We were all new here once

Rusty Shakleford said:
I'm new here but not to knives. I think my father also used to be a member but he kept his life so private I'll never know. His name was Mark L. He was into motorcycles, knives and guns. If anyone knew him please contact me.

Otherwise, I have bought some of the lousiest knives one can imagine when I was new. Thinking I was king on the block with my $40 AUS-8 CRKT. My neighbor was a knife wholesaler who introduced me to a casexx hells bells which I purchased and never looked back. I don't judge people for not knowing what cruible formed steel is because it's a niche to know these things not general knowledge. Anyway, new here read all the rules but if someone would like to give me tips im all ears Otherwise ill be lurking.
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"You don't know who I am but I know where you live"
 
PropThePolecat said:
Good point.

Unfortunately, newbies often have to wade through alot of crap, to get to the good posts.
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I can’t think of a forum I’m on that isn’t like that now. From cars, to rc cars, guns, knives, tech talk, archery, SXS etc. Some of the old guard are off their rockers when it comes to a noob asking a question.
 
azerik said:
I can’t think of a forum I’m on that isn’t like that now. From cars, to rc cars, guns, knives, tech talk, archery, SXS etc. Some of the old guard are off their rockers when it comes to a noob asking a question.
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Welcome to Bladeforums azerik, and to all new members :) .

I've been a member here for 20 years, and for 20 years I've watched how this forum operates and how new members are treated. I started this thread in what I refer to as "the bad old days" of Bladeforums, when it seemed a person, ANY person, could not post anything without someone wanting to argue over it, just for the sake of arguing (my girlfriend at the time called this place "argumentforums", and she was right).

But I think the owner and moderators realized that such behavior was running off new members, and that's how a forum dies, so the Mods started cracking down on such behavior, and things changed for the better.

Today, I believe that for the most part, new members are treated fairly, and that the majority of veteran members here are eager to help new members.

Of course that doesn't mean that new members are treated with kid gloves. The members here are mostly grown men, and they talk and act as grown men, which means they have little to no tolerance for bullsh!t, and they speak their minds without concern for overly sensitive feelings.

Some members have BS meter's that are more sensitive than others, and they might be a bit quick to bite when they detect BS, but from what I see, they tend to be right.

And then there are those members whose senses of humor have a bit of a sharp edge to them, and some new members might take that the wrong way and see a simple attempt at humor as a personal attack. But that's the way it is on a forum with as many members as we have here, you get all kinds of people, some will rub you the wrong way.

I would also like to point out that there is no rank or hierarchy here. Whether you're a Basic member or Platinum, whether it's your first day or you've been here 20 years, any members opinions are just as valid and worthy of sharing as anyone elses. Of course it never hurts to "read the room" first. Any forum is going to have "community norms", and it helps to not charge in like a bull in a china shop.

Anyway, I didn't mean to go on and on. Like I said, welcome one and all. I hope you enjoy the experience :).
 
killgar said:
I don't mean to be preachy, but those of us who have been here awhile know that sometimes newbies don't always receive much in the way of patience and understanding. Sometimes it's easy to jump on those who are new to knives, know less than we do, or simply have different tastes in knives. Sometimes criticism comes a little too easy on internet forums.

Remember that we were all new to knives once, we didn't know anything. And if we were lucky someone with a generous amount of patience and understanding was willing to take the time to teach us, even if it meant pushing their patience and understanding to the limit.

How many of us can say that every knife purchase we made was a smart one. How many of us at some point have bought a knife simply because we thought it was "cool", or "tactical", etc. How many of us have bought knives from questionable companies with silly marketing. I doubt that any here are perfect.

In my humble opinion, this forum should be about more than personal entertainment, it should also be a place to provide guidance to those who are new to this "hobby", even if that means exerting a bit more patience and understanding. After all, how would we want to be treated if we were new here? In the end, we can teach newbies a lot more with patience and understanding than with insults and criticism.

Of course, if you've been here a while then you better have thick skin, because you're fair game ;).

Just my thoughts.

UPDATE: It's been over 8 years since I started this thread, and I thought it was time for an update.

When I started this thread back in 2012, new members were sometimes treated a bit rough. But things have changed since then. These days most active members are eager to help new members. So I don't want you to get the impression that you're entering a lions den where the members are just waiting to bite your head off. I think you'll find the vast majority of members to be friendly and helpful. So welcome, and enjoy :).
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I am still new here, but I am so greatful to find such a welcoming community, I was at first a bit scared to ask for help on here, but when I did everyone just wanted to help. So thank you to everyone here!
 
killgar said:
I don't mean to be preachy, but those of us who have been here awhile know that sometimes newbies don't always receive much in the way of patience and understanding. Sometimes it's easy to jump on those who are new to knives, know less than we do, or simply have different tastes in knives. Sometimes criticism comes a little too easy on internet forums.

