An Apology, among other things

M

missin_hobo

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Aug 9, 2007
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A few days ago I started a thread providing a link to Cold Steel's new Solid Proof video for their Natchez Bowie. I thought the video was cute - the best word I could think of - and that some folks might get a kick out of it, as I did.

Then I watched, incredulous, as the thread degenerated into insults and trolling, until Bastid closed it. This was not my intention. I am aware of what is wrong with marketing your knives this way, culturally and legally, but this has never detered me from indulging, since it's not as if the videos would go away if I didn't. I have mixed feelings about Cold Steel myself, but to me that doesn't change the detail that they make solid knives and 'cute' videos. I was astonished at how many vehement disagreements there were.

Cold Steel is perhaps akin to gay marriage and abortion - subjects that should be omitted from polite conversation.

This has never before happened with a thread I started, which usually end up being brief and quietly informative. It was not my intention to set so many people at each other's throats, and I am sorry for that. Perhaps it is uneccessary, or even wrong, for me to say so publicly - as I write this I yet wonder if I should post it or not - but with the previous thread closed I wanted to provide an opportunity for more appropriate, more intelligent responses.

People who can discuss this topic pleasantly, or at least reasonably, without slinging mud at Cold Steel or each other, are welcome to pipe up. Those who can't, please bite your tongues. I don't want it to happen twice in a row where I try to start an innocent conversation, only to have the mods close it - especially when the mods have a point. I'm afraid that I'm taking a risk just by posting all this, but I'm of the opinion that any and all topics should be open for discussion.



*Deep breath*
 
It takes guts to apologize, but even so, you were not in the wrong for posting that video. I suppose if anyone had to apologize it would be us (myself included) for insulting the nature of the video.

Anyway, my opinion is always, "Buy what you like." In the end it's what satisfaction you derive out of your purchase, not anyone else. Because of this, I never buy into the 'next big thing' (iPhones for example). I like to think I walk off the beaten path. No Sebenzas for me either.
 
why are you apologising?

you posted a video, and some morons start a flame war.

not your fault.
 
missin_hobo said:
Then I watched, incredulous, as the thread degenerated into insults and trolling, until Bastid closed it.

I was astonished at how many vehement disagreements there were.

Cold Steel is perhaps akin to gay marriage and abortion -
Click to expand...

Start a thread and who knows where it going to lead...but for the number of posts and time you have been here don't expect many here to believe you don't know exactly where a CS thread might go.

So now, what are we discussing since the "topic" was never stated, CS video production, gay marriage or abortion?

.
 
Wait, are you telling me people lost all sense of decorem and politeness on an Internet forum!?!?

My gosh!
 
I am sure that those tests are really a marketing ploy, but I would like to see the real testing that knife companies do.
 
I suppose it goes without saying that I'll be watching this thread more closely than the last.
Harkamus and Sambo, you are both correct, it is not explicitly my fault. But it was still my actions that brought about all the late unpleasantness, which is new for me and which I regret. Cold Steel is apparently much more controversial than I had initially given it credit for. I assumed that most people approached the brand and its knives with a skeptical acceptance, as I did, and in that regard was very wrong. I would like a chance to set the record straight, and open the door for responses that are honest, intelligent, and genuine.
It's fair to argue about Cold Steel. Fun, too.
But it's wrong to just cast stones upon each other, and upon Cold Steel, on account of something so personal. I'm hoping that this second attempt will be more successful.

By Ramm9
So now, what are we discussing since the "topic" was never stated, CS video production, gay marriage or abortion?
Click to expand...

This is how I talk when I'm trying to start a fire :P I don't discourage it in the least, particularly since you make a good point, but I dearly hope it doesn't go the same way as the last one. I would hope that the topic remains, rationally, on Cold Steel.

Gay marriage and abortion have their own forums.

By The Government
I am sure that those tests are really a marketing ploy, but I would like to see the real testing that knife companies do.
Click to expand...

As would I. I'm sure those flex tests go to within a single camera frame of the knife snapping in two. Impressive all the same. Coupled with the sheer aesthetic of the knife, I really ought to own one sooner or later.
I too am sure that those tests are really a marketing ploy, and I too would like to see the real testing that knife companies do.
 
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There are a lot of ardent fans here of particular brands, and of particular ways others should express themselves when posting.

I don't think you owe anyone an apology. Some folks take the low road no matter what, and if they wear their opinions as THE opinion all should follow, things get out of hand fast. They can't stand another "different" opinion, and as a self appointed expert, they simply cannot tolerate one.

