TRUTH or DIPLOMAT

[black mamba]

First of all, I'm not thinking of any particular person or knife here on BFC. I'm guessing that all of us have seen a photo posted where something just seems "off" with the knife. Wrong shield, poor swedge, uneven grinds, infantile jigging, etc. How do you respond, and please explain in the thread.

 

[AntDog]

“Some other response…be inventive!”

Lol, you kidding me? It’s not my knife, I don’t have to carry it around. I generally just smile and wave. Wrong shield… I thought the trads guys were a less critical bunch!

 

[Ernie1980]

Not right as in counterfeit? I would definitely say something.
Not right as in bad fit and finish or a poor attempt at modification? In that case my response would depend on the knife and (to some extent) who posted it and their perceived intent.

 

[Peregrin]

If someone took the time to post it, I try to appreciate it. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

 

[RickHuf]

There's something off about me and most of you are nice enough to just smile and wave

If someone was soliciting an opinion or posting in a research oriented thread, then sure id point out anything I could be certain about to help.

If not asking for an opinion, smile and wave.

 

[birdsbeaks]

If the person is asking if they should consider purchasing it, I'd tell them what I think I know and let them weigh that against info from other sources.

If they already own it, I'll give it a like and keep scrolling.

If they're trying to sell it to me, I'd let them know why I'm not interested, or why I'm making a significantly reduced counteroffer.

 

[Modoc ED]

Like em all and appreciate them all. Try never to be critical of someone's knife unless they ask for an opinion about their knife.

 

[knarfeng]

If someone took the time to post it, I try to appreciate it. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Like em all and appreciate them all. Try never to be critical of someone's knife unless they ask for an opinion about their knife.

What they said.

 

[Alex.Y.]

How do you respond

Politely.

It depends, but generally, if not asked for any opinion, then I just keep scrolling. Tastes differ.

 

[meako]

What they said.

What he said too....unless it's super balltearingly beautiful...then I will say so.
Cheers.

 

[Chui]

Diplomat

Run a knife forum in UK and have been a mod on others in past too…….. one of the biggest issues is people taking the wrong meaning from the written word, it can blow-up and become unnecessary - so wanting to ‘say something’ - best left unsaid and move on.
Saying something positive - always good.

Peregrin Modoc ED

 

[drj211]

Unless they ask for an opinion……..just nod and move along. We all have knives that don’t appeal to others.

 

[1911bphil]

I like everyone's knives. My tastes may or may not align with theirs, but they like it enough to post and share.
I don't know enough to say whether the shield is wrong so I would appear stupid if I posted something. Let's all enjoy this madness we call a hobby.

 

[joeradza]

Online diplomat

 

[Jiki]

Be kind.

Off line as well.

 

[EngrSorenson]

I think you can say what you like and don’t like about something in a polite way. Context is everything, however.
I wouldn’t crap all over someone’s (hideous) grail find.

 

[black mamba]

Very thoughtful answers, thanks to all. Some good points I hadn't considered, about counterfeit or possible purchase or sale. One other thing I just thought of is to contact them by PM if you had concerns about the authenticity of a knife, or a true valuation if buying or selling.

 

[lambertiana]

Very thoughtful answers, thanks to all. Some good points I hadn't considered, about counterfeit or possible purchase or sale. One other thing I just thought of is to contact them by PM if you had concerns about the authenticity of a knife, or a true valuation if buying or selling.

This. I usually ignore things, but once in a while I see subtle signs of counterfeiting, especially in some of the "pristine" knives in the Old Knives thread. I paid a lot of attention to the lessons that BRL gave on spotting counterfeits. In those cases, I sometimes, but not always, reach out by PM. I don't believe in publicly shaming people, but at the same time I feel it is important that people learn to recognize counterfeits so that they won't be fooled in the future.

One of the most subtle counterfeiting methods is welded blades, but they can be spotted if high res pictures are posted and I can zoom in. I have seen a few of those in the Old Knives thread.

 

[Joefairbanks]

I like most every knife I see, and I try and hit that like button because they obviously are happy with the item and just want to share it with likeminded people.
However, if it’s someone asking me specifically for an opinion- I will share my opinion in a diplomatic way.
I try to stick with what my mom taught me- If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it.

 

[Hatchet_Jack]

I never liked ebony as a handle material but wouldn’t you know it grew on me and I’d say now is probably my favourite.

Was never mad on jigged bone, always liked and appreciated others tastes and wouldn’t you know Im beginning to fall for it too!

I think one of the best things here is that we have so many people with different tastes that all appreciate one another and compliment the collective. Before this I was on hunting forums, I much prefer the people here.