So-called knife experts...

In the case of Mr. Levine, he is a legally recognized knife expert, so I think he qualifies in the general sense. Beyond that, we may be into one of those "what is a custom knife" discussions:D
 
Moodino said:
Fascinating challenge!
How interesting that your challenge was left so vague. There are expert makers and expert users and they are not necessarily the same persons! So now, do you mean expert designers, makers, users or all of these?

This is like opening a 'can of worms' for many of you and I apologize if I've offended anyone. Now to muddy the waters a bit more- a connoisseur and aficionado are types of experts also, but they are classes apart from the makers and users too.
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Sorry, I didn't mean to be vague.

Knife expert from the perspective of the collector/user....because that is what most of us are here....collector/users...this title works for those from the A.G. Russell's and the Les Robertson's down to the FNG who just figured out how to one-hand his Buck 110.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Bailey Bradshaw said:
Steven,

You may not consider yourself an expert, but let's be honest....you are....The "Simon Crowell" of the knife industry:p
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;) Good thing you didn't say Simon Cowell from American Idol - because he is an expert in the music industry. Ask anyone who actually works in the music industry. :)
 
As a collector-student, one thing I find I lack more than anything else is institutional knowledge - by that I mean a combination of two things:

1) A network of people who are experts themselves, whom I know and will take a phone call from me.
2) An experience that goes back many years, so that not only I have accumulated knowledge, but I have an historical understanding.

Those are two things that an expert should have. They're not sufficient, but they are necessary.
 
I consider myself to be a student, not an expert. I'm not sure that I will ever know enough to consider myself to be an expert.
 
Perhaps the question of what makes an 'experts expert' or 'teachers teacher' is more top shelf and closer to where the buck stops? But perhaps its also worth considering some other thoughts since we are talking about it.

My grandfather used to say something like, 'what good is a big shlong if it never gets any use?' (believe me I've changed it considerably for the forums. His redition of this was much more vulgar :D )

This thought comes to mind because of some 'closet experts' talking about those that share on the forums at a recent show because it goes hand in hand with knowledge. You can have all the knowledge, experience, or know how from both schooling and practical OJT in any field of study but what good does it do anyone if you keep it to yourself never sharing it? Seems to me the fear of ridicule and confrontation keeps a lot of very knowledgeable people from openly sharing their experiences. Its sad, but seems to be the case many times on forums.

Based on my own view of this I find it more practical to learn on the forums than it does to take a single article in a magazine you read or even a few private experts personal advise on anything because you get a more broad based view of the bigger picture in the way of many more experts from various aspects that way and they are personally expressed instead of conveyed to you by a single individual paraphrasing. But thats just my opinion. I guess what I'm saying is that I think the experts that don't fear confrontation and ridicule that go public hold more weight than those that sit on the sidelines quietly even if those on the sidelines may well know more.

STR
 
An expert in any field of artistic products should be someone who has studied
and has been trained by established professionals in all the related fields.
He also has to accumulate vast experience of actually seeing and handling
many such items, learning to recognize everything even remotely related
to them.
Only then can he consider himself an expert on the subject......

Most people who consider themselves "experts" cannot really detach
themselves from having their judgment being affected by their personal
taste and preferences.

An expert of any art form should be able to judge quality and value, based
on deep knowledge of the subject past and present, on knowledge of the
artists themselves and on the client/collector market around the world.

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
Just who may be an expert is pretty subjective, to my friends and family that are not into knives, I'm an expert or at least have some expertise. Compared to those who have lived knives most of their lives, I am but a babe in the woods. The list of those that I look to for expertise is pretty long and diverse with each seeming to have found a niche that they have studied closely. The great thing on a fourm such as this is that those I do look to for information are willing to share freely.
 
Great thread STeven. IMO, these threads that ask thought provoking questions are among our most educational and interesting on this forum.

As to experts, not sure how much we need to define the term in relation to the knife industry. Seems many of us know who they are.

Don't particularly agree that one needs format training from a teacher, established expert or university to be considered an expert. In my field, there's those who hold no degree that I value their consul more than some who do.

Don't beleive a "knife expert" needs to be all encompassing, however can be considered an expert in a particular sector. For example, a regarded expert on custom folders may know very little of other types of knives.

