How many members are still even interested in these forums? Participation is ridiculous and I'm wondering if "Everything"...& "Everybody" has jumped ship for FB or Instagram, etc.?
Please respond:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
A) In
B) Barely still in
C) Not interested

A

A....as a non facebooker I see no benefit to that forum....I have no plans to enter that cesspool of Americana!!
participation is defiantly off....I admit I don't post as much as I once did either

:-)Rocky

A

A

A

Check the forum several times a week if not daily.
Other than a couple other forums, no FB or other similar sites for me.

A, Mike

A
Walker

Capt. Chris--

Look at the numbers of folks who are logged in.

If they are actively searching, reading, etc., that says something other than the number of posts being uploaded.

Think about the legacy content and its value in terms of knowledge not readily available elsewhere.

The number of active posts alone does not account for the value of the Forum. I go back and look for stuff that clarifies something for me, but don't post new topics when doing that.

Also, maybe members are using the messaging feature to talk to one another?

Larry

A) don't do fb. I don't post much but I look most everyday

A. I have never been on FaceFart. oldguy

A

A) In

A !!!!!!!

Freakin’ A … (Sorry, you can take the kid out of the old neighborhood, but … well, you know.)

I look most days, as Cap said, not much going on. Same is true on Knife Network and Blade Forums. S....L.....O.....W.

I realize there are strong opinions about Facebook, but it is where the majority of the Randall community has decided to communicate.

There are three groups:

Randall B/S/T (Buy Sell Trade)
Randall Knife Collector
Randall Knives

They have between 4 and 7 thousand members each, of course there are duplicates. Between the three, there have been over 800 new posts in the last month. All three have pretty strict Mods, no BS allowed.

FB is easier to use on mobile and to post pictures. Messaging is much easier as well.

Like Tony just said, this forum is the O.G. Not sure how to generate activity.

I still visit fairly frequently but it seems not too many threads are being created these days. I have been into online forums from a young age and I do not care for social media. I don’t have the woods time I once did so knife use in the woods is on the back burner right now.

Even if it isn’t Randall’s I would love to see guys share knife use and tales in the other subforums. The outdoor sub forum feel free to post RV, snowmobiling, mountain biking, backpacking, etc! I’m surprised the fishing forum isn’t blowing up, I don’t do much fishing myself but everyone likes a big fish story!

Lots of forums are struggling these days.

A
I don't do any of the others.

A, I usually visit everyday, just don't post much now.

A)
Capt. Chris,
This has been/is the only Forum that I look at, am a member of, feel any affiliation with and have ever developed any real, true friendships with other members…..
most whom I’ve never met face-to-face. This has happened because of the “tone”
and makeup of this Forum, going back to at leas the time I joined the RKS run by Rhett and then modified & continued by Cap. Chris.
Much appreciated Capt. Chris and Rick.
My own participation has varied in activity level primarily due to personal things that happen in life BUT it’s a rare day that I don’t check in to see what’s happening.

A, of course

A) In

knifetalkforums.com FOREVER!

A.
Like others, I check here daily.
I use FB for selling Randall knives and seeing what people are talking about.
As Mitchell said, FB has more exposure to larger groups for selling and Messenger allows instant communication with someone interested in buying.
But.....
This forum has the history and the facts, especially with the Knife of the Week, Randall Questions, and general facts.
FB does not have a history and the same questions are asked frequently.
They each serve a different function in this current day.
I tried Instagram, but I do not see much organization with that platform, and do not have the patience to sit down and spend a lot of time trying to track various posters.

A. I'm still learning!!!

A.

A. I check most days.

I don’t do Facebook but I do have an Instagram account. coach_blalock

A.


Ken Lambert
RKCC CM-020 RKS #3210
NRA Benefactor
Life Member AGCA
Member TACA
FOP

A
I look at both, plenty of things to comment on with both. IMHO.

Pap

I check several times a week. Just don’t respond to a lot of stuff.

A. I check this site out when I wake up and before I go to sleep, unless I'm out in the woods or on the water.

A.

A. I check in and look around a few times a week.

A

A)
The above says it all, that's what keeps me here.

A)

Definitely. I check this forum at least once a day hoping for new material. I also reference past posts frequently to make sure my Randall "knowledge" is up to date.

Art DeCamp

A

Tom Flynn

This is the only Randall forum I look at. Don't post too much but love the conversations.

