Shameless self promotion?

Sanchez

Sanchez

Joined
Jun 12, 2005
Messages
44
There are lots of knives posted among the forums both by collectors and makers alike. It is a great way for the blade community to view these works of craftsmenship before they dissapear into someones collection. As a knifemaker one is forced to wear the many hats that are required to make and sell their product. The self promotion aspect comes by easier for some makers. You can see it as the shows and here on the forums. At what point does shameless self promotion cross over ino the realm of cheesy? When a maker has been making virtually the same design for years yet posts their latest and greatest because of new handle materials or a minor design change? When someone posts the same thread on seven different forums just to make sure everyone sees it? When do you feel it is ok to promote your work, and is there a line that can be crossed when one should worry about sleeping with themself each night?
Dirty
 
Hey Dirty- :cool:


Great post. I often wonder about this as well... plus I'm probably guilty of it at times. I think it can be a fine line between just trying to keep your name amongst the crowd, and being a cheese-dick posting a bunch of unwanted crap about yourself.

I KNOW I'm guilty of posting on multiple forums, but I have found there are many people who really only do frequent one or two forums.

I've done several "process" threads now, and while I'm sure other makers could care less, buyers seem to appreciate the notion.

I still cannot swallow the way some guys talk about their OWN work... telling people how beautiful a new knife of theirs is and such. Something like that (seems to me anyway) should be decided by whoever is looking at the knife.


Personally, I don't think you NEED to, but I would sure LIKE IT if YOU would post more photos of your work around here. I know many others feel the same.

See 'ya in Reno, Dirty! :D
 
Sanchez said:
At what point does shameless self promotion cross over ino the realm of cheesy? When a maker has been making virtually the same design for years yet posts their latest and greatest because of new handle materials or a minor design change? When someone posts the same thread on seven different forums just to make sure everyone sees it? Dirty
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Hey man, good question!

Cheese(applies to this forum only):

1. The same model this week, only featured with engraving and diamonds, instead of rubies and damascus

2. When the knife is G_D awful bad. The place to be parading around crappy/first work is on the knifemaker's forums, not where customers with money like to hand out and show their pricey baubles. We remember this stuff.

3. Any maker that tells us how good the knife is from an aesthetic perspective is being cheesy. Performance is another animal altogether. I think most of us like hearing about how much torture the knife endured before it got its' final polish and sheath.

4. The cheese that gets me the worst. Guy puts up knife(that looks like crap) and all his other buddies come on and tell him that it looks great. It's like sausage fest porno, I'll tell ya.

YOU would do well to put some pictures of knives that you make up here, but you're another one who sells pretty much all he makes. See ya in Reno, I booked two nights at Circus.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
When it comes to makers posting photos of their knives I tend to be very forgiving of what might be considered improprieties. I just love to see knives.

I don't think posting photos on more than one forum is a problem. Many that go to the knifemaker forums don't take part in the other forums, and vice versa.

Here are a couple of thoughts. Take them as my opinion only.

Makers that are going to post a lot of photos of their knives are getting really good exposure and should get a maker or platinum membership and show support for BladeForums.

Makers should not post photos of knives anywhere other than the knifemaker for sale forum and include comments like, "This knife is available". That is advertising in forums where advertising is not allowed.
 
Hi Steve,

Your point 4 is right on. I have never seen anyone tell the truth about a poorly made knife featured on any forum.

They are all great.

WWG
 
It's easy to be a silent cynic. It's easy to be an open supporter. It's NOT easy to determine when constructive or *asked for* critique is warranted. AND whether you are qualified to give it. Better to err on the safe side.

One aspect that has been drummed into our heads in the last number of years is the importance of staying current and popular. To that end it is important to have your work displayed on a regular basis. To the seasoned market it may be overkill. But, they may not be the target anyway. There are always (very hopefully) new members and not-so-seasoned collectors joining our ranks.

What I find less than thrilling are the hit-and-run posters who have little else to contribute to the education and learning opportunities of the forums. Just show and go.

Fortunately NO ONE requires us to read the posts that don't thrill us. Move along--nothing to see there...:yawn: But, I wouldn't want to ward away posters in spite of them not in mine or others favorite interests. They may be appealing to someone. You can usually tell the interest level by the supporting posts. A general clue.

As an opportunist myself, I have a unique position. I get to display my client's work and give a second-hand opinion of the pieces without them blowing their own horn. Of course they are also MY clients, so I will go to bat for them for sure. But.... I also have an ability to point out things that may otherwise get overlooked to direct the interest.

I then try to get as much exposure for my clients and friends (also the case) by making sure work is covered on more than one forum. (Read paragraph 4). Guilty as charged! :D

From a collector and viewer's standpoint, I also dislike a maker telling me his knives have great fit and finish and lockup, etc. Let a clear photo tell that story, or a supporting player with hands-on experience. Anyway, we would expect no less, but humbleness is a rarer virtue.

Ya know what gets MY goat...?? Anonymous posters who aren't willing to be let known who they really are to the forums. Especially if they are a knifemaker. :grumpy: :confused: :p ;)

Great question Dirty. Thanks :D .

Coop
 
Good question.I for one want to see the goods.I have very limited physical exposer so I rely heavily on the forums for it.I think some makers are maybe more guilty of poor marketing rather than pimping their knives.
 
Hey dirty dog, how have you been?

A maker must shamelessly promote one's self to be successful, but do it in a most humble way.


