Participation in the Custom Knife Community?

[Kevin Jones]

There’s quite a few ways of participating in the custom knife community. There’s reading and interacting on forums, attending knife shows, buying and reading knife publications, interacting with other collectors/makers/dealers etc, joining and being active in knife organizations and of course buying custom knives.

Collectors seem to participate on many levels from the collector who only buys knives, to the ones that do all or most of the above. We see the same thing with makers.

How important is participation? Well pretty important in my opinion, as there’s no knife community without some degree of participation.

In one of my previous threads on knife publications I was surprised by how many collectors don’t subscribe or buy Blade, Knives Illustrated and some of the other major publications. Even more surprised by how many don’t go to shows or join knife organizations. Though the CKCA has a very impressive member list it’s currently only 45% collectors.

Though most would agree the internet has done wonders for the custom knife community, there are some collectors that limit their participation and involvement to the internet. This is IMO unfortunate as nothing substitutes for actually holding and examining a custom knife and having makers discuss and point out elements of their knives.

• Do you feel that participating in the custom knife community in addition to buying knives is important to the advancement of custom knives?

• Do you think participation is important to the collector?

• To what degree do you participate?

• Do you feel the internet has reduced collector’s participation in regard to attending shows, buying publications and joining clubs and organizations?

As always, thank you in advance for your participation.

 

[Lorien]

I'm not really a Collector, and I haven't really 'landed' anywhere yet, when it comes to custom knives. I'm still feeling things out.

I don't buy magazines really, although I think I might ask Santa for a Blade subscription this year. Apart from the book of Darom's I have, there is a small pile of KI somewhere in my garage which reintroduced me to my long dormant knife interest and which got me up to speed on who's doing what and what is generally going on. I discovered Burt Foster through that mag, and it was Burt's knives, and the quality photos of them, that really got me interested in custom knives.

Then there are a couple of makers that I've dealt with and/or befriended, before participating in this forum, who are proximal to me; Seth Burton, Peter Marzitelli and Harald Moeller, who I looked up and either called or met with in person.

Since I've been participating in this forum, I've met some other US knife makers and either spoke with, dealt with, or befriended them too. I wont name anyone because the more I think about it the more names pop into my head, I don't want anyone to feel slighted. It's actually a pretty long list, considering I've only bought a few knives from a couple different guys over this course of time.

Through these makers, I'm starting to develop a keen interest in making knives myself. Although I don't aspire to ever do it for a living. Well, maybe during those 'retirement' years.

One neat thing that I've experienced, directly and only because of my involvement in this forum, is getting to know some collectors. I've had some pleasant conversations via email, private messaging and phone calls with guys I probably wouldn't have ever met, since I don't really travel in those circles. Yet. I have a great value for these relationships and building these friendships, and they only exist because of this website, I reckon.

One day I'd like to at least attend a knife show. But I also have a dream of one day organizing one! That will be a long time down the road, if ever. One thing for sure, though, is that Bladeforums has exposed me to all sorts of people and things that I would never be exposed to otherwise, even if I did go to a few shows. If I did, though, I'd be primed and would know people in advance, thanks to this forum:thumbup:.

It would be a sad, sad life, if I thought that Cold Steel, Buck and Gerber were the entirety of the knife industry, but because of this forum in particular, I have my choice of rabbit holes to explore. I expect that this lifelong interest will perpetuate itself and undergo various permutations as I continue to learn about it and explore the possibilities.

I like to think that my participation in this forum at least, has some small significance in moving this part of the cutlery industry forward.

 

[mmmotorcycle]

First and foremost I am a Senior in highschool. This limits how much I spend each year but does not limit how much I participate in other fields. I make it to local knife shows about three times a year and find that as the best way to interact with collectors and makers. I have met and become friends with some makers and collected many knives made by them. These customs are all users and while elegant in their own way, are items a rarely baby around.

I also have been introduced to makers by extreme shows of generosity on their parts. This helps me really choose who's work I will keep on buying. Ultimately, the maker seems to make a reputation, for starters, by participating and communicating his work through the community.

I hope that answers some of your questions....

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Yes, I do feel that participating in the custom knife community is important.

