Significant difference in quality between JW Smith and Lambert?

[rye_a]

Is there any notable difference between the quality of JW Smith and Kirby Lambert knives?

 

[Les Robertson]

Short answer...Yes

 

[rye_a]

Would you be willing to elaborate?

 

[SharpByCoop]

Would you be willing to elaborate?

Please take this to a PM with this query. It's really unfair to ask and point out 'quality differences' between two makers.

Both makers have strong customer feedback and dissimilar styles. A dialog in private with a dealer is really a better method than a public post.

Just my opinion.

Coop

 

[rye_a]

Thank you. PM sent to Les.

 

[Kohai999]

Please take this to a PM with this query. It's really unfair to ask and point out 'quality differences' between two makers.

Well handled....I wasn't even going to touch it.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Win Heger]

You don't have PM activated, I'd like give you some advise.

Win

 

[Les Robertson]

HI Coop,

It's really unfair to ask and point out 'quality differences' between two makers.

Looking at your thread about how the Internet has changed custom knives. Here is a prime example.

Pick maker X...his work is really not that good. At a show people would discuss all the mistakes, flaws, etc....whatever you want to call it. Here on the forums...you better not tell the truth about a knife that is posted up here.

Only on the Internet do you find people complimenting a knife with obvious flaws (if you can see them in a photo...they would be even more evident if the knife were actually in your hand).

This does two things...IMHO

1) Degrades the credibility of those complimenting a knife that has flaws. As they do not point out the good and the bad.

2) Does absolutely nothing to help the maker move forward and improve their knife making skills.

Quite frankly, you have done a disservice to that knife maker.

In reality it is more than fair to ask questions about a makers work..side by side. Perhaps I am just used to it as every show I set up at....anyone interested can compare the work side by side of any number of makers. Not just on my table but any dealer's table.

Coop part of learning about custom knives is asking the hard questions. Learning about a maker's position in the "Market" and how they fare against other makers building a similar knife.

The time to learn is before you buy the knife...not after.

As STeven wrote:

Well handled....I wasn't even going to touch it.

Why won't STeven touch this question???

Earlier he posted a thread giving his very educated (knife education) opinion about two makers that he thought were top of the heap.

He gave the names and listed reasons why...in his opinion....they were among the best if not the best.

His post was well thought out and well written. For his trouble he was "Gang Banged". Why? Because he didn't list every collectors favorite maker.

Did he denigrate the other makers? No. However, just who does he think he is not including my favorite maker in his list!!!!!

Forumites come here seeking knowledge...usually after the fact. What they want to hear from their fellow forumites is that they made the right choice.

You see it is tough to learn about custom knives. Things like a makers market position and how it will impact both the price and demand in the primary market and after market. Boys and girls...it is in the after market where you find out if studied hard enough for the test!

So is it fair to discuss the pro's and con's of two or makers side by side? Of course it is. That is how you learn.

Can you do it here or any other public forum? Sure...but quite frankly why would you? Just ask STeven.

 

[Kevin Jones]

^ very GOOD post.

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

Great post Les.

 

[SharpByCoop]

He he he!!! From my other post:

Immediate benefits:
Discussion
Visibility
Education
Competition
Camaraderie
24/7 Knife Shows
Broadband improvements

Drawbacks:
Discussion (no good comment goes unpunished)
Visibility (think comparison)
Anonymity (credibility/accountablity)
Only a two dimensional world
Lack of feel
Show Attendance diminishing
Those stuck without broadband access
Knives labeled as weapons

Stepping away from the keyboard for a short....

Coop

 

[Kohai999]

Why won't STeven touch this question???

Can you do it here or any other public forum? Sure...but quite frankly why would you? Just ask STeven.

Actually Les, it isn't that simple(but I agree with just about everything you wrote):

1. Based upon previous posts, some people on the internets put way too much weight on my opinions...like what I have to say is some absolute. It should be just one of a part of input involved in forming an individual opinion.....I don't need that burden.

2. I haven't handled enough of Kirby's work to strongly compare it to J.W.'s....if the OP asked about Todd Begg, Crawford, Tim Galyean, R.J. Martin...makers I AM more familiar with, I would take a (measured) shot at it.

