question about tradition

[Tai Google]

Just do what ever you "have to",... in order to make the kinds of knives you desire to make.

[Tai Google]

DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES!

... but keep in mind that the end product has everything to do with the "craftsperson" and the process.

"There are two kinds of smiths,... yourself and everyone else."

[Tai Google]

O.K. I?ll just keep on harping on this then,?

Whenever a craftsperson engages in the act of smithing out a knife, he or she also engages in the process of creating or defining one?s ?SELF?? The idea being, that if you can "create a better smith", you will also create a better process and product in the end.

First and foremost, the smith is a "PERSON", not a machine!

...It's what you can do with your own two hands!

On the other side,... to eliminate the ?PERSON? is to eliminate the smith.

This is "THE TRADITION"!

[Tai Google]

This might sound a bit ?personal?, but?

What kind of person are you?

What kind of person do you want to be?

(?Those two questions are at the heart of all traditions?)

[Andrew Garrett]

Having read through many such discussions in various forums, I am always fascinated by the variety of ways people can find joy in making knives.

For me, it's the art... the lines... In fact, design is where I get most of my fulfillment from knifemaking.
Heck, some of my favorite knives, I haven't even made yet! They exist as profile drawings in my design portfolio.

But, I'm also the guy who can be walking through a junk yard and spot a rusted-out 58 Buick station wagon and see pure beauty! It sure as hell isn't the fit and finish! I see right through that... to the lines... to the work of the artist's mind which created it.
I see their idea. I feel what they felt when they were drawing, then sculpting in clay...

For some, the reward is the process.
For me, I'm already very emotionally invested in the knife before the UPS guy shows up with the bar of steel I'll shape it from. My reward comes from designing.

In the end, Tai's words prove to be wise. "Just do what ever you "have to",... in order to make the kinds of knives you desire to make."

Art is any form of expression which inspires an emotional response.

[Tai Google]

Good points Andy!

You?ll have to excuse me if I get a bit emotional over the topic of ?tradition?.

I don?t think we talk near enough about the importance of ?concept and design?.
This is where ?the process? begins...

[EdgarFigaro]

Originally Posted by Tai Google

This might sound a bit ?personal?, but?

What kind of person are you?

What kind of person do you want to be?

(?Those two questions are at the heart of all traditions?)

Seems like one of those instances where "The world is your mirror" kinda comes into play.

By working to improve the item you're working on, that work is also reflected in yourself, as your personal skills improve and things of that nature.

Or it works in the other direction as well, if you work to improve oneself, your creations will benefit as well.

[Tai Google]

Yes! That's it!

You work on the knife and the work works on you...

An excellent craftsperson cannot be stupid, undisciplined or lazy.

[Tai Google]

Every time a smith creates a piece,... that person also makes a statement about him or her "self".

If you are the type of person who rushes out, buys and relies on, a shop full of power tools and machines to do the work "faster and easier",... you probably will never become a truly excellent craftsperson in the "traditional" sense.

Learn to do things by hand first!

...Use machines and power only if and when it will help.

Give your "self" a chance...

[azmike]

At work sometimes the other guys will see me with a guard/blade/handle, working on it with a file/sand cloth and tell me that there are grinders/band saws around that they would use if it was them. the only response i have is "yes, but thats you----not me".
azmike

[Carey Quinn]

I don?t think we talk near enough about the importance of ?concept and design?.
This is where ?the process? begins...

Tai,

That is an interesting statement and I , for one, would be very interested in hearing your thoughts on the issue.

Carey

[Tai Google]

If desire, concept and design are the starting points,... then everything that follows is dictated by them.

This is why it?s so important to ?work? on these things.

[Omega]

i am constantly working to improve my skills so that my works show the time and effort i put forth to myself and other...lets not forget though tai we're not talking about a cnc computer driven machine (which requires a type of skill) a power hammer or grinder may be faster and "easier" but are in no way simple or mean that the operator has less skill than someone else..just a different kind of skill

[Tai Google]

Originally Posted by Omega

i am constantly working to improve my skills so that my works show the time and effort i put forth to myself and other...lets not forget though tai we're not talking about a cnc computer driven machine (which requires a type of skill) a power hammer or grinder may be faster and "easier" but are in no way simple or mean that the operator has less skill than someone else..just a different kind of skill

True!
There is a big difference between a traditional type smith and a machinist (or machine operator). When the distinction between those two things fades away so does the tradition...

Most contemporary smiths do incorporate the use of power tools and machines to some degree. However, the ?emphasis? of smithing, as a craft, is on the handwork.

[Tai Google]

For me ?personally?, it is of primary importance to feel that I am carrying on, and connected to, ?The Tradition? of my ancestors and the smith?s who came before me,? out of pure respect and personal desire.

However,? aren?t individuality, originality, creativity, "reality", innovation and growth part of ?The Tradition??

That?s the real question?

I believe that they are...
That?s what I?ve always been told.


?Onward yon Knifesmiths!
I face northwards and salute you with my hammer and my fire!