What is the value of originality to the collector, maker, purveyor-

[Fred.Rowe]

Collectors and purveyors, what value do you place on originality when you purchase a knife?
Do you purchase the excepted standards or do you look for something with some innovation?

Makers, what value do you place on originality when you make a knife?
Do you make the excepted standards or is making something original what gets you motivated in the shop?




Thanks for your input, Fred

 

[RogerP]

As a collector and speaking only for myself, I value originality but it is by no means my primary criterion. In the field where I am by far most active - forged bowies - there is tremendous diversity. But still, bowies have been made for a looooong time - there probably aren't many contemporary renditions that you could look at and say that it is a completely original design, no aspect of which had ever been done before.

My main goal is to obtain beautiful knives, designed and built to perform. Aspects of originality within that paradigm are a welcome bonus. Designs based on achieving originality for its own sake which result in compromising those criteria would not be of particualr interest to me.

Roger

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I often place a very high value on originality, but I also like many knives that are takeoffs on knives that have been made many thousands of times. I like makers that think outside the box. I also like many of the Loveless patterns, and reproductions of Scagels and bowies from the 1800s.

 

[Joss]

The makers that managed to reached truuly original designs while retaining or increasing beauty are often succesful. Good examples of this are Wolfe Loerchner and Jurgen Steinau, Jim Schmidt, etc - a large % of the makers at the very top of the metaphorical food chain.

I like originality but it is subordinate to beauty. I despise originality for its own sake. With this said, I regret that the custom knife world is either very gimmicky (e.g., "nightmare" grind, tritium inserts, and Ti blades) or very traditional.

To be fair to the makers, many of the collectors are very conservative in their tastes, and therefore the makers produce rather conservative work.

 

[Doug C]

There is nothing new under the sun.


Was it Coop that put this up not too long ago?

Doug

 

[jdm61]

It depends on how you are using the word. From what I have seen, a knife that shows "originality" is a good thing. One that is "unique".....well that can go either way...lol.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Originality and uniqueness are very important to me. That's to a great extent why I like engraving and damascus as it gives the maker additional avenues to extend his/her creativity and originality.

I also appreciate makers renditions of other maker's work too. Examples would be of course knives by Jay Hendrickson, Mike Lovett, Steve Johnson and others.

Makers can also be original in creating their version of historical knives.
I think some of Jerry Fisk's best knives are where he has taken historic or classic designs for example and applied his style in updating them so to speak. Jerry's southwest bowies are often examples of this as are some of Tim Hancock's dogbone bowies he has become so famous for.

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

As A maker, everything I make is different, no two the same. This keeps me inspired, helps me push my abilities and I learn something new with every knife I make. I have to design, engineer, build and pick out materials that go well with each other.

I am all over the place with materials and mechanisms as well, the only knife I have not made yet is a lockback and I have one drawn up.

I'm also heading in a different direction with my knives and that will be apparent when you see what I have been working on for the blade show.
Regards,
Chuck

 

[Kevin Jones]

Originality and uniqueness are very important to me. That's to a great extent why I like engraving and damascus as it gives the maker additional avenues to extend his/her creativity and originality.

I also appreciate makers renditions of other maker's work too. Examples would be of course knives by Jay Hendrickson, Mike Lovett, Steve Johnson and others.

Makers can also be original in creating their version of historical knives.
I think some of Jerry Fisk's best knives are where he has taken historic or classic designs for example and applied his style in updating them so to speak. Jerry's southwest bowies are often examples of this as are some of Tim Hancock's dogbone bowies he has become so famous for.

I ran across this photo of a Hancock Fighter I sold last year and it fit as an example where some maker's will take a historic or classic design and apply their style to update or modernize the design.