Why dont you guys update your profile?

I hesitated to respond to this thread because everyone seems to not see any danger in posting personal information. I am an IT guy by profession and a hobbiest knifemaker and every bit of information you put on the web can be used to build a more complete profile of YOU.

If you were ever in the US Military one of the things you learn is operation security. You're taught to not tell little snippets of information about what you do that are seemingly insignificant but, when pieced together with other information from other sources, could add up to information about troop movements, weapons deployment, etc that could be used by our enemies.

The same thing can happen with your personal information. I don't think it's fair to penalize someone for trying to protect their identity. I look at this place as an open forum with a fairly free flow of information about all aspects of the knifemaking community. I personally became more interested in knifemaking because of this forum and the openess of you full-time knifemakers to share your expertise.

And while I'm at it, THANK YOU knifemakers, whose knames are too knumerous to mention, for sharing your knowlege.

I hope this didn't sound like a rant or paranoia. I didn't mean it in that spirit.
All I know is if "loose lips sink ships" then loose fingers sink...uhhhhh....awe dangit!!!:o you know what I mean.
 
yes - I agree with you, Kerry.

And for a long time, I went under the name "Pendentive" here on Bladeforums. Still use it on other forums...

But a knifemaker usually cannot hide behind a more anonymous business name...and must instead rely on their given name to build up their reputation.

So, in a way, we give up a bit of our privacy in order to build up our business. It's a trade-off, for sure.

But a certain amount of info-sharing is necessary to help sell our "image" - whatever it may be. :D
 
Daniel Koster said:
yes - I agree with you, Kerry.

And for a long time, I went under the name "Pendentive" here on Bladeforums. Still use it on other forums...

But a knifemaker usually cannot hide behind a more anonymous business name...and must instead rely on their given name to build up their reputation.

So, in a way, we give up a bit of our privacy in order to build up our business. It's a trade-off, for sure.

But a certain amount of info-sharing is necessary to help sell our "image" - whatever it may be. :D
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Can't agree with you more about that. But as you know I was speaking about the poor hobbiest sap(much like myself) that may be hesitant to give out unnecessary info in order to be taken as a serious person seeking knowlege about knifemaking for their own personal use.

Dang:o, let's talk about knives. Copious profile information forthcoming.
 
Kerry Hampton said:
Can't agree with you more about that. But as you know I was speaking about the poor hobbiest sap(much like myself) that may be hesitant to give out unnecessary info in order to be taken as a serious person seeking knowlege about knifemaking for their own personal use.

Dang:o, let's talk about knives. Copious profile information forthcoming.
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Kerry, Thanks for opening up.

I realize the profile section is optional but we full time makers stand the chance of giving up some trade secrets that others could use to take the food from our own mouths. It just seems wrong to take what we freely share and not even tell us their real names. I have taken loads of info from here but at least you all know who I am. Ive made friends here and have promoted my knife business. I like the forums because we all can talk about the interests we share so why not get to know each other? The profile section is set up here for that purpose.
 
Bruce Bump said:
Kerry, Thanks for opening up.

I realize the profile section is optional but we full time makers stand the chance of giving up some trade secrets that others could use to take the food from our own mouths. It just seems wrong to take what we freely share and not even tell us their real names. I have taken loads of info from here but at least you all know who I am. Ive made friends here and have promoted my knife business. I like the forums because we are all can talk about the same interests we share so why not get to know each other. The profile section is set up here for that purpose.
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and a lot of us have met each other too, if not for this forum this would not have happened , at least for me..

I don't blame guys being carefulm if they are careful that helps..I do a lot of my
stuff on line Banking and what have you, so I can check stuff everyday, if there is a problem then it can be taken care of fast, it's getting to be a way of life and that comes with the powers that be to find ways to fix the problems that come with it..
..I could go on all day about that stuff..but for the most part I'm careful
what you get from me here you can get at the town hall in the public records.
 
Yep.