3. I like the dealers of both makers, and there is no upside to negatively comparing one to the other.

4. Getting "Gangbanged" doesn't bother me a damned bit, I'm used to it. What does bother me is wasting my time....that's why I stopped commenting on Kyle Royer threads....the "lovers" will roll out any possible excuse as to why Kyle's "handle design issues" are not a big deal...which hasn't changed a whole lot, with or without my participation.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Kevin Jones]

4. Getting "Gangbanged" doesn't bother me a damned bit, I'm used to it. What does bother me is wasting my time....that's why I stopped commenting on Kyle Royer threads....the "lovers" will roll out any possible excuse as to why Kyle's "handle design issues" are not a big deal...which hasn't changed a whole lot, with or without my participation.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

I assume I'm being lumped into your "lovers" crowd, so I will respond.

As with most new makers, I feel Kyle struggled with his handles. I feel handles are often the hardest knife component for new makers to master and many never do.
I have seen a steady progression and other maker's influence in Kyle's handles over the last couple years. Surprised you haven't.

I feel reasons Kyle has come so far so fast include his thirst for knowledge, willingness to accept critique and try new things.

 

[betzner]

Les and STeven, two really great replies. For me, it's finally all boiled down to "say somethin' if it's worth sayin' - and sometimes not even then".

Best,

Bob

 

[Kohai999]

..... I feel handles are often the hardest knife component for new makers to master and many never do.
I have seen a steady progression and other maker's influence in Kyle's handles over the last couple years. Surprised you haven't..

We don't need to get derailed...of course I have seen some improvement....what I haven't seen is the superlative compliments diminish...the "lovers" ONLY say nice things...there is very little by way of constructive criticism....there has NEVER been a lack of other maker's influence in Kyle's knives imo.

I used this as an example.

Got any comment on J.W. Smith knives or Kirby Lambert knives?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Kevin Jones]

We don't need to get derailed...of course I have seen some improvement....what I haven't seen is the superlative compliments diminish...the "lovers" ONLY say nice things...there is very little by way of constructive criticism....there has NEVER been a lack of other maker's influence in Kyle's knives imo.

I used this as an example.

Got any comment on J.W. Smith knives or Kirby Lambert knives?
Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

No, as I try to limit my comments to subjects I know something about (like Kyle's knives). I only commented before because I totally disagreed with your assessment of his handles. Yes, Kyle has been influenced by quite a few makers, however he demonstrates great diversity in what he makes and still maintains a recognizable style no matter how far outside the box he travels.

I do follow and appreciate J.W. Smith knives, however know nothing about Kirby Lambert knives. So anything I would contribute to their comparison, would be of absolute -0- value to anyone so I will shut-up.

 

[Danbo]

Got any comment on J.W. Smith knives or Kirby Lambert knives?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

Yes, I like both maker's knives. However, I've not seen enough of Lambert's work to conclusively say much. Smith's knives, however, I have seen plenty of, and never have I seen anything that I would consider a flaw. The man simply does superb work. Not saying Lambert doesn't do superb work, too; just that I don't have enough personal experience with his work.

 

[Lorien]

there certainly is a significant difference in their websites

 

[darcuss]

Is there any notable difference between the quality of JW Smith and Kirby Lambert knives?

Attend a show and handle examples of each, or buy examples of each I have my preference of the two after doing so, but it's my preference and what the hell do I know?

 

[on_the_edge]

Attend a show and handle examples of each, or buy examples of each I have my preference of the two after doing so, but it's my preference and what the hell do I know?

So why not tell us what your preference is and why? Hopefully, most of us who will read it will take it for what it is without judgment--simply your opinion (which may be different than ours if we have one, but that's not the point). And as with anyone's opinion, we are each free to give it the appropriate weight as we see fit, and again, without judgment from others with differing opinions.

I for one would like to hear what Les has to say on the subject, not because he will be right or wrong, but simply to hear his opinion. I am, however, quite capable of making up my own mind after hearing several opinions.