Opinions on Shiva Ki blades?

[Doug C]

You are right Keith.

 

[Bravo 26]

Well, I'm a noob here. I dont know much about blades, and I really dont have a tenth of the knowledge you guys do about the topic. I read ALL of Shiva Ki's posts here, doing my research on the man before dropping the cash on a blade...turns out we found a great blade for my buddy Jimmy, but I wanted a blade for myself as well...I went with the Ranger Stealth Kill. Shiva Ki seemed to me to be a guy that makes real good blades, some of the best, but is unfamiliar with the style of internet commo, how things come across on a public forum...etc..he made a few comments that I also thought were inapropriate, but I too have insulted folks on forums before...big deal...it's a net forum, not a church meeting...

Shiva asked me to post a short letter for him up here, but I do not know the rules of this forum in reguards to that issue..I cannot find how to contact the mods here and ask them directly, So I am asking permission to post it here in this thread. I will check this thread a few times per day for the next few days and see if we can at least allow the man to make a short reply to this issue.

I know that this issue has been hotly debated, and I am NOT trying to stir the puddin here..I think that he should at least be allowed to have one last say in this...Moderators: Please pm me here if I am out of line on this, or if you do NOT want me to post his letter...He actually asked me to send it to a MOD so THEY could post it after looking it over for anything innapropriate. Thanks!

-Bravo 26

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I read ALL of Shiva Ki's posts here, doing my research on the man before dropping the cash on a blade...turns out we found a great blade for my buddy Jimmy, but I wanted a blade for myself as well...I went with the Ranger Stealth Kill. Shiva Ki seemed to me to be a guy that makes real good blades, some of the best, but is unfamiliar with the style of internet commo, how things come across on a public forum...etc..he made a few comments that I also thought were inapropriate, but I too have insulted folks on forums before...big deal...it's a net forum, not a church meeting...

He did more than insult some people. He attacked the work of other knifemakers in a pathetic effort to make his knives out to have the ultimate in cutting performance. As far as I am concerned, that is inexcusable.

 

[OleyFermo]

Hey, Bravo

I would like to see Shiva Ki get another shot at posting to the forums, and that shouldn't be too difficult. If you check out the link Rat posted and read to the end of one of the threads, you'll find 'Bastid' (Gus Kalanzis)... one of the supermoderators... saying this:

>>>>>You have been banned for violating those rules and posting threats.

Should you wish to return and abide by rules you will be more than welcome.

Gus Kalanzis<<<<<

I would guess that all Shiva Ki need to do is to write Gus, agree to abide by the forum rules... and PRESTO... he can post again. But I'm relatively new at posting, too, so I'm certainly no authority.

>>>>>I know that this issue has been hotly debated, and I am NOT trying to stir the puddin here..I think that he should at least be allowed to have one last say in this...Moderators: Please pm me here if I am out of line on this, or if you do NOT want me to post his letter...He actually asked me to send it to a MOD so THEY could post it after looking it over for anything innapropriate. Thanks!<<<<<

I don't think that you're stirring the puddin at all... at least not in a bad way. I think SK is a real character, and real characters make life interesting even when they're a pain in the kiester at times. Let's hope one of the mods will get Shiva's letter posted.

(As an aside to Joss... PLEASE don't kill me! If two hermits... Shiva Ki and myself... could somehow find a way to get together and have a cutting comp, you might enjoy it. But you guys out there would have to pay for the danged rope to cut. I'm just a poor, below poverty level, blade banger.)

Best regards,

Jimmy Fikes

 

[OleyFermo]

Hey, Keith

I can certainly understand where you're coming from. Personal insults are not at all necessary even during hot debate... but if they are forthcoming, then a duel is called for. Legs don't need to be chopped off, but I know that if someone wants to belittle my work, then that person and I need to get out in public and show who knows what they're talking about. It seems a good way to settle some types of issues.

I never did manage to find the thread where Big John and SK had a falling out, but I don't doubt that Mr. Fitch could hold his own whether cutting or debating. Can anyone point me to that thread? I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

Jimmy

 

[Keith Montgomery]

(As an aside to Joss... PLEASE don't kill me! If two hermits... Shiva Ki and myself... could somehow find a way to get together and have a cutting comp, you might enjoy it. But you guys out there would have to pay for the danged rope to cut. I'm just a poor, below poverty level, blade banger.)

I think that would be interesting, but in my opinion it would be best to have a few events. Let's see how well the blades perform when cutting rope, 2 X 4s, dowel and maybe some other things as well.

As far as Shiva Ki coming back to BladeForums is concerned, I don't know that he would want to. He would have to be able to take some heat without losing his cool, and I don't know if he is capable of doing that. He would also have to refrain from making every second post an advertisement for his knives. If you took the insulting, patronizing, advertising posts away from him, and considering the fact that his knifemaking techniques are secret, what would he have left to post about? I guess he could just shoot the ****.

