Reminder: anyone can read this forum

hardheart

hardheart

Joined
Sep 19, 2001
Messages
8,968
No need to even be registered. Any party interested in finding out your knowledge, and in the process, a little bit of your attitude, can get some insight here without even needing to log in. For good or bad, the comments you make here as knifemaking professionals is wide open to the whole world.

In other words, experienced knifemakers who have a different opinion and newbs who have lots of questions aren't the only ones in the interaction. I don't know how much it helps/hurts beyond how it has influenced my own orders. Maybe it doesn't matter at all, but just thought I'd mention it.
 
Could you please elaborate. I can't quite make out what you are implying or requesting:confused:. Just trying to better understand.:)
 
Well, isn't that what this forum is all about? It's getting the good information out to all. The fact that I may be concidered tempermental by guests and visitors is a known fact by me. I want to give to others and hopefully if I offer something that is good, many will get it at one time. And further, no, you don't have to be the member of the "club", but your support for those who pay the way can sure encorage continued visibility. Frank
 
I think he's saying professionalism or lack thereof.. helpfulness.. general forum conduct could have an affect positive or negative on your business as a maker, as potential customers or current/past customers can see it. I could easily be wrong though..
 
I believe that there are some really good people here on the Bladeforums.com. They help out a considerable amount. But the forum mentality will always be there, where you are suppose to search your topic extensively and then post, I don't think that will ever go away, on any type of forum. I can see what you mean though, I would hesitate and would like to see something go private. I wouldn't have gotten the help and guidance that I have received if it went private.
 
I think this is a great post.

It's easy to get wrapped up in a hot thread, and forget that the thousands of views aren't just from the folks in the middle of the debate.
 
I, for one, have put some makers on a list I would not order from due to their attitude or perceived attitude on here.

I know others who feel the same. Having nothing to do with any comments directed at me. I have stumbled upon conversations or "Melt downs" or "Blow Ups" before and have not been impressed at times.

Other makers on here are always pleasant, and helpful, and generally great guys. Those move up on my list of people I would like to order from.

This is not a big gain for those I like, nor a big loss for those I don't like as seem to be spending all my money on production right now. But, when people ask me who I would recommend, I tent to steer them to people I find to have a pleasant disposition.

This also goes for regular joes on here. I have people I absolutely would never do a deal with, no matter how great the deal looks. Even if they have the best feed back in the world, and I really want the knife, there are just people who are so unpleasant, and contrary that I would never feel comfortable in a deal with them.


I think that this might be part of what the OP may be referring to (partially).
 
Bigfattyt said:
I, for one, have put some makers on a list I would not order from due to their attitude or perceived attitude on here.

I know others who feel the same. Having nothing to do with any comments directed at me. I have stumbled upon conversations or "Melt downs" or "Blow Ups" before and have not been impressed at times.

Other makers on here are always pleasant, and helpful, and generally great guys. Those move up on my list of people I would like to order from.

This is not a big gain for those I like, nor a big loss for those I don't like as seem to be spending all my money on production right now. But, when people ask me who I would recommend, I tent to steer them to people I find to have a pleasant disposition.

This also goes for regular joes on here. I have people I absolutely would never do a deal with, no matter how great the deal looks. Even if they have the best feed back in the world, and I really want the knife, there are just people who are so unpleasant, and contrary that I would never feel comfortable in a deal with them.


I think that this might be part of what the OP may be referring to (partially).
Click to expand...

Ok. I understand the OP's and your position. I have to honestly disagree though. If the product is of quality and I like it, who makes it doesn't matter to me to much unless they have directly affected my life in a negative way, or are a known criminal. I focus more on the product instead of who is selling it. JMO.
 
I run my whole life as if I am under constant surveilance. I find it useful in keeping me out of trouble. I do the same online or in the real world. So if someone sayd "thousands of people are watching you," I say "I know. Let'em watch. I have nothing to hide." And I mean it.
 
tryppyr said:
I run my whole life as if I am under constant surveilance. I find it useful in keeping me out of trouble. I do the same online or in the real world. So if someone sayd "thousands of people are watching you," I say "I know. Let'em watch. I have nothing to hide." And I mean it.
Click to expand...

