Steve Barner wrote:
> Lots of problems with the concept of a "Build-Off" have been raised,
> not the
> least of which being that the KOF guys no doubt have little or no
> interest
> in such an event. Building frames is something they do in their shops,
> and
> their shops don't move very often.
>
> However, an approach that has been used in writing involves each writer
> getting a shot at a serial, developing and redirecting it as each
> writer
> sees fit. Could this approach be taken with a frame? I could see an
> initial
> team decision as to geometry and materials, with the kit passing from
> builder to builder at least thrice. Once for the builder to work his
> particular area, the second to braze the area on the assembled frame,
> and
> the final to do the finish metalwork. The key would be to add the
> signature
> details and expression of that particular builder, while keeping some
> unity
> to the whole. The final paintwork could be done by someone known for
> that
> specialty and not so much for building--like Joe Bell.
>
> The advantage is that each artisan would be doing the work in his or
> her own
> shop with familiar tools and working it into the work schedule as is
> convenient. And wouldn't you just love to own that bike!
>
Not really, actually not at all keen to own such a bike. Just as not many people would be keen to buy a bike with mismatched rims, campy hubs, mafac brakes, stronglight headset, shimano levers, suntour derailleurs, simplex seat post, nitto stem, cinelli bars & mavic pedals. Yes I paint it a little awry, but I can feel some of the KoF'ers wincing. I would imagine that even meeting peep's in person is somewhat awkward and strange for them even if it is probably to their benefit and for the most it's their product that speaks best, entails their singular character and makes them such signature builders worthy of attention in the first. I understand such symbiotic productions can work for some fields but in terms of building bikes I think messing with or diluting perfection would be of no use other than for mental mastur.... (can i use that word here) and not even considered by those whose claim and livelihood is built upon their name on the downtubes of bikes that wear their philosphy/art/craft/income.
I'd rather we set up a paypal slush fund so we can send them to Vegas. That way we can demistify them which is what i think is at heart here. 1000 listers @ $10 each = says we could have stories for eons. They are just framebuilders, brilliant at what they do and their product a source for us to get our goolies wet, but like us they only use one side of the toilet paper and i'm sure they all differ in how they like their bread toasted. True story >>> Ernesto Colnago came downunder at the bequest of his then local distributor to meet and greet and raise a little profile of his products as well as open up some fence sitting potential customers. Did a few guest spots at some races and clubs, met some local teams & crew, even fronted up for our usually boring trade shows. Just business. After the official stuff and the night before he left a small gang teamed with Ernesto and his distributor and he was asked what he would like to do for his last night. "I want to eat, drink some vino, visit a "lady" and have an espresso" was his wish. When someone of the group mentioned that he thought Ernesto was a somewhat devout Catholic, Ernesto nodded "Si - maybe i don't have coffee because I fly early in the morning". Let's just say he sold and had orders for more frames than ever that year.
The best you can do is buy a frame from each of them and then compare for yourself - I'm sure they'd agree. Also, it seems they often refer each other work and praise each others talents and hairstyles (or lack thereof). I wield a camera for fun and money but if asked about my pictures I show them my book as answering the question "what kinda pictures do you take?" is why I started taking pictures: 'coz they explain it better than I can with words. What to me is a portrait, to some is a something entirely different and subjectivity of a simple image amazes and amuses me all the time. If they ask me to shoot something for them I refer them to my agency as they handle the nitty gritty better than I and more often, I turn down work because I think it foolish they pay me silly money to push a button when art directors, stylists, ad exec's etc have it so finished before it's begun that I don't have room for expressing my judgement or sense when I have printed credits bearing my name. It's not all about money (what money?) - It's cart before horse but good to say no - people then listen and usually appreciate more.
I would never fall in love with a Nun and then wish for her to be more like or share me with Cicciolina. All the best things are like Evian - bottled at the source (or so they would have us believe: spelt backwards - naivE).
So, nuff with this faux-marxist, hippie frame builders uniting talk. Vive le difference and hands up the KoF builders that don't use toilet paper.
ciao,
Ben Kamenjas
Sydney, Oz