Skil-Levels ???

[Korsan]

Ahoy Guys
For some time now,i have been concerned with the given skil-levels of the manufacturers for their products recommended for they customers. Imho this type of categorisation is absurd and and specially for the beginners a negative influence to start modelbuilding. In exegerated form similar to ask the modelbuilder do you want to buy a lego type or smthng better, so disturbing one’s self-confidance.
Instead of the term skillevels one can use: less detailed more detailed or more patience ,less patience needed etc.
The fact is one is either skilled or not.
The not skilled one stops and gives up modeling anyway.
My starter model was Adler von Lübeck in 1978 that time when no skillevels existed and more modelbuilders than the tools. It took me 2 years too complete.
Important is even if it is a dinghy to build,to create it as orijinal as possible and enjoying and taking delight when finished.
Happy Modelling to all of you

 

[Short John Bronze]

What counts as difficulty? Stropping, fixing and threading hundreds of blocks on HMS Victory is no more "difficult" than doing a mere handful on a mediaeval ship: it is just more repetitive. The same applies to cannon, dead eyes and ratlines.
In my view, the principle variation of difficulty stems from hull shape. When planking the Columbus fleet I found that simple plank tapering allowed all planks to run the length of the hull with no pointy bits, drop planks or heat-assisted bending. Bluff bowed ships such as endeavour require all of these measures. The images of ships displayed by manufacturers allow this aspect to be assessed before buying.
The observations about patience and detail made by Korsan are far more pertinent.

 

[Korsan]

What counts as difficulty? Stropping, fixing and threading hundreds of blocks on HMS Victory is no more "difficult" than doing a mere handful on a mediaeval ship: it is just more repetitive. The same applies to cannon, dead eyes and ratlines.
In my view, the principle variation of difficulty stems from hull shape. When planking the Columbus fleet I found that simple plank tapering allowed all planks to run the length of the hull with no pointy bits, drop planks or heat-assisted bending. Bluff bowed ships such as endeavour require all of these measures. The images of ships displayed by manufacturers allow this aspect to be assessed before buying.
The observations about patience and detail made by Korsan are far more pertinent.

I am very pleased reading your respond.Absolutly correct. All the repetitive works are actually a Sisyphos-work.
What realy counts is the finishing quality,originality and the harmony of all these combined pieces together and the fullfilled satisfaction

 

[Thanasis]

Hi. I will paraphrase my signature.
"There are no bad or good model makers. There are only less or more experienced." to
"There are no skilled or not model makers. There are only less or more experienced."
Thx

 

[Namabiiru]

Never conflate difficult with tedious.

Except that I find it difficult to stay interested in tedious tasks….

 

[Roger Pellett]

I totally agree with the premise of Short John Bronze’s post #2 above. If you can’t figure out how to strop a block you can’t finish any ship model with rigging from the simplest small boat to HMS Victory. Once you have figured out how to do it more elaborate models are just more of the same.

What IS required is the dedication to a specific project to complete it. If you’re someone who is always anxious to buy that next kit or to start another from your huge stash, perhaps a Victory or Cutty Sark is not your best choice.

I also believe that a key to success is the development of techniques that fit YOUR personal way of doing things. Everyone’s different. What works for one does not work for someone else. If kit instructions tell you to do something that you find to be too difficult, don’t hesitate to try a different approach.

Roger