Off Topic Wanna have a laugh? Arm chair blacksmiths decrying "fake" damascus

You occasionally see someone come on line who does nice work, but has not fully used the interwebz. Those guys typically ASK questions. With that said, you see a lot more "experts" many of whom have probably never bought a custom knife in their life.
 
At one time or another I think I have talked to many of those guys on the phone. Fortunately they can't see the eyes rolling and the head scratching.
 
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12345678910 said:
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His worst (there's no such thing as...) is pretty good, but I think "...is the BEST" is even worse.

I speak on a lot of subjects I have passing knowledge of out of a desire to help others but I try to be mindful of how I say it. The difference between "This product is the absolute best" and "Out of the things I've tried, I like this thing the best" for example.

Really the biggest warning sign to me is the whole speaking in absolutes. There are so many variables, like his example of velocity, in most subjects, absolutism is almost a sure sign of either ignorance, or at best disinterest in the topic.

Except when it comes to beer. Free beer is the best. Absolutely. :D
 
If it's free back the truck up I'll take it all. If it's not drinkable I can use the cans for targets :D

When I used to have actual free time I would buy 30 packs of Hamm's on sale for 7.99, drink some, shoot some, repeat. It was ok for 27 cents a beer and they really pop when you zing a 22-250 through an unopened one at 3400 fps :D
 
kuraki said:
If it's free back the truck up I'll take it all. If it's not drinkable I can use the cans for targets :D

When I used to have actual free time I would buy 30 packs of Hamm's on sale for 7.99, drink some, shoot some, repeat. It was ok for 27 cents a beer and they really pop when you zing a 22-250 through an unopened one at 3400 fps :D
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Lucky tastes like a mixture of Cheerios and weasel piss, definitely target candidate.
My 270 Winchester with my 90 grain handloads (3800 fps) would work well for that.
 
Geoff Flato said:
Lucky tastes like a mixture of Cheerios and weasel piss, definitely target candidate.
My 270 Winchester with my 90 grain handloads (3800 fps) would work well for that.
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But are you sure you're getting 3800 fps? I mean what's the barrel length, humidity, elevation..???? did you lube the barrel first, get an extra 400 fps if you lube the barrel... :eek:
 
kuraki said:
If it's free back the truck up I'll take it all. If it's not drinkable I can use the cans for targets :D

When I used to have actual free time I would buy 30 packs of Hamm's on sale for 7.99, drink some, shoot some, repeat. It was ok for 27 cents a beer and they really pop when you zing a 22-250 through an unopened one at 3400 fps :D
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Is this your truck?

jVZCxRz.jpg
 
While we are on the subject of absolutes and big mouths let me ask you guys what you think about the art of"self promotion"..Now I have no problem with folks saying "my knives are made to an exacting standard,etc" "great cutters,fine craftsmanship"..
When my eyes start to roll is when I see stuff like "My special grind is far superior to any standard knife on the market", My knives will never fail no mater what and are the very best at what they do".. "this is a special grind that only I know how to do"...Stuff like that and yes Ive seen those exact things said.. Then many customers eat it up? Am I being petty or does that irk anyone else?
 
Don't forget "techno wootz" and "samurai steel" :D
Kentucky said:
While we are on the subject of absolutes and big mouths let me ask you guys what you think about the art of"self promotion"..Now I have no problem with folks saying "my knives are made to an exacting standard,etc" "great cutters,fine craftsmanship"..
When my eyes start to roll is when I see stuff like "My special grind is far superior to any standard knife on the market", My knives will never fail no mater what and are the very best at what they do".. "this is a special grind that only I know how to do"...Stuff like that and yes Ive seen those exact things said.. Then many customers eat it up? Am I being petty or does that irk anyone else?
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jdm61 said:
Especially nowadays when you have so many powders to choose from.
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Even 3031 or 4895 will get it as fast as you want. The only bullets I've been able to find for a 270 in 90 grain are Sierra varmintors, and they won't hold together all the time past a certain point. 3800 is about as fast as I've found a point in pushing it.
You get lots of "what are you shooting" questions at the range, it makes a real good crack
 
