Les Robertson is my hero....things change

[JParanee]

Since I was part of that other thread I suppose I'll keep it real here and be brutally honest. Lots more 'kids' would listen to Les if he spent as much time on the knives as he does restating his résumé and putting people down who dare engage in conversation without a prerequisite background check. For someone who talks a lot about marketing prowess he does a terrible job marketing himself and eventually relies on others (consciously or not) to come to his defense just like in this thread. His own words do a terrible job conveying his vast experience as they are often wasted on bragging and childish pot-shots rather than being demonstrative of the experience he clearly has.

Please tell us how you really feel

I have known Les for awhile and I have found he gives respect if he gets it. Well most of the time

 

[RogerP]

Props to Les indeed. I have learned a TON from him over the years.

 

[The Amazing Virginian]

First bold part-because you were probably the only one in that thread who specifically stated that definitions change, and are fluid by nature...it's important when we discuss terms, especially terms that are held to a specificity, as they were in this case by Les....he stated a bunch of commonly held criteria concerning tactical knives that seem to be completely ignored by many, but especially the "youngsters" that I was addressing this post to.

Second bold part-Because the Razel was designed to be a sharp(RAZor) and a chisEL. That is what it is....it is not a crowbar pretending to be a tanto....and I'll hang out with you...just don't pull out your XM-18 while we are eating, ok?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

Thank you, STeven.

If we are breaking bread, I'll be sure to carry my Boguszewski Cobra, of which I am sure your would approve. But it is funny you should mention that . . . I had my Hinderer with me at my daughter's birthday party the weekend before last, and it did a helluva job curtting the pizza into smaller slices. :thumbup:

 

[Snody]

Nice blades, STeven. You have impeccable taste.

I agree with that statement.
Great Post Brother Mike.
I am digging your gang style logo on the butterfly.
That cracked me up B.
Lets catch up this week. You heard me.
Get at me, I have some crazy news.
Respect.

 

[2knife]

I am grateful for the times i have talked with Les. His experience shows.
David

 

[SharpByCoop]

Like many of the great teachers, Les can make you feel uncomfortable while prodding. He's also very cryptic in suggesting we do the 'work'. This prodding and has made me look closer at my own opinion and form them more clearly.

I don't always agree. I more often do. And when he hits the nail on the head, it's driven down subsurface.

Times DO change, so do trends and opinions. I love to hear Les' viewpoint, as it usually shapes my own.

Thanks Steven, for the post.

Coop

 

[Calhoon]

I can't speak highly enough of Les Robertson. Doing business with Les is always a seamless endeavor. We've had some great knife conversations as well.
Good thread STeven!

 

[ddd]

Does Dr. David Darom count?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

Steven, I can devote 6 more pages to an exciting custom knife related topic - if you
have the time to come up with one. It will be for my "World of Art Knives II" (2014).
Knives for three full page illustrations + your portrait + about 1,000 words...

About Les, for several years now I have tried to meet you (at the few shows that I attend)
but our paths did not cross.... I just missed you several times at the 2010 Knifemakers Guild Show...
I probably move around too slowly, or something...

Can we make it at BLADE 2013, Les? I have some ideas I would like to discuss with you...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[Les Robertson]

Hi STeven,

Thank you. For all of you who posted your kind words I appreciate you taking the time to do so. I realize that everyone's time is valuable.

For those of you who fell I am in error with my assessments. I could agree with you, but then we would both be wrong.

Regarding my resume...at this point I don't think I can enhance it past what it is right now...with the possible exception of getting into the Blade Hall of Fame. LOL...like that is going to happen.

Generally I post my credentials not to try to impress any one (and certainly not to impress myself...I know what I have done). It is to let you know where I am coming from...as such what I am basing my opinion on. Although on occasion I have an anonymous wise ass take a shot...I feel inclined to respond. A personality fault I have been working on since about age 6.

Again, once again I thank all of you who participated in this thread.

DD Blade 2013 it is....you can always email me before then!

 

[Bastid]

Have known Les for a while and consider him a friend who I respect. Not that I agree with my friends 100% of the time, but this is a man who I have learned from over the years and by reading and trying to understand him, he has kept me from making some big mistakes. Can not say that about a lot of folks. David, I would be glad to track him down for you at Blade next year.