If it weren't for the internet, I wouldn't be a collector of custom knives and I wouldn't have joined the organizations that I have.

I think it's up to each individual collector to decide if it is important to them to participate.

 

[JatMat]

Snipped

• Do you feel that participating in the custom knife community in addition to buying knives is important to the advancement of custom knives?

Yes, we can influence makers to items of our particular interest.

• Do you think participation is important to the collector?

Same answer as above, I get what I like.

• To what degree do you participate?

Comment, talk to makers (via emails and phone calls)

• Do you feel the internet has reduced collector’s participation in regard to attending shows, buying publications and joining clubs and organizations?

No, because of the excitement this past year on BF, I went to Blade for the first time.

As always, thank you in advance for your participation.

You are welcome.
Jim

 

[Hmathews]

I believe that participating in the custom knife community is vital to ensuring the growth of the recognition of custom knives. I participate in nearly all of the areas you mentioned. I also spend most of my time making knives which is a method of participating that I didn't notice in the list. I don't do much with dealers anymore, but for years they were my main source of custom knives. They have pushed the custom knife business for years and deserve much credit for custom knives being as popular as they are. Now I would rather buy my knives at shows from the makers, if I can, but I keep looking for those knives I need and who knows where I might find one.

I enjoy meeting the collectors and other makers at shows, Guild meetings, and hammer-ins. While I think that the internet has opened the availability of custom knives to the masses, nothing can replace the knife show. There is nothing like being in the same room with world class makers, and their knives and knowing that in there somewhere is the one that is going to follow you home. All you have to do is find it before anyone else does. It doesn’t matter if your budget is $100.00 or $10,000.00, the same feeling is there. I can't imagine loving to collect knives and not having been to a knife show. Lorien if you like knives and ever go to a Blade Show you will not be the same person when you leave. To me there is nothing on the internet that can compare to a knife show, but the internet, too, is a vital part of the community and serves a different and indispensable purpose.

 

[Lorien]

I believe you, Harry.
I'm still bummed that I didn't get to Blade West this year. I had been looking forward to it for a long time, and I was really excited about meeting the people who seemed keen to meet me, even more so than seeing knives. In fact, the knife part of it would have been bittersweet, as there is no way I would have been able to buy anything. I knew that it would be a catalyst for me, and another step toward understanding my interest, as you say.
But it was still the right choice to stay home and tend the shop, especially in retrospect given what's gone down.

I will be there next year. And then, who knows? Atlanta! Shows are awesome!

 

[Kevin Jones]

I believe that participating in the custom knife community is vital to ensuring the growth of the recognition of custom knives. I participate in nearly all of the areas you mentioned. I also spend most of my time making knives which is a method of participating that I didn't notice in the list. I don't do much with dealers anymore, but for years they were my main source of custom knives. They have pushed the custom knife business for years and deserve much credit for custom knives being as popular as they are. Now I would rather buy my knives at shows from the makers, if I can, but I keep looking for those knives I need and who knows where I might find one.

I enjoy meeting the collectors and other makers at shows, Guild meetings, and hammer-ins. While I think that the internet has opened the availability of custom knives to the masses, nothing can replace the knife show. There is nothing like being in the same room with world class makers, and their knives and knowing that in there somewhere is the one that is going to follow you home. All you have to do is find it before anyone else does. It doesn’t matter if your budget is $100.00 or $10,000.00, the same feeling is there. I can't imagine loving to collect knives and not having been to a knife show. Lorien if you like knives and ever go to a Blade Show you will not be the same person when you leave. To me there is nothing on the internet that can compare to a knife show, but the internet, too, is a vital part of the community and serves a different and indispensable purpose.

Hi Harry.
You bring an interesting perspective to the discussion in being both an accomplished maker and collector. Though the internet plays a huge role in the progression of custom knives, it doesn't fulfill the human factor of physically interacting with fellow collectors, makers and enthusiast at shows and other knife gatherings.

Though I was more thinking of collector participation when writing this thread, maker participation varies immensely. Some makers such as yourself are diligent in promoting custom knives by going to shows, being active on the internet, seeking media and art community recognition for your work, consistently developing new markets and basically just spreading the "custom knife" word.

