Wikipedia knife articles that need creating/editing

MatthewVanitas

MatthewVanitas

Go Army, Beat Navy!
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Oct 6, 2004
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I've been reading some of the Wikipedia articles about knives, and there's some great content out there. However, there's plenty of room for more knife articles, as well as details and pics for existing articles.

My proposal: we make a combined effort amongst BFC members and make some large group contributions to Wikipedia, so that folks all over the world can have a centralized repository of knife knowledge, with quality photos and accurate information (with citations from published works when possible).

What we need to to:

-Identify types of knives which are not currently covered on Wiki, and create articles for them
-Identify articles which would be greatly enhanced with more detail or illustrations
-Identify incorrect/unsubstantiated info on knife pages, and update with accurate info, citing quotations from published works if possible.

I just added an article about "Jacob's ladder" knives, and put in some really basic info, so that gives you an idea of a bare-bones start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob's_ladder_(knife)


Method: folks can post here letting us know what articles they're working on, to avoid duplicating effort.

NOTE: you don't need to log-in to make edits, just to create new articles. So if you see a list of slipjoint knives that leaves out the "congress" design, you can just click the "Edit" button and go add the details yourself. Just mimic the formatting used in the article, or glance at the Wiki format guide if you have questions.

Folks not comfortable editing Wiki directly can post info or links to (public domain or self-owned) pics here which we can then upload to the articles.

I'll go:

Today I'll add a basic page for:

"Barlow knife" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barlow_knife

"Douk-Douk (knife)" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douk-Douk


Now I just need pics and info to add to those two articles. Citations from published works would be ideal, but even basic info is a start.

Here's the current list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Knives
What other knife types need coverage?
 
What are "Internet Experts"?

Getting involved in Wikipedia for current events or politicallly oriented contentious subjects is a waste of time. No-one agrees on what's right.

But putting information on knives, technical data about knife styles, blade grinds, and materials can be useful for non-knife people interested in the subject, and even for new people here who regularly ask about this.

If you're uncomfortable with Wikipedia, take a look at the Going Prepared Wiki by BF member storl
http://wiki.goingprepared.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
 
Esav Benyamin said:
What are "Internet Experts"?

Getting involved in Wikipedia for current events or politicallly oriented contentious subjects is a waste of time. No-one agrees on what's right.

But putting information on knives, technical data about knife styles, blade grinds, and materials can be useful for non-knife people interested in the subject, and even for new people here who regularly ask about this.

If you're uncomfortable with Wikipedia, take a look at the Going Prepared Wiki by BF member storl
http://wiki.goingprepared.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
Click to expand...

Internet Experts are the ones that not only think their view/opinion is correct, but they need to share their enlightened thoughts with the whole internet community. Wikipedia is a safehaven for these people. Wikipedia allows your average basement-dwelling slob to ascend to the rank of Ph.D. with their infinite knowledge on any number of subjects.

The knife sections would probably descend into the same arguments that plague every other page on Wikipedia, EVEN on such cut-and-dry issues of blade grinds, materials, steels, etc. Just look at the General Discussion portion of this forum and you see the same retards arguing about "WHICH STEAL IS BETTER TOOL STEAL OR S40V?????" These are the same people that would be updating and deleting good information on Wikipedia with their bias & ignorance.
 
symphonyincminor said:
The knife sections would probably descend into the same arguments that plague every other page on Wikipedia, EVEN on such cut-and-dry issues of blade grinds, materials, steels, etc. Just look at the General Discussion portion of this forum and you see the same retards arguing about "WHICH STEAL IS BETTER TOOL STEAL OR S40V?????" These are the same people that would be updating and deleting good information on Wikipedia with their bias & ignorance.
Click to expand...

Why would someone follow the General Discussion forum just to be able to post saying how bad the forum is?


What's so bad about, say, these articles?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balisong_(knife)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puukko

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mora_knife

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smatchet

Note that all of these articles would benefit from development, citation, photos, etc. Barring someone spending hours driving around trying to buy a book about smatchets, how would you suggest a curious newbie find out more information about that type of knife?
 
Exactly. Instead of wasting time complaining about something you have no interest in, why not spend a liuttle time upgrading a few articles, and see if the work is really wasted.