I've met Dan Gray in person...and let me tell ya...nobody's safe. :D :p :eek:
 
Bruce Bump said:
I cant believe that some of you guys expect us to give you information about making knives but you wont even write anything on your profile. Just the bare minimum to register seems wrong to me. Rant, Rant!
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One of the reasons I don't participate here anymore. It's like giving info to trolls. They never give any information about themselves either.

I figure if they don't trust me, why should I trust them?:thumbdn: :barf:
 
Kerry Hampton said:
I hesitated to respond to this thread because everyone seems to not see any danger in posting personal information. I am an IT guy by profession and a hobbiest knifemaker and every bit of information you put on the web can be used to build a more complete profile of YOU.

..................................
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That no longer holds water. Many forums I belong to most use their real names, those that want to be taken seriously that is. No problems at all. If they want your information they probably already have it. I've been using my real name since I've had a computer.

As far as the military goes, all they have to put is overseas or whatever they want. Let the military worry about OPSEC for G*d's sake.

But this business of coming on here, or anywhere for that matter and not even trusting the people you ask questions of, about things that they busted their asses to learn, you better at least have the courtesy to put your location down. It's only common sense. If you're worried about someone getting your info, cancel your ISP subscription and watch TV!!!
 
Bruce and I have mentioned this several times in here. I have even suggested that in order to obtain a knifemakers membership, one would have to have a full name on in.

I dont mind giving advice, but its a lot easier to give freely if someone comes in here being more personal about it. The reason we are in here are two-fold,

First, we are here because IG is here, and we are all addicted to his effin relish.

Secondly, we are here to help the community and foster an aire of grace and hospitality. No secrets here, but I tell you what... dont walk into my shop as a stranger, refuse to introduce yourself, and expect me to spill all my knowledge on you. The same applies here. You want info? You want to learn how to make knives form the best? (trust me, Bruce Bump is one of the best, and we are lucky to have an ABS MS in here helping us) Then you need to become a little more a team player. Nuff said.
 
Ive been wanting to swtich my handle to my real name for some time, but havent felt like shelling out cash for a name switch update...perhaps I should just buck up....
 
Bit the bullet. Requested a change to my full name. I will miss the tiktock name but im keeping the annoying running dog avatar no matter how much everyone begs.
 
Mike Hull said:
That no longer holds water. Many forums I belong to most use their real names, those that want to be taken seriously that is. No problems at all. If they want your information they probably already have it. I've been using my real name since I've had a computer.

As far as the military goes, all they have to put is overseas or whatever they want. Let the military worry about OPSEC for G*d's sake.

But this business of coming on here, or anywhere for that matter and not even trusting the people you ask questions of, about things that they busted their asses to learn, you better at least have the courtesy to put your location down. It's only common sense. If you're worried about someone getting your info, cancel your ISP subscription and watch TV!!!
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Looks like I must have struck a nerve:eek:. I don't know if you noticed it or not but you can type anything you want in the profile. The point of that is, the profile information shouldn't be considered a source of comfort which determines whether you will share your deep, dark, busted a** secrets.

I admire the hard work of you knifemakers that are part of this forum and, although I may not have the ability to pull up a stool and learn from you in person, I consider myself one of your students. Mike, I think you have a good point and I would add that if this issue is that important to you professional knifemakers, then maybe the rules for participation in this forum should be ratcheted up a bit so that your comfort level is increased. But until then, to berate the newbie or occasional tire-kicker-question-asker because they haven't filled out the loosey, goosey forum profile information is really contrary to the way the forum is set up.

Currently: Shop Talk - BladeSmith Questions and Answers The art of knife making- advice on methods, supplies, and materials

After: Shop Talk - BladeSmith Questions and Answers The art of knife making- advice on methods, supplies, and materials(must have full profile information disclosure for posts to be taken seriously)

I like Higgins full name idea and would also say you could have another member level called KNIFEMAKER APPRENTISE or STUDENT. Maybe then you could set some kind of progress marker where the moderators could say with confidence that this student knifemaker has achieved the level of knifemaker. If people are serious about learning then they should pay and be open to some sort of structure like this. I'm just brainstorming(or brainfarting :D )

I bow to the experts and whatever you all think is right and just, I will abide by. My ID here has always been my name. Again, I wasn't talking about me per se. I was playing the devils advocate for the folks trying to be careful with their personal info. If folks are trying to hide their identity for sinister purposes, that's a whole different issue I can't even relate to.
 
