And the winner is.........................................

I feel more frustrated than anything. As I've said before, I really dig your idea, Mike. It would really be something worthwhile if it worked out; it's like having another CRKT around.

If I remember correctly, your idea was to resell these "knock-offs" here after pre-arranging with the original designer/maker some sort of compensation. They're being made anyway, so legitimizing it through your company would be a great move for the makers, yourself, and your customers. Is that correct?

What bothers me is that you didn't know that there were some knives in the catalog were knock-offs. I'd think that extreme dilligence on your part to keep these things legitimate would be a top priority. The fact that you didn't realize that at least a couple of the easily recognizable knives were stolen ideas is very disconcerting. No one expects you to know every knife made -- but I think it's appropriate to expect you to know the knives you put in your catalog.

I can't even imagine how much work is required to launch something like this. Hopefully, the fiasco this has become can be attributed to growing pains.

In any case, I honestly hope this venture works out for you. I think it'd be good for the industry if done properly. Good luck...

Respectfully,
RM
 
I talked to Allen a few hour ago as well and am killing the Squid.

In fact I suggested to the China "connection" that we kill ALL the knives that we can not prove are designed by us. He is upset as well as he was also told the designs were in house. Right now the idea I proposed was to kill all 6 knives that are not from us and I will create 6 new designs from those who entered my contest and a couple of my own design. All of this has to be done in the next 24 hours as we are going to print the catalog next week and we can not change that time frame as we need the new catalog for the ASD show in Vegas on the 11th.

I know it seems I should have known about those knives but I assure I did not. The one that looks like the Strider really only has the angled butt that looks similar to me, but either way I will make this right, just give me the chance.

As far as the Toucan, I may change it as well as I respect Sal and even though he sued me TWICE and he has not patent it would be the right thing to do.

Right now it is 8AM in China and I should have more info in a few hours. Stay Tuned as it does not get much better than this folks, for entertainment that is.
 
So as it stands know exactly which of the knives will be sold, I was really looking forward to getting all the designs but I guess it aint gonna happen.
 
I just got off the phone and I have killed all knives on pages 7 and 8. I do not want to start off a new company with a bad taste in anyone's mouth. I don't even want to wait to see if the other knives that have not been questioned yet are knock-offs. I was also assured that other knives that are being carried under another brand name will be gone as well before long. This is the best news I have heard and the company and the China partners are really doing the right thing here. They have given me the opportunity to steer the company in the right direction and this a very good thing indeed.

So guess what I will be doing Sunday :)

Look for some really quick computer wizardry from me tomorrow as I will be creating 6 knives that do not exist right now, from designs form our contest a few months ago. Hey Brian, John and others you ould be seeing your designs as early as tomorrow!

Also David are you game for another design?

Looks like a fun 24 hours for me guys!

Good night :)
 
I for one can't wait to see what you come up with and dig up from that contest in the next 24 hours, Mike...be sure to have lots of caffeine, eh? ;)

I'm very glad that you are acting so quickly to resolve these issues once they were brought to your attention. And I am relieved that you didn't know about some of this "cloning" - the only one I recognized (besides your tach/cheetah) was the Silver Knight, it is very discinctive...I hope this works out "right," and I think it will because you are very anxious for that to happen, and are working hard. :) As Atomic Zero said, it'd be like having another CRKT - decent user knives at a low budget.

In my opinion, Mike is trying to do good, and I support him in this. :)
 
Mike, it's hard to say something on the Internet and have it taken 100% correctly, I know you know this.

Please do not take the following comments as sarcastic, they are not meant that way. If you like, I'll call you so you can see how I mean them.

I've been very, VERY impressed with the knives CRK&T has been importing. Very good quality knives at at a good price point. They about have the market sown up on the "Resonable price point, resonable quality" front.

I think the market can only get stronger with competition.

Your attempting to bring China's knives to a legidimate level is a great idea. I wish you luck.

You've made some great strides in the right direction. As a consumer and a member of the informed knife community, I commend you for you efforts.

Stand behind the "Do it, Do it right, So it right now" . . . . stress on the "<U>Do it right</U>".

I hold final judgement until I see the final line.

Good luck
 
Originally posted by Mike Turber
As far as the Toucan, I may change it as well as I respect Sal and even though he sued me TWICE and he has not patent it would be the right thing to do.
Click to expand...

I will say again, Mike: Sal does not need a patent on the round hole, it is his trademark. BM didn't switch to the oval hole because it's 'new and improved,' nor did they switch to the oval hole because they thought it was the 'right thing to do.' After all, they're still using the AFCK pattern, aren't they? (But that's a whole 'nother can of worms) They switched because a production company will not get a license for the round hole from Sal. So BM just sidestepped and uses the oval hole to avoid litigation.
Use an octagonal hole, an oval hole, a football hole, a starfish, it doesn't matter. A circular hole, however, infringes on Spyderco's trademark, which while more specific than a patent, lasts far longer.
See this thread: Knock-offs.

