Opinions requested

What the honorable Fisk Said!
I always try and ask what materials a maker likes to work with ,then ask for the best he has available.

When I asked for Ron Newton to use Stag on my latest...he pulled some sweet Amber.

To me its maker and piece first that determine wether a piece holds value in the long run..
 
Wulf said:
I'm obviously not "experienced in the realm of advanced collecting" either, so feel free to ignore me, but I never try to pressure a maker into doing something he doesn't want to do. Even if I disagree with his reasoning.

If the maker is not happy with the knife he's building for me, I won't be happy with it either.
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If you never push a maker to work somewhat out of their comfort zone, you will never get their best work. You help them to raise the bar on what they are and are not capable of producing.

It also helps if you are friends or friendly with them.:)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
If you never push a maker to work somewhat out of their comfort zone, you will never get their best work. You help them to raise the bar on what they are and are not capable of producing.

It also helps if you are friends or friendly with them.:)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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I would agree Steven, As far as materials, colors, finishes, construction technuiqes.

One thing that I hate working around though is dimensions. If a piece of handle material or steel is a bit small, I dont want anything to do with it.
 
Interesting to request replies from only a select group. More than slightly arrogant for a publiic forum, but then it's YOU. I think you are a fool to pick stag sight unseen. This doesn't stretch the maker's capabilities as much as it hamstrings them. As you already experienced, what was shipped doesn't fit the knife irrespective of color. Plus your attitude seems to be the knifemaker is simply a craftsman who will complete your order. That's not a good way to encourage an artist's best work. Maybe the knifemaker doesn't care to see his name on what he considers an inferior material irrespective of others opinions.

Many knifemakers will pick the stag first then design the knife to fit that great piece of stag. I know someone who sat on MOP for years until he found the knife pattern (4 blade slipjoint) and maker (Bose) that he thought would do justice to the handle material. The finished knife is simply amazing.

I'd suggest you let your knifemaker hand pick the stag he thinks will both look good and feel good on your chute knife. Buying
 
brownshoe said:
Interesting to request replies from only a select group. More than slightly arrogant for a publiic forum, but then it's YOU. I think you are a fool to pick stag sight unseen. This doesn't stretch the maker's capabilities as much as it hamstrings them. As you already experienced, what was shipped doesn't fit the knife irrespective of color. Plus your attitude seems to be the knifemaker is simply a craftsman who will complete your order. That's not a good way to encourage an artist's best work. Maybe the knifemaker doesn't care to see his name on what he considers an inferior material irrespective of others opinions.

Many knifemakers will pick the stag first then design the knife to fit that great piece of stag. I know someone who sat on MOP for years until he found the knife pattern (4 blade slipjoint) and maker (Bose) that he thought would do justice to the handle material. The finished knife is simply amazing.
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BS,

You call me "a fool" and "arrogant", without knowing me personally. Isn't that in itself foolish arrogance?

1. I have purchased 3 sets of pearl from Culpepper before, sight unseen, and they were magnificent. They are all on custom knives, and were all purchased with specific knives in mind. Sometimes you have to trust a material seller to provide you with a good product. Either a) I have gotten lucky, or b) the materials seller is providing good product, generally.

2. 1 scale the maker is going to keep, and the other, he is going to look for at Blade. Unfortunately Culpepper is the only commonly known supplier offering amber dyed stag at this time. Have a John Young dirk with this material, and it looks fantastic.

3. I am friendly with this maker. Respect him, and his craft. He simply does not have a stockpile of this material. Other than requesting a larger than normal blade length, and amber stag, have made no demands of time, materials or other specifications. You are correct in the respect that SOME makers that I have in my collection, I have simply conducted business transactions with. I ordered a knife, and paid for it, and expected what I ordered. It was and is pretty simple. In the 20 years that I have been collecting knives, SR Johnson has been the only maker to turn me down, and that was because I could not get him to commit to a price in advance, which I respect, but cannot for many reasons, allow.

4. I requested responses from a select group because they KNOW what they are talking about, and I needed the information. I did not need information from people who THINK they KNOW what they are talking about, there is a vast difference. I have telephone #'s for about 1/2 the people who responded, but do not have time to speak with each of them, when I can use the forums, which I help support, and you do not.

Thanks, everyone who chimed in. It confirmed some strongly held opinions, and I was listening a little too much, to that voice of doubt in my head.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I haven't bought any dyed stag from Culpepper yet, but I bought close to $800 worth of handle material from them last year to be put on knives by a couple of makers. I was 100% satisfied with their product, and even felt as though I received a higher grade of pearl than I ordered in a few instances.


Now as far as dyed stag goes...all I know is that I love it:D I'd never thought about it much until Don posted a slim trapper with some on it. I think that's what got a lot of folks interested in it. Here's mine:

dh1.jpg
 
Durwood,

I don't collect folders, but that little Hanson of yours is simply stunning, imho.

P
 
Thanks ptgdvc, this is one of my favorite slipjoints. I asked Don about slipjoints a couple of years back and he said he didn't do them much anymore...then a while back he posted one similar to mine and I picked up the phone:D
 
I think good stag will only enhance the value of a well made knife,
and that it's really more about selection and execution than whether
it's dyed or not.
That said: My preference would be for amber.