+1

What you see is what you get... I would be more offended if someone who disliked me bought one of my pieces purely from a business standpoint... though, probably not effended enough to refuse the money... HA!

See... wide open baby!

Good thread... thanks for the change of perspective!
 
Dave Behrens said:
Ok. I understand the OP's and your position. I have to honestly disagree though. If the product is of quality and I like it, who makes it doesn't matter to me to much unless they have directly affected my life in a negative way, or are a known criminal. I focus more on the product instead of who is selling it. JMO.
Click to expand...

So a fella like you, that doesn't care if the guy is nice or a jerk will still buy the knife. So it's pretty safe for both groups to not hurt a sale with you. But the guys like BigFattyt that do care, would rather do business with one of the nice guys.

So to me, the lesson here is that it's best just to try and be a decent guy, and you won't scare off any sales from either type of buyer. Which is what I think the OP was thinking of. Well, not just sales, but folks' opinions of us in general.

A lot of guys will puff up their chest and say they don't care if anyone thinks their an a**hole... but I think most of us would rather be liked than disliked.... as a general rule.
 
NickWheeler said:
So to me, the lesson here is that it's best just to try and be a decent guy, and you won't scare off any sales from either type of buyer. Which is what I think the OP was thinking of. Well, not just sales, but folks' opinions of us in general.

A lot of guys will puff up their chest and say they don't care if anyone thinks their an a**hole... but I think most of us would rather be liked than disliked.... as a general rule.
Click to expand...

Well said! (Golf clap :applause:)
 
tryppyr said:
I run my whole life as if I am under constant surveilance. I find it useful in keeping me out of trouble. I do the same online or in the real world. So if someone sayd "thousands of people are watching you," I say "I know. Let'em watch. I have nothing to hide." And I mean it.
Click to expand...


It's true now.

It seems that everyone has a telephone/video camera in their pocket.

Not only does every moment have the potential to be seen and heard by all, but also live forever.
 
I'm pretty certain that this forum is read by some and those who "offend" them can be banned or prohibited from registering on some other forums that would otherwise possibly be good places to show your craft and find new customers. Just sayin.
 
NickWheeler said:
So a fella like you, that doesn't care if the guy is nice or a jerk will still buy the knife. So it's pretty safe for both groups to not hurt a sale with you. But the guys like BigFattyt that do care, would rather do business with one of the nice guys.

So to me, the lesson here is that it's best just to try and be a decent guy, and you won't scare off any sales from either type of buyer. Which is what I think the OP was thinking of. Well, not just sales, but folks' opinions of us in general.

A lot of guys will puff up their chest and say they don't care if anyone thinks their an a**hole... but I think most of us would rather be liked than disliked.... as a general rule.
Click to expand...

As long as they don't rip me off, lie, or kick my dog yeah. But I will say if they are an ass, they'd better make damn great knives. As for a caring what people think, I tend to fall more in the "not giving a rat's ass"...most of the time. I have peolpe in my life who I care very much what they think. But its because I want them in my life and I choose to care about their opinion of me. I know I'm overall a decent, honest guy. But Im also a totally sarcastic ass a lot of the time as well. As far a being liked or disliked, I believe people will either like me or won't, it's their choice. Anyone can rub anyone else the wrong way for some reason or sometimes none at all. Can't like or be liked by everyone, so I don't think about it too much.


I run my whole life as if I am under constant surveilance. I find it useful in keeping me out of trouble. I do the same online or in the real world. So if someone sayd "thousands of people are watching you," I say "I know. Let'em watch. I have nothing to hide." And I mean it. - tryppyr

I couldn't live that way I would go insane and never leave the house...stay inside and make knives all day...wait I did do that, I do that now...hmmmm.......:eek:
 
Dave Behrens said:
I couldn't live that way I would go insane and never leave the house...stay inside and make knives all day...wait I did do that, I do that now...hmmmm.......:eek:
Click to expand...

I read tryppyr's comment differently. When you live your life with nothing to hide, no regrets, you are immune to paranoia. Thoughts of hiding in your house for fear of being watched are meaningless.