 

[flava]

Shiva asked me to post a short letter for him up here, but I do not know the rules of this forum in reguards to that issue..I cannot find how to contact the mods here and ask them directly, So I am asking permission to post it here in this thread. I will check this thread a few times per day for the next few days and see if we can at least allow the man to make a short reply to this issue.

I know that this issue has been hotly debated, and I am NOT trying to stir the puddin here..I think that he should at least be allowed to have one last say in this...Moderators: Please pm me here if I am out of line on this, or if you do NOT want me to post his letter...He actually asked me to send it to a MOD so THEY could post it after looking it over for anything innapropriate. Thanks!

-Bravo 26

I'd say ask a MOD and if it's OK with him post his letter. Frankly, I wouldn't mind at all seing Shiva Ki post over here if he sticks to a civilized tone this time. If he made a mistake once and knows better now, why don't give him a chance?
About his knives, as some might have read earlier in this thread I had the opportunity to test a small one and it performed good. The Fikes bowie was better at the job but again, the Shiva Ki was good. I didn't like the finish on the blade but that is my opinion only.

 

[Bastid]

Ki makes a good knife. So do a lot of other people.

If he wants to come back here fine, we will give him a chance.

If he wants to sell knives and advertise here, he will have to follow the rules. (I. E. obtain a knife maker membership and keep the sales and hype out of the discussion forums.)

No way are we going to allow the behavior he exhibited in the past. There was no excuse for it at all. No matter how you look at it, his past behavior here was not fair to the makers who support this place and let their work speak for itself.

To those of you who think his banning was wrong, I only have one question. Would it have been fair to let him stay promoting his work in the discussion forums and bashing other makers? (The answer is NO.)

I was banned from another forum I think only because I banned him here. No big deal I don't need to belong somewhere that is going to do things like that based on the actions I take as a mod here.

I made the right decision even in hindsight. I will always do my best to keep advertising out of the discussion forums and get rid of folks who show disrespect to any maker or company without good reason and facts.

If he bad mouths other makers, he will be banned again. If he does not follow the simple rules, he will be banned again.


Simple enough so now it is up to him.

If you want to post a letter, send it to Cougar or me first. If there is hype in there or a sales pitch, it would not be approprite to post it anywhere on BFC.

 

[Bastid]

Please, this has nothing to do with not knowing internet communications.
It was about hype and disrespect to other makers.

That goes way beyond anything having to do with the internet.

 

[Bravo 26]

PM inbound with his letter...I will include his email address for you as well if you want him to change any verbage..thanks!

--Bravo 26

 

[OleyFermo]

Hey, Bastid...

I think banning SK was exactly the right thing to do. No two ways about that. But the old saw might prove true here... Once banned, twice shy... or something like that.

Jimmy

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

PM inbound with his letter...I will include his email address for you as well if you want him to change any verbage..thanks!

--Bravo 26

You should send it in an Email, since you cannot PM without a paid membership.:thumbup:

 

[Bastid]

P.S. (I am really not much of a bad-ass at all. ) It is just that there are reasons that a lot of folks like to participate here as well as other forums and it is best to not make exceptions to some things we have tried to do at BF from the beginning.

It is not that we don't want makers to show their work, by all means we do. I think everyone enjoys the chance to see knives that makers are proud of and who here does not like to open up a new "Coop" thread, Roger thread, a progession of one of Keiths or a thread of a show review.

It is best for the maker in the long run, on the internet or in person to let the knives and customers speak for themselves. If they are making a good knife, sharing their knowledge, staying in the "vision" of collectors then in all cases I have seen that is all the "promotion" that a maker can handle and self promotion can mess up that balance.


Jimmy, you make an awesome knife in all respects. Glad to have you around here.

Just found out Bravo 26 and I are neighbors in Bastidville. I hope I get the chance to meet him and that he does not chop my leg off.
Gus

 

[RogerP]

Gus, there's no question you did the right thing in banning him in the first place - that is beyond any meaningful debate. I am a little bit skeptical of his desire to return here to BF. I frequent a number of other forums where he is not (to my knowledge) banned and haven't seen him make an appearance - even on long threads discussing his work. Be that as it may, if he returns and toes the line of basic civilized human behavior, I am cool with that.

Roger

 

[Bastid]

Thanks Roger. I would like to think that most of us feel the same way.

 

[OleyFermo]

P.S. (I am really not much of a bad-ass at all. ) It is just that there are reasons that a lot of folks like to participate here as well as other forums and it is best to not make exceptions to some things we have tried to do at BF from the beginning.

It is not that we don't want makers to show their work, by all means we do. I think everyone enjoys the chance to see knives that makers are proud of and who here does not like to open up a new "Coop" thread, Roger thread, a progession of one of Keiths or a thread of a show review.

