D
Dextar
, did you recently switch to traditional knives from modern? I only ask because with modern knives, many people tend to get out their magnifying glass and expect perfect consistency, which is attainable for the most part. Handmade knives, on the other hand, will typically always have at least one imperfection.
I find that the imperfections are signs that a craftsman really did make the knife, as long as the imperfections don't hinder the function of it and there aren't any extreme problems, like cracks, etc.
kamagong
is right about buying natural materials. It's a bit like the lottery. Here is a shot of part of my Italian traditional collection in horn tip (ignore the three in olive wood and the ram horn Pattada). You can see the extreme variations that the same type of horn can have. Some even appear to have cracks, which on close inspection are just striations in the horn itself.
View attachment 2234501
Oh, Oh my...godness.....look at the (short of part?
) collections! So lovely!
breath...breath...and....
Oh, yes, I just come to Traditional forum about 1-2 months ago since I wanted to collect Laguiole as my "first" traditional knife. (In fact I didn't realized I had my first one 5 years ago)
But that could not be the reason I magnify the flaws, maybe just because I personally strive to finish everything perfectly, as much as I can, in both work and life.
I do carefully consider everything I can see and exam again and again before the workout goes-live from my hand.
So, when I choose something hand-made, I prefer Reputable brand, Pricy product, accept Longer waiting time coz I believe they should present the value and they are worthy. As a result, when I receive a product then find a flaw, I ask the question:
- Is it appear in a cheaper product in different brand?
- Is it appear in other products from same brand? or only me and mine?
- What makes the manufacture didn't spend a little more time to pick or change a better raw material, e.g. another piece or pair of handle?
- Any possibility the flaw got fixed? E.g. the smooth the scratches, if yes, what makes the craftsman didn't make it?
So I felt not happy when see something on an expensive product from renowned brand after 1 month waiting. E.g. I don't accept a scratch on the watch face of Rolex or hand-made watch, not sure other customer.
Just like in this thread I
posted, you can see how lucky am I, always get some flaw. But I didn't see another in your collection in the image above, except this one:
It seems to me the EXACT similar look-like spot in mine, what different is:
- the one in your photo is in a non-transparent area, it cannot be seen from any perspective other than it directly exposes outside and the edge of spot is not sharp
- mine is just in a transparent area so that the spot in depth can be seen from outside and different angle, and the edge of the spot is very sharp, so it looks like a impurity or something not belongs to the raw material.
However, after these times purchasing experience and all of the informational, helpful comments from all of you in the great forum, I gradually understand, as you said, "imperfections are signs that a craftsman really did make the knife", moreover, I know it's
not a defect in the process, but just because no the magnified "issues" in my mind is something needs to be fixed so that impact the product quality, brand image.
I will consider to adjust the "purchasing strategy", I know that I may have my own problem
, so I will choose to get in to the filed - go to the physical shop (personally choose and exam product), or choose a local online dealer (fast return and exchange), or choose a similar product (hand-made) but not that pricy (so I can accept the flaw), etc.
Thank you again for your photo and inputs!
.