I know folks will come to their own conclusions about me but I am not so indifferent to their opinion that I don't care if it is favourable or not. I think we ALL live our lives based inpart upon what we believe is expected of us from a social perspective. To maintain otherwise, lacks intellectual honesty, IMO.
 
You can't please everyone, that's just how life is.. there are too many flavors of people. All anyone can do is just be a decent and fair person.
 
Rick Marchand said:
I read tryppyr's comment differently. When you live your life with nothing to hide, no regrets, you are immune to paranoia. Thoughts of hiding in your house for fear of being watched are meaningless.

I know folks will come to their own conclusions about me but I am not so indifferent to their opinion that I don't care if it is favourable or not. I think we ALL live our lives based inpart upon what we believe is expected of us from a social perspective. To maintain otherwise, lacks intellectual honesty, IMO.
Click to expand...

I agree about living with nothing to hide(or just not hiding who you are), don't be paranoid(or insecure), etc. which is basically how I live now. I think it is impossible to have no regrets(IMO), everyone makes mistakes. It was more of my vain attempt at poking fun at myself. I work out of home and don't have a car at the moment so I don't get out much. On top of that I'm not a social guy, and never have been. Nothing against other people, I just prefer limited human contact, or none at all. I'm happy w/ just my wife and my dogs a vast majority of the time.

I read tryppyr's whole quote and understood it, the "constant surveilance" comment stood out to me and I thought of people who obsess on the opinions of others(maybe I was wrong). I live by "whatever other people think of me, is none of my business, good or bad," and that's just the way I feel. I understand that everyone watches everyone else and makes judgements. But since everyone judges differently based on infinitely different convictions(which is their right), I just choose not to invest much thought into it. I have plenty of opinions and convitctions that I know are "socially" and "societally" unpopular.

Anyone has every right to not like me, or anyone else even if they have no real reason, and that's ok(IMO). Like you Rick, w/ me, what you see is what you get. If I don't measure up to your or anyone elses standards, or if they just think I have an ugly face, that's ok by me, they have a right to feel that way. I rarely(very) "hold back", and I don't wish anyone else too, I welcome it. I don't live by what is "expected" of me by others. Maybe because I've always had fairly high expectations for myself. As well, no one can be more critical or judgemental about me than I am already. I am very self aware of all of my "quirks". When someone tries to insult me or say that I pissed them off somehow, I usually laugh and honestly agree with them; "Yeah. I am quite the asshole aren't I!?":D;) and I mean it, I usually beat them to it, sometimes I tell them they are going way too easy on me:D.

So IN SHORT!!!! I like to hear myself talk!!!...or type...whatever!!!!;):D(see...self-aware). You can't please everyone, not everyone will get along or agree, you will let down other people(intentionally or not) and be let down by others yourself. So that being said, why place the importance of your self-worth in the hands of strangers? If you truly believe you are a "good" person what do you care if someone doesn't like you, or disagrees with how you run your life? While I do value the opinions of others, I never ever place my self-worth in them. Life is way too short for that.
 
For the sake of clarity, Rick is very close the to meaning I asserted. I'll add a subtle nuance.

Because I know people are always watching, I try to always do 'the right thing". Simple things... I don't litter. In fact, I'm prone to picking up things that other people throw out. When my dog craps I pick it up and throw it away in MY trash can, not someone else's. I respect people's rights, even if they don't respect mine.

Because I know I am always being watched I also tend to treat people with more respect and deference than I might otherwise, simply because I have noticed that I am fallible. We all are. Long ago I learned that the world is *not* so black and white as I once imagined. Everyone has reasons for believing what they believe, and even if their beliefs are in direct opposition to my own, I generally accept that they are not "wrong", just different. This helps me avoid most of those pointless exchanges that devolve into insults, which are all the more embarassing when observed by uninvolved parties. This means I do a lot of "self editing"... avoiding telling every joke that pops into mind, or saying everything I think about... and generally find I look a bit less foolish as as result. in fact, most of the jokes I tell are self-depricating (if you hadn't noticed).

The net of it is that because we are always under surveilance, living to your highest standard is the path of least difficulty, and fewest regrets.

-Greg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top