The Neo-Tribal Metalsmith Art Movement

The problem with opening up the design pattern to anything is that it doesn't help define a Neo-Tribal style. If it doesn't help to define the Neo-Tribal style then what's the point? We can always post a knife in a Neo-Tribal forum and call it Neo-Tribal at any time. I think my thing is Bowie Knives but that wouldn't fit everyone's idea of what Neo-Tribal is so I was thinking more simpler and pure in technique but I guess any technique will be arguable as to whether it's Neo-Tribal or not. If that's the case, then I don't know how we can accomplish anything more than what's already there. Neo-Tribal is as Neo-Tribal does.
 
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And I really like friendly competition among smiths. Even not so friendly, - Rules in a Knife Fight?

that Tai guy couldn't forge a Brut de Forge knife that could cut his way out of a wet paper bag! :p
 
... probably not.

I gots me the rocking pneumonia and the boggie woogie flu... and a bad pain in my lower neck.

Y'all have fun though!
 
Bummer. Get well soon. I miss the rivalry. No disrespect intended Master. I can wait for you to heal. If you aren't in it then it's not Neo-Tribal.
 
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I'm in it, in spirit bro.

Right now, I'm working small,... "Cute de Forge".... Also need to save my energies for other non-knife related commitments.

... maybe next time.
 
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Tim Lively said:
The problem with opening up the design pattern to anything is that it doesn't help define a Neo-Tribal style. If it doesn't help to define the Neo-Tribal style then what's the point? We can always post a knife in a Neo-Tribal forum and call it Neo-Tribal at any time. I think my thing is Bowie Knives but that wouldn't fit everyone's idea of what Neo-Tribal is so I was thinking more simpler and pure in technique but I guess any technique will be arguable as to whether it's Neo-Tribal or not. If that's the case, then I don't know how we can accomplish anything more than what's already there. Neo-Tribal is as Neo-Tribal does.
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Hi Tim, pardon my ignorance but where did the term "Neo Tribal" originate? I can't seem to relate the term with the knifes I've seen here but that just shows how much I know.....BTW, I do like your knives!
 
The coyote speaks...

Back in 1995, when we were first starting out behind my old shop, the first name idea was "neo-primitive" (metalsmiths), but found out that name was already trademarked. Emily Johnston (one of the founding members) suggested "Neo-Tribal" and I suggested the add on "Metalsmiths" so we had a vote and adopted that name,... "Neo-Tribal Metalsmiths". I like the name better than the "primitive" version.

I have verified the facts with Emily and some of the other founding members and I believe according to my own recollection as well, this is historically accurate...

Our original motto was, "We aren't trying to make a better knife,... we're trying to make a knife better."

Of course, the original "concept" was my intellectual property,... but I knew it needed to be a group effort in order to call it "tribal".

Now that it's become an " International art movement", as opposed to a local organization,... it is public domain.

Tim played the leading role in bringing us to the internet and played an important part in it's evolution. Thanks Tim!

It's all history now,... so it's open to interpretation. Maybe brother Tim will chime in here?

Sat Nam
 
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You know, I don't forge yet, but I am really enjoying this thread. I hope to be in the brut de forge and neo tribal metalsmith club soon :).
 
I think there are a lot of folks out there these days in the knife world who are influenced by the work of Neo-Tribal Metalsmiths without necessarily realizing it. There's an increase in blades with varying degrees of forge finish (not necessary on a Neo-Tribal blade, but common), acknowledging that a hammer was the primary instrument in bringing it to life. There are a lot of beginners, many not even born when the movement started, that are scrabbling together charcoal forges and scrap anvils and having a go at turning junk into tools and art. They aren't necessarily even familiar with the term "Neo-Tribal Metalsmith", but they are inspired by those who are inspired by those who are inspired by those who started the movement. Ripples in a pond. They may have come across the aesthetic and approach under other names, "primitive", "brut de forge", and such. Or just seen folks doing what they do and decided to see what they can do.

And then there are a few old coyotes still around who aren't happy if they aren't stirring the pot now and again. :D
 
well, I am, "in," if we decide to go forward. earlier in this thread there was talk of NeoTribal being more about process than particular design, though. If y'all wanna make Brutes then we will make Brutes.

No one said anything about getting a common website... does that mean the idea is not a good one?

kc
 
Stormcrow said:
And then there are a few old coyotes still around who aren't happy if they aren't stirring the pot now and again. :D
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LOL

I don't want to stir Tim's pot too much, so I edited my next to last post. :)

It has evolved into what it is today, from it's humble roots in Tucson. The history of it is not as important as where we take it now.

It is what it is, philosophy, genre, process etc... open to individual interpretation and new growth. It's all good.

"We aren't trying to make a better knife,... we're trying to make a knife better."
 
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Neo-Tribal is,you know it when you see it,touch it smell it.
Neo-Tribal is Full Moon, cactus, cutler's cement and pine pitch.
Neo-Tribal is technique, materials and soul.
Neo-Tribal is about bottle caps , adobe, roadkill and family.
Neo-Tribal is idea's. problems skills and helping.
Neo-Tribal is about life, living and forgiveness.....

Barking Turtle Tribe.
 
Wow! Good to hear from you Sweany! Long Time!

I've wondered where the barking turtle tucked it's tail?
 
I'm trying to make sense of all this, thanks everyone for the knowledge. It seems to me that there are two distinct forms being discussed. The Neo-Tribal is a state of mind defining the art form. Then there is Brut de Forge, make something usable and of quality with what you have at hand. I don't think you can combine those two, they would be better served standing on their own. Sorry if my comments are from out in left field but what an interesting thread.
 
You know all of this is just talk until someone organizes an official get together of some sort..
>cough<
 
Is propane an unacceptable fuel source, if one intends to be "Neotribal", I have noticed thousands of dollars of tools, power-hammers, belt-sanders, presses in many Knife shops. Being of modest resources (broke), I like the minimalist approach.
A recommended tool list for making my first knife a Neotribal, I could of course make one of those sweet looking cutler hammers. Looking forward to setting up my cuchillería primitiva,
 
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