BTW....the piece of stag on the Bowie a little way back in this thread,
hung around my shop for years waiting for just the right knife.
 
Kohai999 said:
If you never push a maker to work somewhat out of their comfort zone, you will never get their best work. You help them to raise the bar on what they are and are not capable of producing.
Click to expand...

Encouraging a maker to flex his creative muscle is healthy and constructive. Pressuring him to do something he doesn't want to do is not.

Someone experienced in the realm of advanced collecting should know the difference. :p

:)
 
Russ Andrews said:
BTW....the piece of stag on the Bowie a little way back in this thread, hung around my shop for years waiting for just the right knife.
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That one still ranks as the best piece of stag I have ever personally held in hand. And you sure did put it on the right knife. ;)

Roger
 
I agree with Brownshoe.. there's a lot of pompacity from our dear Steven here, and arrogance. Whether you've been a 20 yr. collector or whatever. Public forums should be an open exchange, any comments should be welcomed. Often a lot of gruff words come out of your posts, like you are an authority or angry.. accusing people as if they should have known better. Show some tenderloving care and you'll get more friendly comments.

I have no opinion about this, but would like to point out S. Johnson is making a lot of knives selling in the $3K region and over using micarta handles??? Personally, that seems like a crime.. be interested to know why it's chosen over other materials that are a non- issue in that price range.

(..very much liked Mr. Hanson's giraffe bone idea. :D funny!)
David
 
2knife said:
I agree with Brownshoe.. there's a lot of pompacity from our dear Steven here, and arrogance. Whether you've been a 20 yr. collector or whatever. Public forums should be an open exchange, any comments should be welcomed. Often a lot of gruff words come out of your posts, like you are an authority or angry.. accusing people as if they should have known better. Show some tenderloving care and you'll get more friendly comments.

I have no opinion about this, but would like to point out S. Johnson is making a lot of knives selling in the $3K region and over using micarta handles??? Personally, that seems like a crime.. be interested to know why it's chosen over other materials that are a non- issue in that price range.

(..very much liked Mr. Hanson's giraffe bone idea. :D funny!)
David
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David,

Are you a pickle smoocher? You and BS got a little love thang goin' on?

You have added less than nothing to the question I asked.

You can call me THE Angry Authority. I've been called worse.

So far, I got about 16 or more useful comments, the BS from you and BS, and the feelings of Wulf who doesn't want to tell his makers what to do. This would be a better than average BladeForums thread, IMNSVHO, and continues to show how we can separate the boys/men from the girls/eunuchs(sp?).

Tenderly,

STeven Garsson
 
Isn't it interesting that those who took it upon themselves to criticize STeven have chosen to engage in the very conduct they decry? I can't help but smile at the irony. :)

Roger

P.S. - The word is "pompousness".
 
I have no problem with Steven singling out a few notable freaquenters and collectors. I in no way was offended nor felt that it was closed off from others(Fisk and Andrews!) offering opinions. As well that list of collectors do have an impact on market and trends..
For what its worth Steve johnson had a sub-hilt on hsi table at ECCKS it went for 7k if I recall and it sported Amber....Kressler got it.
 
Kohai999 said:
and the feelings of Wulf who doesn't want to tell his makers what to do.
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STeven,
Don't misrepresent what I have said.

And try not to get yourself too worked up here, OK?
 
STeven,
With the capital "T".. stands for "tenderly"? ..You make me laugh sometimes. Have fun bud. Shouldn't be dying any of that stag. Looks better ale' naturale.. dye your hare old man.
David
 
Wulf said:
STeven,
Don't misrepresent what I have said.

And try not to get yourself too worked up here, OK?
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Wulf, that is how I interepreted what you were saying. You said the same thing twice, in different ways. What am I not understanding?

I am hardly worked up here, I have not even cursed.:grumpy:

2knife said:
STeven,
With the capital "T".. stands for "tenderly"? ..You make me laugh sometimes. Have fun bud. Shouldn't be dying any of that stag. Looks better ale' naturale.. dye your hare old man.
David
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1. David, the "ST" came into being from typing too fast, and not releasing the "T" in time. It sort of became a signature early in my BladeForums days.

2. If you are laughing, that is good. Laughing is better than crying, but you still have not added any value to the discussion, and that would be the important part. If you had questions about sheephorn, I would keep my mouth shut, because I don't like it as a main handle component, and would not have anything of value to add to your question.

3. Your inconsistency bothers me. First you attack, then you backpedal. If you want to take me on, then take me on. Be a man about it. If you are not willing to take me on, and just want to slap fight, than STFU. I didn't pull your chain in this thread.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Basically what I was trying to say was that it's a good thing to encourage a maker to try new materials, techniques and styles, but you also have to know when to quit. If a guy doesn't want to put dyed stag on his work, and he's adamant about it, it might be better just to let it go. Consider another handle material or another maker.

Just as some collectors have strong aversions to certain materials (brass, giraffe bone, and sheephorn are common examples), so too do some makers. Again, you might completely disagree with the maker's reasoning, but in order for the maker/collector relationship to remain healthy, you have to respect his tastes and desires.

My comment about you getting worked up was in response to your insults - calling people picklesmoochers, eunuchs and whatnot...
 
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