The Art of Critique

[Keith Montgomery]

I certainly welcome all makers and would love to read their opinions on anything custom knife related. I also love seeing photos of the knives they make. Another thing I enjoy is giving my impressions of those knives.

 

[RogerP]

Makers photos and opinions have always been welcome here.

Many makers have participated actively from the beginning. It is MOSTLY collectors that hang out, put up pictures and such, because there is a specific place for makers, which you know already.

People say that BladeForums can be less than polite sometimes, but why would you think that opinions or pics might not be welcome?

Babbling tirades are discouraged, but beyond that, Forumites are pretty accomodating.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

What he said.

Roger

 

[Tai Goo]

Makers photos and opinions have always been welcome here.

Many makers have participated actively from the beginning. It is MOSTLY collectors that hang out, put up pictures and such, because there is a specific place for makers, which you know already.

People say that BladeForums can be less than polite sometimes, but why would you think that opinions or pics might not be welcome?

Babbling tirades are discouraged, but beyond that, Forumites are pretty accomodating.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

It's just a feeling I've had based on a general hostile and condescending tone, that made me feel like a second class citizen because I am a maker. I've had the feeling that collectors want to or need to dominate this board for some reason. I'm probably not the only maker who feels that way.

Why do you think more makers don't post here?

However, in light of what's being said, maybe I was wrong and or maybe things will get better now. I think the opportunity for some good healthy exchange of ideas between makers and collectors would be a great thing!

 

[RogerP]

It's just a feeling I've had based on a general hostile and condescending tone, that made me feel like a second class citizen because I am a maker. I've had the feeling that collectors want to or need to dominate this board for some reason. I'm probably not the only maker who feels that way.

Why do you think more makers don't post here?

However, in light of what's being said, maybe I was wrong and or maybe things will get better now. I think the opportunity for some good healthy exchange of ideas between makers and collectors would be a great thing!

Can't really argue with your perception Tai - people feel what they feel and it doesn't really fall to someone else to say that what they feel is wrong. I am surprised by it, though. You have posted a few knives on these forums - I know this because I am a fan of your work and have enjoyed seeing examples presented here - and I really don't recall your posts being received with hostility or condescension. Of course, it could just be that what I perceived to be generally positive comments, you perceived very differently.
As to why more makers don't post here - I don't know - I don't and can't speak for them. One thing I have encountered at almost every show I have attended may shed some light on it, though.

It goes like this - I approach a maker's table and look over his knives - pick up one or two and look them over, aske a few questions - evreything is all nice and friendly. Then I say "I'm going to do a write-up on this show for the forums - would you mind if took a few pics?" The attitude change is immediate - defensive / apprehensive. I immediately tell the maker that it's okay - I won't take any pics if he's not comfortable with it, but I ask why. I get a lot of what you have been saying in response - "They crucify makers there!" or some such. But here's the key - when I ask if they participate on or even read the forums, the response is invariable "No!" accompanied by an "are you crazy?" look.

There are some very influential folks who have made it their business to portray the forums in a singularly negative light. A place where makers are routinely mocked and derided by an ignorant and ill-informed populace. There are a good many makers who accept this characterization at face value, without ever seeing for themselves. Don't believe it? The editor of the ABS magazine recently published an editorial - quite damning of the forums - in which she acknowledged that she never reads them!

Now, I hasten to point out that the VAST MAJORITY - by that I mean WELL over 90% - of makers I approach for photographs at a show are more than happy to have me post their knives here. Which makes the ones who want no part of it stand out as memorable exceptions.

My perception of the degree to which makers are welcomed here on the forums is strikingly different from yours. I see members going out of their way to encourage maker participation, and thanking them when they do. I see vibrant and active sub-forums dedicated to makers themselves. I see in-progress threads as among the most popular and well-received here on the forums. And they are almost always maker-driven. What's more, I see SEVERAL makers at all levels posting here. I don't speak for them, either, but I would be very much surprised if they are doing so in spite of a pervasive feeling of hostility and condescension by the forum populace.

Take all of that how you will.

Roger

 

[Kevin Jones]

I totally agree. Well said. :thumbup:

 

[Tai Goo]

O.K. Roger.

I agree with most of what you are saying, However, the one time I posted a blade, (or knife in progress), here (this specific forum) I was jumped on, and told that unfinished works were not appropriate to this forum. I have also been accused of blatant self promotion for posting several finished knives in close succession. Please don't ask for the specific posts, because I don't see how that could help,(and I'm not sure I could find them anyway)... but would probably just start a flame war, which is not my intention. I'm making this statement as honestly as I can without getting any more specific,... so please just take it for what it's worth.

It is also very difficult for a maker to express their opposing views or opinions here, without being accused of a personal agenda of some kind.

 

[RogerP]

O.K. Roger.

I agree with most of what you are saying, However, the one time I posted a blade, (or knife in progress), here (this specific forum) I was jumped on, and told that unfinished works were not appropriate to this forum. I have also been accused of blatant self promotion for posting several finished knives in close succession. Please don't ask for the specific posts, because I don't see how that could help,(and I'm not sure I could find them anyway)... but would probably just start a flame war, which is not my intention. I'm making this statement as honestly as I can without getting any more specific,... so please just take it for what it's worth.

It is also very difficult for a maker to express their opposing views or opinions here, without being accused of a personal agenda of some kind.

I don't catch every thread Tai, but I sure wish I had caught such an example. I would have jumped twice as hard on anyone who suggested that in-progress threads in general were inappropriate or that you were engaged in blatant self-promotion. You can be sure that I will keep an eye out for that going forward.

Roger

 

[Don Hanson III]

This forum is different than most, in that more collectors are posting than makers. I still don't understand the ABS's position on forums and yes, I have scratched my head on this one.

I really enjoy interacting with other makers, but I really enjoy interacting with collectors and need to know what they are interested in. I've never had a negative experience here, constructive criticism yes, but I don't see this as negative. With that said, I'll probably get piled on soon

Tai, I love your work and feel you are misunderstood sometimes, maybe most of the time There has been more positive posts to your work here than negative, actually, there were no negs on the last two, that I could find. But, there are always a few assholes in every group

I keep hearing members here asking for more maker participation. I get more out of this forum than all the others. When I get neg.s, constructive critique or opinions, I run them through my brain and take what I can use and throw the rest out.

I'm still going to only make what I want to make but I do listen to collectors and try to incorporate stuff most of them like.

Tai, this is a good thread, as are the others along these lines. Gets folks thinking.