's Clip pattern, but am sticking with fixed blades for the time being. And sure enough, there was a Koch Tools/Enrique Pena designed Lanny's Clip fixed blade. If I were to recreate that knife by Pena, which was designed by Bose, is that wrong in the eyes of the knife making community? I would not be passing it off as my own design, and would acknowledge that it is a recreation of another knife-maker's design. And I also wouldn't be selling it, it would be for my personal use.
My third knife is a recreation of Kyle Ver Steeg's Imp. I am very interested in ergonomics, and who better to learn from than a hand surgeon who's also a knifemaker?
Am I supposed to get permission from the makers before recreating them? Or can I post photos to get critiques of my technique as long as I provide attribution to the respective makers/designers of the knives that I recreate?
I am trying to be respectful, and understand how the ethics and values of the knife making community handle this aspect of the learning process. My goal is to learn as fast as I can so that I can create my own designs that are grounded in solid foundations of design.
Just wanted to make sure that it's not frowned upon in the community to be inspired to try to make the same knife pattern if it's a unique design. So far it sounds like I'm ok as long as I attribute properly.
! LOL .