I normally pass a comment on this subject and end up being hung,drawn and quartered so here goes again from a turner already in shreds
I find David's comment about Richard turning a Binh Pho form disturbing. And this reflects the lack of understanding between turners of differing ability. Richard is a professional turner, the difference between him and hobby turners is if he was asked to make a copy of something, even a Binh Pho style piece, he would be capable of doing so, out of professional courtesy he may choose not to make it rather than upset the design's originator, and this holds true for the vast majority of professional turners.(Myself included)
With professional turners the answer is nearly always yes and the quality which encompasses shape,style design and finish goes without saying. Other turners however may lack the knowledge to produce an article of a certain quality, this should be attributed to ignorance(in the nicest way) caused by lack of experience. Experience is only gained by working at the object in question, in this case turning. Every piece you make should be the best piece you have ever made or you are not" gaining the knowledge".
It is all well and good turning out a shabby piece of work and calling it rustic but it should be realised that the original rustic was very well made for it's time or a lot of work had been put into it to make it look rustic and not just badly turned.
We all need to raise our game and seek just rewards for what we have made, would you offer a mechanic fifteen quid for 2 or 3 hours work? Try it and see how well your car runs afterwards.
We all try to give positive feed back on this forum and I think we all want the quality of turned work in the UK to improve in quality, otherwise why are you all on this site? And I think we all want our own work to improve or be different or make a mark somehow and this is the way that it will work, and in the process those at the top,not necessarily professional turners but those producing quality work, will realise the prices that should be paid and those that aspire to be quality turners, which IMHO should be all turners, will raise their own game, even subconsciously, and so raise the overall standard again.
Rant over, I've put me head in the noose now pull it tight
Regards
John BHT