Don't beleive "years in" necessarily references one's degree of expertise. A maker/dealer/collector with ten years experience could very well be more of an expert than another with thirty.

I believe responsibilities come with being an expert. As David said, an expert needs to be able to detach themselves from having their judgment being affected by their personal taste and preferences. Experts need to delineate between their opinions and what is actual fact in their communication.

IMO, we can be thankful for having experts of varying degree and subject matter participating on this forum every week.

That's my 2 cents thrown into the mix.
 
Kohai999 said:
My thought process in this thread is maybe more clearly, some traits that would allow one to offer QUALIFIED ADVICE to a "less experienced" collector...am not seeking to offer the be-all/end-all.
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Sorry to take the annoying approach of not answering the question, but asking another. Does one need to even approach "expert" status in order to provide qualified advice to a newbie?

When I was starting out, I sought advice from many different sources - all of whom knew a heck of a lot more than I did, yet within that group, the nature and degree of their individual (expertise / knowledge / experience) would vary widely. Nonetheless, they all had something to contribute.

I take a somewhat less paternalistic view of newbie collectors than others on the forum. I tend to think that they have the ability to look to the source of information and decide to what extent it might be helpful to them. For example, while I am no expert in any sense, I am not infrequenlty approached by newer collectors seeking input on forged blades in general, specific makers, purchase strategies and what have you. I have yet to be approached by anyone asking for advice on the purchase of tactical folders. This suggests, at a minimum, these newbies have the ability to look in approximately the right direction for the information they seek: a source more knowledgable / informed / experienced than they are themselves.

Should they set a higher standard for themselves? Perhaps. But that approach served me well in the past and continues to serve me well as I continue to learn.

Roger
 
For my purposes, the combined input from those that participate on this and other forums is as "expert" as can reasonably be expected to find.

Over time I have gotten to recognize(by chosen screen name or actual name) many individuals that I consider "experts" by the quality of information they provide.

Cumulatively, I would say the knowledge on this forum would surpass any one individual that I could think of.

As to the subject of Mr. Garsson's question, I think DDD has a pretty good definition.

Just my .02 FWIW.

Peter
 
ptgdvc said:
Someone just has to believe that you are a knife expert. ;)

Peter, knife student
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Okay, I think that nails it.

"Expert" comes from experience comes from the Latin "experiri" meaining "to try".

I have never met any maker or seller or business person that was deeply knowledgeable about all facets of knife making, knife using, knife selling, knife buying and knife loving, materials, processes, lore, ancient knives, military knives, case collectibles, etc. There is really too much territory for any one person to cover.

So as long as some one considers you as being deeply knowledgeable, you are an expert to someone. I will say thatt I believe there is real talent in being able to place your knowledge in context enough that someone both understands what you are talking about and enjoys hearing it. :)
 
Architect:

I have never met any maker or seller or business person that was deeply knowledgeable about all facets of knife making, knife using, knife selling, knife buying and knife loving, materials, processes, lore, ancient knives, military knives, case collectibles, etc.
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According to you there are no experts in the field of custom knives.

I think you and others are missing the point. We have experts in the different areas of custom knives.

I agree with you that for instance someone cannot be an expert in custom and factory knives. Which is why I suggest when considering a dealer, make sure you know what their expertise is or is not.

I always caution readers of the forums to check the "experts" credentials before you base a purchase on what they say.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Les Robertson said:
I agree with you that for instance someone cannot be an expert in custom and factory knives. Which is why I suggest when considering a dealer, make sure you know what their expertise is or is not.
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Not so sure about that one, Les.....if I am an "expert"......know about as much on factory knives as custom....specifically with regard to the Portland based companies...and Spyderco.....this goes with the history, steels.......as well as values.

That said, I MAY be the only one....but Ronnie Beck knows more than I do.:D

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
The only knife expert I ever knew of was Cliff Stamp..:D;)

I make knives, but I dont consider myself an expert on knives. I have learned alot about knives right here on BF.. Its guys like Joe Talmadge back in the early days that helped me form my idea's about what works, and what doesnt..:cool: Guys like Anthony Lombardo also helped me with sage advice.
I've learned alot from alot of people. These people never called themselves experts, even though in ways they all were.:thumbup:


Take care
Trace Rinaldi
www.THRblades.com
www.Shivworks.com
 
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