I'm reg'd with my real name, and usualy do register on forums with either that or first initial + last name. That being said, I've had a chat handle from online gaming that I've been known by for so long, and which is even used in real life at conventions I go to by friends and people I meet, and sometimes even signed to artwork that I produce, that I almost registered with my online nickname instead.

That being said, I'm glad that I registered with my real name, because it does seem like a better way to get to know a bunch of metal pounders than my online nickname. If a bunch of you here were online gamers, then I'd have certainly registered with my nickname, as online and dealing with people who you may never meet in real life, your reputation is worth more than anything.

When I get a custom tang stamp made with my trademark... I'll 95% likely use my online nick with my trademark and not my real name however. *shrugs*

I know I dont have a lot of information in my profile, but I'd rather give the basics and let people get to know me through my actions =) People here have been increadibly helpfull and I've learned alot already, despite the sparseness of my pinfo =)
 
I just had an odd thought enter my old head:
How willing would I be to answer questions at a knife show to someone who appears at my table with a paper bag over his head and wouldn't give me any more name than "One Nut Bob"? Not much, of course, even if One Nut was offended by it.

I personally think the unwillingness to share names and a little personal info may put off some of those for whom this is more a community as opposed to a primary learning resource. About the only question you'll ever get from any number of the regulars around here is "where's a better place to get xxxxxx." Still, they hang out here. Why is that? They enjoy helping, of course, and learning a new way to do something, but it's the sense of community that holds 'em.

I remember when I knew all my neighbors by name and we shared phone numbers and the like, "just in case". I knew a little about them all, and though we weren't friends as such, we were definitely friendly acquaintances. Nowadays I don't even speak the language so I can ask my neighbors their name. Guess which one I liked better?

Perhaps more than "professional" or "novice" it has to do with "old school" and "new". Older people here were pre-internet, and unused to the commonly accepted anonymity of game rooms and chat boards that the computer generation has grown up with. Old school is used to knowing who they're speaking to, and are sincerely interested in knowing a bit about them. Not to mention it makes it easier to know how to answer. One is not going to suggest to a 16 year old to get a mini-mill; you tell 'em how to do the task with a file. You have to know that, though, to answer.

This certainly isn't new around here. There has always been a strong sense of community in the 5 years I've participated here, and have been "who are you" threads to foster that. I get drawn back here even when I get pissed and leave, because it is a community. By the same token, they tolerate me even though I'm often a jerk. Almost sorta like family. (Plus there's an "ignore" button for those who've had enough of me. Internet does have some advantages!:) )

I've never met Ray Richard and probably never will, but because I knew a little about him from here and felt a friendliness, I had no problem kicking in a little bit when his barn burned. I felt bad for Ray, not just for "someone who made knives". One Nut Bob who would want me to pay to a Paypal account because he doesn't want me to know what town his barn was in wouldn't get a second thought.

That's my take on why many fill in their profiles. I read almost every one, and always those whom I'll answer. It does make a difference to me.

I'm probably being a jerk again, but you'll at least know who I am.
 
jhiggins said:
Holy smokes, He's back! :eek: :eek: :eek:

GOOD TO SEE YA, MIKE! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
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Thank you, Jeff. I've been posting a little more lately, yes. I'm trying to learn better when to write and when to just walk away. Difficult for me, it seems. :o I feared I had cleared the thread here with my post. :) Didn't intend to. I was trying to be sincere.

I am saddened to read of your difficulties, brother. Every road has potholes. Sometimes there's a whole danged bad stretch. Eventually, though, the road ahead smoothes for awhile, again. There's a commercial on the tube lately with some "monk" saying "without sorrow how would we know happiness?" Word.

You WILL be happy again. Exceptional trials always need exceptional discipline to deal with them. Hang in there. One day at a time.
 
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