It is best for the maker in the long run, on the internet or in person to let the knives and customers speak for themselves. If they are making a good knife, sharing their knowledge, staying in the "vision" of collectors then in all cases I have seen that is all the "promotion" that a maker can handle and self promotion can mess up that balance.


Jimmy, you make an awesome knife in all respects. Glad to have you around here.

Just found out Bravo 26 and I are neighbors in Bastidville. I hope I get the chance to meet him and that he does not chop my leg off.
Gus

Hey, Gus

I think that you and the other moderators here do a bang-up job of keeping things running smoothly. Quite frankly, I have no idea how you manage that little miracle considering the diversity of the posters to the various forums... but I'm glad you do. This place has become, in the best sense of the word, a 'community'.

I've stopped in pretty frequently over the years, but haven't posted much for a couple of reasons. The first is that my methods for making knives, and the knives themselves (for the most part) are so simple that there's not much TO say that would add to the general pool of knowledge. But, despite my hardheadness about simple steels / simple methods, I dearly love the debates about new steels / new methods of heat treating them. And I very much enjoy seeing the work of other makers. The skill of the makers and the beauty of the work is staggering.

I have no idea of whether or not I do too much self promotion. It's truly difficult at times for a person to 'see themselves as others see them'. But if I have... or if I do... I'll accept any thumps on the noggin from the moderators with nary a peep. I suppose if I have fallen down in that respect, it would be posting about my wife's work... and if so, I apologize to the community at large. The thing is, I'm so proud of what Maggie does that I have a difficult time keeping my yap shut about that.

And then there's 'Whine and Cheese'... truly 'where the bastids come home to roost'. When I need a good laugh, that's where I head.

I thank you for the kind words about my work. MAYBE I'm actually going to produce a few knives this year that'll be up to snuff... unless I'm sitting in debtors prison from needing to replace all the equipment which is breaking. Three grinders in one year!!

And last... I'll remind you that even if Bravo does chop off a leg, that still leaves ya three, ya old goat.

Now... when is Shiva Ki gonna get that letter posted???????

Jimmy <---- another bastid:grumpy:

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Thanks Roger. I would like to think that most of us feel the same way.

I do think that he should be keel hauled before being allowed to return. After that, all will be forgiven.

 

[pjsjr]

The thing is, I'm so proud of what Maggie does that I have a difficult time keeping my yap shut about that.

OleyFremo, you and your wife have my admiration and respect...not only because of the offer you made to Bravo 26 but) 1. that you can and do work together) 2. you being a highly respected and accomplished smith have room in your ego for her) 3. that your relationship together is such that it will allow for both to grow and prosper...continued success, and yapping. Preston

 

[Bravo 26]

Dont worry bastid..no chopping legs off around here..not really my thing..hope we can get some BF guys at the big show in Atlanta this summer..I have lots of knife buddies that want to go as well...always good to meet new people involved in the hobby. :thumbup:

so without further ado..here is a message from Shiva Ki:



I would like to address three topics, set the records straight.

In response to a slur, I inadvertantly insulted Master smith John
Fitch. After which I felt bad and wrote to John a letter of apology.
Upon reciept, John called me and we spoke at length, sharing much
in common. I consider us friends. Feel free to ask John, he has
handled my spirit blades, I respect his opinion.
I don`t care if you talk bad about me, just tell the truth.

That is what SK sent to me and asked to be posted here.. I'm sure when he gets his new accout up and running he can elaborate more. Thanks for putting up with all my Noobness...I'm off to post on other threads now. Promise.:yawn:

--Bravo 26

 

[OleyFermo]

OleyFremo, you and your wife have my admiration and respect...not only because of the offer you made to Bravo 26 but) 1. that you can and do work together) 2. you being a highly respected and accomplished smith have room in your ego for her) 3. that your relationship together is such that it will allow for both to grow and prosper...continued success, and yapping. Preston

Hi, Preston

I thank you most sincerely for your well wishes and kind words, good sir! As for pushing Maggie into the limelight... she deserves it... as do all those who strive to learn and who work hard to perfect their craft. If I ever arrive at the point where I only have room for me, me, me in my world, it's going to be a dark and dreary place indeed.

Besides... I have a purely selfish motive in teaching Maggie to make knives. Once she has a wide enough customer base, consider me RETIRED. I can get comfortable in a nice wide, extra-heavy-duty hammock... bullhorn in hand... and shout instructions at her as I sip on a mint julep. My guess is that more Fikes knives will get made with her swinging the hammer than did with me at the anvil. Orders might be filled! Customer's addresses might be written down and filed away neatly, rather than scribbled on scraps of paper and promptly lost! And with her taking care of all the stuff I don't, I might even sneak in a blade or two myself when the urge moves me.

In brief; my luck is still holding. I've got a new shop a-building, a KMG grinder being shipped tomorrow and Maggie forging her most excellent blades.

Ah! Life is good.

Jimmy