There's two makers that come to mind as I write this that probably spend more time as custom knife ambassadors than knife makers.
Can't help but think that makers such yourself and others are pulling the wagon for the majority.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Yes, I do feel that participating in the custom knife community is important.

If it weren't for the internet, I wouldn't be a collector of custom knives and I wouldn't have joined the organizations that I have.

I think it's up to each individual collector to decide if it is important to them to participate.

I totally agree Keith in that the CKCA would NEVER have had such a successful start without the internet. The internet is and has been the facilitator for much of what the custom knife community has been able to accomplish in the advancement of custom knives.

I also agree of course that it's up to the individual collector to decide to the degree which they participate, however participation helps to sustain and fuels the growth of custom knives.

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

In one of my previous threads on knife publications I was surprised by how many collectors don’t subscribe or buy Blade, Knives Illustrated and some of the other major publications. Even more surprised by how many don’t go to shows or join knife organizations. Though the CKCA has a very impressive member list it’s currently only 45% collectors.

Great thread.

I don't subscribe to any magazines any longer. Why ? By the time I get the magazine , what is in there is usually old news. Much easier to find online , than wait for the magazine. This is not just knife mags , but also for gun and other hobbies as well.

Shows are great to attend , though traveling from the west coast to the east coast for shows is costly once you factor in the travel and hotel , etc. I plan to make it to blade in 2009 , haven't been there in a few years , going every year is not an option.
The smaller shows seems to be more specialized , the invitationals and such usually focus on higher end knives , since I am more of a custom knife user than collector , I don't attend the shows.

Online forums , such as BF , KF , CK&G , USN and others are a wealth of information with a vast range of collectors , tastes and makers. The information one can obtain is mind boggling , while some of the drama can get old , it does indeed bring out some good discussions.

I have never looked into organizations , used to belong to many when I was actively competing in the shooting sports and also while racing. But like everything else , there is only so much time in a day. How much time can one devote to their hobby ?

One thing that is nice , is when you can have a get together of local and those within driving distance to do a meet & greet and show and discuss knives. Not really a show , but more of meeting the people behind the online personalities.

again , great thread , and you just may have persuaded me to look into joining the CKCA.

 

[T.K.C.]

• Do you feel that participating in the custom knife community in addition to buying knives is important to the advancement of custom knives?
Yes, I DO believe that that participating in the custom knife community IS important to the advancement of custom knives!


• Do you think participation is important to the collector?
It is important to me, as a collector.

• To what degree do you participate?
I participate in online forums, joined a couple of organizations. I interact with other collectors and makers.

• Do you feel the internet has reduced collector’s participation in regard to attending shows, buying publications and joining clubs and organizations?
I feel that is has the opposite affect. For me, I have increased MY wanting to attend shows. I feel that the internet has piqued MORE folks interests in publications & organizations. In fact, I feel that because of the internet, more people have learned about the various organizations. I think the internet has done great things for custom knives!!

The internet has exposed me to more makers. I LOVE being able to interact with makers, hearing other people's thoughts about the makers that they own; and being able to share my experiences with the makers works that I own. I hope my little contributions help and are worth everyone's time.

All in all, I think that the internet is good for the custom knife world.

 

[Frank Barron]

I collect more a few years ago. My wife has been great and actually gave me a custom for christmas. To be honest, I have only three customs from other makers. I came to the conclusion that I would like to try to make them. So I started.

I have a mentor, George, he is great, and very patient. Recently, I drove down to Troy NC and took a knife making course taught by Tommy McNabb at Montgomery College. It was worth the drive, I also got to enjoy true southern US hospitality. Really was a worthwhile trip.

You start off with an interest, then you meet like minded people, which makes your hobby more interesting. You put in effort into the community, you get lots more out of it.

My two cents

 

[Kevin Jones]

Great thread.

I don't subscribe to any magazines any longer. Why ? By the time I get the magazine , what is in there is usually old news. Much easier to find online , than wait for the magazine. This is not just knife mags , but also for gun and other hobbies as well.

