The Nobody --> Somebody continuum

Who do you currently buy knives from

  • Nobodies

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Not Nobody

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Almost Somebody

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Up and coming

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Somebody

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Really somebody

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
J

Jason Fry

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
3,160
The recent "up and coming" knifemakers thread got me thinking. There were JS credentialed folks named as "up and coming," which surprised me. In my mind it goes like this.

1. Nobody- newbs, unpublished, little to no web or show presence. Huge number of folks in this category.

2. Not nobody- published in the knives annual at least, have a website, locally known. Product may or may not be consistently good yet. Big group here as well.

3. Almost Somebody- Good product, good web presence, people looking for you at a show, published several times. I'd put seasoned ABS apprentices at this level, and most probationary guild members.

4. Up and coming- Most people that know you like your work, but still under-exposed. Web, shows, publications would all be assumed at this level. I have a hard time putting a JS or voting member in this category. I'd put some probationary guild members here.

5. Somebody- Certified folks and folks getting current press on their product. I'd put most all JS and some MS and some voting members here. These folks will likely have some dealer network and some secondary market. I'd personally say there are alot of "somebody" on Bladeforums.

6. Really somebody- Reserved for the elite, those whose product blows us all away, every time, who almost everyone has heard of in the knife world. True masters of the craft in every way. There are just a few of these folks. Perhaps the AKI crowd or the top MS/ voting members will make it to this level.

As buyers or collectors (including makers who buy), who do you ACTUALLY buy knives from? How do you categorize whose work you'll buy now vs. someday?
 
Jason, I think we tend to take threads like the recent "up and coming" and the "whose the best" type threads (we often see pop up) too serious as opposed to just having fun with them.

First, most everyone's definition of "up and coming", "whose the best" (or whatever the title) will most likely be different and second, they usually end up being more a popularity contest than anything else.

Edited to add:
A knifemaker being conceived as "Up and Coming" could have as much to do with how well he/she markets themselves as the quality of the knives they make.
I've seen quite a few knifemakers over the years that were 'ON FIRE', however I wasn't that impressed with their knives.
 
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Kevin Jones said:
Edited to add:
A knifemaker being conceived as "Up and Coming" could have as much to do with how well he/she markets themselves as the quality of the knives they make.
I've seen quite a few knifemakers over the years that were 'ON FIRE', however I wasn't that impressed with their knives.
Click to expand...

Good point, Kevin.
 
Rob Simonich once told me it only took him 18 years to become an overnight sensation in the knife world.
 
Kevin's right these threads can be taken too serious. That was never the intent of my "up and coming" post but everyone has a different opinion. I don't think anyone can say a post is right or wrong because its just opinion. It's not a definitive statement that someone is at a certain level or that if someone else was not mention they are not. I just wanted to give a shout out to a couple new "TO ME" makers that impressed me. I thought I would share my thoughts with other collectors. My hope was that others would in turn share some names of new makers for me and other collectors to check out. It worked because I did check out the work of many of the makers whose names were posted.
 
I'm trying to distill my custom collection only to grails. Lambert, JWS, Vagnino, Terzuola, RJ Martin etc etc etc.
 
My opinion/definition of up and coming knife makers would be ones who have been at it at least a few years.
Makers who have earned awards such as best new maker, best in class, that sort of thing.
And finally, ones who you can see consistently producing knives that range from really clean and well made, to I wouldn't change a thing.
 
Good one Eric. That means you are almost there. I better get another one of your knives before overnite.
Gary
 
I guess (maybe 3) 4 through 6. That Averages out to 5.
 
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Me: the criteria for getting an ABS accreditation is a testing protocol. It`s smartly based upon clean and skill.

I've been exposed to JS makers who fly so far under the radar they would qualify for #1 or #2. Self imposed incognito, if you will.

These are the guys who leapfrog right to `Up and Coming`. You've seen it!

Good thread. :)

Coop
 
I buy knives that I like.....doesn't matter who made them as long as they are well made, clean, etc. ;)

Since I very rarely sell anything I don't worry about 'how much I can make' like seems to be the case more often than not these days.
 
Dawkind said:
I buy knives that I like.....doesn't matter who made them as long as they are well made, clean, etc. ;)

Since I very rarely sell anything I don't worry about 'how much I can make' like seems to be the case more often than not these days.
Click to expand...

could not have said it any better.
there have been some guys here that made knives sold a few then disappeared,and they had a talent for it.
 
guy who is working on my customs right now is hands down better than anyone else I have seen--- I would almost compare him to raven armory but he needs a professional jeweler on his staff. The lines are perfect, and I am super excited to finish the order ( many payments) -- but I have never seen him as a "big timer" but if he was, there would be no way he could make what he makes. He would be too busy finding ways to get rich, right now he is just sharing his great work, and i feel very lucky to have found him before he gets too "big"
 
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