- Joined
- Aug 4, 1999
- Messages
- 2,596
JEEEZ this is realy getting old. Once again, I'm drawn into another Nathan thread. Beleive me, this is the last thing I want to be doing right now:barf:
Several points have been made here, some dead on, some way off target.
First off......I don't have a DIRECT problem with Nathan producing knives that have my style or influence, etc. I just thought that long before this point, he would have moved on. This has been discussed in other Nathan threads over and over again. Personally, I don't see him as competition or profiting from my designs, my attempts at getting him to stop were for his own good. I've tried for months to convey to him that this is not in his best interest as a new maker. The feedback he's getting because of it is mostly less than favorable. Why a new maker would want to start out this way is beyond my comprehension.
My friends and customers that collect and purchase my knives see it a little differently, I can understand that as well. For me, there is more to consider and at stake than initially meets the eye. As a full time maker, this entire situation puts me in a very uncomfortable position. Like I said, it's getting REEEEEEAL OLD.
Over the past months, Nathan has assured me that he's going in his own direction, etc., etc., etc. Several days ago, I find my Email box stuffed with directions to this thread and the knife pictured above. With all good intentions, I've always gone out of my way to help Nathan. I must say that for my time spent with him, it's frustrating. Nothing more, nothing less, just frustrating. For someone in search of is his own direction, posting the knife above made me realize it's a lost cause.
Next point.....
Mr. Cooper,
While I apreciate you thoughts in this matter, I feel all but one was right on. The point about the Credit Card Knives was a completely different issue. The CC Knives are not hand made customs. They were manufactured using modern CNC equipment. Even the eges are milled on them. There was no borrowing of styling cues with that fiasco. It was a direct, MANUFACTURED copy made for one reason only, to make money.
Gouge mentioned......
Change the grind and it would be differant makers look, change the grip and it would be another makers look. Is there really anything new under the sun?
Let me tell you, I wish I had a dollar for every design I trashed because it looked like someone elses work. Every knifemaker gets to the point where the actual construction of the knives comes naturally. Coming up with new, popular designs is the hardest part of this business. Is there really anything new under the sun? NO!! That IS the real challenge of knifemaking.
The other forum......
I know this is a sticky sitution, I don't want to start another interforum war.
People there got sick and tired of threads like this one. Polite and positive criticism had absolutely no effect and was not very well taken. Nothing positive ever came out of them.
As Lifter mentioned, there are also many other issues involved, beyond the situation with my knives.
Banning someone, especially a knifemaker is not something that's done without much consideration and reasoning.
Ceya....
I sincerely wish you success with this undertaking. It would be in EVERYONES best interest if this was the LAST thread of this nature!!
Several points have been made here, some dead on, some way off target.
First off......I don't have a DIRECT problem with Nathan producing knives that have my style or influence, etc. I just thought that long before this point, he would have moved on. This has been discussed in other Nathan threads over and over again. Personally, I don't see him as competition or profiting from my designs, my attempts at getting him to stop were for his own good. I've tried for months to convey to him that this is not in his best interest as a new maker. The feedback he's getting because of it is mostly less than favorable. Why a new maker would want to start out this way is beyond my comprehension.
My friends and customers that collect and purchase my knives see it a little differently, I can understand that as well. For me, there is more to consider and at stake than initially meets the eye. As a full time maker, this entire situation puts me in a very uncomfortable position. Like I said, it's getting REEEEEEAL OLD.Over the past months, Nathan has assured me that he's going in his own direction, etc., etc., etc. Several days ago, I find my Email box stuffed with directions to this thread and the knife pictured above.
With all good intentions, I've always gone out of my way to help Nathan. I must say that for my time spent with him, it's frustrating. Nothing more, nothing less, just frustrating. For someone in search of is his own direction, posting the knife above made me realize it's a lost cause.Next point.....
Mr. Cooper,
While I apreciate you thoughts in this matter, I feel all but one was right on. The point about the Credit Card Knives was a completely different issue. The CC Knives are not hand made customs. They were manufactured using modern CNC equipment. Even the eges are milled on them. There was no borrowing of styling cues with that fiasco. It was a direct, MANUFACTURED copy made for one reason only, to make money.
Gouge mentioned......
Change the grind and it would be differant makers look, change the grip and it would be another makers look. Is there really anything new under the sun?
Let me tell you, I wish I had a dollar for every design I trashed because it looked like someone elses work. Every knifemaker gets to the point where the actual construction of the knives comes naturally. Coming up with new, popular designs is the hardest part of this business. Is there really anything new under the sun? NO!! That IS the real challenge of knifemaking.
The other forum......
I know this is a sticky sitution, I don't want to start another interforum war.
People there got sick and tired of threads like this one. Polite and positive criticism had absolutely no effect and was not very well taken. Nothing positive ever came out of them.
As Lifter mentioned, there are also many other issues involved, beyond the situation with my knives.
Banning someone, especially a knifemaker is not something that's done without much consideration and reasoning.
Ceya....
I sincerely wish you success with this undertaking. It would be in EVERYONES best interest if this was the LAST thread of this nature!!
