I'm not following the logic here. Because most people barely use their knives and don't know how to sharpen, means that CRK shouldn't think about upgrading the steel they use to make blades?
To put it bluntly, that makes no sense. It's akin to a car manufacturer saying they will only offer one engine for their high end car, because that engine is 'good enough' and it doesn't matter anyway since most people won't track the car. Well.....what about the people who WILL track the car, and the people that want the extra power?
CRK easily offer the knives in 2 different steels. Keep the 35vn for their standard, and offer something upgraded for the people who want it. I'm familiar with the manufacturing side of knives. The cost, the complexity, the acquisition of materials - all of it. To try and say that offering their blades in something like 20cv or even XHP would be a big obstacle is just....patently false.
In my opinion, they should at least start listening to what people want. Specifically people who aren't in this little echo chamber where only praise is allowed.
Again, just my opinion.
Your whole statement is quite ambiguous and I'll tell you why.
It's obvious you haven't read many of the threads in this forum. People do in fact express their concern on issues concerning CRK as well as their satisfaction with CRK. After all, it is the CRK Forum.
You need to read some of the threads in Maintenance, Tinkering& Embellishment Forum. It will give you an idea of just how many people in this forum need help maintaining their knives. Not everyone has the mechanical aptitude to maintain their belongings.
Using your example of the car, there are some models that offer only one engine, and that is mostly for the working class that want the best product that they are willing to afford. That's where CRK comes into play in the knife world. It isn't about the selection of steel, it's about the knife as a whole. When people fork over any amount of money above their comfort zone, they want it to be the best experience and be happy with their purchase. That includes for most, to be able to maintain the level of sharpness they are used to, being able to tear down, clean and reassemble their knife without issue. To know that customer service is top notch and prompt when issues arise. I know I wouldn't be satisfied with a knife if I couldn't sharpen it without having to spend even more money( and sometimes more than the knife) on a sharpening system.
It's evident you've either not seen or missed the reason CRK uses the steel they do in one of their video's. Chris did explain why he chose S35VN and it wasn't because it was the flavor of the day steel when CRK chose it.
Using the example of Walmart people is just wrong on so many levels, it's not worth trying to explain it. But, I will say this. the people I work with know I'm a knife guy. I'm always showing them my different knives. And yes, I do have many brands besides CRK. The one knife that gets the most comments about being a well built knife is my CRK's. Granted, typically I'll have something like a ZT, Hinderer or Shirogorov along with the CRK, but it amazes me that non knife people like the CRK. Maybe they don't like flippers, or maybe they relate to the CRK better. I've never asked why.
They do listen to what people say, if you ever have a chance to go to a show where they're at, they will acknowledge that some of the things they do is because of customer feedback.
Lastly, I've read a few threads (here on BF) about people getting back to simpler steels and not being really impressed with some of the super steels.
