a writer's neglect

colobbfan

colobbfan

Joined
May 31, 2000
Messages
651
In Krause Publications' recent "Folders Fantastic" issue there was an article on "Tactical" folders.
Did anyone who read the article notice a large "HOLE" missing from the story?
Please see http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum52/HTML/001854.html

Everyone who has any interest in buying, selling, designing and making knives is aware of Sal Glesser's and Spyderco's innovations to the developement of "Tactical" knives and to the industry in general.

John Row

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A day without Spydies is like a day without ... WELL, Spydies!!!
 
Hi John. I started a similar thread a few hours ago, and it has no responses. Am kinda surprised. The basic overall fairness of most forumites seems to usually kick in on such situations. Not sure why this one is being ignored.

Well, maybe one response will generate more.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
Bugs,
It's probably being ignored because the author of the article is Dexter Ewing, a very well respected member and moderator here at Bladeforums. Dexter is a really nice guy and has never been controversial here. That said, maybe he can respond here when he can, I'd be willing to bet that the slight wasn't intentional.
Just my .02,
Dave
 
If anyone is worried that Dexter is intentionally snubbing Spyderco, I'd have to agree that's unlikely.
I can't speak for him, of course, since I don't even know him. But even though I haven't read the article, I do notice that Sal Glesser is quoted as the man who best defines what a tactical folder is. Perhaps Mr. Ewing assumed his audience would understand that it all started with Spyderco?
 
I whole heartedly agree Dexter IS an A1 guy. I would suggest that editing or space restraints may have contributed to the article leaving Sal's contributions out.
John
 
Sal addresses this nicely in the Spyderco Forum.

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"Never give a sword to a man who can't dance" (Celtic Proverb)
AKTI# A000107
 
I'd like to point out that Mr. Ewing has also reviewed many of Spyderco's products.
Favorably, and seems to be quite positive in his regards for Mr. Glesser and the company.
John
 
Exactly.

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"Never give a sword to a man who can't dance" (Celtic Proverb)
AKTI# A000107
 
Let's not stop here! How about credit to the General Electric engineer who invented G-10? How about the person in the middle ages who invented steel? Maybe whoever invented the wheel, since a pivot pin is circular in shape? Dexter included Sal's comments in the article. He has featured Spyderco knives many times before. I have read in several articles by various publications that Bob Terzuola is considered the father of the tactical folder. I don't know. Maybe he first used the term "Tactical Folder".
Anyway, I do not think it is reasonable or fair to critique any magazine article based on it's inability to tell the absolute complete story on anything. They call articles like that BOOKS. It was an overview of tacticals in the '90s. Of course it was built on Sal's and others developments in the '80s. Certainly a nod was given to him. IMHO, very few will question Sal's status as the father of the practical one handed folder. That has also been well documented in various magazines. I do not know what prompted Sal to get up on the table and beat his chest about the article. I personally am more than willing to cut him some slack. He has earned it. As for the rest, this has become another example of "me-too-ism".
Stuff in general has turned a little agressive on the forums in the last few weeks. I don't know if it is the start of the summer doldrums, or unchanneled excitement anticipating the Blade Show.I have apologised for my part in some pretty flaming threads. I hope that we all can look inside ourselves and ask if we are contributing to make the forums into what we'd like the place to be.
I am proud to call Dexter Ewing my friend.
He is an individual of exceptional character and personal dignity. If my response in this post seems like it is in defense of a friend, maybe it is. I still believe my words to be true. Dex doesn't need anyone to defend him. His words and actions, both in print and in person are all the defense he needs.
David


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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
Hi David,
My posts were more of an attempt to be fair to, not to defend Mr. Ewing. I have nothing but respect for both men.
I don't subscribe to the me-too-ism you mention, I've been gone for two months and am just now catching up. I felt strongly about the subject and didn't see any other posts on the matter.
John Row
colobbfan
 
Dave, Gwinny, John, and David: many thanks for your kind words here, I do appreciate what you all have said.

The omission of the additional background information on Spyderco was done on my part in order to bring the word count of the article down to the maximum word length that Joe Kertzman had allotted for my article. I also had other comments by other folks that were also quoted in the article that also wound up on the cutting room floor. Blade also wanted me to include the other folks and products that I covered in my article. With so much information and knives to talk about, obviously all the bases could not be covered. I sure wish I could take this article and run with it, being a tactical folder freak I certainly can write a dissertation on this genre of knives!