OK:
Thanks for your input..."BUT"...almost exclusively, lurking and reading and enjoying what is already here! Your forum cannot grow without "continual" new and interesting posts.
I suggest and challenge each and every one of you to help this forum out. I "know" there are way-cool RMKs out there in your possession that are near-n-dear to you...or that have a "story" behind them. How 'bout some pics? How 'bout sharing them with the rest of us?
I'm not chastising anyone. I just want to see new posts, therefore generating "more" posts. I'd be happy to assist with your photos if it's a challenge. RickT has already strengthened the megapixels to allow for less re-sizing to post them.
"How's your weather" and "what's for dinner" are fun to read but seldom have Randall content or any other cutlery to speak of. Please...Let's get back to talking about knives!
What say you?
Stay Sharp, Capt. Chris
PS: Anybody got any Narwhal!...CCS

A)

I check in daily, but I don't post a lot.

Mick

A.

(A) I read it every day, I just don't post unless I have something to say, or something to show. I would miss it if it were gone.

A I check in a few times everyday, I also read the archives and still feel like a novitiate about Randall. Facebook is okay, but this is the straw that stirs the drink on the subject Randall.

A, definitely. I even post now and then, but mostly on the "Fixed blade knife discussion" part.

A... Lori and I look in, maybe not every day for me, but Lori looks every day. This forum is full of history that I will often use as reference (knife of the week thread, etc...) There's not really a message board option here, and it's always a challenge for some folks to post pics. I wish this forum would succeed, it's like my first home!

Like most I check in on a fairly regular basis, not often that I log in. Trying to learn as I go, not really knowledgeable enough, yet, to add much to the discussions.

A)
I use it for information, pics of a certain knife, and to see new and other people's collections.

A

Dennis

I check in every couple of days. I killed the " Dirty Water's Lounge - The Bad, Ugly and Political at Knife Talk Forums" with my "Stainless Steel prices" post. I'm kinda gun shy now.

The "Knives of the week Model’s #1-#28" is the most usefull RMK subject on the internet.

Tom, you are correct about the knives if the week. That is a great read, or re-read for that matter.
Walker

Agreed…..I’m a big fan of the Knives of the Week threads!

Happens to me all the time....don't let it worry you...
:-)Rocky

A - check in at least 4-5 times a week.

So, it looks like most users of the Forum are passive participants but do benefit and appreciate having it available.

Good to have an authoritative resource like this.

And avoid various forms of vituperative and lunacy that can dominate online in some other venues.

Just my $.02 for what it is worth.

Larry

Get rid of all the weird sub forums like tents and whatever run as one page for everything and have a sale corner ..... Way to stuffy and boring

Looks to me that "Tents and whatever" out posts all the buy/sell forums combined! I am not a camper by any means (my idea of roughing it is a hotel room w/o cable!) But, I enjoy living vicariously through those that do!

I will throw my .02 in. Why? Cuz I usually do.

This site has become, imo, more of one for reference than one about participation.

While we all have our opinions on FB (I am not a fan) and elect to participate or not, it has become the "go to" place for Randall enthusiasts. The vast majority I see are "newer" guys. There is a lot of posting of photos, and an abundance of phishing for "attaboy's" from the newer guys as well as some "seasoned" guys. Kinda lame.

I try to point fellows over there to join here and search for things when they ask questions, but people are friggin lazy. They want info now, and have little interest in researching anything on their own. You see the same questions asked or the "I heard"'s over and over and over. Just an observation.

I will offer fb is easier to operate in some respects, while the software of this site is antiquated by about 10-15 years.

This site could use an overhaul, but it would cost a few bucks. I don't know if it is worth it to the owner other than a labor of love.

Hi, this is a good place for me. I've bought a knife here and I've learned about different dealers. Discovered the Captain and like his stuff. I learned about the Spring sale and luckily got 2 Randalls, that I wanted. I got to join the RKCC and have learned a lot. Who says you can't teach a old dog new tricks. All in all it's been a plus, plus for me .Bottom line I like the guys here and enjoy their posts, Regards, Mike

yes ...it is the best, period

I suspect Capt. Chris gets concerned when things go into a lull on here.

It doesn't mean it isn't a valued and valuable resource and web site, just that most viewers don't get in the mix very often.

I remember the days when there were lots of shout downs, put downs, and raw energy at work here. Some of that was due to strong personalities asserting themselves, some due to simple disagreements over facts that could be resolved. It took some strong moderation to try and keep people "in bounds," when all that was required was mutual consideration and civility. That required a greater expenditure of energy and time for the moderators.

It is less contentious recently, and so a bit more quiet.

That does not mean it is not a valuable resource.

While it could be livelier, the owners have to decide what it means to them to keep it up and running.

Larry

A thought...

If the goal is to get more overt participation on the Forum, what about doing some offerings intended solely for Forum members?

