Posting Photos - Who can and can't ?

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bladsmth said:
The rules state that only those paying members with Manufacturer, Knifemaker, or Service Provider memberships can post photos of their knives.
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bladsmth said:
I would also point out the 98% of the full/part time makers are already following this rule
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Rick Marchand said:
These rules have been in place from the start, nothing new
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Can anyone point me to the rule that states you have to have a "Knifemaker" membership in order to post a picture of your knife in an area other than the Exchange? I've looked for it but have come up empty.
 
I have no problem with the rule, because $60 a year is well worth the info and access in my mind...

But My understanding was, we are not supposed to discuss sales in other forums because sales belong in the Exchange. And only those qualified to list items up in the exchange can post there... would this mean we can sell anywhere if we have paid the knife maker fee?
 
I consider myself still learning. I have only forged out a few blades and finished none of them yet so I'm guessing it would still be ok for me to post pictures.
I don't really consider myself a knifemaker yet. A craftsman, well maybe in some things. A service provider? Nope. If someone upgrades to the knifemaker / craftsman / service provider level, can those words under the screen name be changed or just left off? Yeah I could put in a tag line that explains this (like someone above mentioned), but I think that many would see just what was under my screen name.
 
RyanW said:
I have no problem with the rule, because $60 a year is well worth the info and access in my mind...

But My understanding was, we are not supposed to discuss sales in other forums because sales belong in the Exchange. And only those qualified to list items up in the exchange can post there... would this mean we can sell anywhere if we have paid the knife maker fee?
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You can post pictures of knives you make in shop talk or the custom forum and other forums; but it would be considered bad form to link the knife to a sales thread you have in the exchange or indicate that the knife is for sale on your personal website.
All things being sold are sold on the exchange, period. It makes seance to me in that, everything being offered for sale is in one spot, so everyone knows where to go to purchase items.

Fred
 
jawilder said:
Can anyone point me to the rule that states you have to have a "Knifemaker" membership in order to post a picture of your knife in an area other than the Exchange? I've looked for it but have come up empty.
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jawilder,
The rule is quoted in the OP. Click on the link and scroll down to two paragraphs below Section 1:6. It is the paragraph directly above the red type.

I'll print it again with the link:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/announcement.php?f=746&a=98
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The only members who may promote or display their personally built knives, services and/or products in the discussion threads or via their signature, home page listing or their user profile are "Manufacturers", "Dealers" and "Knifemaker/Craftsman/Service Providers".
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Bigblue17,
That is about hosting., which is a different thing.

RyanW,
No, selling is allowed in The exchange only.
This has to do with the fact that putting a link to a sale item or posting photos of custom knives you make is a form of advertising the knives you sell. That is a privilege of the Knifemaker membership level.
No one ,regardles of membership level, is allowed to sell outside of the exchange.
 
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I think there is a difference between a hobbyist who occasionally posts a few pictures, and someone who routinely sells knives as a source of regular income.

We have all seen members who don't have a membership, and simply post a lot of pictures to solicit orders. Sounds like BF is trying to cut down on that.
 
I don't sell a lot, not even enough to pay for tools and materials. I have sold quite a few in the past and have been making knives since I was 17. I now build purely for fun, and I enjoy sharing my meager knowledge with, as well as learning from other makers. I have never made a sale because of anything I posted on bladeforums..........and never likely to. This is about FUN and knowledge sharing to me. Being pressured to pay to contribute/participate kind of goes against the fun clause. Too bad everything always has to be about money:(
Darcy
 
Just to make sure I'm understanding this right:

Suppose someone made their first knife over the weekend (Clearly not a knife maker and not selling knives), and wanted to share pics and possibly get some suggestions.

Would they need to buy a knife maker membership to post a picture of their first knife?
 
Everyone - Please re-read the first post made.

If a person is a new maker, and only making a few knives, and not selling the bulk of his knives....this does not apply to him. He can post a photo of his knife and feel proud. We encourage that.

If a person has sold more than a few of his knives or supplies, even part time, then he is a knifemaker. These are the folks who are breaking the rules.

The point when someone becomes a "knifemaker" is not clearly defined, but you should know when you feel that the knives you post photos of are probably going to be sold. If they are pre-sold, then you already know the answer.

