Odd view of makers?

It's like bicycles. A lot of innovation and design quirks and in the end the basic triangle frame wins. How much can one change the blade form to achieve better cutting and handling? Our hands didn't change at all.
 
The only real innovation I've seen lately in fixed blade knives has been what Dr. Larrin has been doing with Magnacut.
I think that's where the finishing touches are getting done- at the microscopic level.

that fella can go defacate on his knightly dagger.
 
So.... I think some of you are taking this much too seriously.....

I know Jason pretty well. I've been in the shop with him and with lots of other makers. Jason dances to his own drummer, and he is a great guy.
He really has "invented" or at least popularized a bunch of the features you see on various knives. He is unbelievably good with a hammer, and he is very willing to share his knowledge. Sure, he is promoting himself - why would he not?? If you notice, he did not run anyone down. He acknowledged Steve Schwarzer for all his great work. And Dan Winkler and Karen

The whole "designer" segment was a very minor percentage of the video too - and as he said, he'd be happy to discuss any of this. Maybe some of the "critics" should go to a show and actually talk to the guy - you'd enjoy it, trust me.

Just my POV

Bill
 
dwaterfield said:
89.423% of statistics are made up, including this one. Or as Mark Twain liked to say, there are lies, damned lies, and statistics.

I don't know how true Jason Knight's 1% is (though I suspect it's really really low), I just know his attitude always rubs me the wrong way. He's been very successful and of course I respect that and his work. I was happy when he stopped showing up on FiF though.
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Pride is a dangerous thing. Some of us learn the hard way.
 
And I'll say again - you apparently think you know someone off a short video....and that's also pretty arrogant.

If you met the man in person and spoke with him....you would get an entirely different impression....

The Internet is not reality....
 
Just in my limited experience on these forums, I've learned that a lot of knifemakers have strong opinions about things they can't prove! :D

I know personally I am function over design oriented, so certainly most of what I do is simply riding the coattails of other's work, and don't like deviating too far from time tested and proven concepts (which many people PREFER). I guess the question is how do you define where the line is drawn?

I do get what he is saying though, and it's probably broadly correct, though exaggerated. But I think it's also limiting the scope of innovation too narrowly, as the design of a knife itself is not the only medium of innovation when making a knife. Others may be doing super cool innovations with their heat treat, materials used, etc. etc..
 
billf said:
And I'll say again - you apparently think you know someone off a short video....and that's also pretty arrogant.

If you met the man in person and spoke with him....you would get an entirely different impression....

The Internet is not reality....
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It's even worse because it's the internet. He has the luxury to choose which version of him we all see.
Either he's blind to it, or he posts it in full knowledge, but either way- it's a bad look.

and to get back on topic, the guy's absolutely wrong about "design".
he's using "design" to mean "innovation", but I suspect he's thought as much about what "design" means as he's thought about the origins of his designs.

OP was right to point it out as odd commentary from Jason. Not only does he use words incorrectly, he also uses them to puff himself up.
 
There is no reason not to learn from our past. Learning about what others did before us helps us not to make the same mistakes & results in a better product. No reason to reinvent the wheel, as they say. Innovation for its own sake is usually fruitless.

Usually designers & marketers look for a solution in search of a problem. The exception to that rule, true innovation (especially in a long established field like knife making), is probably way below 1%.
 
Is he opinionated, yes, but then every knife maker is.
Is he abrasive. Yes, but that's his style and it does get you thinking
Is he using ther term design improperly, maybe, however since design is a process that involves several parts, it could be correct.
Unless you are making an exact duplicate, the very second you say "WHAT IF" you are engaged in the design process. It entails creativity , innovation, and design.
One things for sure. Im betting alot of folkes are looking at their "designs" and trying to justify why their designs are good /better.
AND he did say he was open to a good argument.
 
So I watched this video , and many other from him and I press like and subscribed :) I'm glad he succeeded in this world of knives so I don't know why you are making noise , he has the right to his opinion . . . ..

The comment section is open, so comment your opinion there ?
 
The history of this world has endless examples of inventions and designs popping up at the same time in different parts of the world. Two or more people having the same “genuine” idea at the same time. Most inventions are a product of problem solving. They are also a product of the inventors past experiences and subconscious that was developed from observations. So is it even possible to have a genuine idea these days???

From a mechanical engineering standpoint I personally have had ideas that I know I didn’t directly copy from anyone. Stuff I just ended up with after hours of CAD designing or physically making the parts. But each individual aspect of the design/innovation is derived from my past experiences. It all depends on how far back you step to look at it.

Often times the person credited with inventing something was just the first person to talk about it. So personally I think it’s ok to claim you came up with an idea on your own but to claim that other peoples ideas aren’t there own is a claim you simply can’t prove and therefore shouldn’t make.

Every single one of us discovered gravity the first time we tried to walk.
 
Don’t want to put words in Jason’s mouth, what I think he is referring to is the number of makers that just wing it, no drawing, no idea of a final concept, just make it up as they go. Very rarely it works, most of the time it doesn’t.
 
I agree with Del Raso. I took it as meaning most makers don't design a knife and then produce it. They just make a knife.
Even knives that I have waterjet cut in quantity are all slightly different by the time I am done with them. In most cases, I sketch the desired shape, draw it on the steel, cut it out, and grind the knife. I don't consider that designing.
 
Maybe im 100% wrong here but as i watched the whole video.. i felt like he gave HIS OPINION of things like the1% of those guys at Blade not being "Designers"
i do not know Jason.. each of us have our view /Opinion of things .. he openly welcomes the "Controversial Conversation" meaning his "Opinion" could be made to change a little..
i have been making knives since 1997.. My Opinions are many .. do i feel like i make things better than others ?? (YES)
because i have made every "Mistake) possible doing things to not have learned many different ways to build my style of knives.
this is a "DISCUSSION FORUM" so we are simply DISCUSSING things.. not trying to yell here just highlight certain things with very limited "Tech" knowledge.
 
Pinoy Knife said:
Maybe im 100% wrong here but as i watched the whole video.. i felt like he gave HIS OPINION of things like the1% of those guys at Blade not being "Designers"
i do not know Jason.. each of us have our view /Opinion of things .. he openly welcomes the "Controversial Conversation" meaning his "Opinion" could be made to change a little..
i have been making knives since 1997.. My Opinions are many .. do i feel like i make things better than others ?? (YES)
because i have made every "Mistake) possible doing things to not have learned many different ways to build my style of knives.
this is a "DISCUSSION FORUM" so we are simply DISCUSSING things.. not trying to yell here just highlight certain things with very limited "Tech" knowledge.
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I agree , It is his opinion ...
Now , be honest and admit that sometimes you repeat mistakes :)
 
The design idea is an opinion that is a little off. But the idea that the axe cuts deeper because of the fin is way off. It's just added mass. In the end, it's just self-promotion. We should all do it. :)
 
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