The 'power of inspiration' or 'lessons learned by the new makers in Atlanta'

ScottRoush

ScottRoush

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Jan 10, 2010
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If any of the other new makers who went to Blade Show are like me... then they are now are buzzing with a strange mix of inspiration, awe, humility and some regret. Every time I go to an event that has the work of the top tier.. I come home with a new purpose driven by an overriding message that I received at the show.

For me it's 'SLOW DOWN! especially when approaching the finish line' and then 'Treat each individual component of a blade as it's own stand-alone work of art'. Thanks to David Lisch, John White and Rodrigo Sfreddo for helping deliver these messages...whether they realized they were or not.

Anyway... I was curious about the messages that some of the other new folks learned.
 
I can't say there is a message brought home from the show but the time leading up to.

I agree with your thoughts about slowing down Scott.

I haven't quite worked it out but tunnel vision is an issue with me. Focusing on components sometimes causes me to forget the big picture.

Can't rest on your laurels; every project mustbe better than the last.

Reminded me that my wife is the best!
 
fantastic topic for a thread, Scott!
 
"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." - A Confucian quote that has been ringing in my ears all weekend...

Really good getting to know you this weekend Scott. I enjoyed swapping ideas with you too. Can't wait to get back into the shop to "do and understand" a little bit more

Another highlight for me was the few days before and after the show that I got to spend with Jason Knight in his home and shop. I'm very grateful to him for the time he spent with me and the hospitality shown me by him and his wonderful family.

I've been busily filling up a notebook with tips, ideas, and sketches...
 
for me the truly great pieces were sculptures not just knives, and i finally got to walk around to BE inspired Ray Raybar had some beautiful knives on his table
 
It's always nice to get out of our own little "shop bubbles" to see what else other makers are bringing to the table. I find that I will get into too much of a routine rut if I don't. I like to go out to show that aren't necessarily directed toward knives as well. It's amazing where one can find inspiration these days!
 
It's a good learning experience for all makers to o to OZ and see what everyone's doing :) the greats surely inspire

Scott your work looked great and so is your personality :)

Derrick I couldn't get you to show me a knife :) but I heard very good things

Anyone that knows Jason knows the only think that's as huge as his talent is his heart
 
Good Thread Scott.
Sorry I missed you at the show. I kept seeing you out of the corner of my eye, and thinking I need to go over there and introduce myself and check out those cool swords he brought.... So many distractions...
Anyway, I just wanted to point out that no matter how long you've been at it, you will glean inspiration and ideas from not only the greats, but the new guys too. I know I do. Seems like every time I speak with Ron newton for example, I get a head full of new ideas. And some of the European makers I met this time had some great tips.

Adam.
 
+1 on the slow down advice!!!!! Adam, did the Dutch guys tell you about their instant coffee trick?
 
jdm61 said:
+1 on the slow down advice!!!!! Adam, did the Dutch guys tell you about their instant coffee trick?
Click to expand...

Yes, but apparently it makes the coffee undrinkable, so I'll stick with the stuff that's already unfit to drink:)
 
Yeah.. In retrospect I should not have reduced this to only the new folks. I guess my original thought is that newer folks have a much greater leap to the next step.. but it's all relative eh?

I also didn't mean to accuse those guys of coming to my table and telling me directly these messages.. :-) it was more inherent in their work when I personally compare theirs to mine. I think the best thing about shows like this for us makers is getting our brains to do a sort of 'reset' when it comes to establishing standards and goals.

It was a pleasure having you as my neighbor at the show Derrick... great getting to know you. I won't soon forget you guys putting on that chain coif and swinging my sword. (you should see my 2 year old daughter when she puts it on!)

Believe me.. I understand about the show having distractions.. I also regretted not getting over to your table! I sort of missed the experience of my previous Blade show.. NOT having a table.
 
The lesson I learned (from this thread) is I SHOULD HAVE GONE TO BLADE!!!!! Next year, I guess. Good stuff Scott. See ya soon!
 
Good meeting you Scott! This is a great topic. This was my first Blade show and what I was most impressed with were the talented makers from both the ABS and guild who were so willing to tell you anything you wanted to know about their process or why the did something a certain way. There were only maybe 2 I talked to that thought what they did should be kept a secret. I also came back with several tips and tricks I got from some of the guys there. As a newer maker I love hearing anything another maker wants to say about how or why he does something and there were quite a few makers who loved to talked.
 
David Sharp said:
I can't say there is a message brought home from the show but the time leading up to.

I agree with your thoughts about slowing down Scott.

I haven't quite worked it out but tunnel vision is an issue with me. Focusing on components sometimes causes me to forget the big picture.

Can't rest on your laurels; every project mustbe better than the last.

Reminded me that my wife is the best!
Click to expand...

David,

I could not agree with you more, going home to the one person who loves and cares for you is the greatest gift in life!

Jeff
 
David Sharp said:
I can't say there is a message brought home from the show but the time leading up to.

I agree with your thoughts about slowing down Scott.

I haven't quite worked it out but tunnel vision is an issue with me. Focusing on components sometimes causes me to forget the big picture.

Can't rest on your laurels; every project mustbe better than the last.

Reminded me that my wife is the best!
Click to expand...

David,

I could not agree with you more, going home to the one person who loves and cares for you is the greatest gift in life!

Jeff
 
Great thread David, I was talking about this with a close maker friend yesterday. Every show I go to I come back with a new found drive and some focused direction. This years Blade show gave me an extra little push buy a not so little guy. Sam Lurquin spent some time talking to me (through his friend and translator Fredrick), his message was "It is time to move forward with your knives, focus on the ABS and making stick tangs and guarded knives". I was the recipient of a gift knife from him, he asked me to make him a knife to be delivered at next Blade in return.

I had a chance to view and handle knives from many of the makers that I look up to: Jason Knight, Adam & Hailey DesRosiers, Jerry Fisk, Dave Lisch, Tad Lynch, Bill Burke, Lin Rhea, Rick Marchand... I have forgotten some! and realized that they are all "Blade Smiths". I will be completing my JS performance test knife within 6 months and working towards the big 5 by the end of next year.
 
Scott,
It was good seeing you again, also good to meet Ryan and his son.
I came home from Blade late Sunday chompin' at the bit to get to work.
I gained a renewed sense of what I need to be making and what I don't need to be making.

Clarity is good. I also came home motivated by all the amazing work present.

Tad
 
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