Advice.

[immiketoo]

Advice. It’s everywhere. Some is good. Some is great. And, some is crap. Absolute crap. I’ve given a lot of advice over the years. Gotten quite a bit as well. I have always tried to provide the best advice to the best of my knowledge. Occasionally, I’ve screwed the pooch and been corrected, rightfully so.

I am all for whatever works for an individual, but works is relative. Many times, what “works” is either because someone is too lazy to develop a skill or too cheap to buy the right tool for the job.

I get that sometimes there are limitations both intellectual and financial, but it’s more often the former and not the latter.

All I’m saying, if I’m saying anything at all, is to take a look at the work of the person giving the advice. If you don’t see any work, be cautious. If they patently refuse to show an example of what their advice can accomplish, be skeptical.

If you do see some examples, ask yourself if you’d like your work to look like theirs.

There are many ways to do this thang we all love. Some are better than others, while some are personal preference, but its up to you to decide if the "good advice" you just got is actually worthwhile.

For example, I would never take advice on how to do deco cuts from someone who can't do them well.  Likewise, I would never give advice on building saddles since I don't know jack about them.

[Tugadude]

I agree.  I don't tool so don't offer any advice or suggestions.  I weigh in on stitching questions because I have acquired a level of consistency that I feel I can at least help folks on the basics.  I also suggest they watch Nigel Armitage and Ian Atkinson demonstrate on their various youtube videos.  Probably my biggest contribution!

One thing that I see opinions on is using pricking irons and awl versus stitching chisels.  There are proponents on both sides of the spectrum.  I'm in the middle somewhere, meaning I use chisels mostly but definitely use my awl at times and if I need to can complete a project that way.  I just choose not to on most items.

To me it is not either or, but just a comfort level thing.  I think some who eschew the use of diamond chisels have never tried them.  If they did, like Nigel, they would see the inherent power in the tool.  Some would say advantages, I will suffice to say power because I believe for some projects they can contribute a lot.

Good topic!

[Rustwa]

I wish we had a like button, although I was hoping for some advice on antiquing. I get that what works for some doesn't work for everyone and why it doesn't work for me must be the intellectual portion cause it sure ain't for the lack of throwing money at it.

There are some great people on here furthering the craft. You can click on the user and see a body of their work and decide for yourself if theirs is the path for you. Like you could click my name and run away. Lol

[Alexis1234]

I hardly ever offer my opinion on this forum. I barely know what the heck I'm doing so I'm in no position to offer advice .Those that have offered advice/critiques- I respect the work they do and have taken it.

[immiketoo]

2 hours ago, Rustwa said:

I wish we had a like button, although I was hoping for some advice on antiquing. I get that what works for some doesn't work for everyone and why it doesn't work for me must be the intellectual portion cause it sure ain't for the lack of throwing money at it.

There are some great people on here furthering the craft. You can click on the user and see a body of their work and decide for yourself if theirs is the path for you. Like you could click my name and run away. Lol

My advice on antiquing is don't.  Unless you're doing floral work, its pretty awful.    Even when I want the look of antique I usually accomplish the effect with dye or paint.

1 hour ago, Alexis1234 said:

I hardly ever offer my opinion on this forum. I barely know what the heck I'm doing so I'm in no position to offer advice .Those that have offered advice/critiques- I respect the work they do and have taken it.

Offering your opinion is fine.  We all like to hear most people's opinions.  Especially if you find something that works for you.  Nearly everyone has something useful to offer, and as you gain experience, you'll feel more comfortable sharing.

[Riem]

I completely agree with the sentiment that one should accept proffered advice with caution - "caveat emptor", after all - but isn't the logical conclusion of such a 'rule of thumb' that only the true masters would be able to answer us novices' questions?

I see LW.net as a campfire in cyberspace, where ideas are shared, and even the novice has a voice. And as around a campfire, sound judgement is required from the person seeking the advice. It does make for perhaps a slightly more robust discussion, because there is bound to be contrary ideas that will compete, with temperament and discussion styles playing as much of a role as sound advice...

Hope I'm making sense?

[terrymac]

What is sad is there used to be a number of people on this site that when they gave advice or a suggestion, you could take it to the bank.   For whatever reasons they no longer participate.  I  can only guess the reasons.  I am sure Hidepounder got tired of trying to explain what Sheridan style carving truly is. He could go thru a complete explanation of why flowers and circles do not automatically translate to Sheridan and he might as well have been talking to a wall.  Charlie from Equs Leather used to be a regular contributor, but I will bet he got tired of arguing with people.  Oh well, nothing stays the same and life goes on.

[battlemunky]

I'm guilty of a bit of over confidence and offering advice while not really being an expert on anything. I have done a lot of the techniques we use in the craft but have mastered few of them and I always try to qualify my answers to questions with my level of skill and to "wait a bit longer and others who know far more than I are likely to come along". I try not to step on any toes but still offer up advice on stuff I have some knowledge of. I try to never be definitive  in anything I say though because there are usually at least a few ways to skin the cat and likely I don't even know all those ways.

I appreciate most folks' opinions on this forum though. Yours especially Mike because you do put your money where your mouth is.

[Tugadude]

6 hours ago, terrymac said:

What is sad is there used to be a number of people on this site that when they gave advice or a suggestion, you could take it to the bank.   For whatever reasons they no longer participate.  I  can only guess the reasons.  I am sure Hidepounder got tired of trying to explain what Sheridan style carving truly is. He could go thru a complete explanation of why flowers and circles do not automatically translate to Sheridan and he might as well have been talking to a wall.  Charlie from Equs Leather used to be a regular contributor, but I will bet he got tired of arguing with people.  Oh well, nothing stays the same and life goes on.

I've observed the same thing.  Just search topics from 5 years ago and you are amazed how many "regulars" have gone.  Go back further and most all the names you see don't participate anymore.   I have backed off at times myself.  Life gets in the way sometimes.

[YinTx]

14 hours ago, immiketoo said:

If you so see some examples, ask yourself if you’d like your work to look like theirs.

 

I was cogitating on this topic just the other day.  Here's my take, for what it's worth.  I've received tons of advice in my career.  I've learned to _always_ listen.  Even if it is crap advice and I know it.  Why?  Because usually after a bit of time, there will be something that I will come away with that is invaluable to me.  Even now, outside of my career, I seek advice, even if that person doesn't know it.  For example, I watched a youtube video of someone making yet another knife sheath, I liked the pattern, I liked the tooling pattern, I didn't particularly care for his style of tooling, but it was nice enough.  No, I don't want my work to look like theirs.  However, I saw a simple and ingenious way to attach a Sam Browne stud (maybe everyone else has seen it and done it, but I haven't, and I REALLY needed that technique for a customer's sheath that I am working on!).  Invaluable bit of info that will make my work so much better.  So,

Yes on "see some examples."  But no,  I don't always think I want my work to look like the example, but I will look for what is useful for me.  And kudos to them for being so gracious for sharing, despite those who might belittle them for not being the best in the world while they do it.  Because there are a lot of haters out there that cause folks to not share.

Also the best way to learn is to teach.  That means, some of the teachers are only just beginning to learn.  I'm all for letting that process progress.

Just my $0.02, don't know why I felt obligated to donate it this go round, but there it is.

And I've never given advice on how to do my wreckorative cuts!  But if you want to know how _not_ to do them, perhaps I could make a video....

YinTx