What is critique?

Lorien

Lorien

Nose to the Grindstone
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A dictionary definition is easy enough to find, however I often find that people's interpretations of things are always so much more interesting, especially when you have the kind of pool to draw from that the internet provides.

I spent a few years of my life training in the visual arts fairly rigorously, and to me 'critique' means something based on that context. But it's not the only context.

Care to share your thoughts on critique? What is it? Why is it important? How do you do it? When is the best time for it? Who can provide it? Where is the best forum for it?
 
I take a more positive view than Webster's definition:
Critique : an act of criticizing; especially : a critical estimate or discussion <a critique of the poet's work>

I see it as an opportunity to help someone progress and improve on their work.
In my opinion the best critique not only offers critical analysis but offers positive as well. And gives clear examples to support opinion and suggestions.

I really enjoy forum knife critiques. The CKCA has a good "critique" sub-forum.
I usually find the maker's responses as interesting as the critique itself. One can often learn as much (or more) about the maker as the knife he/she has presented for critique.

We have to keep in mind though we are judging a knife from a photo and responses are not statements of what's right and what's wrong with a knife, but more individual opinions and preferences. I feel a maker can definitely benefit if he/she has the right attitude and the responses makes them think, "what if"?
 
Lorien,
Like you I have also been trained in the visual arts so this is a subject that I am thinking of constantly, both in the critique I give and in that which I look to receive. For myself, I value the critique of others very much. One important part of seeking critique, for me, is the motivation behind it. Do I need critique because I am looking for a pat on the back or do I seriously desire to know the good, the bad and the ugly of what I'm creating? Sometimes we need the pat on the back but I believe it is more important to seek out those who can help us see where we need to improve.
As I have come more and more into the world of bladesmithing I am constantly looking to the folks of this forum for insight, both in the critiques of others and for the pieces I have posted here. I can't tell you how much differently I look at blades now then from the way I looked at them when I first joined this forum. I have all the kind folks here to thank for that.
One other valuable thing I've had to learn as an artist is self-critique. Because our circumstances don't always allow us to have the opinion of a trained eye we have to learn to look at our own work and be able to distinguish that which is good, pleasing, valuable, straight, true and all the other positives and those things that may need to change in order to create that which is beautiful.
Those are some of my thoughts. I look forward to hear what others have to say.
Mike
 
I agree that makers/manufacturers can benefit from constructive criticism, unfortunately most manufacturer/custom maker forums are overwhelmingly dominated by cheerleading reviews and comments.
 
I enjoy constructive criticism, not emotional criticism. I like to put a positive spin on criticism, as stated before it should help you to be better, improve. In most cases you can give the harshest evaluation of something/someone and have it received well if the delivery is correct.

So many times you hear or read a response that immediately tells you the person was not listening or did not read/comprehend what they heard/read. They respond purely from emotion. In this case as often seen on the forums you end up with derailed topics and in IMO the recipient learns very little or becomes offended.

My $0.02
 
ABS Master Smiths are often asked to examine knives of up and coming makers who, more times than not, are looking to test for Journeyman or Master Smith rating themselves. This practice is greatly encouraged.

The general philosophy is, if you ask an MS to "take a look at your work," you will get a smile, some compliments, and encouragement to keep up the good work. If you are seriously interested in testing or simply knowing how good you are doing, ask the MS to critique your knives. The Master Smith may very well take them away to examine them in private. What you will get is an in-depth review of all of your points, both weak and strong. In the end, it may hurt your feelings a bit, but what you are looking for is in-depth criticism by a tough judge. Someone who's been there. Make no mistake, I pulled a couple of quillion daggers out of my heart along the way to testing!:) Better to have your feelings hurt now than in Atlanta!

So, my idea of a critique is that of a serious examination by an expert, resulting in criticism of both the good points and especially the areas where improvement is needed.

Cheers,

TV


Terry L. Vandeventer
ABS MS
 
Another schooled in the Visual Arts here.

Critique.
One of the hardest things to accept but the easiest to give.
 
I agree that a critique from a knowledgeable source can be invaluable for the progression of the maker. Unfortunately, anyone can be an expert on the forums.

Bob
 
I posted a twin thread in another forum, and this is one of the responses there;

Critique is not just where you bash someone over the head and tell him he is not doing it right. A good critique should let the person know where he needs to improve at the same time encouraging to him to take that next step.

Criticism and critique are not the same thing.
 
Critique should start from within....and this isn't so easy for a knifemaker. They are often too close to the project to see it objectively....when you WANT something to be just so, you can convince yourself that it is.

Lorien, from what you post, you show how MUCH you need to get off the island, and how LITTLE you have seen with your own eyes and hands wrt actual variety of knives and knifemakers. Keith Montgomery was in the same boat a few years ago. Had not handled that many knives, and had never been to a show. His posting changed quite a bit when he got some Josh Smith shows under his belt.

What you have is an AMAZING knowledge of using knives....what you do with trail building is some of the most intense hard knife usage that I have ever heard of...outside of what I was doing at 16, bleeding calves in a slaughterhouse. Those were some pretty crappy knives back in those days, too, plastic handles, so much chrome in the steel.

So, the solution to the problem is to figure out how to make enough money to comfortably attend some knife shows/hammerins and make sure to get to them. You have enough internet savvy to use that as an aid on the income end.

In my critique, hopefully, I have offered the problem and the solution in a pleasing and easy to swallow manner.;)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Terry wrote down my very thoughts on the subject.

I will always remember when Jerry Fisk told me if I really wanted somebody to go over my knives I should show them to Greg Neely. I had to twist Greg's arm about 4 times to convince him to REALLY go over them with me. He was very gracious with me when he did.

His tactic strikes me as brilliant, looking back on it now. He looked them over very carefully, handed them back, and then said, "Now you tell me what YOU think could do better."

Fortunately for me, I pointed out all the same things he saw... so there was no huge ego deflation. ;) LOL
 
Kohai999 said:
Lorien, from what you post, you show how MUCH you need to get off the island, and how LITTLE you have seen with your own eyes and hands wrt actual variety of knives and knifemakers.
Click to expand...

you are quite right. Apart from the various knives I own, I have seen nothing much else in person. I know there is a whole world out there that I have yet to experience. Steven I appreciate your critique of my experience:D

Happily, I will be getting off the island in September to check out Dave Lisch's school and get some one on one personal interaction and get to the core of it all.
I've also convinced my wife that she would enjoy an annual trip to Atlanta;). As for getting funds together to get to shows, I think I've stumbled upon a pretty good method thanks to Lin Rhea! There will be more to report on that front soon enough.

********

Jerry Fisk was the man whom I quoted in my last post.
 
Kohai999 said:
In my critique, hopefully, I have offered the problem and the solution in a pleasing and easy to swallow manner.;)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...


Okay! WHO ARE YOU?????and what have you done with STeven????


Paul
 
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