Just found out the site is going dark in a few days and all the content seem to be gone.
It was one of the great sources of information.
jtk
[OP]
Contributor
Just found out the site is going dark in a few days and all the content seem to be gone.
It was one of the great sources of information.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Contributor
Woah! Sad indeed. Content like that should never be lost.. I’ve used it as a resource many times.
What a shame
Member
Very sad indeed.
wkfinetools was one of the best resources for old tool information on the web.
As a novice old hand tool user it was my favorite source of detailed information about using and restoring old tools.
TonyC
Member
Just went there, only thing working is the front page, so if you haven't gotten all the info before now . . . it's gone.
Contributor
That is unfortunate.
Contributor
Anyone know of the reason for the tremor in the force? Did the owner pass?
Member
per his website, no specific reason given -
It is time to say Goodbye! It’s been thirteen years since I started this website in July 2005. It was, in many ways, an interesting and satisfying project for me.
I met many interesting people, and some of them became contributors to this website. I also learned a lot about old woodworking tools, their history, and use. The site was also a platform for me to continue and publish my research about the history of various industries and toolmaking companies.
However, it is time for me to close the doors and take this website offline. There are various reasons for this decision, too many to discuss here. This site will go dark on July 31, 2018.
Thanks,
Wiktor A. Kuc
Contributor
It's a head scratcher. It doesn't cost much to park a domain and let the content exist in it's current form. Almost seems like he is taking his marbles and going home. Sad.
For those not ready to let go, you can see it here: 'https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.wkfinetools.com
Just click on one of the dates to see the entire site as it was on that date. Takes quite a while for the pages to load.
Finally, some color commentary from people who have spoke to the Wikmeister: 'http://swingleydev.com/ot/get/266213/thread/
Last edited by Lee Schierer; 07-30-2018 at 12:05 PM. Reason: removed direct link
Member
That's really too bad. Enjoyed the content on there, specifically Will Myer's project builds. Luckily it sounds like Will may be making the move over here: https://eclecticmechanicals.com/ hopefully he can salvage some of his content onto that page. It's a real treasure trove of projects and tips.
Member
This illistrates a very important point that many folks take for granted....
if information is important to you - make sure you have a copy of it for yourself.
I had a lot of detailed information and my own guitar builds documented on a web forum..... The forum owner had a massive stroke and died... And poof - within a month or two the place disappeared.... His wife wasn't a logger and really didn't have the inclination to run his small Alaskan specialty lumber business or live 9-million miles back out in the sticks without him....
And that's not to mention the thousands of pages of info I have lost over the years when somebody upgrades a server or has a major system failure... And it all takes a dump....
So there it is....
And if Wiktor really was interested in making some money on a last go at it - he could easily do what the owners of SMC do and offer the site on disk for a moderate fee..... More likely that's not the point. The guy is just tired of it and is moving on.... And so what if all the info is lost... He got his. You didn't get yours - that's your problem now...
Last edited by John C Cox; 07-30-2018 at 12:42 PM.
Contributor
Take copyright into consideration and ask the owner if it’s someone else’s material. If it’s your own then definitely keep a copy so that you don’t lose it.
Bumbling forward into the unknown.
Contributor
Thirteen years ago, when Wiktor began the website, he approached me to write articles for him, which I did. I was the only contributor for quite some time, until joined by Bob Smalser and Chris Schwarz. At that time WK Fine Tools, along with Wood Central, was the only place that hosted my articles (then mostly reviews). Wiktor introduced me to Philip Marcou, the planemaker, who wanted me to review the first production smoother he built. Philip and I became firm friends. Wiktor became Philip's USA agent, and this ended in bad blood. Really bad stuff. It was in the handtool forums of the day. In support of Philip, I chose to leave WK Fine Tools and start my own website, which is what I did. Wiktor was a gentleman about this, and allowed me to go with all my articles.
I am saddened to see WK Fine Tooks come down. Nothing lasts forever, I guess, but the website was becoming an institution.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Guest
A program like Evernote or OneNote makes it easy to clip articles you'd like to keep forever, effortless really.
Contributor
Some of the content is available via the Wayback Machine. Many images appear to be missing though.
Contributor
I wish I knew then what I know now....
I scored a near mint Millers Falls #1 Cigar Shave at an antique show this weekend. A quick search on Sawmill Creek revealed that the best piece written on sharpening and use was by Jim Hendricks on the wkfinetools site. Gone. The Wayback Machine has the first page of test, but all the photos are gone.
Sharp solves all manner of problems.
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