Let me be the first on 2008 to ask

[butcher_block]

Man, I knew all my questions were infuriating you guys.


Sorry for the questions, but thanks for the patient responses. I learned to do this here at BF. So I owe all my mediocrity to y'all...

see its for all us not as new noobies to help all commers with any question they ask and help keep great knives get made. we all cut our teeth in different places getting info

also its nice to see people that are from other fields of info shead light on soem of the more out there ?s that get asked

great place

and when im asked about where i get my blades i jsut say

short of smelting the steel and growing the trees for there burl wood i make every knife you see from blocks and bars to start

 

[Mark Williams]

Let's not forget Alan Molstad. I really miss him. Ok, I just miss arguing with him....

AKA Dah Qo Tah

Now that boy wasnt wrapped too tight

 

[Sam Salvati]

I really hate those "What are some alternatives to salt pots that behave like salt pots, but are not salt pots" questions(since we're jabbing at ourselves).

 

[Kevin R. Cashen]

It may be that there are truly “no stupid questions” among honestly asked questions. Questions where the asker is honest and upfront with you but more importantly with themselves as to why they are really asking the question and whether they want an answer different from the one they already have set their mind on. Otherwise the whole stupid question thing may be open for debate. If one thinks highly enough of a person to ask their advice on something they really should trust that they know that they are talking about when they give an answer not expected, and then one needs to come to grips with why they are asking if they are expecting a particular answer.

Very many questions we encounter really are not intellectually honest quests for information as much as they are wishes for validation of a position or idea that the asker has already became very comfortable with. Call me a prima donna but I never like debating my answers when somebody approaches me for advice, it leaves me wondering if the whole thing was just a set up to begin with. Do not confuse this with my volunteering information and then having my positions questioned. That is good, that is how we all learn and the best way I have found to keep looking at things from all possible directions. What I mean is when somebody asks me for an answer they claim not to have and then contest the one I give them, it just seems a bit insincere.

In this category I include questions about how to best heat treat a knife blade, which seems like an honest request until it is revealed that the steel is some mystery scrap metal. I have yet to encounter that situation where the asker really is open to your honest and best input, instead they will dig in and become very resistant to any suggestions that they get a known material that you can give solid advice on without having to make wild guesses no better than their own. The asker was not looking for information on how to make the best knife nearly as much as they were looking for validation in their choice of materials. This falls short of complete honesty with oneself and thus leaves the possibility of there being a stupid question.

I once saw a show where some kids were allowed time with Linus Pauling, they handed him a box with an object inside and asked him to guess what it was using his deduction skills. It was quite impressive to watch how he determined exactly what it was by tipping the box in different directions and various angles. But that was a game to illustrate things to children, imagine would-be chemists chasing this guy around with mystery boxes hoping to get serious input on the molecular bonds of whatever may be inside, and then losing patience with him when he insisted on having more information.

I have noticed an increase recently of many of the same old questions that have made us grin for years, patiently hoping that one day enough information would be available to eliminate the need. I think if the good folks of this forum can grin and continue answering such questions until the askers themselves advance enough to see the humor as well, they deserve to laugh out loud occasionally.

 

[Mark Williams]

I really hate those "What are some alternatives to salt pots that behave like salt pots, but are not salt pots" questions(since we're jabbing at ourselves).

Well that's pretty damned specific , dought you will have to endure that particular question again..Smartass

 

[crex]

I've got 22 knife blanks is that enough to make a decent leaf spring for my truck?

(I have made a file from a knife by the way, just that crazy for sure!)

 

[Erik Fritz]

So You're a knife maker. I have some really good knife steel that I'll give you. It's kind of rusty because I found it burried in my granpa's barn but it is really hard and heavy.

I can top that one Bill, "if i give you 6 or seven leaf springs will you make me a knife for free for giving you all of this good steel?"

 

[Fred.Rowe]

Now that you mention it; I miss Alan too. :jerkit::foot:
Speaking of Da ko ta , did you here that the Lakota Sioux have officially succeeded from the U.S. They have closed their borders
Is this relevant to the discussion? I'll ask Alan.
But probable not.


Fred

 

[A. Brett Schaller]

"And these knives are harder than a Buck?"

My brother-in-law has asked me this question every time he sees one of my knives for the last fifteen years or so. One of these days I'm going to finish one without heat treating it, just so I can finally reply, "NO - IT'S NOT!"

