A few thoughts on filework

I think that I may have caused the discussion to go astray. The point I was trying to make in relation to the original post, was that it is very difficult (for a beginner) to tell where your work lies on the spectrum. Therefore, it is difficult to tell if your work is “ready” for embellishments.
An honest, straightforward assessment, is the only way that I know of that a craftsman can learn to train his eye.
My reasoning for suggesting that only a few folks be allowed to post critiques, would be to cut down on the number of people basically bashing away, and to have a certain level of expertise from which to critique from. I say this because I know from a personal standpoint, nobody would want to try and go back and fix a knife from a critique of mine. I simply don’t have enough experience to lend a thoughtful, educated criticism. All I have are my personal preferences.
As well it would be totally optional, no one would be “required” to post. If you don’t like it, simply don’t post.
@J. Doyle i apologize for the sidetrack. I will use more discretion in the future.
 
bladegrinder said:
I think a subforum with a 'no holds barred' is kind of a good idea but I don't think it would be too well received by some folks.
for one thing we all heard the old 'we're all sensitive people' motto and some people would definitely be taken back by some of the comments that might come from others. moderation aside, some folks are going to take criticisms badly if there put out like, hey this is the place to do it.

I see people asking for and getting comments on their work already on this forum, some with what I think may be over positive or over negative, but it all mashes.
for instance, you may have someone all tooled up and having a difficult time with something, they post some pictures and get what he considers getting slammed in that one subforum, that may make someone throw in the towel, and that wouldn't be right.
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Yes, but.... if people enter this sub form, they are automatically agreeing to the critiques. Personally, I would jump in with both feet into that deep end because although some commenters would be asses by their very nature, me experience here has been quite the opposite. As in the "negative " comments have helped me a whole lot more than the "attaboys" (although I gotta admit, I really, really like the attaboys !!
If we want to try a test, I'll be the goat. Here's some pics, so critique away!DSC01348.JPGDSC01347.JPGDSC01346.JPG
 
Having the courage to really ask for honest critique can be really valuable. As mentioned, it is almost always more valuable than back slapping.

Saying something nice just for the sake of trying to be nice can make someone feel good..........but is it really helpful in the big picture?

On the other hand, any critique should always be done tactfully and restricted to the knife itself. Fit, finish, flow, proportions and craftsmanship are all fair areas of critique. But materials, colors, types of finishes and shapes are all highly subjective and often personal preference.

It is, of course, helpful if those doing the critiquing have some degree of knowledge in the areas they are critiquing and should have a good grasp of knifemaking basics.
 
Short of having the courage to seek honest critique, it is highly advisable that makers look at pictures of other knives from other makers.

There are Google searches and Instagram and forums and books/magazines at our disposal.

Look at all manner of knives......look at hundreds or even better......thousands. Try to compare apples to apples, i.e......simple hunters compared to simple hunters, dress bowies to dress bowies, tactical folders to tactical folders, etc.

Pay attention to shape, flow, proportions and the crispness of grinds and the quality of finishes. You should soon start to recognize good from not so good.

Then try to honestly assess where you fall in the mix and identify where you'd like to head with your making.
 
My 2 cents. :rolleyes:
There are many here that I would trust for an honest opinion. I don't have a problem asking for help. Lord knows I need all I can get. Then there is critique. I look at that as a teacher student thing. I'll see (TEACHING MOMENT). As stated above. A no holds bar area! Really!!! This is a good forum. People can learn and make mistakes. One person's idea of critique very well might be another one's idea of bashing. Thing's don't always come out the way you intend it to on a forum. If you want a No Holds Bar area. Go on a Harley forum and tell them you like your new Honda!;)
 
Do not forget you can always reach out to individuals in a private message for feedback. I have three people on here I solicit feedback from and I have never been insulted by their help which they give freely. Perhaps that could be a good option for some.
 
Chris Railey said:
Do not forget you can always reach out to individuals in a private message for feedback. I have three people on here I solicit feedback from and I have never been insulted by their help which they give freely. Perhaps that could be a good option for some.
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That’s probably by far the best option. Expect some PMs.
 
Chris Railey said:
Do not forget you can always reach out to individuals in a private message for feedback. I have three people on here I solicit feedback from and I have never been insulted by their help which they give freely. Perhaps that could be a good option for some.
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There is only one problem with that. At least for me. I "CAN'T" send a pic in a PM. Ed,,,,,,, :)
 
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I "CAN'T" send a pic from a PM.
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Sure ya can! :)

sign up for a free account at one of the online picture galleries/storage. I use..... https://imgbb.com/

You can create albums, upload, and then when you want to put a pic in a post of forums or in a PM.....you click on the pic.....go down to the lower left and you'll see "Embed Codes". Third one down is "Full Image (linked).... point at the box next to "BB Code" and a little "copy" box pops up on the right side......click it......the where every you want the image to be.....as in a form post or a PM.......left click your mouse and then right click "paste"...... the code/url that was copied will not be pasted into the forums post or PM....... and if you hit "preview" or "Post Reply"...... the image will show up!

Guess that was another "Teaching Moment".....of a different kind. :)

OK, back on track...... pictures are notoriously difficult to critique......only the crudest sense would I consider a critique from photos accurate. However......we gotta start somewhere.

Personally, when anyone asks me to "Critique" their knife/knives...... I ALWAYS respond with..... "Do you want me to LOOK at your knives....or do you want me to CRITIQUE your knives. Difference? If I LOOK at your knives, I will as kind as possible, and will usually only point out the good things. IF I critique you knives, I will look at them as if they are being judge for JS or MS testing (as applies).