Now, let's see some knives Matt :D
 
WoodWorkGhost said:
Hi Steve,

Your point 4 is right on. I have never seen anyone tell the truth about a poorly made knife featured on any forum.

They are all great.

WWG
Click to expand...

Actually, Steven is quite upfront about telling people what he does and doesn't like about a knife. I try to give constructive criticism, but find it hard to be really blunt.
 
Sanchez said:
There are lots of knives posted among the forums both by collectors and makers alike. It is a great way for the blade community to view these works of craftsmenship before they dissapear into someones collection. As a knifemaker one is forced to wear the many hats that are required to make and sell their product. The self promotion aspect comes by easier for some makers. You can see it as the shows and here on the forums. At what point does shameless self promotion cross over ino the realm of cheesy? When a maker has been making virtually the same design for years yet posts their latest and greatest because of new handle materials or a minor design change? When someone posts the same thread on seven different forums just to make sure everyone sees it? When do you feel it is ok to promote your work, and is there a line that can be crossed when one should worry about sleeping with themself each night?
Dirty
Click to expand...

Most of it doesn't bother me at all... I like seeing makers post just about anything. I don't see too many people randomly promoting minor changes or going on about aesthetic value, I think most of you guys are pretty good about it. If anything I just think some of you should learn to post more pictures, lol.
 
Don is right... Who else will were that hat?
Thank god for guys like Coop and others that have passion about knives and just have to show people how unique and different each and every detail is.

Great question Dog Man.
 
madcap_magician said:
Most of it doesn't bother me at all... I like seeing makers post just about anything. If anything I just think some of you should learn to post more pictures, lol.
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Could be me, but if I recall, you were commenting about wanting low cost customs, recently. I believe that this post was intended to those that shamelessly promote(makers) to those who BUY(knife collectors), and buy high, and frequently.

Well, most of the guys that make low cost customs either sell them like hotcakes, or there is something somewhat sucky about their knives, and they are not going to sell too many of them, no matter what they do, hopefully.

People in Sanchez' league, he is an ABS JS, BTW, have to compete harder for the money, they make knives in the $500 to $3,000 category, and there is a lot of competition in that level. The shows I go to, there might be 100-150 knives on the table in that range, and only 75-125 people in attendance with the money to spend in that range.

I do hope this makes sense. Dirty ain't no dog, but he can be as nasty as they come. He is honest, has a spotless reputation, and is honorable in the highest of terms. His sense of integrity is irreproachable. He makes each one of his knives by hand(although he used to use some "helping steps" to accomplish the goal), and he sells them, usually as soon as he makes them. With virtually no self promotion.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I find Coop's posting to reflect my opinion in every way. Try to remember that these forums were created for all and not a select few. Those that enjoy the pictures are most likely in the majority. Some of these makers are quite proud of their creations and have every right to express a little ego. Find me a man that does not bask in praise, then see that he gets a proper burial----Sandy Morrissey
 
SharpByCoop said:
It's easy to be a silent cynic. It's easy to be an open supporter. It's NOT easy to determine when constructive or *asked for* critique is warranted. AND whether you are qualified to give it. Better to err on the safe side.

........As an opportunist myself, I have a unique position. I get to display my client's work and give a second-hand opinion of the pieces without them blowing their own horn. Of course they are also MY clients, so I will go to bat for them for sure. But.... I also have an ability to point out things that may otherwise get overlooked to direct the interest. Ya know what gets MY goat...?? Anonymous posters who aren't willing to be let known who they really are to the forums. Especially if they are a knifemaker. :grumpy: :confused: :p ;)
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1. Better for YOU to err on the safe side, being too political in your shoes will cost you, one way or the other. I protect my $$, my friends, and my knives by telling MY side of the way it is.

2. I figure that certain makers who want the ability to "stir the pot" without direct attacks from those with a lower IQ or skills to produce knives of equal or greater technical supremacy have the right to do so by not using their given names. Idiots like a certain banned Cricket have no right to be here at all.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
That is a very good question. I have been sitting here for over an hour trying to figure out what I wanted to say. Well, I give up.

Once again, great question.
 
As a relatively new collector who has received a lot of valuable information from this particular forum, I suggest that posting often (that is, custom knife pics) is quite important. Not just to the maker, but to the consumer. It lets me see what is out there, and also lets me know what other makers and collectors think of the work. That's my general comment.

As for you, Sanchez, It would be great if you would post new pics, and in gneral hang out here more often. I would appreciate it, however, if it did not distract you from working on my knife.:D
 
Keith Montgomery said:
When it comes to makers posting photos of their knives I tend to be very forgiving of what might be considered improprieties. I just love to see knives.
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Me too. The more knives I see here on the forums, the better. I think we can all agree that it is best for makers not to go on too much about just how fabulous their knives are - that tends to ramp up the fromage factor. Most guys know well enough to play that aspect low key by saying somthing like "I'm happy with the way this turned out" or some such. But I can understand makers getting enthusiastic about their work - I sure want the makers I buy from to be passionate about their knives - so I am willing to cut some slack. The truly shameless shilling is, in my opinion, very much the exception and doesn't do the maker any good anyway. I can pass those posts by with the greatest of ease.

Roger
 
A forum about knives should have knife pictures?
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Damn that is some deep thought I had in a dream last night! I had an egg roll before I went to sleep;)
Thats what did it!

HEY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Forums are suppose to be a fun place???
 
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