Shows are great to attend , though traveling from the west coast to the east coast for shows is costly once you factor in the travel and hotel , etc. I plan to make it to blade in 2009 , haven't been there in a few years , going every year is not an option.
The smaller shows seems to be more specialized , the invitationals and such usually focus on higher end knives , since I am more of a custom knife user than collector , I don't attend the shows.

Online forums , such as BF , KF , CK&G , USN and others are a wealth of information with a vast range of collectors , tastes and makers. The information one can obtain is mind boggling , while some of the drama can get old , it does indeed bring out some good discussions.

I have never looked into organizations , used to belong to many when I was actively competing in the shooting sports and also while racing. But like everything else , there is only so much time in a day. How much time can one devote to their hobby ?

One thing that is nice , is when you can have a get together of local and those within driving distance to do a meet & greet and show and discuss knives. Not really a show , but more of meeting the people behind the online personalities.

again , great thread , and you just may have persuaded me to look into joining the CKCA.

We would be honored to have you John.

You start off with an interest, then you meet like minded people, which makes your hobby more interesting. You put in effort into the community, you get lots more out of it.
My two cents

Sounds about right to me Frank. :thumbup:

 

[LaBella]

Great thread.

I don't subscribe to any magazines any longer. Why ? By the time I get the magazine , what is in there is usually old news. Much easier to find online , than wait for the magazine. This is not just knife mags , but also for gun and other hobbies as well.

Shows are great to attend , though traveling from the west coast to the east coast for shows is costly once you factor in the travel and hotel , etc. I plan to make it to blade in 2009 , haven't been there in a few years , going every year is not an option.
The smaller shows seems to be more specialized , the invitationals and such usually focus on higher end knives , since I am more of a custom knife user than collector , I don't attend the shows.

Online forums , such as BF , KF , CK&G , USN and others are a wealth of information with a vast range of collectors , tastes and makers. The information one can obtain is mind boggling , while some of the drama can get old , it does indeed bring out some good discussions.

I have never looked into organizations , used to belong to many when I was actively competing in the shooting sports and also while racing. But like everything else , there is only so much time in a day. How much time can one devote to their hobby ?

One thing that is nice , is when you can have a get together of local and those within driving distance to do a meet & greet and show and discuss knives. Not really a show , but more of meeting the people behind the online personalities.

again , great thread , and you just may have persuaded me to look into joining the CKCA.

I cannot believe you forgot about The Mighty JerzeeDevil tsk tsk

I participate online, go to shows, attend hammer ins, grind ins, spend my own hard earned money to fund a forum where I do not charge ANY members for ANYTHING, I subscribe to Blade, Knives Illustrated ..heck I think I should win a free membership! I am a juggernaut


I also put my money where my mouth is in more ways than one

I am Ron LaBella, and I endorse this message.

 

[2knife]

Kevin,
I know three knife dealers who have never participated in the online community. These men are well respected and known. Why they dont, i don't know.. and it doesn't bother me.

For me, it has been fun- over the yrs., reading the variety of opinions. Also, there's nothing like the kind of debates found here. Usually fun and thought provoking.

Is participation important? ..for reasons each person has, or not. This is sort of like asking, Is baseball important for America? For some, they could care less, and others live for it. For each to decide. Fans will choose if they want to buy the tickets.

Another question, why do feel knives are important? (as a cause)
Isn't for most people, just a hobby? Looking at it as a career or investment might cause more introspection. Makers primarily.

For collectors, how can anyone think it is not more a selfish enterprise- buying, competeing in the feeding frenzy for the next knife?

The addictive nature of it.
This isn't something to encourage, i think. At least, this is my own conclusion. As an interest, it is fine. But, to keep in perspective.

It DOES cure boredom.

Kevin,
You've done a lot to promote the custom knife scene, yourself. You are different than most, putting a club together, thinking about the "commonwealth" of it. I think everyone can appreciate that. ..And, your threads are always good! thumbs up!
David

 

[Kevin Jones]

I cannot believe you forgot about The Mighty JerzeeDevil tsk tsk

I participate online, go to shows, attend hammer ins, grind ins, spend my own hard earned money to fund a forum where I do not charge ANY members for ANYTHING, I subscribe to Blade, Knives Illustrated ..heck I think I should win a free membership! I am a juggernaut


I also put my money where my mouth is in more ways than one

I am Ron LaBella, and I endorse this message.

