Who do you regard to be an "expert"?

[Spark]

A lot of names get tossed about as knowledgeable individuals in their field, and we see a lot of familiar names floating about in here.

Who do you guys consider to be an expert in the knife field? Who know's what they are talking about, and who should be ignored at all costs?

Spark

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here

 

[Walt Welch]

Well, I for one always disregard anything Kevin Jon Schlossberg has to say. <g>

I think that most posters know what they are talking about. Some of them are impeccably correct on every post, on every subject. I am certainly not one of these. When a poster is in error, and other posters correct him, I view this as education, and not a reason to consider the errant poster for total lack of attention. Even if differing views are expressed, and no consensus is reached, there is still knowledge to be obtained from the varying viewpoints. You get to decide what you believe.

I do not discount the post of any particular individual. I might not agree with the post, and express my disagreement, but on the basis of what was in the post, not who posted it.

Moreover,I think it to be shortsighted and arrogant to ignore ANY poster totally. Remember that Emerson said, 'There is in every man that which I may learn from him, and in that, I am his student.' Walt

 

[Derek]

Geez,

After reading the good Doctors post, I amost feel bad about my simplistic response.

Kevin McClung and Ernest Emerson are two who come to my mind as I am in regular contact with them. In fact, between the two of them, anyone would be hard pressed to come up with a subject that at least one of them did not know about.

I do agree that almost anyone who has the conviction to post on these forums, has some degree of expertise regarding knives or at least the serious desire to learn more.

Amazingly enough, as often as I disagree with peoples postings, I am at a loss to come up with a name of one person who I feel should be avoided completely...no...wait...just one, Farid, but I wil not reopen that particularly unsavory can of worms again without a new cause to champion.

Take care,
Derek

 

[Chang]

Farid? Is he the British knife maker who some feel "plagerizes" other knife makers? I don't want to turn this into a flaming thread against Farid, whoever he is, but who exactly is he? I have heard alot of unpleasant rumors about the infamous Farid a while ago, but not recently... can someone refresh my memory and tell me about Farid without turning this into an unpleasant thread?

 

[Adamantium]

I think a real expert is someone who is willing to admit he is wrong and always ready to learn. Because if someone acts like this then if they aren't an expert then they soon will be.

Remember, He make a mistake and doesn't correct it only makes another mistake.

Sincerely,
Adam

PS I never agreed with that Kevin guy either

 

[Derek]

Well...since I brought it up. I will keep this brief and semi-clean. He is indeed the maker "plagerizes"...no...blatantly rips off, several well known makers. Ernest Emerson, Chris Reeve, and Mad Dog all come to mind. I have it on the best possible authority that he was recently told by The knifemakers Guild, at a recent show, to remove a knife from his table and to stop producing it. It would absolutely blow your mind to hear all of the things that he has done but I digress.

Hope this answers your question.
take care,
Derek

 

[jpgassmann]

I think a knife expert, or any expert, for that matter, is someone who has a passion for their subject, but also has the knowledge to back this passion. But you also have to have a deep want of new knowledge on your subject. That's why knives are such a great thing to want to be an expert on. They're always changing and something knew is always being produced while previous knives become obsolete. I hope this helps.

Sincerely,
J.P. Gassmann

 

[db]

I would say that there is only 1 person on this, or any, forum that should be ignored at all costs.
And that person is ME.. A true non-expert on everything.

 

[Mike Turber]

I think we are all experts to some degree. I have learned more myself in these forums than I have learned in all other resources. I hope you all feel the same way I do as this is my passion and my way of life. The more knowledge I attain on this subject the better I can do with it. Also sometimes knowledge is not necessarily knowing the answer, but knowing where one can find the answer.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Lead - Follow or get out of the way!
www.wowinc.com

 

[Jonathan]

I think that everyone who posts here is an expert to a degree. The opinions posted by those who have had hands on expeirence with what they are talking about are always welcome by those who are willing to learn more about anything. Seeing as how not everyone will have the same outcome from similiar expeirences just goes to provide a different variation and even more knowledge.

Anyways that is my opinion on it.

Jonathan

 

[Win]

I consider an "expert" to be anyone whose opinions about knives matches my own.

Don't nobody get the wrong idea, now. I'm not saying this to be cocky. I'm just exposing a basic trait that all human beings have in common-if we disagree with someone, we are not likely to hold a high opinion of their expertise. Obviously, knife design is a highly subjective thing, and what works for one doesn't always work for another.

Given that, I still think two things are always constant: good technical knowledge about materials and design and, more importantly, a keen insight into how they translate into practical application. Of course, experience greatly enhances both these things.

