A "pipe in the hat", or PITH as I termed it, is an idea that I blatantly stole from a knife making forum that I participate in. The post explaining it is this:
The first time around, we really didn't have a theme, it was just an exchange of pipes. This time, however, I'd like to suggest that we choose a theme based on word submissions. Now, the words "billiard" or "dublin" are a little boring, but you could really have fun with something like "sushi" or "viking". A PITH is designed to help you exercise your creative output, get you thinking outside your normal bounds, and to push yourself to create your best work - these are other pipe makers and aspiring carvers to whom you're sending your pipe, after all.Andrew Garret wrote:The technical deffinition of a KITH is this: Knife In The Hat = A bunch of knifemakers agree on a theme if there is to be any (i.e., spring steels, Christmas, recycled material, daggers, arrowheads, etc., etc.) and a draw date. Each maker completes a knife by the draw date, and then the host draws names from the 'hat' to determine who gets which blade. The most common method (in my own experience) is to draw the names and make a list. Each maker sends his knife to the maker whose name appears below his on the list. The guy on the bottom ships to the guy on top. Done. Right? Not quite...
A KITH as it was conveyed to me is a modern adaptation of an old practice where guys at a job site would gather at lunch on Friday and throw their pocket knife in a hat, draw one out and that was what they carried for the rest of the week. Around these parts, the KITH evolved from an IITH (Iron In The Hat), where projects were kept very simple (arrowheard for example) to encourage participation.
In the end, a KITH is about community. It represents a challenge to new makers to do their very best work because they are sending it to someone who knows knives as well or better than they do. An honest critique can be a blow to a sensitive ego, but worth so very much in the development of a maker. For the ol' masters, it represents a chance to share years of accumulated knowledge and wisdom. For all, it represents a sense of brotherhood, sharing, and belonging.
So, this being the initial post, is there an interest? Reply here and let me know, and if you have a one word idea you'd like to submit, post it at the same time. I'll start another thread in a couple weeks where we can vote on the theme word, then we can decide on timing (probably after New Year's) and particulars.
And PLEASE keep in mind. ALL FORUM MEMBERS ARE WELCOME.
It doesn't matter if you've been carving for 5 years or 5 weeks, you should feel welcome to participate. If a pro or semi-pro joins in, he does so eyes wide open, and with the knowledge that he may get the work of a total noob. Maybe he's feeling as if this is some way he can give back to the community from which he learned, or perhaps he's trying to foster the continued presence of talented pipe carvers from around the world. Whatever the reasons, please don't be intimidated by it - the goal is to get folks learning, collaborating, and, most of all, establishing lasting relationships in this brotherhood.
So, who's in?
