Agreement

[Tom Anderson]

With the Blade Show almost here, I thought I'd provide the following link and offer an update as to what has happened since then:

http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum64/HTML/000836.html

Howard Viele is one of my knifemaking "idols." I have mentioned his influence many times to many people. Because of our past interactions, both public and private, I also consider Howard a friend.

When I discovered this series of posts, I was unaware that there was a problem. Since then, I have talked to Howard and we have come up with the following agreement:

1. I will no longer produce knives with thumb opening slots in the blade.

2. I will no longer produce knives with holes in the pocket clip.

I have sent drawings of all my models to Howard to make sure nothing I am building will copy features which he considers his trademark. He has approved all of these drawings and has agreed to review upcoming drawings of any of my future designs.

He also gratiously allowed me to finish any knives that I had started that had slots in the blade or holes in the clip. (Therefore, you might still see a few floating around for a little while. In fact, I will have a few at the Blade Show.)

All of my designs have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Please understand that, because of this situation, I remain very sensitive to issues concerning design integrity. I apologize to anyone whom I may upset by bringing this issue to light and hope this clarificaton will avoid future embarassment for Howard or myself.

Thanks in advance for your understanding.

------------------
Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives


www.andersoncustomknives.com

 

[dogman]

Tom,
When I look at your designs, all I see is inspiration, not duplication. Sorry you got caught up in this.

There is a big difference in admiring and paying homage and ripping.

I personally hope all my knives turn out to look like Steve Johnson's knives

------------------
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
George Orwell
<A HREF="http://www.doggettcustomknives.com" TARGET=_blank>

</A><A HREF="http://www.customknifedirectory.com" TARGET=_blank>

</A>

 

[lifter4Him]

Tom, you certainly handled this situation and comments from other makers with a lot of class.
Personally, I think it's all baloney. How many people make (Loveless) drop point hunters, or use the thumb disc that Terzuola invented? How many use the pocket clip that Spyderco started, or even linerlocks that Walker has the patent on? Who makes interframes without permission from Lake or Herman? Or the frame lock like Reeve? Titanium handles? That idea was Terzoula's. Holes in the handle? Belongs to Mayo. Slots? Better ask Darrell. It goes on.
People that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. There are makers flooding the market with their knives by using pre-cut parts and multiple employees to assemble them. The fact that the maker actually grinds the edge does not make them custom. Maybe that's why quality is so erratic.
Tom, you're a class act.

Dave

[This message has been edited by lifter4Him@aol.com (edited 05-30-2001).]

 

[Jerry Hossom]

No question about it, Tom, you have handled this with a lot more reserve and generosity than I think most would be inclined to. The features you've agreed to remove are present on the knives of at least a dozen other makers and maybe one or two factories.

We ALL build our designs on ideas which preceded us. We may use these ideas to create our own style, or we see our challenge as executing those ideas and patterns better or with more modest improvements. We then are the catalysts for the next generation, and so it is and has been since the first knife was chipped out of a piece of stone.

And so I hope it remains...

------------------
Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The Tom & Jerry Show

 

[Les Robertson]

Tom,

Does this mean that Spyderco has to stop using a hole in the blade as an opener?

Actually, he may be doing you a favor Tom. Im sure you have other ideas for designs. The quality of your work is excellent, now it's time to develop your own style.

I find it interesting that of all people, Howard Viele is questioning someone's integrity.



------------------
Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

 

[tom mayo]

More POLITCAL BullSh_t........If they dont like what youre doing.....tell them to sue you!~

 

[Double Edge Dave]

The same could be said for the Pirela/Elishewitz collaborations. Take a good look at what has "crept into" the features Elishewitz's of current pseudo custom knives. All makers learn from other's ideas. This reminds me of when Lynn Griffith claimed he was the originator of the wharncliffe blade. Tom, if they don't have the guts to say it to your face, then they don't have the right to criticize you in print. As far as I am concerned, if you don't put 3 little holes in your blade like Howard, everything is perfectly fine.
You are one of the most tuned-in knifemakers to the end-line-user's comments of anybody making knives today. Your active participation here proves that. Do what you have to, but don't let crap like this slow you down!
David

[This message has been edited by davidb415 (edited 05-29-2001).]

