An apology to Cold Steel and Lynn Thompson

C

chad234

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In this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum62/HTML/000034.html
I made some statements (accusations) that were not based in reality, and have little merit. I apologize to both Cold Steel and Lynn Thompson.
Lynn Thompson has long been a freind to the law enforcemnt community and has provided a quality product at a very reasonable price.
After reading my posts I realized that I had brought CS ethical integrity into question and I was mistaken (as in plain wrong). I know now that Lynn Thompson is a man that is very proud of the product he makes and his claims are a reflection of that pride, not a sales gimmick.
I had no reason to believe that the testing shown in the "proof" video was anything but absolutely accurate and it was irresposible of me to question the footage without any real eveidence to back my claims. I made negative remarks in regards to CS advertising policy with no real knowledge of the facts, this is uncharacteristic behavior for me and I apologize.
Take care,
Chad

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"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
George Orwell
"Those who hold the thin blue line keep order, and insure that anarchy and chaos will not prevail." Chad (1992)
"He who lives by the sword dies by the sword. He who dies by the sword did not train hard enough" -Chad (1999)
chad234@email.com
 
LT is one of the most innovative knife deisgners around, and from my occasional correspondence with him, a gentleman of high integrity. Now, if he would only forge a puukko...
 
Chad,
You have class! We all make mistakes, but it takes a lot of character to own up to them publicly. It is a great example for these forums. Good on ya!
David


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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
No complaint from me Chad. Ya done good! As usual.

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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Chad,

I really do not see the need for an apology. Your statements are largely on target, and consumers should learn to exercise a little mature skepticism.

What need to be added is a little perspective. Yes, Cold Steel has alot of hype in their advertisements/catalogs, but so does everyone else. If Cold Steel wants to survive and prosper it has to pitch its goods aggressively. Whether its asprins, or zoos, or anything in between, the marketing will be directed towards generating a stir. You want to draw attention and move your message to as many as possible and you do this by getting them to talk about your stuff.

So are all advertisements lies? No of course not. Lying would quickly destroy your reputation (its also largely illegal and risky - creates civil liability).

Adds are mearly economical with the truth, and many rely on slight of hand to deliver a misleading but implied (by you) message. For example if I were to say:

"We have taken our super deluxe 4x4 SUV to the top of mount X to demonstrate how easily you can use its rear cargo space to accommodate your stuff"

The message is about the cargo space.
The implied message is that the SUV can get to the top of mount X.

No one said that the SUV could be driven to location (we may have taken it there by helicopter), but 99% of you are going to read it that way. Go read through those CS adds one more time, and this time put on your glasses.

Personally, I am very glad that LT does what he does, and I hope that Cold Steel continues to advertise aggressively. 21 years ago I got my first glimps at a "quality" knife through a Cold Steel advertisement in a outdoors magazine. I am sure that they continue to create many more knife enthusiats with every add.

BTW, CS produces good value. I have many CS products and have yet to regret a CS purchase. They are good knives for the money.
 
I don't think you should have to apologize, either, quite frankly. You never did anything wrong in my eyes and though I haven't checked back on that thread in a few days, if Thompson or anyone else at CS cared, they'd probably let you know. I'm sure you're not the only one razzing them about their ads and besides that, it's folks like you that do stir things who keep companies like them on their toes.
 
Chad,

I don't see any false claims, or false accusations being targeted at Cold Steel in your threads.

I do see opinions, and questions about Cold Steel's claims (such as CS claiming AUS-6 is better than ATS-34).

You, as a consumer, have the right to express these concerns. If more people did the same, we wouldn't have so much crap on the market.
wink.gif

 
Chad - Dude, you said what you mean. No reasons for other folks to get upset if it is the truth.
The manufacturers can stake any claims, but its really up to us - the end line user should have the last say.

Sam

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have spydies
will travel...
AKTI Member #A001148
 
I do respect people who can admit their mistakes, however I do not see why you should be saying that your messages were accusations & not based on reality either
frown.gif


After all CS claims are widely distributed in the Special Project magazine & on their website.
If someone would use Lynn's "Riposte tactics", he could come up with 20 page article about CS Kukri outchoping "every factory & handlade knievs".
ATS-34 can be heat treated so poorly that AUS-8 will outperform it, but that's I guess, simply a defective knife.
I don't own Gerber, I own few CS knives, yet as a consumer or a customer I think I can question CS's claims, can't I?
Should I appologize everytime I question ANY makers claim, especially about his product being the best in the world?
After all that's what Lynn does in his articles.
& one more thing, I think every maker has prinde in his product, it's not only Lynn, just depends how do you express it.
Donno about pepsi & Coca but haven't seen many makers around "Riposting" eash other
smile.gif


P.S. No flame intended...


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zvis.com
Have Fun,
Alligator

[This message has been edited by Gator97 (edited 10-01-2000).]
 