Remember that we were all new to knives once, we didn't know anything. And if we were lucky someone with a generous amount of patience and understanding was willing to take the time to teach us, even if it meant pushing their patience and understanding to the limit.

How many of us can say that every knife purchase we made was a smart one. How many of us at some point have bought a knife simply because we thought it was "cool", or "tactical", etc. How many of us have bought knives from questionable companies with silly marketing. I doubt that any here are perfect.

In my humble opinion, this forum should be about more than personal entertainment, it should also be a place to provide guidance to those who are new to this "hobby", even if that means exerting a bit more patience and understanding. After all, how would we want to be treated if we were new here? In the end, we can teach newbies a lot more with patience and understanding than with insults and criticism.

Of course, if you've been here a while then you better have thick skin, because you're fair game ;).

Just my thoughts.

UPDATE: It's been over 8 years since I started this thread, and I thought it was time for an update.

When I started this thread back in 2012, new members were sometimes treated a bit rough. But things have changed since then. These days most active members are eager to help new members. So I don't want you to get the impression that you're entering a lions den where the members are just waiting to bite your head off. I think you'll find the vast majority of members to be friendly and helpful. So welcome, and enjoy :).
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Thanks for that intro. I am new here. I am trying to add some blades to my bugout bags and prepper gear. I found this bowie knife for a decent price so I bought one. Seems sturdy. Do you have any other recommendations. I have some hunting knives and fillet knives for game, but there are so many to choose from. What are the do and don't when it comes to buying a long lasting blade? How do I know if they will retain the sharp edge, can be sharpened and how many times, and etc. Any pointers? Should I buy a sword or something like that? It worked well for Michonne on the walking dead. :)

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i_am_not_atf said:
Thanks for that intro. I am new here. I am trying to add some blades to my bugout bags and prepper gear. I found this bowie knife for a decent price so I bought one. Seems sturdy. Do you have any other recommendations. I have some hunting knives and fillet knives for game, but there are so many to choose from. What are the do and don't when it comes to buying a long lasting blade? How do I know if they will retain the sharp edge, can be sharpened and how many times, and etc. Any pointers? Should I buy a sword or something like that? It worked well for Michonne on the walking dead. :)

freedomgear.org

**K65** SUPER 15" WOOD HANDLE BOWIE RAZORBACK KNIFE

*BE PREPARED & Save Huge*-Firearms-Solvent Traps-Custom Tubes-Maglite Adpters all in TITANIUM or Aluminum. Emergency supplies-Weapons and Gear-Long Term Food-Emergency Power Sources, and much more..... CHECK US OUT ! !
freedomgear.org
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Welcome to Bladeforums.

The best way I can answer your request for recommendations is to suggest that you do a lot of reading and looking here at Bladeforums. You are correct about there being so many choices, and reading other peoples experience with various brands and knife models might help you decide what will best serve your needs.

As far as steel types and performance, there are several different types of steels, with different pros and cons. Edge retention, ease of sharpening, corrosion/rust resistance, are just some of the characteristics to choose from. Again, reading this forum can provide you with an extensive education on the different steels.

Of course you don't have to just read, you can also start your own threads to ask for suggestions. I don't have any use for hunting/fillet knives so I'm not the best person to ask. But I'm sure there are a lot of hunters on this forum who could provide recommendations.

Good luck in your search. :)
 
alterations have occurred since then. Currently, the majority of active members are willing to assist new members. Therefore, I don't want you to feel like you're entering a lion's cave where everyone is simply waiting to rip you to shreds. I believe the vast majority of members will be cordial and helpful.
 
Indianbladenoob said:
+100
I was reading a recently closed thread that got pretty acrimonious. I'm sure you know which one.
Notwithstanding trolls, shills and people of that ilk, most of us are here because we think things that cut are cool.
It's conceptually a short step from "zombie-fighting-mall-ninja-badassery" fantasies. The guidance and indulgence of the more experienced on this forum did help me go from the United Cutlery Combat Commander Boot knife to Kershaws and Beckers and eventually to trying to make my own.

Having said this, I also think that the noobs need to take the jibes in their stride and have the maturity to extract the good advice from the strong reactions. One will always see strong reactions from people passionate about anything. If you are going to get on board and expect everyone to agree with you, its going to be tough. I think the standard term here is "butthurt".

I'd like to think we are all civilised enough to
a) indulge those that want to learn
b) BE those that WANT to learn.
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Thank you from a newbie
 
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