Grepper's Accidental Insight - Printable Version +- The BESS Exchange is sponsored by Edge On Up (http://bessex.com/forum) +-- Forum: BESS Forums (http://bessex.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=1) +--- Forum: Relevant General Discussion (http://bessex.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=19) +--- Thread: Grepper's Accidental Insight (/showthread.php?tid=239)

Grepper's Accidental Insight - Ken S - 01-06-2018 “Thanks. I hate your answer.  It's not fair.  Nobody told me I'd ever have to have any talent!  “ Grepper just posted this on another topic. I enjoy Grepper's humor and trust that everyone realizes he does not really hate anyone. This humorous remark does spark a serious topic: It reminds me of musicians with perfect pitch. Most of us have relative pitch. A few gifted people have perfect pitch. Research indicates that some musical training by age six may be necessary to activate perfect pitch. The rest of us can develop our relative pitch through good training. I have a sense of pitch which belongs in the audience, however, from years of listening to hundreds of piano lessons and classical music, I can tell when a performer is singing off pitch or time. How does this apply to sharpening? With no false modesty, I do not consider myself a natural sharpening talent. I work mostly with the Tormek. I have become a believer in mastering small basic parts of technique one at a time. I believe that a 3/4” bench chisel can be the great teacher. It has only a single, straight bevel. It is sized to fit well with the machine and jig. It is also sized to be easily observed. Working with just this single tool, you can learn the sound and feel of good (and bad) grinding. you can learn the operation of the machine, from good technique with the water trough to set up and clean up. You can master the truing tool, stone grader, and Anglemaster. You can master coarse and fine grinding as well as the leather honing wheel. You can learn what sharp is and how it looks at various stages. I have around a dozen of these 3/4” chisels, and recommend having three. I recommend the Irwin (Formerly Marples) Blue Chip chisels. They have adequate length, have a proper square back (not radiused by a designer who never sharpened a chisel to look nice), and they are inexpensive. Stay with the one size. Do not buy sets. My main point is that focused work habits, study and practice can help those of us not blessed with natural talent.  Thanks, Grepper. Ken RE: Grepper's Accidental Insight - grepper - 01-06-2018 Thanks Mr. Ken.  I sincerely hope my attempt at humor was not misunderstood in any way by anyone. In no way did I intend any negative connotations whatsoever! Yeah, when I am trying to figure out how to do something and ask someone how it is done, there are two answers I hate to hear.  One is, well, just do it a hundred times a day for thirty years…, and the other is that pesky thing called talent.   Of the two, natural talent is the most elusive.  You either have it or not.  Skill acquired through practice is more attainable, but sometimes the level of skill required to do something requires a whole LOT of practice even if one is lucky enough to have a little bit of talent to begin with. I was watching the Olympic Championships women’s figure skating the on TV last night.  Those amazing women make jumping in the air, spinning around three times and landing gracefully appear easy.  I can only imagine the horrible crash that would occur if I tried to do that no matter how long I practiced.  They have both skill and talent. I knew a girl who had perfect pitch.  She would hear an engine running, hum along with its natural harmonic and then say, “C#”.  It was amazing.  She went on to study at Interlochen, a music school in northern Michigan, and spent the rest of her life studying music.  She practiced clarinet many hours every day and became an amazingly skillful player. She was one of those gifted folks with natural born talent who applied her talent to become very skillful at her craft. Sadly for me, I am neither particularly talented nor skilled at anything, and if I was lucky enough or offer up any insight, well, that was truly by accident! RE: Grepper's Accidental Insight - EOU - 01-06-2018 You may not be able to execute a triple axel Grepper but we bet you'd look good in the outfit! RE: Grepper's Accidental Insight - grepper - 01-06-2018 Thank you for creating that wonderful mental image for me Mr. EOU.  Umm…, can you now offer any advice on how I might un-remember it?  I find it deeply troubling. RE: Grepper's Accidental Insight - Mark Reich - 01-06-2018 I should acknowledge the refined humor I see so often from Mr Grepper and Mr EOU. They both make it look easy, when I know what a rare gift it is. I do appreciate your continuous lighthearted manner, Gentlemen, as well as Yours, Mr Ken. I could stand to lighten up... I'll try. RE: Grepper's Accidental Insight - Bubby - 01-07-2018 I'll send you my skating outfit Grepper if you can wear a 46" waist. RE: Grepper's Accidental Insight - grepper - 01-07-2018 Thank you so kindly Mr. Bubby for your most magnanimous offer to send your, no doubt, very cute “outfit”, and for so graciously sharing with us that little insight into your lifestyle.   You guys have no mercy!  I’m feeling a bit tired today, as last night I awoke several times from some very disturbing dreams. Out of respect, I'll spare sharing the details! RE: Grepper's Accidental Insight - EOU - 01-08-2018 We've seen Bubby in his skating outfit. He wore it during the talent competition for the Miss Kansas Pageant. That was a lot of years ago but even then he sure filled it out. Hat's off to you for your sense of humor Grepper. It's shows that you know you're among friends. RE: Grepper's Accidental Insight - grepper - 01-08-2018 I certainly hope I’m among friends as no doubt at some point I’m going to have to beg forgiveness for subjecting folks to my lame attempts at humor.  But then, love means never having to say you’re sorry…. Right? [attachment=399]