Would you make scales out of cardboard and sell them for the same cost as G10? Would your conscience feel good about it? Would you expect to keep your customer base?
It's not just one knife. They have a bunch of 3CR knives, all priced similarly to their better knives, and more than any other 3CR knife.
I'm not arguing they won't make a profit, or that it's not smart business. What I'm saying is I can't respect that choice. That's MY opinion, that I'm free to have. I'm not going to sell my various KAI's off in shame just yet, but I'm not going to support a company who has lost focus on quality to pull a fast one on the ignorant. You may be okay with that, but I'm not. I'm not knocking you for that either.
Even though I'm also a bit disappointed that they seem to have started using 3cr instead of 8cr, I'm not so sure that they have lost focus on quality. Who knows, it might even be to fund their Zero Tolerance projects and knives.
But, yeah, it's definitely not in tune with what my impression of Kai is.
This 3cr thing, selling the limited edition Zero Tolerance knives themselves, the "factory custom" project (I assume the "upgraded" parts will be quite overpriced.). All indicates a significant change in direction. While they seem to be keeping the regular MSRP prices for these limited editions, they might not do so with others; they'd, of course, keep the regular prices for the introduction of a new sale concept. By cutting out the middle-man, they have significantly more control over the prices. And, as we all know, their limited editions regularly catch outrageous prices on the second hand market.
interesting perspective, judge a company for the products you wouldnt buy yourself....hope that works for you in the long run.
As for the poor analogy of cardboard scales....I have turned down many jobs from customers who wanted something i didnt want to do. I have also made scales out of materials I personally dont like for customers because they like it, and thats what they ordered. I would hope perspective customers would respect the fact that if im commissioned to make something for a specific customer, and that customer is happy then there is no issue. My point is that people on this thread are making an issue where there doesnt need to be one. Kershaw is growing leaps and bounds over the past several years. They are also increasing there US development of ZT, so it makes sense to also expand in the opposite direction. As for the selling price, thats determined by the retailer. Regarding the similar price points to other 8cr knives...take into account the fact that they have a new design, which likely requires new tooling, testing, and packaging...so the pricepoint seems pretty legit....perhaps if it sells well and they continue to make them it would go down more, but you dont launch a new product like this at a loss....
To the OP, who was actually enthusiastic about a cool find, i apologize if any of this pointless drivel has tarnished the intent. It looks like a cool little knife, while its not ultimately for me as long as you are satisfied with it thats really all that matters.
Everyone else can pull up their pants and stop crapping all over the steel, quality and other perceived issues since im willing to bet none of them have even seen one irl yet to make an actual educated opinion. But most of this doesnt matter because im just a "fanboy" therefore logic, business accumen, and common sense arent allowed.
im out on this thread, and as you can see by the change in my overall status im pretty much done with BF. Threads like this where people just bash on a knife they will never buy is pretty much why. If i want to hear a bunch of whining i'll go to a daycare.
Keep in mind that you're a custom maker, and Kai is a production company that makes products for the retail space, and, as such, they put their products out there, backed up with either less-than-true or exaggerated marketing claims, and expect people to buy them.
There are some people that might say that if you don't like the product, why are you posting in a thread about it? But, I find that attitude a bit weird. A one sided "discussion" would not be very good for anyone, especially not anyone, in this case, interested in knives. Thoughts, opinions, concerns by people on both sides of the fence is good for discussion and prospective buyers. If people were only allowed to post about a product if they had good things to say, that would not be good for the consumers, at all. Critical thought is important for information about products.
