I wonder if it is time in this forum's history to create a subforum for customs, and one for restorations instead of a combined subforum? Any Thoughts? ...get it on..Tom
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I wonder if it is time in this forum's history to create a subforum for customs, and one for restorations instead of a combined subforum? Any Thoughts? ...get it on..Tom
Definitions???? Could you maybe give Max and I an idea of where the split occurs ???? I think that is the first question that needs addressing.
TIA
Customs would be for the ones that are shipped internationally.
Duh.
I think customs could be defined as building anything on the razor (blade, scales, wedge). But also include major detailing like shortening blades, regrinding, or adding jimping.Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Restorations could be labeled any razor that is cleaned of rust and major pitting, polished blade or scales, pinning, re-etching, reapplying leaf, and straightening original scales.
I really like the fact that many members are making their own blades! It is very rewarding to see their work! I could suggest a line by custom made blades versus vintage blades? I really do not know. Lots of work goes into restos, but seemingly pales in comparison to the awesome work by our growing bunch of custom blade makers! Seems to be two different animals! Just a thought! THANKS! TomQuote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
The various forum sections serve mainly organizational purpose. My thinking is that if there are too many threads/posts in a given forum (so that threads move quickly out of the first page), it's a good candidate for splitting it further. I just looked at Custom Builts and Restorations and there are no more than 5 new threads per day, so to me splitting the custom made blades in a separate section doesn't seem too important at this point.
We certainly have sections with much less traffic, but the content there is significantly different from the rest to justify that.
For example, the largest section we have is Beginners and even with the introductions split in separate section it's still bigger than the rest. But I think it doesn't make sense to split it any further e.g. beginners' stropping questions, beginners' lathering questions, beginners' razor holding questions, etc. since those can just go to the respective general sections.
At the end of the day the ultimate question is what is the structure that serves best the goals of the site. We wanted to make it easy for people to get help and information, that's why we have the current structure. Some sites have arcane structure that only the creators understand. Others have simply copied our structure because they clearly have no idea what their site goal or purpose is. Yet other sites have structure with the goal of community first and above all, and the quality of information and help being secondary.
The bottom line is that on SRP these things are not just random (or at least most of them are done with a purpose in mind). So, with that in mind, what would be the benefit of separate section for custom made blades (good start may be to count the number of current threads that would end up there, or create a list of them)?
I can appreciate all of this. Any changes would require additional work and would surely need justification. I just see many nice razors all over the forum which members, many newer ones, have restored. I wonder how many might be posted in a strictly restoration forum if it were to be. Many guys are proud of their work, whatever the level of expertise, but do not post them in the custom built/restorations forum as they will be overshadowed by the customs and not really be seen and appreciated as much. Many new restorers and custom makers have been added since the creation of this forum! A good thing which surely goes toward the goal of the forum. I did not mean to imply that things were randomly done. The fine organization of this forum is evident. I surely wish to thank ALL who are involved in making it happen! Without you guys, it would not be possible. As I said in my 2nd post here, just a thought. Thank You All ...get it on...Tom :)
Well, that's what this forum is for "site help, comments, and suggestions", so suggestions are always welcome. But the better argumented they are the bigger chance something would actually change.
I don't spent that much time in the workshop section, but the idea is that most restoration talk would fit well as threads in the general restoration section, stuff that is related to making the steel like forging and heat treatment would be in the 'forge' section. If it's just a showcase of a finished project that'll go to the gallery under 'custom builts and restorations'.
If that doesn't work too well, changing it is always a possibility, so it's mostly a matter of figuring out what exactly doesn't really work and what's the best way to address it.
Then we (meaning the site management, but mostly the big honchos) assess the advantages and the disadvantages and decide whether to make the change or not. It's really as simple as this.
Most often though, these things happen only at the site management level, (I suppose because those are the people with most interest in improving the site) but there isn't anything wrong with anybody making suggestions of how to do things better.
The thing is: the workshop is working fine for all the people that actually participate in it :)
It is one of the least controversial places, with many experts contributing, and has no equivalent anywhere on the internet in terms of quality and traffic. Therefore... if it ain't broken, don't fix it.
The Workshop in general is for all things dealing with working on razors.
The forge is where people discuss actual heat treatment, smithing, grinding, etc. Specialized topics for people making razors, which would get lost in the large amount of general workshop traffic.
The gallery is for pics of restored and newly made razors.
I don't see where another split between restored / new razors in the gallery would add value (which is what you are talking about I think).
How would it improve the user experience?