 

[butcher_block]

It may be that there are truly “no stupid questions” among honestly asked questions. Questions where the asker is honest and upfront with you but more importantly with themselves as to why they are really asking the question and whether they want an answer different from the one they already have set their mind on. Otherwise the whole stupid question thing may be open for debate. If one thinks highly enough of a person to ask their advice on something they really should trust that they know that they are talking about when they give an answer not expected, and then one needs to come to grips with why they are asking if they are expecting a particular answer.

Very many questions we encounter really are not intellectually honest quests for information as much as they are wishes for validation of a position or idea that the asker has already became very comfortable with. Call me a prima donna but I never like debating my answers when somebody approaches me for advice, it leaves me wondering if the whole thing was just a set up to begin with. Do not confuse this with my volunteering information and then having my positions questioned. That is good, that is how we all learn and the best way I have found to keep looking at things from all possible directions. What I mean is when somebody asks me for an answer they claim not to have and then contest the one I give them, it just seems a bit insincere.

In this category I include questions about how to best heat treat a knife blade, which seems like an honest request until it is revealed that the steel is some mystery scrap metal. I have yet to encounter that situation where the asker really is open to your honest and best input, instead they will dig in and become very resistant to any suggestions that they get a known material that you can give solid advice on without having to make wild guesses no better than their own. The asker was not looking for information on how to make the best knife nearly as much as they were looking for validation in their choice of materials. This falls short of complete honesty with oneself and thus leaves the possibility of there being a stupid question.

I once saw a show where some kids were allowed time with Linus Pauling, they handed him a box with an object inside and asked him to guess what it was using his deduction skills. It was quite impressive to watch how he determined exactly what it was by tipping the box in different directions and various angles. But that was a game to illustrate things to children, imagine would-be chemists chasing this guy around with mystery boxes hoping to get serious input on the molecular bonds of whatever may be inside, and then losing patience with him when he insisted on having more information.

I have noticed an increase recently of many of the same old questions that have made us grin for years, patiently hoping that one day enough information would be available to eliminate the need. I think if the good folks of this forum can grin and continue answering such questions until the askers themselves advance enough to see the humor as well, they deserve to laugh out loud occasionally.

thank god the book of steel for the AVG. joe is on its way critical mass must surely be close to being reached

 

[Bruce Evans]

Eric I can beat that one.....

I have a (as in one) White tail antler will you make me a knife using it in trade for the rest of the antler...

Bruce

 

[scottickes]

My favorite was the guy who bought a knife and sheath from me and when I saw him two months later said, "I really like the knife, but the sheath is too large. Can you make it smaller?" The sheath was a folded and wet molded to the knife sheath, with just enough extra leather to allow for stitching. He thought it was too wide.

My reply was, "Sure I can. I'll just cut off the stitching so that you can fold it over the knife when you put it in your pocket. Now it might slide down and cut through the bottom of your pocket and into your leg, but hey, that's why doctors get the big bucks."

This guy has been a friend of mine for many years and a customer of my company (day job). I had laid the knife over the top of the sheath and was pointing at how the stitching was the only extra width that there really was, as I gave him my wisea$$ reply. We needle each other all the time, so I wouldn't have been a smart a$$ with most any other person.

He looked at me when I was down talking, and said, "I think I like it just the way it is. Oh, and you're buying dinner tonight."

 

[SteelSlaver]

LOL. This is the funniest thread I have read here. Love it. So much of it is so true. From the guy who fails to believe that such a knife could be made by a real man, not a machine or factory, the money issues and concepts, and of course the outrageous questions and statements. I don't think it is really cruel. Besides every once in a while I realize I am the one who should be told " Heres your sign"

 

[Fiddleback]

I try not to answer a lot of questions here because I don't feel like an expert among this crowd. I feel lucky, and honored to be here, and I'm very impressed at the way you guys field the questions too, but whats the point of me chiming in to endorse what you've said? Also, there are few topics that come up where I know enough to give advice. And when I see a newb, and I still consider myself a newb, answering questions, I'm always incredulous about who the hell wanted their advice in the first place, and wait to hear what y'all have to say. Very often there is a correction that I learn from though when you guys respond, so I read them.

I also still always read the damn threads about where to buy belts. And I've started one too, I'm sure. They cost so dang much that I'm always looking for a better deal. And hell, I'm still striving to get my 01 heat treating better and better, so I read those too. I almost always catch some tidbit I'd missed before (my wife will tell you I'm kinda slow), so its time well spent.

Some things I still don't understand, and attribute it to bad technique on my part. For example, I've never bogged down my 1.5HP motor on my KMG. This seems common among you guys. And your grinds are certainly better than mine. I assume I'm doing something wrong, and so I always read and re-read those posts. Not that I want to bog her down, but being a newb and all...