Hey Chad, I just read the thread. Pretty hot stuff! Don't lose any sleep over it. My previous comment was about your character in general. Not many are willing to step up to the plate and admit they made a mistake. However, after reading the thread, I don't really know if you made any kind of mistake. I really don't follow Cold Steel and I've never seen any of their videos. I have one Cold Steel knife, a Master Hunter and I kind of like it (for a "rubber handled knife).
smile.gif
The price was right too. But I don't have much use for people that sell there products by debasing others. I'd rather see them rise or fall based on their intrinsic merits.


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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Chad,

I see no reason for you to apologize and Im also curious about the reversal. I have seen cold steels video (I think I used the cartridge to repair a broken tape I had that was worth keeping
smile.gif
) and find thier claims a bit outlandish. I take it with a grain of salt and think of what a knife really is, A CUTTING TOOL. Why do I need to bend the blade 45 degrees or hang 50 lbs on the knife to see if the lock fails? I dont as I do not intend to use any knife I have as a pry bar and I dont recomend using my knives as pry bars. They are not designed for this type of use.

No need for an apology Chad.

Arhur D. Washburn
ADW Custom Knives
 
Nicely stated Chad. Differing opinions are what makes this a FORUM and not a RAILROAD!! Behind you all the way.

Michigan Mike

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Confusion to the Enemy
 
Originally posted by KurtisKurt:
Hi Chad
What was it exactly, that make you change your mind? May be a call from a attorney? I am really interested.

Bye
Kurt
Click to expand...

There were several factors that made me realize the errors in my actions.
Cold Steel was kind enough to send me their Fall 2000 SP catalog, after carefully reading it I realized that, in some instances, my memory failed me in regards to the claims made by CS. The statements as printed in the Catalog can be seen as a reflection of the pride that Lynn Thompson feels in his products (with the exception of the Riposte, on the CS website, which attacks Gerber Legendary Blades.)
It was brought to my attention that Cold Steel is a sponser for several Law Enforcement Organizations including the International Assoc. of Law Enforcement Firearms Trainers (IALEF) and the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET) as well as several private LE training groups such as Gunsite and Blackwater Training Center.
As a LEO (with experience as a training officer and defensive tactics instructor) I appreciate the support and training facilities that CS has provided.
My main error was in implying that Cold Steel inc. practiced unethical advertising. I recind any such statements, and acknowledge that Cold Steel inc. has produced no document, in any medium, which [to my knowledge], contained or contains any false claims or misleading information. My statements were not intended to slander, debase or devalue Cold Steel inc. or the products and services provided.
I hope this clarifies the issue, and that it can be laid to rest.
Thank You,
Chad



[This message has been edited by chad234 (edited 10-01-2000).]
 
Originally posted by Hoodoo:
Hey Chad, I just read the thread. Pretty hot stuff! Don't lose any sleep over it. My previous comment was about your character in general. Not many are willing to step up to the plate and admit they made a mistake. However, after reading the thread, I don't really know if you made any kind of mistake. I really don't follow Cold Steel and I've never seen any of their videos. I have one Cold Steel knife, a Master Hunter and I kind of like it (for a "rubber handled knife).
smile.gif
The price was right too. But I don't have much use for people that sell there products by debasing others. I'd rather see them rise or fall based on their intrinsic merits.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your support Hoodoo, I have come to value your opinion. I have learned a lot from the valuable information you have provided. Thanks,
Chad

 
I respect your desire to apologize, it's hard. I once felt compelled to call about two dozen people and ask forgiveness for a lie I told 20 years ago--hardest thing I ever had to do. As for this forum, I think the whole purpose is to debate. I've owned one CS, an old style Tanto with brass bolsters, a good knife. I do not care for the current series of folders. But that's the point; a guy who loves CS can write to me and opine that MT's are over-priced. We all learn something. Life ain't lived for a 'rest stop,' it's for the journey itself.--OKG
 
This supports my my idea that there should be a dedicated Apology Forum for the many numerous threads like these.

JK
 
Ok Chad. It would appear from your last 2 posts and by the specific language that you used that you were pressured either by CS attorney or your department to make the apology. It is also evident that you cannot say anything about it. Ok, do what you have to do, but we know better
smile.gif
.

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Dave (Phil.4:13)
I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me
Here's Lifter: www.profitness.com/Profiles/profileDaveAbramson
 
Lifer4him and others who are stating or implying that Cold Steel or Mr. Thompson has intimidated Chad into an apology owe Chad an apology. IMHO. Now, I own 2-3 CS knives and have found them to be rather overrated, especially the Trailmaster in Carbon V, but I don't think that it is reasonable to think that Mr. Thompson would go to the trouble and the risk of harassing an individual for posting on a website. It is just too much trouble and there are just too many possible downsides if word got out. I think that Chad genuinely believes that he misstated things and that Lynn Thompson and Cold Steel desereve and aplogy from him. Can't we just accept it and leave it at that?

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
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