- Joined
- Jul 10, 2010
- Messages
- 101
After a short time here on BF, something that seems to be a passionate topic is the use of terminologies and descriptives in the marketing of knives. So I thought I would ask. What do you say? While both words can mean the same thing, for the purpose of this thread, lets define them as such. Terminologies are words or series of words used to describe the overall knife. Descriptives are words or series of words used to describe specific elements of a knife. Examples that I have come across for terminologies are, the words "custom" vs. "customized" and "handmade" vs. "handbuilt". Quite often these terms are used together. Such as "handmade custom". While there will always be gray areas, to me, the term "handmade and/or custom" would be best suited to a knife made from scratch. Whether by means of forging a blade or stock removal from anealed barstock and finished either through the sole vision of the maker or specifications from the buyer. "Customized" on the other hand, would be better suited as a term used for the altering of an already manufactured knife or knife blank. (whether fixed blade or slipjoint) Likewise, the term "handbuilt" to me, is best suited to knives produced from knife blanks or knife kits. (again, whether they be F/B's or S/J's) As for descriptives, they would include words such as poor, fair, good, very good, excellent, near mint and mint. They could also included things like % of blade wear, "hairline" crack in the handle, good snap, etc. While some seem to appreciate these descriptives and find them a useful tool in decideing whether to purchase a knife or not. There are others that seem almost offended by them and take a much more hardline opinion that the knife is either mint or it's not. PERIOD! For me, if used properly, I find these descriptives very helpful. Pictures are invaluable, but the description serves to fill in the info you just can't see in a pic. This is especially true with used and/or older knives. A knife may look great in a pic, but if there is a crack in the handle that doesn't show in the pic. Then that info should be included in the description. One thing that i've learned with posting threads here, is that some folks can be very, VERY passionate about any given subject. As a result I always feel that I need to end a thread with a disclaimer. This thread is only based on my opinions/observations and intended solely as a topic of conversation. With that said, barring the thought mentality that if you buy what you like these points are moot. I ask again, what do you say?