[This message has been edited by davidb415 (edited 05-29-2001).]

 

[Darrel Ralph]

TOM!!!!!!!!!!!
Im pissed!
That post to the other forum above is nothing but B S!
Its good that you have a mentor. What did he expect you to do since he's your mentor?
I cant believe that some folks in that post that you listed are calling the KETTLE BLACK.

Talk about design stealing bastids.
Heres your wasp!
I dont get upset to often but im at the end of my chain here.
Who the hell do they think they are?
Wasp this! This knife is 7 years old for god sakes.

I sat back since I seen the wasp and just giggled. Been doing the cat head front end and that style on my knives since 1990. ITS EVERYWHERE. I didnt invent it, just used it on high end art knives for a long time. Its in art books and knife books from the dark ages!

Tom
Les is right. Find new inspiration and design off from that. Time to leave the nest. Be your own man. Try to design what hasent been done. As for what you agreed to, Are you nuts?

There are just to many pansey assed whinners WITH BIG HEADS AND EGO'S to go with them that walk shows, steal, and claim there designs are ripped off after they get home and make one that they stole from someone at a show. Tell um to bite the big one!
You mean well TOM. But you just made a knife simular the fellow who mentored you. What your offering this Howard is none of his business. Is he sending you his new designs to approve making sure he doesnt design around something you have in mind ? NO!
I wouldnt send anyone any design. You dont need there approval.
As for the hole in the blade and clip. MAKE ALL YA WANT. IS there a design patent being offered by anyone for them. Is there? NO! Ya know why?
ITS PUBLIC DOMAIN. If they dont like it...
TO BAD!

For all reading this EXCUSE my attitude.
Im just tired of this whinny, ego based, BS, that is being used here to manipulate TOM when they themselves are the guilty ones!


------------------
Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
MADD MAXX !

[This message has been edited by Darrel Ralph (edited 05-29-2001).]

 

[blademan 13]

Does this mean that Mayo has to stop using the Spydie holes in his TNT's?

Seriously, nicely handled Tom. As far as copying features, forget about it. The real problem here is not one of similar features, just better looking results. Hang in there and good luck.

 

[sing]

I'll preface by saying I am not a knowledgable connoisseur of fancy folders. But when I first got into knives and then into customs, I was very much taken by HV's designs, mostly because of the Asian emblem he uses which is also used in a style of karate I studied for 30 years. I almost went ahead and ordered an HV knife but didn't follow through. As time went on, the initial fascination over HV's stuff wore off for me. And, of course, taste based on just perception of a knife design is subjective. So, this is not any criticism of HV's work.

These days I am more a FB collector. However, I have found Tom Anderson's work to be very interesting with what I consider his own style. Apparently, Tom has been influenced by HV but I still think of Tom as having a style of his own. Tom's work catches my eyes much more so than HV's. Enough so that I posted in Spyderco Forum awhile back that Tom should be up for consideration for one of their collaborations. Again, taste is subjective so there is no criticism here.

Hey, what do I know...

sing
AKTI #A000356

 

[Gus Kalanzis]

Knew it long before this thread -

Tom, you are a class act from all sides. I am very greatful for your support personally and in these forums. More than that your open willingness to share what you have learned and your enthusiam has affected a more than a few folks getting started.

Sounds like there was some mis-understandings that got worked out. There is no doubt for me that whatever caused the friction was not intentional on your part. I also know Alan well enough to realize he is a class act too.

Here is hoping that you, Alan and Howard get to spend a little time together at Blade enjoy each other and bury this hatchet if any more of it is sticking up out of the ground.

And what Les said too. Go for it.
mush-head bastid

------------------
" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis

 

[Richard]

Wow Tom, you must be one mild mannered and easy to get along with person

I think Allen Elishewitz (spelling?) was way off the mark with his post in the other thread, and he is one I will scrtach off of my list of any future purchase.

I have an idea, maybe HV and AE can come here and explain what is truely original about their knives. Maybe the concept of a pocket clip??...NAH, been done before they did it. OH OH OH I KNOW, the liner lock!!!!....Whoops, strike 2. Must be blade shapes....darn, those were all done as well before them. The design feature mentioned by Darrell above?? Hey, Darrell alread said that has been around for alot longer than HV....sorry Howard, no dice there.

