Migrating here from Shoptalk?

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
5,703
It looks like many of the best makers post here and not in Shoptalk anymore. I understand some of the reasons why and I am myself feeling the pull to come post over here. I am still a beginner compared to these makers so I am unsure about posting WIPs or shop related threads here. Having noting to teach them and since shoptalk is probably where “shop” related stuff should be, right. But then I would love their advice and feedback and this is the only place to get that.
Just looking for your thoughts on this.
Thanks
 
Patrice, it's a pretty good bunch of folks here.
I will say that I understand your reasons for migrating.
Keep in mind this is not a technical forum. There's a huge percentage of long time collectors and buyers, as well as makers. A great mix to be part of.
You'll need a thick skin, sometimes. :p
We mostly spend our time discussing completed knives, and not so much on how they got there.
Don't be offended if no one responds to your posts of a completed knife. If that was the case, I would have stopped posting here a long time ago!
Join in and have some fun.
 
I agree with Karl - different forums and different types of feedback, though there will inevitably be some overlap.
 
One of the biggest differences between here and ShopTalk is that while we like to foster a positive environment in Customs just like any other forum, we(myself, strongly) believe that healthy discussion of the work is of benefit to the entire Custom and Handmade community. Sometimes the discussion can appear to be rude and unkind, sometimes it is that way. That is what Karl referred to with "thick skin"

While all different types of custom and handmade knives are welcome to be posted....sometimes "sensitivity" is not an often used attribute in response.

I do find Karl's statement about nobody posting on a knife interesting. Karl posts some great knives, and he posts some that he might like, and some of the others here might not dig as much. When nobody responds to that post, it means that people don't have a lot to say about it. It may be "average" or there may be nothing nice to say about that knife. Silence can be amazingly wordy and educational during those times.

Participate here as much as you want, you are most welcome.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
"Silence can be amazingly wordy and educational during those times." I'll agree with that, Steven. It can as they say, speak volumes.

Bill
 
Thanks for the warm welcome guys. I do have a very low output so I won't have much to post though.
I do have thick skin and I am at a point where I need constructive criticism more than a pat on the back. Don't get me wrong, I have an ego like everyone else and love the compliments. Who wouldn't like seeing people appreciate their hard work and even take the time to post some good words? But then again, sometimes the praises are too good and I feel a little overwhelmed. Guess that has to do with my confidence level and that is something I have to work on.

Too bad there isn't a forum like this one but for shoptalk.

Thanks again for your welcome. I'll post a few knives I've made later on, as it has been suggested to me, to introduce myself a bit better.
 
personally, I feel that it is important for makers to acknowledge, and thereby welcome, any and all comments made about the work they post.
 
Patrice

welcome!

I frequent shoptalk as well, but as a collector probably spend more time here

STeven

nice, succinct comments ! Hit the nail right on the head

Glad you are still around :p

Bill Flynn
 
There's a caveat to the 'Silence Speaking Volumes' phenomena...

And it probably has to do with respect for me? Not sure. My SBC Gallery sticky thread has, undeniably, the finest made knives on the planet, along with some 'average' pieces.

Crickets....

That said, I just watch the view count grow. It's averaging about 5000 views a month. (My task is complete and satisfying, then.)

It appears to not be the venue for discussion, although I've never discouraged it.

That said, I understand about posting a separate thread and watching it languish.

Like not selling at a show, the silent question arise: What makes this work unremarkable?

I applaud fresh eyes and producers in this forum.

Coop
 
Here are a few knives I've made so far. You might remember some since, like I said, I don't get very much shop time and my output is quite low. I made a few before these but this is when something cliqued and I really started to believe that I had found what I was meant to do and hopefully be good at it someday.

persian01.jpg


small_bowie01.jpg


art_nouveau_01.jpg


gents_bowie01.jpg


And the last 2 ones in progress.

The Rattler, almost done. Mostly a boatload of finishing.

hunter_fighter19.jpg


And my first Kukri. Handle is not to scale but just to give you an idea of the idea behind it's name:
The Bone Collector. :D

WIP_Kukri_25.JPG


WIP_Kukri_26.JPG


Thanks again for the warm reception. :thumbup: Looking forward to contributing if I can.
 
You're very artistic and creative Patrice. You think outside the box..........that's for sure. And the fit and finish skills look pretty good to me too.
 
Pat, I wouldn't worry about coming over here. The work you will hear is probably that your style may not suit someones taste. Perhaps a simpler version of what STeven said would be to say that comparing this subforum to Shop Talk is a bit like that old warning that I got early on. There is a difference between a new maker going to an ABS Master Smith and asking "how am I doing so far?" and asking "what do you think of this knife?" You will get feedback that resembles the latter in here, whereas typically, you would get the former in Shop Talk.
 
Patrice Lemée;11629524 said:
........I am at a point where I need constructive criticism more than a pat on the back.
Click to expand...

I came to a similar conclusion as you. I really appreciate the experience and knowledge of the collectors and top makers that are here in this subforum. I am a rank beginner compared to most here, and when I have posted a knife here in the past I specifically asked for critique good or bad. I have learned a lot from this forum and really appreciate it.

-Mike
 
Your rank is well above beginner. Some outstanding works or art have been presented here and on your site. RE the site -- a location with address etc is always good to include unless my poking around missed it. Nice to see the tutorials you presented for the photos. Excellent images of the knives too. Love the Persian although non brass would be more to my current taste. Hope to see more of your work as time goes on and welcome to the group.
 
In my opinion, Shop Talk has become infested with post whores and attention whores. They post photos of bad knives but do not want feedback or get offended when feedback is given. Why would successful knifemakers choose to participate when they are told their feedback is too harsh or not wanted?

Knifemakers frequently tell me they cannot keep up with forum rule changes so they do not participate.

There is another problem that I will not discuss. However, it is an easy problem to solve. I talk to knifemakers every day. Most of them will share why they stopped participating. Collect the names of high caliber knifemakers who used to participate in Shop Talk. Call the names on the list and ask why they stopped posting. Resolving the issues brought up during the calls is a whole separate issue.

Chuck Bybee
 
Patrice - there are some really thoughtful, knowledgeable people in this forum with great and varied perspectives. I think you'll enjoy your participation here and will learn quite a bit as well, just as I have.

I haven't been spending much time in Shop Talk either lately. Seems to be a lot of newbies asking the same questions over and over again (help me make a knife out of a lawnmower blade in my charcoal grill) and unfortunately there also seem to be a lot of overenthusiastic know-it-alls dispensing bad advice to any and all listeners. Would probably be a lot cooler over there if posting priviledges were restricted only to those with a knifemakers membership...
 
Beautiful work Patrice! Personally I come here to see more artistic knives that what's the norm on the more tactical forums. I'm a fan of craftsmanship, no matter what style knife it is.
 
Murray, not sure I understand what address you are talking about. It sounded like my website address but that is on my signature and profile.

Thanks again for the good words guys. I can't wait to post more work. Gotta few ideas after these two that won't be easy but look nice on paper. Knife work is slow right now since I decided that I needed a separate engraving/jewelers bench and I am working mainly on that. If you've seen my shop and how small it is, you know that finding space for it is a challenge to say the least. But I need it to install the stereoscope I am buying after the holidays. Sorry, I ramble.

Thanks again.
 
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