OK, let me post from a writer's point of view, since it seems print magazines have been put in the spotlight lately on BFs.
First of all, many of the knives I have reviewed in print magazines were purchased by myself, and not 'writer's samples,' so anyone who incinuates that writers, as a whole, are sucking up for free knives don't know what the hell they're typing about.
True, Sal Glesser sent a Military for our review, but I don't think Sal stooped to a level of picking something special to make sure the review went well. Matter of fact, he specifically requested on BladeForums that the knife be used hard and ALL results be reported. That's exactly what happened with no special interest or 'padding' of results. The same request came from Mike Fuller of TOPS.
I have also received samples from other companies but I continue to write the absolute honesty and truth, and voluntarily defend it here on BladeForums.
I know my opinion on this subject is not the popular opinion on this forum, but so be it. If I followed popular opinion then I might also 'fudge' a review to please the crowd or further my financial status....ain't gonna happen.
Further, if a magazine ever asked me to 'do a good review because these guys spend a lot of advertising bucks,' I would quit writing or submitting anything to the publication.
There are many honest writers out there. Some of them I know personally. For example; you won't find a more honorable and experienced man than Jerry VanCook. In my opinion and personal dealings with him, he writes what he believes and doesn't cater to any editor or advertiser.
I enjoy BladeForums but this trail of criticising print magazines is serving no one, including the manufacturers and readers who use both mediums (Forums and Magazines) to judge the quality of their work or make decisions on their next purchase. In my opinion, print magazines will be here for a long time, so why alienate them. I think Sal Glesser attempted to make this point in a previous thread.
About knife reviews:
ALL reviews are biased, simply from the fact that every reviewer is different in skill, likes, and the way they use a blade.
As an example, I would bet that I could do the same chopping test with the Busse vs. Cold Steel and come up with different results on the same material. This is not a critique against the tester. All I'm saying is until there are calibrated machines doing the testing which takes human error out of it, all tests will be biased based on the reviewer.
As far as magazines not running bad knives, many times it's not the editor as much as the writer. I know I have reviewed knives and decided not to submit the review because I (meaning me and only me) decided the blade served no purpose for me (meaning me and only me). This same blade may serve someone else well. I know a quality knife maker that carries a 5 dollar chinese lock back as an everyday pocket knives. Are these quality knives? No. Do they serve the owner's puropse? Undoubtedly they do or he wouldn't carry it.
I write based on my experiences and knowledge of what I need to do a job. My reviews, and many others, usually list the downfalls based on our use and experience.
In short, if you don't like what the magazines are printing then get involved by mailing a query to the editor, then spend a little time and do a review, type up a manuscript, and submit it for publication.
Again, I enjoy the forums and the expertise here, but I also enjoy the magazines (even the ones I don't write for) and believe there is plenty of room for both without having to choose. - Jeff
------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
First of all, many of the knives I have reviewed in print magazines were purchased by myself, and not 'writer's samples,' so anyone who incinuates that writers, as a whole, are sucking up for free knives don't know what the hell they're typing about.
True, Sal Glesser sent a Military for our review, but I don't think Sal stooped to a level of picking something special to make sure the review went well. Matter of fact, he specifically requested on BladeForums that the knife be used hard and ALL results be reported. That's exactly what happened with no special interest or 'padding' of results. The same request came from Mike Fuller of TOPS.
I have also received samples from other companies but I continue to write the absolute honesty and truth, and voluntarily defend it here on BladeForums.
I know my opinion on this subject is not the popular opinion on this forum, but so be it. If I followed popular opinion then I might also 'fudge' a review to please the crowd or further my financial status....ain't gonna happen.
Further, if a magazine ever asked me to 'do a good review because these guys spend a lot of advertising bucks,' I would quit writing or submitting anything to the publication.
There are many honest writers out there. Some of them I know personally. For example; you won't find a more honorable and experienced man than Jerry VanCook. In my opinion and personal dealings with him, he writes what he believes and doesn't cater to any editor or advertiser.
I enjoy BladeForums but this trail of criticising print magazines is serving no one, including the manufacturers and readers who use both mediums (Forums and Magazines) to judge the quality of their work or make decisions on their next purchase. In my opinion, print magazines will be here for a long time, so why alienate them. I think Sal Glesser attempted to make this point in a previous thread.
About knife reviews:
ALL reviews are biased, simply from the fact that every reviewer is different in skill, likes, and the way they use a blade.
As an example, I would bet that I could do the same chopping test with the Busse vs. Cold Steel and come up with different results on the same material. This is not a critique against the tester. All I'm saying is until there are calibrated machines doing the testing which takes human error out of it, all tests will be biased based on the reviewer.
As far as magazines not running bad knives, many times it's not the editor as much as the writer. I know I have reviewed knives and decided not to submit the review because I (meaning me and only me) decided the blade served no purpose for me (meaning me and only me). This same blade may serve someone else well. I know a quality knife maker that carries a 5 dollar chinese lock back as an everyday pocket knives. Are these quality knives? No. Do they serve the owner's puropse? Undoubtedly they do or he wouldn't carry it.
I write based on my experiences and knowledge of what I need to do a job. My reviews, and many others, usually list the downfalls based on our use and experience.
In short, if you don't like what the magazines are printing then get involved by mailing a query to the editor, then spend a little time and do a review, type up a manuscript, and submit it for publication.
Again, I enjoy the forums and the expertise here, but I also enjoy the magazines (even the ones I don't write for) and believe there is plenty of room for both without having to choose. - Jeff
------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com