My personal thoughts are that if you have something controversial to say or if it could fly in the face of the collective opinion, keep it to yourself or post it on another forum. Things seem to have gotten a lot more twitchy here on this site over the last few months.

There are a LOT of really great folks here. In fact I would say most are guys here are pretty damn nice. Many, many more than the bad apples and big mouths. But as anywhere, a few seem to dominate sometimes and make it unpleasant for most.

Robert
 
Ramm9 said:
Start a thread and who knows where it going to lead...but for the number of posts and time you have been here don't expect many here to believe you don't know exactly where a CS thread might go.

So now, what are we discussing since the "topic" was never stated, CS video production, gay marriage or abortion?

.
Click to expand...

Perhaps a new idea for CS's marketing involving gay marriage and abortion? :D
 
The way I see it is that knife makers and manufacturers have their own design philosophy as distinct as any other consumer product industry. That goes without saying. The guys at Cold Steel look passionate about their products and are not afraid to look less than sheeple friendly. You have to hand it to those guys; they have cajones to be demonstrating their knives the way they do. That's just how they like to market themselves. Do most of us agree with said marketing practice? Probably and most definitely not. Those guys don't like to fly under the radar.
 
The Cold Steel videos are rather silly, and they put me off of CS altogether. And they've been discussed, if you can call it that, many many times.

So if you wish to avoid a repeat, you might refrain from starting a new topic just to post links to their advertising. Just a heads up... ;)

Instead, to stimulate a serious conversation, why not post a review of your favorite Cold Steel knife? What you like about, what you dislike, a few photos... :thumbup:
 
Fair enough.

My 'favorite' CS knife, as you could call it, has been their Laredo Bowie. I've owned several Ti-Lites as well, but I admit that such knives are but toys. The Laredo Bowie has proven itself as an effective, durable, indeed perhaps indrestructable bush knife, and I apprecieate the effort they put into their cutting tools. It cuts and chops the way they say it does on their website, and I admire this.

The Natchez has me equally intrigued, and I am eager to own one.

In the end, though, this is not about my opinion of Cold Steel. It's about yours.
 
IMHO, a big percentage of people just starting to get interested in knives and particularly folders are attracted to "tactical" and knives that look like weapons. This mall ninja mentality has been reinforced by movies in general. I can't think of a movie offhand that shows a knife being used as a tool. knives in movies are generally used as weapons. the only show i have seen lately of a knife being used as a tool are so called reality survival TV shows(which are also denigrated as "just a show and no relation to reality") by the "real outdoorsmen".

I think that CS is just targeting this demographic. If this is so then what they are doing is a legitimate marketing and promotion strategy. I too was thinking of last ditch self defense(for when my Glock runs out of bullets and I can't get my hands on anything else). Imagine my dismay when I realized that SD is a politically incorrect term in knife forums. More so on some than on others. When you mention SD you are subjected to scorn, ridicule, and even insults disguised as "playing around".

There are a lot of videos of guns showing destruction and mayhem of all kinds of inanimate objects and even some kinds of fruit. Why then are these videos not denigrated as trash or junk or what have you? I submit that it is because guns are weapons and nothing else. What makes videos of knives showing their potential use as weapons so much worse?
 
I did watch Cold steel's videos about the recon 1 before i bought one. if what they showed in the videos was half true then the recon 1 is a decent enough folder. i thoguth I had bought the cat's pajama's then but I find out that CS does not have a good rep in the various knife and blade forums.

So were those videos edited? i haven't heard anything except that the videos are "ridiculous" and other adjectives none of which are pleasant.

I am not planning on buying anymore CS products but i would like to understand what is so unpalatable about their videos? for me the videos would be "ridiculous" only if they were not real.
 
Could someone please point me to finding out what and why CS is disliked. I have never own or even thought about there knives but I would like to know why they are so disliked.
 
I watched the Recon Scout video prior to buying one. It was almost enough to put me off but I took it all with a grain of salt. It's just a bunch of (fat) tools who think they are badass.

At the end of the day - it's the product that counts and I'd heard GLOWING reviews from independent sources for exactly the purpose that I intend. So far I'm impressed with the knife although it won't be until Easter that I get to test drive it in the bush.
 
yeah mate I don't think you were in the wrong, you were simply posting a video of a knife that appealed to you. Its everyone else, most probably including me that gave our opinons of cold steel that started the flame war, trolling etc..

And really, like a few others have said, who cares what we or I think of cold steel, if you think they are awesome, mate - go for it and get their bowie and who knows, you might surprise a few people here with how god it actually is.

but yeah mate, don't think you were in the wrong at all
 
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