leomitch wrote:


I agree with the the above post exactly! Let's keep the comment short and brief and to the point, but some amount of author experience comments *do* add much to frame the perspective and make sense out of the numeric data. I like reading them. They are very useful.

..BUT...I disagree strongly with Clays suggestion further down in this thread about adding a back and forth comment and reply area to the database. My fear would be that a database might degenerate into a "forum discussion area" and that would kill the usefulness of a database IMO.

These are great thoughts guys. Nice point Dan about the conversation disintegrating in a forum discussion. If people want that level of discussion on specific knives, we can maybe do sub-forums somewhere. I see no problem with multiple entries for the same knife so people can see the range of what's been tried. I also like the suggestion of a rating system though I wonder if it will get confusing. It would be great if we could cram all of the following into one record as in the attached PDF:

⇔ Manufacturer

⇔ Model

⇔ Blade Length

⇔ Thickness

⇔ Steel

⇔ Hardness

⇔ Recommended Angle

⇔ Recommended Finish

⇔ Depth

⇔ Alignment

⇔ Intent

Angle/Finish Tried Rating

Setting 1 4
Setting 2 3
Setting 3 7
Setting 4 6
Setting 6 8

Author

Author's Comments

I agree that preferences for angle and sharpening sequence are going to vary. I think the problem with the database is that these items come from the person who submitted the entry, and this in effect gives that person the last word on the subject. Perhaps there should be an optional link to a forum discussion about the particular knife model. The creator can start it with his/her preferred angle and sharpening sequence, and others can freely comment. With a single link in the database, the entries would be nice and neat.

To me, the most useful part of the database are the manufacturer's specifications and the WEPS vice depth and positioning information.

Speaking of specs I think there should be two columns for sharpening angle: one for the manufacturer's published angle (if any) and one for the angle recommended by the person who created the entry.

+1 on that

I have a phone conversation with the webmaster scheduled for tomorrow based on all the feedback. We'll continue to tweak it until it really becomes (or gets as close as possible) to the tool we all want it to be.

wickededge wrote:


Yes, something along the line of your example above would work for me. But maybe others do not agree?

Just as an experiment I just tried to enter my Sml Sebbie data, and had to make four discrete entries, had to reenter the data 4 times ( ) so sure would be faster and more useful for me if it was just one entry with iterations in settings tried then one global comment about the entire effort to get the knife where you want it to be.

Also, I am unclear about the global edit button to the right of each enrty?? Does that mean that someone can come along and re-write my data over my old? Even with moderator approval of a re-write, I am unclear how or why that process is a benifit to the data? I am an experimenter, so like to see the record of all old previous attempts at a sharpening try, I like to see the path people are taking, not sure why we want to erase the bread crumbs that fell behind us as we travel forward on the yellow brick road...

What you're suggesting Dan makes a lot of sense. The database will be more meaningful with the additions. I think the balancing act is to record our breadcrumbs while still providing a very efficient guide for anyone looking for a starting place with a new knife.

Bump! The webmaster is adding the new features to the database, but even as we wait, we can still add new knives and build up the knowledge base.

I just tried to enter a new knife (Mora Camp Knife#2) and had a few issues. It forced me to rate each of 4 setting or it would not accept the record to file, and it did not really have a place for the 4 settings, unless it intends me to just enter them in a comment area? For this particular knife I did not have a series of various setting. I do like the feature though, as mostly I *would* have a number of settings for a blade edge. Just need a place in the record of a file to innumerate them.

Hi guys,
Our webmaster is working on this, so it's not fully implemented. It was supposed to be done on Friday, apparently there is some delay....