Many Wikipedia articles are an excellent introduction to their non-confrontational subjects. Even arguable subjects are treated with respect when the right people cooperate on them. The others? The flaws are generally obvious.
 
I agree. History,politics and current events are controversial (rightly so) but getting information on patterns and styles in knives is invaluable for the would be knife enthusiast.

Wikipedia can ignite interest and curiosity and that's always a good thing, of course you must remain sceptical and open-minded about any sources of info. I've recently got interested in apiary (bee-keeping) and I've been able to get a lot of useful starter info.I don't assume that such articles are written by nutters,neo-cons,islamasists or frustrated meglomaniacs bent on brainwashing me about bees! Some of the info may be wrong for my situation etc.

I think it's an excellent idea and a contribution to knife awareness and scholarship to get this going.
 
Gabe Newell said:
For those more familiar with Wikipedia, where would you place a directory of custom knife makers?
Click to expand...

Here's a precedent, we could just imitate these in a similar format:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_classical_guitar_makers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_phone_makers_by_country

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_astronomical_instrument_makers

Would it be better to have separate lists for individual/custom/small-scale knife makers (Reeves, Anza, etc), and then a different list for Benchmade, Spyderco, etc? We'd have to think carefully on the proper terminology for that to keep the lists clearly differentiated.
 
Added three more article stubs which need expansion, pics, and citations:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercator_K55K

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okapi_(knife)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douk-Douk



Regarding the List: how about a page entitled "List of Knifemakers by Country", and that page is divided into two categories: "Production" and "Custom/Small-Scale", or whatever terminology folks would find appropriate.

I think creating two separate pages for production/custom would be a bit excessive, but would like to keep the distinction clear. Sound workable?

Unless I hear a strong objection in the next few days, I'll create one page with two separate lists.
 
A little input from this thread, but not as much as expected. So I tried going to the BFC Schrade forum to get info for a Sharpfinger article.

Here's what we managed between 3 or 4 BFC members and a couple days:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharpfinger


I think this really has potential to get info out there in a format accessible to everyone, so if any member has other ideas for articles, or contributions to make, that'd be outstanding.

Do you think this thread might go better if I put it into the Traditional subforum, and focused it on knife history? There surely must be folks there with good references about Mercator, Barlow, Douk-Douk, Case, and the like.

It'd also be great to get an article going about Becker Knife and Tool.
 
I can tell you as a newer, especially Schrade, collector that the collector fourm is invaluable and also I can tell you that there is a ton of knowledge in the traditional forum as well.
 
hardheart said:
fortunate we have a net expert to expound on the evils of wiki pages
Click to expand...

A+ material here :D

Wikipedia has a wealth of information, and while it's not infallible information, it's often an excellent place to start getting overview information on a topic, or reminding yourself of facts on something you've already studied.

As with all information on the internet--and elsewhere for that matter--it's a good idea to cross-reference your sources!
 
The German version of Time Magazine (I think) took a random sample of around 100 topics, and compared up to date print sources with Wikipedia - Wikipedia turned out to be more thorough, more accurate than the print sources. I'll try to find the link and post it if I do.

I've learned a lot from Wikipedia, and checked it on things that I do know about - it's been very accurate in my opinion. Of course, I wouldn't bet my life on it, but for a quick little checkup...I'll take it.

I think it's a great idea for knife knuts to update Wikipedia with their knowledge, seeing as that if someone has no idea, but is looking to figure out what a "warn-clif?" blade is, they will probably go to Wikipedia before BF.com.
 
Recently I got a local magazine (local version of Reader's Digest) that give knife sharpening tips, such as using scissor V shape (when opened partially) to sharpen knives, etc.

While it'll be helpful for majority of people that use cheap kitchen knives, the article definitely is 100% good, as it might cause someone unknowingly ruin a high grade knife by doing so ..

I think if time and effort permits, contributing to Wiki with facts on sharpening is great!
I imagine Buzzbait's convex sharpening goes into Wiki, but that's his property.
 
What about a bladeforums Wiki or just a knife and blade Wiki?

For example, there's a very good Pipe Wiki that has mountains of information about pipes and their makers. Since in the world of pipes there are also manufacturers as well as custom makers, I think such a thing would translate very well.

http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=Main_Page
 
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