Kentucky said:
While we are on the subject of absolutes and big mouths let me ask you guys what you think about the art of"self promotion"..Now I have no problem with folks saying "my knives are made to an exacting standard,etc" "great cutters,fine craftsmanship"..
When my eyes start to roll is when I see stuff like "My special grind is far superior to any standard knife on the market", My knives will never fail no mater what and are the very best at what they do".. "this is a special grind that only I know how to do"...Stuff like that and yes Ive seen those exact things said.. Then many customers eat it up? Am I being petty or does that irk anyone else?
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Its a massive warning sign. Both from a seller and too a buyer.

Almost all the knife makers i sell to are incredibly humble. The Deroisers, who do some of the most fantastic damascus and integrals i have ever seen dont hype their stuff up.

Several clients who focus on more every day work horse knives will say their knives are thin ground, S grinds for food release and a high quality heat treat for edge retention.

The crazy guy in the corner with 12 colors in his resin cast handle and 14 types of serrations, jimping and blood grooves through his reclaimed file knife quenched facing magnetic north will extol the great virtues of his blade which never dulls and can not be beat.

When I sell my wood, i try to list the facts. I will tell you that Cumaru burl is very durable and takes a great polish, but i havent had it on enough knives to give great details on how the color will age.

You will see it in the best suppliers. Myself, Burlsource, AKS, none of us are bragging that we have the best wood. We let our products speak for themselves. Its the seller who feels the need to put down others and make exaggerated claims that is most likely to have something to hide.

I think it speaks to the comradery and professionalism of knife makers and knife making suppliers that I have only once been put down by another seller who referred to my wood as "Cheap junk" and I think his weird cactus juice rainbow resin block business failed when the first tide of face book knife makers gave up.

Mark at @Burl Source gave me advise when I was first starting out, and when clients are looking for top grade koa or ironwood burls I still direct them to Mark's site. I think it speaks to the confidence we both have in our products and service, that we dont need to insult each other or claim our products to be superior but rather let knife makers and collectors choose what they like.

For my woods and my knives, my motto is to under sell and over deliver. No one will ever be mad that the product they receive is better than advertised.
 
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Kentucky said:
"this is a special grind that only I know how to do".
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Challenge accepted! LOL

I have not seen that kind of stuff, but the secret HT recipe is rather common.

They are going to buy the sizzle before they buy the steak :)
 
Kentucky said:
While we are on the subject of absolutes and big mouths let me ask you guys what you think about the art of"self promotion"..Now I have no problem with folks saying "my knives are made to an exacting standard,etc" "great cutters,fine craftsmanship"..
When my eyes start to roll is when I see stuff like "My special grind is far superior to any standard knife on the market", My knives will never fail no mater what and are the very best at what they do".. "this is a special grind that only I know how to do"...Stuff like that and yes Ive seen those exact things said.. Then many customers eat it up? Am I being petty or does that irk anyone else?
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There are some VERY reputable knife makers that have allowed their craft go to their head, their ego's are so large you couldn't even compliment them on a blade because they're too busy patting them selves on the back and they'd no sooner dog your work like they themselves magically became a great maker the very day the touched a grinder the first time.
 
KnuckleDownKnives said:
There are some VERY reputable knife makers that have allowed their craft go to their head, their ego's are so large you couldn't even compliment them on a blade because they're too busy patting them selves on the back and they'd no sooner dog your work like they themselves magically became a great maker the very day the touched a grinder the first time.
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Not mentioning names, but I can think of a few who come to mind with that.
But at the same time I can think of a number of equally reputable knifemakers who are the exact opposite. And guess which group has people I'd actually consider buying a knife from.
 
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