Simply put, I feel it would encourage participation by newer members, those learning to restore, and those who favor original restores. A place to post these already exists, as you have pointed out, But lots remain other places in the forum. I wonder if a guy with a plain, restored razor avoids the Custom builts/Restoration subforum as it does not seem to go with all the awesome customs! I love checking out the custom made, scaled, and modified razors there, but personally, I lean toward vintage and antique blades/scales. I know I am not the only member who lacks the resources and skills to do custom work. A place for the "Common Man" so to speak! If I am alone in this, I digress. Again, a thought. Thank you, Tom
My thinking is that if somebody feels their restored razor isn't worthy to be in the showcase section, it probably doesn't really belong there. Most likely a more appropriate posting about such razor would be the general workshop forum, the razor clubs, the show and tell (if there isn't really much restoration done), or just the general razor section which seems to be the catchall for researching information. I mean, if the showcasing it is not the most important feature of that razor, certainly there is something else about it that is more important, so it's best to figure out what it is and post in the place where it fits best.
Showcase of poorly restored or poorly photographed razors sounds like an oxymoron, especially since there are already other forum sections where such things would most likely fit better (I realize some now will jump to call me an elitist and a snob).
The thing is, all us us who do restore work or make new razors started out as complete newbies.
I only started learning about razors when I found SRP. Then I honed a couple of razors and then I started to restore. And my first couple of restores were simple restores.
Everyone who gets started can make beautiful restored razors with only a very minimal financial investment. And it doesn't take special skills either. All it takes is patience and a desire to work on razors. We are all just common men. Some of us just have been doing this a bit longer. :)
I made my first blade because of the Customs/Restore forum and The Forge. I have only been doing this (not making I mean shaving with a straight) since some where near the beginning of this year and really appreciate the way this site is laid out (mostly). I had previously only made one other blade, a knife. I found a lot of inspiration and knowledge in these 2 forums. We can pick and choose which posts to look at or whose posts we do or do not want to look at.
To me making the choice between what is a custom or a resto becomes a little blurry and does not leave much room for a newly built traditional style straight, which, I believe, is a limited and not a custom. Where any rescale or slight modification to an existing razor becomes a custom by definition. Most blade makers seem to consider one of a kind blade, no mater how "traditional" to be a custom.
Sharptonn, I do see your point and appreciate the "common man" thought process. I am him, though with a metal working background. I had wanted to make a couple of knives for several years, and it was, in part, the posts and people here who pushed me over the edge and helped to get the ball rolling. I am now working on my 2nd and 3rd knives and planning my 2nd razor. I think if you look you will see some less polished work by myself and paco664. I have seen others around here some where, but I go to these 2 subforums because of what I would like to become. I see it as having to "play up". When we are playing against better opponents our game improves much more quickly, to use a sports metaphor.
I am off to go look for more inspiration now.
Thank you for the mental exercise.
Jeff
Thank You for your responses. Indeed it would be bad to have poorly restored and poor photographs in that subforum. It is, after all, about nice stuff! How can you remove a thread, for example, citing " your razor is not what we want, sorry" or "your photos suck!". I can see what you guys are saying and do agree with it. This was my first post here. I had a thought and am happy that you have responded with such vigor. I did not intend to step on toes, nor cause problems for anyone. Again, I appreciate your work! Kill the Thread Tom
I enjoy being part of the community I do not want to be split off from it. I enjoy see all types of work, from peoples first attempts to highly skilled craft. We are all in this together. I remember posting my early chunky, klutzy rescales at a time when Joe Chandler, Robert Williams, Bill Ellis were doing some amazing stuff. I always thought what cool supportive place. I get to post my work in the same forum as those guys. I find the different types of work interesting and inspirational, I like it all, we are all learning together.
Charlie
spazola that is spot on. I have seen a couple of the knife forums that have people who are Ummm, rather snobish about some of the younger or less talented makers. In the sense that they do not entirely like their style and give some (IMO) rather harsh criticisms, where they are not deserved. I have not seen that type of response here and appreciate it greatly.
Jeff
PS sharpton this has been a good post, Thanks and I'm not sure it needs to be killed (not meant in any snide way at all)
I think it is childish to be like that. Mainly because usually it has nothing to do with talent but with the amount of time you've been doing something. Talent can be the difference between being number 1 and number 10. The difference between number 10 and number 100 is just hard work.Quote:
Originally Posted by TURNMASTER
Thank You. To be honest I have almost regretted it. The Mods on the forum do a great job. In no way was I implying something was not being done correctly and truly respect and admire all posts, makers and restorers.Quote:
Originally Posted by TURNMASTER
I do suppose it has given us some things to discuss and has been enlightening, at least for me. I really like everyone's attitude here. Thats why this forum is #1. As the saying goes: "How ya gonna know, if you don't ask!" Tom
Gugi, you are an elitist and a snob.
(ask and ye shall receive)