I have also read the thread that Sal has started on the Spyderco forum both here and on the company's website. I'm sorry he feels that way, but by no means did I mean that as a disrespect to Sal or Spyderco.

As John has pointed out, I have indeed reviewed many of Spyderco's products in the past and they are still one of my favorite production companies. By and large, over the past few years I have been a knife writer, Sal & Co. have been very good to me in terms of supporting my work by providing information and product samples in a timely fashion. Given the fact that Spyderco's product line is dynamic - they are always adding and discontinuing products to keep their offerings fresh and exciting, they have done an excellent job at keeping me "in the know".

Being a forumite as well as a rabid knife nut, I am highly aware of Spyderco's contribution to the tactical folder genre.

Again, my heartfelt thanks to those who have stepped up in my defense. I look forward to seeing you guys next week at the big show, as well as visiting with Sal and the rest of the Spyderco crew.

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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

NC Knife Knuts @ Table 18-B at the Blade Show

Living life on the edge
 
Like John, I am proud to say Dexter Ewing is a GOOD friend of mine. He is as honorable a guy as anyone would want to know, (and a damn fine writer to boot!). I read the article in question. I don't feel he intentionally snubbed Mr. Glesser's original and innovative contributions to ALL knives in any way. He included him in the article and maybe should have given him more credit where credit's due. Dexter and Sal though have the utmost respect for each other.
I also feel that Sal wasn't venting towards Dexter either. He made some valid, interesting points in his post that we all can now share. As far as I'm concerned Sal is THE great pioneer in innovations in the modern knife world.
This computer world of ours is made up of a lot of younger folks who's history with knives doesn't go back to the days when Sal's famous original pocket clips and holes in the blade blew us old guys away. His butter smooth pivots and those holes and his commitment to quality made the term "one hand opening" a true reality. Ernie Emerson and the like made the big splashes in tactical knives much later on and they are the ones who are remembered.
I'm glad Sal made his points and I also think Dexter wrote a good article. Hey, we're ALL friends here.
 
I am glad to say that Dexter Ewing and Sal Glesser are two people that I look up to in the knife business. I have known Dexter for awhile and have had the pleasure of meeting Sal and talking knives with him at the Blade Show and by email. Its too bad that the article had to be cut short. I know it wasn't Dexter's will for the article to be like it was. As most of you know, Dexter likes Spyderco knives as much as any of us. I own over 50 of them and they are my most favorite production knife ever. I just hope Sal isn't upset with Dex over this article. Hopefully they can kiss and make up at the show
wink.gif


Have a safe trip guys
michael
biggrin.gif


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"For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword."
Heb. 4:12

Usual Suspect
Its an Emerson thing. You wouldn't understand.

My Emerson collection:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1526731&a=12341786
 
Gene and Michael - thanks very much for the support
smile.gif


<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I just hope Sal isn't upset with Dex over this article. Hopefully they can kiss and make up at the show </font>
Click to expand...

Nah, I ain't the least bit upset at Sal. I didn't take his comments personally, and am looking forward to visiting with Sal & Co. this weekend.

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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

NC Knife Knuts @ Table 18-B at the Blade Show

Living life on the edge
 
Dude,

I think Dex meant well
wink.gif
Its the word count! Every writer's nightmare!!!
eek.gif


Sam

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have spydies
will travel...
AKTI Member #A001148
 
If Dex and Sal kiss and make up, I hope someone snaps a picture! It will join the pics of Spark in his pink tutu in the records of Bladeforums history
wink.gif

David

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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
LOL
John

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They say there's a long tunnel with a bright light at the end. I've been there, it's just really DARK! :) LOL
 
John, about your quote in the post above this one. If there's no bright light at the end of the tunnel, well, uhh, that's that other place
smile.gif
 
lifter,
I talked to the primary pulmonologist yesterday. He thinks that because of the high dosages of morphine & codeine that were administered that either they blocked that experience or suggested that they caused amnesia. I've had many people ask about whether or not the tunnel & light actually happens. I had to say I didn't recall it happening.
BTW, I have started attending a church of my choice since returning to the "living".
John



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They say there's a long tunnel with a bright light at the end. I've been there, it's just really DARK! :) LOL
 
davidb415 wrote:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">f Dex and Sal kiss and make up, I hope someone snaps a picture! It will join the pics of Spark in his pink tutu in the records of Bladeforums history</font>
Click to expand...

David - you will see hand shaking going on but that's as far as I'm taking that!
smile.gif


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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

NC Knife Knuts @ Table 18-B at the Blade Show

Living life on the edge
 
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