We do the builds, but that results in one knife to be purchased or won by one of a number of Forum members.

Occasionally offering something not otherwise available might attract more people to the Forum and could help stimulate more overt participation on here.

Example: We just went through designing a build...what if everybody who participated would be qualified to buy one of the knives, and the knives would be engraved to reflect their uniqueness as a Forum build?

I'm sure this would entail some scrambling and extra work for people who make and sell the knives...but it may be something to consider.

Larry

I would assume that the shop would have to agree, then, It probably would have to be managed by the Capt, the knives would come out of his allowance, which would "dent" his ability to make money....I'm just say'n...
BUT good idea!!

:-)Rocky

I believe Rocky is spot on with the info. Really would impact the Captains quota and the shop would need to be in agreement with the customizations.
But I may be wrong!
Walker

I'm here but I am more into family time of late, more grand kids

The history does NOT need to go away.

Agree Wally! I was digging up some info from 2020 just last evening!!!!

A

A.

Like Joe says, getting folks interested in researching the sources here (for free) is frustrating. Mike Mason, Wally, and I continually suggest to Randall FB Group members about the value of perusing the "KTF" for education.

However, many of the "greenhorns" over on the FB Groups want us to quote the answer NOW. Flipping over to Knife Talk Forums to the "Randall Knives of the week #1 - #28" thread appears to be too much effort to find out as to when sawteeth first appeared on Randall Model 18's, for instance.

I always refer to Knife Talk Forums as "The Randall Library".

Right on Buck!

Pap

A...since 2006...I haven't contributed much...but everything I ever needed to know about RMK's I found it here

Buck,

I've always enjoyed "the hunt", whether it be in my hobbies, or my work. I enjoy searching the archives on this forum, because there is so much history, and information within it's pages.

But (I know, Cap's favorite word ), the Facebook crap is getting old. It's the same questions, over & over again. They won't search within the FB groups own history to try and obtain an answer to their questions. (And I'm not sure why, because there sure does seem to be a lot of "experts" over there??) Just easier to ask the question repeatedly. I know the activity on the FB groups exceeds the posts on KTF, but there is no comparison between the two.

You yourself post an extremely lot of information on FB, but my times to search for answers to their questions is becoming shorter as time goes on. Only if the question intrigues myself to know what the answer might be, and it will be this site that I come to, or the Gaddis - Hunt - or Wickersham books.

I check the forum daily but post infrequently,it’s the best RMK forum I visit.
The one thing I really struggle with is posting pictures,I do not have problems with other forums or FB groups,now I appreciate the issue is me as other members don’t have problems.
I would like to contribute more with pictures but always seem to get tied up in knots.

Thinking that KTF is not in "competition" with FB or other sites.

KTF does not get "ratings" or higher stock prices because of the number of people who belong, sign in, or ask questions.

KTF is of value on its own merits.

And...thinking that the kind of behavior folks are describing on the other sites would try people's patience if it was on KTF.

Not to say anyone can't have blind spots that need to be filled in or say or phrase something in awkward or insensitive ways.... So even on KTF things can get "tetchy" at times. But the crowd on here seems to work through the rough spots OK.

Larry

With the comments about searching this site, I thought i would repost this. It's been pinned to the top of the Lounge for a while.

You can use the power of Google to help search any website.

Go to google and in the search bar or the address bar at the top of the page type this:

site:knifetalkforums.com narwhal

.....and it will return all the posts with the word narwhal.

You can use this on any website.

Start with. site:

Then, no space and the web address

Then a single space and the word you want to search on that site.

It will return a list of posts with that word in it.

Mitchell--

That is convenient. I had seen your previous post, but I need to save the text as a reminder!

Larry

A)
I check in this site all the time, but I don't post a lot.

as i previously stated, the software used to build this site is the original as far as I know. I don't recall any real changes since the inception of KTF, so it is antiquated to say the least. Thus, posting photos can be a challenge not only because of the software and associated limitations, but it requires bandwidth, i.e., money.

Problem is, it takes money to run a website and update it even on a semi-regular basis. It certainly is not a money maker, so it is hanging on, but I dont' know by how much. I do know that many sent RT funds awhile back to keep it up and running.

While the FB pages have a lot of participation, most is superficial, yet it still promotes the hobby in spades. That is a good thing.

A

I have never had a problem posting pictures, but I always use the Photo Resizer app @ 40% of my phone shot, and rename it.

Also, some of us could donate $$ or raffle off something or things.

Pap

Pap--

One way to "donate" is to sell on the Forum and pay the fees.

Larry