 

[bryce]

This was probley the funniest knife related thing I have ever read,

the truth is the reason its sooo funny is because almost all of us at one point probley thought from the level where you think all steel is the same, swords can cut though stone and all kinds of dumb crap

maybe not all of you because, most of it comes from movies and most of you are older then film

its the same mentality of my generation that people think they need to be a part of a life like a movie they think if you dont jump from train car to train car at 100mph and dont have sex with a 100 models a year you couldnt be much of a man, and you shouldnt have pride in yourself.

Everyone is learning, some just have more experiance then others

there are two kinds of stubbron

the kind of stubbron thats closeminded and refuses to learn,

and the other dumb bastard who refuses to give up regardless of anything

who cares how far you get and long as your happy,

 

[Tanguay Custom Knives]

When I was coming up in the trades (welder and machinist), the old timers didn't just spoon feed you everything. You weren't allowed to bombard them with questions. You really had to work at earning their respect and trust first. I can tell you all I put up with a lot of BS, a lot of ribbing, and a lot of jokes at my expense. Lose your cool with those guys, and you were finished. You had to work your balls off for quite a while, prove yourself first, and MAYBE one of them would finally show you something. When they did, you better just shut up and listen too. I saw a few know-it-alls come and go. Not one of them made it in the trade in the long run.

Times have changed. Unfortunately most of that old style ribbing isn't allowed any more (I tend to think it toughened you up!). In my day-job, MANY of the kids I see coming up think the world owes them everything. They want it all, right out of the gate, and they're not interested in working their way up. In short, they were spoiled, and it shows. They expect everything to be handed to them, including information. Rather than doing a little research and working some things out for themselves, they just want the quick and dirty answer. I've got no problem helping someone out, in fact, teaching is my favorite part of my job(s). I just want to see a little effort on their part first, a little sweat perhaps.

Information is so much more accessible now. Most of the answers are already out there. You can find them if you're willing to put in a little time and effort. Research, read, watch, try things for yourself then ask, what did I do wrong? How can I improve this next time? Maybe then ask a question or two to somebody with some experience. That's how you learn.

"I hear, and I forget. I see, and I remember. I do, and I understand."

Like the saying goes, "The Lord helps those who help themselves."

Scott

p.s. "Can you make me a knife like this one, only with saw teeth on the top, and a shoulder rig? I call it the Covert De-animator. It sells for $100.00. Can you do it for the same price???"

p.s.s Photo courtesy of Chucks Wagon

 

[heatride]

Eric I can beat that one.....

I have a (as in one) White tail antler will you make me a knife using it in trade for the rest of the antler...

Bruce

LOL that has happened to me also.

 

[butchesforge]

Does lusting after tools make me "a tool Whore"

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

Can I temper my O1 blades in the microwave ? I figure looking at the crazy amount of time needed to HT and temper.... if I popped in there on high for 3 minutes that should work right ? I picked up some HT foil at walgreen's too and will coat them with salt before placing in the foil.

figure I could cut a slot in my TV brick ( anyone else remember those ? ) to hold it in the microwave.

 

[Ilovetoolsteel]

Oh the brutality.
I think this is why people on other forums talk trash about this forum. Not that this stuff is not funny but what happend to "there are no stupid questions".

What happened to it? At best it's only partialy true.
When someone who wants to learn about something comes up and asks a question, regardless of the question it's not stupid. You can tell by the question if they are uninformed or just plain ignorant.


There is a sign on your table with your name and and the words, "Handmade Knives"

The person who wants learn will ask "Do you buy these blades?"

The person with the stupid question will ask "Where do you buy your blades?"

The first person obviously doesn't know what a handmade knife is, The second person may or may not know what a custom knife is but he thinks he does. Any attempt to
educate the second person is wasted time.

Dont get me wrong I have had tables at gun shows and have had my fair share of frustration with uknowing people. Things like old guys leaving bits of finger and blood all over my table of knves. Or being shown a Pakistan folder and told "this is the only knife I use and it has skinned and dressed tons of deer and elk." When I hear this I usually cringe. Why would someone want to skin and dress an elk with a dull 2 inch blade? I have also had someone ask if my damscus blades had been case hardedend. AH No thats damascus.

What you need to understand is the guy with the Pakistani knife will go to his grave having never bought a custom knife. While you are trying to educate him, other people are passing by or worse, leaving your table because you are busy wasting time on a dead end.