Ok AE and HV, I cant think of anything original about your knives, but by throwing such a fit over Tom, you all must have something original. I would challenge you to post in this thread what it is. You can forget clips, bladeshapes, opening holes, liner locks, g10 or micarta or just about any other handle material, screw construction and so on.

Tom, I am not a maker so you may have good reason for trying to keep the peace but I dont think you have anything at all to worry about. Redefining your style a bit might be a good thing, but not for the reasons mentioned (keeping HV and AE happy).



------------------
Richard Todd - Digital knife photography
icq 61363141
My WebSite
Do your site a favor, get quality digital images!!!
New photos added!!!

 

[Darrel Ralph]

Yes Tom is a good maker.

His knives offer more features for the dollar then folks who damn him. Toms knives work well also and the fit and finish is Grade A .


------------------
Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
MADD MAXX !

 

[richard rosvall]

FWIW, I think you're going above and beyond what you need to do, Tom. Congratulations on the way you're handling this situation. Hope it makes you feel somewhat better knowing you have the support of the fine folks who have responded here.

 

[Rob Simonich]

I find it flattering when I see something I have been doing a long time pop up on another makers knife, so long as they dont claim to be the originator. In fact there is so little that hasnt been done before that there are very few original ideas left!

I thought I had an original idea with my "Parasite" knife. Then I seen where someone did it years ago and called it a "Kangaroo" knife. Well, maybe the name "parasite" is an original! I have seen that pop up quite a bit and it never has bothered me. I borrowed an idea from the Striders and improved upon it and the first place I showed a picture was in the Strider Forum, giving them credit. More should do that.

Tom, I certainly wouldnt be bothered by this and just keep doing what your doing and tell them to bite you!

 

[Wulf]

Gentlemen,

I think it would be prudent to reserve judgment until all involved parties have addressed the various issues that are being discussed in this thread. I would suggest to Mr. Anderson that he call or e-mail both Allen Elishewitz and Howard Viele (if he hasn't done so already) and inform them of the existence of this thread so that they may publicly defend their opinions. Perhaps some of the details of this dispute haven't yet made it into this discussion. I would suggest to some of the participants in this thread that they exercise a little more restraint and decency before letting wanton accusations and insults get out of hand.

By the way, I just checked out Mr. Anderson's website and would like to mention that his Thrush model is one of the more unique and appealing folders I've seen in quite some time. Very refreshing indeed.

 

[samhell]

I know none of the parties in this dispute and from what i'm reading, I dont care to know 2 of them. I do know that Tom Anderson has devoted more of his knowledge, time and energy to help aspiring makers here and in the folder forum at KFC than anyone I've seen. I've never seen him post any ill will towards any maker. As for as knife designs go, I'm pretty sure that we can look at any knife and find a feature that reminds us of somebody elses work, but I believe he has found inspiration from others and melded it with his own ideas and forged a style all his own.

 

[C4]

Tom,

Do you remember the movie "Animal House"?

They all held their hands over their mouths and "coughed" the words "Blow Job'!!

I have the feeling that some of Holier-than-you makers missed that movie....

Michael


If I drill holes in a knife, do I have to pay Mayo, Mr. Onion or those who came before....

 

[RKnight]

this is rare

a bf member puts up an innocent post about an inexpensive production 'collaboration' folder that he wants to get... and viele comes unglued

LOL and emails another innocent member with absurd and malicious comments about Tom Anderson ...which embarasses both of the members and Tom

it might have ended there, but noooooo...

elishewitz decides it would be a cool idea to post his .02 on the forum

LOL and succeeds in starting something...

...and now we have two genuises who find themselves in a situation which they created and which is totally deserved

LMAO

...wonder if they'll still be friends when this over

...but seriously folks, i just wanta say... that i rank elishewitz products right up there with BM's...both of which look cool and both of which are known to have erratic quality...

for further information, please see my signature below

------------------
if you wanta play it dumb, you gotta be tough



[This message has been edited by RKnight (edited 05-30-2001).]

 

[NickWheeler]

Tom-

I don't have anything better to say. I just want to add my post of support for you and everthing that the others have said thus far.

You are bringing professionalism to the utmost level in this craft that we have all chosen to pursue.

Nick