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Win
Knife lover, Philosopher, Humanitarian, and All-around nice guy
(all right, so I'm just a knife lover)

 

[shappa]

I value the opinions of the moderators of this forum very highly. If on the rare occasion they know of someone with a more indepth knowledge on a particular subject they will point the person in that direction.
I haven't found anyone that i would dismiss just out of hand. Everyone has at least information about the knife that he/she uses for a particular task.
You would think that something as simple as a hand held instrument with an edge used for cutting would have been perfected by now.
The search for the perfect knife continues.

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~~TOM~~

 

[RMLamey]

I dont like the word "expert", it is mis used so often that it has become compromised in my mind.

I can tell you who i consider people that are a benefit to the custom knife market in different ways. They are always willing to talk with you and try to figure something out, no matter what that may be.

I only "dabbled" in custom knives, becuase frankly...i couldnt afford them. I saw Robertson Custom Cutlery ad with a Brend #2 (something i had wanted for about 10 years) Called Les and he made it possible for me to purchase one. Ive become well aqainted with Les since then. He is very helpfull, extremely knowledgable, and an excellent bussiness man.

As far as folks that are helpfull in sharing knowledge of knife making, i consider
Tim Zowada, R.J. Martin, Don Fogg, Joe Flournoy, and Jerry Fisk to be very, very, helpfull. They are willing to share knowledge and time about the art of making. Each has something different to offer, but all are willing to offer.

I am sure there are many more out there, but if i had to pick some "experts" the above mentioned would be in that field.

 

[SDMatteson]

Bob Loveless comes to mind first.I have not
been able to quarrel with Kevin McClung.You
may not like his delivery but the facts speak
for themselves.I don't trust some company
spokespeople spouting of about why they use
certain steel types when you know economics
or timidity are more of a driveing force then
truth.

 

[Will Fennell]

...judge not Kevin,......

Everyone has value, experiences to be shared. And if they get a little 'off the reservation' with their information, this place has a habit of straightening itself out.

Asking out loud who knows what they are talking about, and who is full of it is how flame wars and division get started.

On the other hand we DO have a fantastic cadre of VERY experienced cutlery experts here, and I learn every time I check these forums.

Best Regards,

Will Fennell/EDI Knives

 

[Walt Welch]

Will said:

Asking out loud who knows what they are talking about, and who is full of it is how flame wars and division get started.
*********************

My reply: Ah, Blademaker, so now you begin to appreciate the wisdom of my 'premptive strike' post? Sensei Walt

 

[RJ Martin]

I have heard an expert defined as someone who learns more and more about less and less, until they know absolutely everything about nothing!!
Personally, I would rather consider myself knowledgeable than an expert on anything. And, I think that anyone who focuses on a task long enough and pays attention to what they're doing, will eventually develop a high degree of prowess and skill. Passion and drive are also important. As a knifemaker, I am confident in my abilities in the realm of my experience, ONLY. Outside of that realm, I'm not the one to ask, unless you just want my opinion.
The whole arena of knifemaking encompasses science, art, philosophy, and I'll also throw in engineering. It's a big nut!!
When you consider that no one has YET devised a truly scientific method for comparing the true performance of various steels, grinds or edge types, it seems obvious to me that personal experience and opinions are going to play a big role in this thing. And that's fine, as long as we keep it in perspective.
Did that make sense to anyone?

Respectfully Submitted,

RJ Martin

 

[Frank]

If I was looking for an expert in using knives, two groups I would look closely at are tradespersons and NCOs. You'll find people that use knives every day on a long term basis and who usually will know a good product value.


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Frank

 

[ShadedDude]

Expert, the one who usualy talks the least is the one who knows the most. So....

Stay away from the big ugly hairy mean guy.

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Mouse Assassins inc.

 

[Bubba]

There's a good one SD.

I understand several people's position that we are all experts. However, I don't know that I would put anything I know in that catagory. At best, I collect the knowledge of others and store it for future reference. If some one later asks a question of a similar nature, I recall that stored information. Expert? I belive you have to have "been there and done that" to be an expert.

I am no expert. I just happen to be an inefficiant database with lots of broken links.

Thus stated, a number of people have been mentioned above who meet my personal definition of expert. Note that no where in my definition is there any mention of interpersonal relationship skills. There are a number of experts who really have been there, done that and have vast experience. And yet they can still be a royal pain in the back side. I still respect their expertise. And I try to learn from them every chance I get. But I don't tend to get upset when the stir the pot a little.

Repectfully submitted,



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Bubba