Ummmmmm, with all due respect to you also Mr. Jim, I disagree with the way you worded your statement. The only way to gain said "knowledge" is by doing it............... that is not correct.
There are MANY ways to gain said knowledge. Now if I want "hands on experience" then YES, the only way is by doing it. But there are many other ways to gain said "knowledge" other than just doing it.
Also, "just doing it" takes TIME, it is not something that just happens overnight. I learn something new just about everytime I am at my lathe, we'll refer to that as "hands on knowledge"
You are correct, I used the wrong term, hands on knowledge is the better term here. Thank You
Jim Notestine