If you have a website that offers your knives for sale, if you go to shows and sell knives, if you sell more than one or two knives a year, if you have been selling and making knives for five or ten years,....you are a knifemaker.

If you are in doubt about your status, just email or PM a mod or Spark, and we will gladly tell you if you are in need of changing your membership level ( or stop posting knife photos).
 
Mitchell Knives said:
That's what I was thinking; basically what the rules have been all along.
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Bingo.... give that man a cigar.... I can't believe how many folks are bent out of shape about this. We have members who have requested their membership be terminated??? That is ridiculous and and easily remedied by a little reading.
 
Think of Stacy, put yourself in his shoes. The rule was not his rule. He has no say in how the rules were made. My guess is that deep down, he hate doing this. Please don't make him feel any worse.
 
Railrider1920 said:
I consider myself still learning. I have only forged out a few blades and finished none of them yet so I'm guessing it would still be ok for me to post pictures.
I don't really consider myself a knifemaker yet. A craftsman, well maybe in some things. A service provider? Nope. If someone upgrades to the knifemaker / craftsman / service provider level, can those words under the screen name be changed or just left off? Yeah I could put in a tag line that explains this (like someone above mentioned), but I think that many would see just what was under my screen name.
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I didn't see an answer to your question, but if you look at my title you will see it can be changed.

When I first came to BFC it didn't take me long to upgrade to a Gold membership, just because of the wealth of information I got here, and I hadn't even ventured into the knifemakers area. I figured I am getting all this information, I am going to pay for it. Then I decided to make my own knife. Once again I was blown away with all the information I received and wanted to show my support for this sub forum. How did I do that? I bought a knifemakers membership when it was time to renew, and not because I thought I was a knifemaker.
For the last 3 years I have been on a fixed income and I only make a handful of knives a year, I have only ever posted 2 knives for sale, but I will scrape together the cash to buy a knifemakers membership each fall to show support for this sub forum
 
Personally I think any level member should be able to post a photo of knives He/She has made, in ShopTalk for critique or advice. Any level member should also be able to post photos in a Kith or the like. A Knifemakers membership should be required to post photos of your work outside Shoptalk.

Just my $.02
 
Bummer.

I don't post many pictures, because I don't try and sell here.
Don't think I have ever had a Blade Forums related sale.
My books are closed, and I am never trying to sell, just communicate and share with like minded individuals.

When I do post a picture of something on occasion, it is because I thought I was adding value to the community.
I assumed it was a good thing for BladeForums.
Figured it was things like that that kept people coming around, and helped the forum be what it is.

My bad, I guess I'll keep my gadgets, gizmos, knives and grinders away.

So, just so I am clear, guys who are any good have to pay to share, and add value to the community, but any jackwagon can take a file to a bench grinder and post it?
 
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Fellhoelter said:
Bummer.

I don't post many pictures, because I don't try and sell here.
Don't think I have ever had a Blade Forums related sale.
My books are closed, and I am never trying to sell, just communicate and share with like minded individuals.

When I do post a picture of something on occasion, it is because I thought I was adding value to the community.
I assumed it was a good thing for BladeForums.
Figured it was things like that that kept people coming around, and helped the forum be what it is.

My bad, I guess I'll keep my gadgets, gizmos, knives and grinders away.

So, just so I am clear, guys who are any good have to pay to share, and add value to the community, but any jackwagon can take a file to a bench grinder and post it?
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I hope not, I found your posts and photos all really helpful.
 
It is my opinion that some of the excellent makers who post their work here from time to time is one of the best things about this site. Personally, I feel that when someone of high caliber is discussing their work here (not promoting it) it is something to be encouraged.

Tai finally did some WIP threads. How cool is that.

If Cashen or Bump were to come back to this forum and do WIP threads, wouldn't that be cool?

I think it is usually pretty obvious when someone is primarily promoting their work versus when the forum benefits from their contributions. So my take on all of this is we need to exercise some judgment on how this gets enforced.

There are already a lot of "knifemakers" here that are beginner hobbyists, and not very many major professionals contributing. Not like it used to be. Lets be careful not to worsen that ratio.
 
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