RBB,
I agree too about the usefulness of the 2 and 3 layer campers, as a rule and yes, the demo knife has a reputation for busting springs. I raised it as an example of a nice looking camper pattern though.
Here's the offensive Gerber knife. I to be clear, I think it's heinous looking. Seriously, the scales are just awful.
And the shape is, as you note odd right? The placement of the tools? But yet, it reminds of something....
I remember going to a trade show (I was in marketing) and heard a VP say about some muckity-muck, "That guy is a real [jerk]... Not that that distinguishes him in this industry in any way." The discussion of the ugliness of the incredibly ugly Gerber reminds me of that comment. Lots of ugly utility/camper knives.
This one doesn't look right to me either.
Good (inbound or product) marketing is listening and observing customers and understanding what their needs are and what motivates them to buy. Interestingly, people generally don't buy out of practicality or real need and buy more for percieved need. Saying emotion is too harsh. But emotion is closer.
Here's an example. People buy their kids mountain bikes with knobbie tires because they think the knobby tires give more grip. But they don't (unless you are really riding off road, which kids generally don't do). Best thing you can do for people is to replace their knobbie tires with slicks, but you'll never sell enough bikes to stay in business. The customer is always right, even when they're wrong.
My nephew asked me for recommendations about fixed blade knives 2 years ago. Actually, he asked me what I thought about the Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro.
I showed a bunch of different fixed blades that I thought were better in different ways but then told him it was his knife and he should get a knife he likes. He then sat up and said, "I really like Bear Grylls and think it looks cool." This past Columbus day weekend we are together hanging out at the family camp and he had that knife and was dutifully smashing it through firewood and reaming it through the pull through sharpener while I made shavings with my Mora Companion.
My bro-in-law used to sell cars (he never had a soul to begin with) and says, "There's a butt for every seat." Knives are strange. I think Gerber actually knows and listens to a certain set of customers, just like GEC does. Different customers, same market driven process.
It's a stinkin' ugly knife, just the same.
(just teasing)
I've bought things just because I thought they were odd looking and wanted a closer look. Please post some pictures and tell us what you think. Like it or not, it might be the first exposure to a "traditional" knife for some young folk out there.