 

[Doug C]

Les smote me down early in my BF career, it was in one of the many Best Maker threads.
Which usually always turns into a my favorite Best Maker thread.
His advice proved spot on in the long run.
Have nothing but the utmost respect for Les Robertson's knife expertise and experience.
He also has quite an online persona.

Doug

 

[Jakester]

1. titanium handle on one side, different material on the other side, started by Strider as far as I know, popularized by Hinderer and a multitude of other makers...it looks like dirty butt, like a "c" size boob on one side of a tasty beautiful woman, and a double d on the other...some people like that....I don't hang out with too many of them.
--------------

STEVEN IS THE BOMB~! ROFLMAO
BUT LET'S BE HONEST KOHAI - ANY BOOBS EVEN MISMATCHED SETS ARE GOOD THINGS! LOL

 

[Kohai999]

STEVEN IS THE BOMB~! ROFLMAO
BUT LET'S BE HONEST KOHAI - ANY BOOBS EVEN MISMATCHED SETS ARE GOOD THINGS! LOL

Mismatched sets are not good.....maybe if one is hidden by the sheets, or something?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Marty Young]

Never had a problem with Les and have consulted with him on more than one occasion. He's been very helpful to me and I can count on him to shoot me straight. Thanks, Les!

 

[Nostimos]

I like sexy knives, with symmetry, but that is not an absolute. Well made, good solid hardware....adjustable pivots, not chain rings, hidden pivots are cool too, as long as they can be adjusted. Bayonet grinds are sweet, as are true double tanto grinds, in the American style. Here are some visuals completely conforming to the "Les Robertson Tactical" definition, these knives have either been mine or are mine.

This knife was slab sided when I got it for a sweet price, and Kit put bolsters on it for me.

YES!
To me, nothing says Old School Tacticals like a nice Carson.
You got a great example of what Les himself called a "gray turd".
I remember running into Les' ads all the time back then in the knife mags.
He special ordered / organized a great run of a bunch of custom tacticals by the some of the top makers at that time for his store, LDC line?(dont remember the name).
I was lucky enough to work at a boutique gun store in L.A. in the mid to late 90's at the "tactical boom",
and owned a bunch of great stuff, like Carsons and Terzuolas.
I got back into collecting about 3 years ago and it was just a matter of time before I tried to "buy back" that time in my life.
Well, I got a 90's vintage Carson again, this time BETTER, with no serrations.
Also grabbed a later Terzuola ATCF. Not the same era or style as my first one with beadblasted bolsters, this is a newer style Framelock/bolsterlock?
Still has that great Terzuola F&F, and makes the same sound when opened as my first one!

Notice the cool original Crawford Leopard in there too. Its pretty scratched up.
I'm gonna send it in to the man himself like I did for a beat up toplock that needed a resto.
I'm thinking of getting a clip added and the blade polished on the leopard and carry it, since I baby the other two mentioned.

I may have posted these before, but I cant help showing them off.

Again Steven, great collection and examples.
And YES, Les does know more than 99.9% of us.

 

[2knife]

I am grateful for the times i have talked with Les. His experience shows.
David

To reiterate what i believe, Les is a tremendous asset to this community. His wealth of experience is a value here, and to the business of custom knives. In what appeared to be an impulsive reaction in course of a moderator disagreement, he is now banned. This is unfortunate for the members of this forum who have enjoyed Les's advice, friendship, and many tier contributions. We will miss you Les.
David
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...y-is-it-ok-(actions-of-particular-moderators)

 

[prsfx]

To reiterate what i believe, Les is a tremendous asset to this community. His wealth of experience is a value here, and to the business of custom knives. In what appeared to be an impulsive reaction in course of a moderator disagreement, he is now banned. This is unfortunate for the members of this forum who have enjoyed Les's advice, friendship, and many tier contributions. We will miss you Les.
David
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...y-is-it-ok-(actions-of-particular-moderators)

Although my first time meeting Les was in that discussion...it was an honor serving with him. I am dissapointed in not getting to know him further. Here's to a fallen brother-:thumbup:

 

[Don Hanson III]

Les banned? Say it ain't so!

 

[Doug C]

It's true, Don.

Doug

 

[betzner]

Les banned? Say it ain't so!

There are many reasons I've contributed much "les" on this forum in recent times, primarily due to the quality of topics and contributors. Without Les, there is now even "les" reason. Hmmm.

A cryin' shame.