Hunting Knife expensive?

Tim Simmons · 5th August 2006, 09:49 PM

Picasso was an artist, this chaps work from what I can see is only competent, on par with many others. I can not see the equation to art, only things like collecting beany babies.

not2sharp · 5th August 2006, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

... this chaps work from what I can see is only competent, on par with many others. ....

Yes; but, he was the man who encourage all of those many others - at least in the US - to develop that level of competence. Without him custom crafted knives in the US may have been a dead art.

n2s

ariel · 5th August 2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Picasso was an artist, this chaps work from what I can see is only competent, on par with many others. I can not see the equation to art, only things like collecting beany babies.

Tim,
It pains me to tell you that I fully agree with you and that our shared opinions are irrelevant.
In collecting one pays mainly for a myth be it a signature (often forged), a printing error (" Look, it is labelled US Meil!") the rarity ( "This here Beanie Baby Li'l Lavender was disconnected 6 months ago!"), the technique (wootz, after all, is mechanically inferior to Solingen steel) or an attribution (no matter how vague) to a given person.
A sword inscribed " To Lt. Joe "The Long Dong" Schmo from his homies in Calcutta" will fetch twice the price. No matter that nobody knows who the hell this Joe was, perhaps a Deputy Mule Supervisor in the sanitation unit.
Of course, without the signature and the aura, this hunting knife would have been sold for $4.99 with the box, and the box alone would fetch $5.99.
This is an example of the craziness of collecting: a totally irrational business, a Luftgescheft (dealing in air) and a very addictive narcotic.
I am sure that many visitors here look at Mark's Dhas and Erlikhan's Kilijes and just shrug shoulders in total incomprehension.
All and each of us is not one iota better or saner than this crazy jerk who paid $17K for a knife when he could get a better one at K-Mart.

Bill M · 6th August 2006, 01:52 AM

The thread has taken an interesting direction. What is Great Art? And how much of this designation is attached to a name, albeit a name that is synonymous with Art?

I remember Rembrandt's ''The Man With the Golden Helmet.'' Hailed as one of his masterpieces. In many ways synonymous with Rembrandt. Huge crowds went specially to see this painting. It hung in a place of honor.

Was it great art?" Sure. Was it really by Rembrandt? No. In 1985 scholars "downgraded" it and stated that it was NOT done by Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn, but by a pupil or imitator.

Is it still Great Art? Yes. Does it still hang in a place of honor? No.

Why?

5th August 2006, 09:49 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	stir it up Picasso was an artist, this chaps work from what I can see is only competent, on par with many others. I can not see the equation to art, only things like collecting beany babies.

6th August 2006, 01:52 AM	#4
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	The thread has taken an interesting direction. What is Great Art? And how much of this designation is attached to a name, albeit a name that is synonymous with Art? I remember Rembrandt's ''The Man With the Golden Helmet.'' Hailed as one of his masterpieces. In many ways synonymous with Rembrandt. Huge crowds went specially to see this painting. It hung in a place of honor. Was it great art?" Sure. Was it really by Rembrandt? No. In 1985 scholars "downgraded" it and stated that it was NOT done by Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn, but by a pupil or imitator. Is it still Great Art? Yes. Does it still hang in a place of honor? No. Why?