By the way, I give you a big pat on the back for taking care of the knock-off issues. I'm glad to see you taking this company in the right direction. If all goes as planned, and the finalized catalog can offer us unique designs, then I will renege on my previous statement and pick up some of your pieces. Like I said, the Parasite/Host looks like a good budget piece to put to crazy-hard use!

And while I'm on the topic of budget pieces, will these only sell directly from BOSS at MSRP or will we be able to purchase them from our favorite online vendors for even less? Not saying that the prices aren't already low, it would just be amazing to pick these up for 'internet' prices.
 
Hi Mike, Im new at bladeforums, and a relativly new knifenut..and I've come to trust each and every person here in their opinions and ideas. I will not judge your or your company mike, I think thats wrong. However I agree with some of the guys and the knock off thing, but you're doing your best it seems to clear that up, and I can say, that speaks alot of your character. If you honestly didn't know or realize the similarity that is. Anyway, Im not sure if any other company has given the community a chance to design their own knife, this is the first time I've seen it, and I LOVE it. I would LOVE to have my name by the knife that I designed. Anyway, I hope your company thrives on its own merits, hardwork, and dedication, and I hope this whole thing gets worked out. Maybe when you guys get on a roll, you can use different steels and things! Anyway, best of luck to you and your company Mike. -Hunter
 
Originally posted by JoeShmoe2002
Page 5s Tom Anderson is pretty cool too, but haven't I seen that advertised in Blade?
Click to expand...

Yes. In fact, that design has been in production for over a year. (It was introduced at the 2001 Blade Show.)

Unfortunately, Seven Star Cutlery defaulted on the contract and I never received any royalties.

I'm hoping this turns into a win-win situation - Mike's new company saves on development and tooling costs and I finally get compensation.
 
Mike,

I wish you well with your new venture and I congratulate Ferret and the others for their great designs. However, I feel like I have to raise a couple of issues:

Sending designs to China to have them made so you can sell for $24.95 is just plain wrong. I can't produce knives here in my shop for less than $300 and I can't have them made here by CNC for even a retail of $100.

You are sending Amercian jobs overseas by persusing this avenue of production. You yourself said that the Chinese are getting really good and the quality of their goods has grown tremendously in the past few years. You stated that the quality we are about to see is going to be phenonmenal.

Well, just how are Amercians supposed to compete with that? This is the same old thing we seeing everywhere. Americans want their cheap goods and they are giving no thought to how they are made or how much the poor bastids in China are being paid. I can't live on $2 a day and I will not support endeavors that contribute to this type of thing.

Sorry, but that's how I see it.

How much do you guys who are machinists make? Send all your machinists jobs to China and see what you are left with for work.
 
Peter,

I am not going to get into that argument again. You can read my thoughts and others on teh subject here by doing a search. One guy said he would boycot any company who does business with China. Well without naming names, I would bet that you would be surprised at just who does business with China and that those knives are stamped made in USA. I also told the guy that if he is going to boycot things made in China then he can no longer use his keyboard or mouse to chastise me. Turn yours over, I bet you will find the same keyboard you typed your post on is made there too.

I can't remember who said it, but in a similar thread it was stated that the US is more of a intellectual country and that our prowess is more on that side now rather than manufacturing. I agree to a point but what I do not want to ship to China is our intellectual property. I will be making quality knives (Yes quality and China in the same sentence) at a price anyone can afford and yes for that I am proud. I gotta go creat 6 knives so see yall late tonight :)
 
Originally posted by Mike Turber
I also told the guy that if he is going to boycot things made in China then he can no longer use his keyboard or mouse to chastise me. Turn yours over, I bet you will find the same keyboard you typed your post on is made there too.
Click to expand...
Never even thought about that. Just checked--keyboard made in Thailand and mouse made in China (both Microsoft branded). Sorry, just thought it was amusing.
 
OK Guys,

My eyes are blood shot but look at page 7. Those were 100% non existant knives before an hour ago. These are from a drawing submitted by Monty Fielding. I used Photoshop to create the knives. Let me know what you think.
 
I like these even better welll except the flyboy I really like that one and it wasnt a clone of anything that I could recognize.
 
Originally posted by Mike Turber
OK Guys,

My eyes are blood shot but look at page 7. Those were 100% non existant knives before an hour ago. These are from a drawing submitted by Monty Fielding. I used Photoshop to create the knives. Let me know what you think.
Click to expand...
Hey, congrats Poboy (Monty)--you got a whole line of knives. Great looking designs.

That's some quick work you did there, Mike.
 
The "Jarhead" still looks a tad familiar :eek:
10.jpg

7.jpg

COMMANDER-SF.jpg
 
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