Personally, LOOKING really doesn't do anything for anyone.....other than often give a false sense of security.....or an ego stroking......neither of which is really worth anything.

If I had to say ONE thing that would improve the vast majority of knives I see.....it would be ATTENTION TO DETAIL. If you EVER catch yourself looking at a knife you've made, and in relationship to ANYTHING on it saying......"Mmmmm.....That's good enough." The YOU ARE NOT paying enough attention to details. :) There are far too many KSO being made (and sold) these days, and to be honest it makes me madder than a wet hen to see half baked and just plain lousy knives being offered.......it brings down the level of the entire custom knife world.
 
Ok,,,,
Let's start with KSO. I don't understand.

I will tell you when you look at my knives It would be nice if you critique them. Please!! I don't post many. I'll have to change that. I had a good teacher that I really liked and I'm very picky. That does not mean I see everything. A little help please. Thank you!!!!
 
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Bjmac said:
Yes, but.... if people enter this sub form, they are automatically agreeing to the critiques. Personally, I would jump in with both feet into that deep end because although some commenters would be asses by their very nature, me experience here has been quite the opposite. As in the "negative " comments have helped me a whole lot more than the "attaboys" (although I gotta admit, I really, really like the attaboys !!
If we want to try a test, I'll be the goat. Here's some pics, so critique away!View attachment 69718View attachment 69720View attachment 69721
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CD61B49F-82FE-44D6-8C94-BB67D39AF694.jpeg
 
I agree with Ed, it's hard to critique just pictures. That's one reason I like the KITHs. You get the opportunity to put your work in the hands of another maker.

Another option may be to do a pass around. You could post pictures of the finished knife, anyone interested in looking at it in person puts their name on a list, and the knife gets sent to each person on the list. There would be risk in this, the knife could be lost or damaged in shipping, and there would be a cost to each participant to send the knife to the next person. But, you would get hands on critique.
 
Kevin Zito said:
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OK Zito..... who in the heck do you think you are, posting pictures of my work as a critique? With no explanation or any thing? You think you're something special , don't cha ?

Just kiddin, amigo. I do think that those pics do express where I failed the fit and finish course. in fact, I did fix the base of the handle, and I never even saw the area being mismatched on the copper spacers. Question is : How do I fix it once the knife is finished? Leave it alone and use it as a learning experience on the next one? Take it apart and fix it without damage to the blade?
 
EdCaffreyMS said:
it brings down the level of the entire custom knife world.
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I thought there was the potential of that....
When I first forged out a few blades I had them on the floor by the woodstove and had a guest come in. We started talking about knives and I showed him those. He looked down at them and said, "oh." I know what he thought too, because when I had my first look at what I had done, my initial thought was, "this looks more like something I found than something I made." The funny thing was that he didn't know about custom knifemaking before then, but it made him curious. I thought he was going to go but knives from somebody else. He never did though.

I've also looked at my most recent finished knives and thought, "this looks like a wannabe custom knife." But it's not, it's just a man learning something new. There's gotta be a place for that. I don't know that it is yet. I'm figuring it out.

Custom knifemaking as far as I know is pretty much off the radar for a lot of people I know. I didn't want my work to become people's first impression of it. I thought it could affect people who have made it and keep it what it is. But I think John is right, too, that the professional's work is obviously better and that maker has a reputation already built that a new maker can't tarnish maybe only increase - like what I thought was going to happen in my story.

It's off the radar and I'm off custom maker's radar besides this forum, so maybe for someone like me it doesn't even matter. Maybe I have the space to learn and the people with me.

Where I've landed on this thread is to just stick with as clean and symmetrical and even as I can. If I have compromises in the grinding - just give it brass and plain walnut.
 
Bjmac said:
OK Zito..... who in the heck do you think you are, posting pictures of my work as a critique? With no explanation or any thing? You think you're something special , don't cha ?

Just kiddin, amigo. I do think that those pics do express where I failed the fit and finish course. in fact, I did fix the base of the handle, and I never even saw the area being mismatched on the copper spacers. Question is : How do I fix it once the knife is finished? Leave it alone and use it as a learning experience on the next one? Take it apart and fix it without damage to the blade?
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Lol you definitely had me going there for a minute. I wouldn’t worry about fixing anything. I would just take my time on the next one while keeping in mind the mistakes from this build. I’ve learned that mistakes are hell to fix but easy to not make. Lol that’s a weird sentence.
 
This has been an interesting and hopefully informative thread. I like this forum and the family like environment and the refreshing lack of drama.

The main reason I started the thread, and what the purpose of any critique by anyone here should be, is not to berate or belittle anyone's skill but rather to help ALL OF US think about what we're doing, learn and become the best knifemakers we can be.

My own knives are not above critique and I can guarantee you they aren't flawless. I've learned (and am still learning) how to minimize the flaws and make fewer and smaller flaws but they aren't perfect.....they're still made by my imperfect human hands.

But one thing I can tell you, I try really hard to pay attention to every detail. And I put thought into the 'why' of almost every aspect of the build. So even if another doesn't like something I've done, I at least have a reason or explanation of why I chose to do that. It doesn't necessarily make me right.......or wrong. But there was a thought process, a plan. Nothing was an oversight and there was a rhyme or reason to most everything.

Just investing the time into that thought process will automatically add some quality to your build.
 
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