I agree Ron and thanks for all you do.

Kevin,
I know three knife dealers who have never participated in the online community. These men are well respected and known. Why they dont, i don't know.. and it doesn't bother me.

For me, it has been fun- over the yrs., reading the variety of opinions. Also, there's nothing like the kind of debates found here. Usually fun and thought provoking.

Is participation important? ..for reasons each person has, or not. This is sort of like asking, Is baseball important for America? For some, they could care less, and others live for it. For each to decide. Fans will choose if they want to buy the tickets.

Another question, why do feel knives are important? (as a cause)
Isn't for most people, just a hobby? Looking at it as a career or investment might cause more introspection. Makers primarily.

For collectors, how can anyone think it is not more a selfish enterprise- buying, competeing in the feeding frenzy for the next knife?

The addictive nature of it.
This isn't something to encourage, i think. At least, this is my own conclusion. As an interest, it is fine. But, to keep in perspective.

It DOES cure boredom.

Kevin,
You've done a lot to promote the custom knife scene, yourself. You are different than most, putting a club together, thinking about the "commonwealth" of it. I think everyone can appreciate that. ..And, your threads are always good! thumbs up!
David

You make good points David.

I think quite a few makers and dealers don't like to participate on forums for fear of taking a position that may not be favorable with their customers. They kind of feel like they have more to lose than to gain.
Personally, I'm thankful for the ones that do interact here.

Thank you for your comments on my participation. I enjoy doing it.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Many people in the custom knife community don't participate in the online community. That doesn't mean that they don't participate in other ways.

For me it is important and enjoyable to take part in the communication that takes place on knife forums. To many people forums are a waste of time and an aggravation. They don't find them enjoyable at all.

 

[peterinct]

I have been using knives and have been fascinated with them from an early age, but if it wasn't for the internet, I would not have nearly the same involvement with them.

It was using the internet that I found internet knife dealers and it was one of those dealers that opened my eyes to the vast on-line community and forums, and more significantly, the location and dates of knife shows.

Considering many friends and acquaintances think my love of knives is strange to say the VERY least, it was great to discover knife shows where I found rooms full of knives and others that shared my love of them.

Personally, I find no substitute to holding a knife in my hands to get an accurate appreciation for its fit, finish and overall quality, which translate into desirability.

I would say the internet is great for getting infomation, interacting and seeing great pictures of knives, but there is no substitute for the pleasure of going to shows.

I have never been one for organizations but I agree that Kevin has done a great job in forming the CKCA and his contributions to the Custom Knife world are substantial.

Unfortunately, due to outsourcing and current economic conditions, my funds for buying knives are non-existent presently.

I went to Blade for the first time this year and it was more than expected and I hope to make it back and also to a hammerin.

I still subscribe to Blade and with the knowledge acquired on the internet, my knife collecting will be more enjoyable when I have the $$$ to buy some knives.

Peter

 

[george tichbourne]

Participation helps both the maker and the collector see what is going on.

Whenever I run into a collector I learn from them and I am told the opposite is true. Some things don't mean much when you have only one side of the picture but communicated to someone who has the other side the whole thing comes together.

We hold a bi weekly coffee break at our shop on Tuesday evenings for makers, collectors, traders, users and other interested parties. This gives us all a chance to look at what is going on and discuss it for the benefit of all.

This Tuesday Nov 4th is our next coffee break 7 to 9 PM Call 905 670 0200 for directions.

George

 

[jdm61]

I do a lot of the above. The forums have been a very good tool for me because they can essentially be a "poor man's school" for knifemaking. I have sold around 16 knives so far and out of that, only three have been sold anywhere other than the forums. That will hopefully change this weekend in Belgium, but the forums will still be in the lead by 3 or 4 even if I sell out. Although conventional wisdom says that the forums are not only a relatively small subset of the total custom community, they are probably also a small subset of the internet custom knife community. With that said, I think that the forums may have an impact on recruiting NEW knife knuts, particularly younger ones, that is disproportionate to the size of the general forum audience in relation to the custom world as a whole. Did that make any sense at all?