Blatent Kershaw Knockoff!!!!

[kneedeep]

This whole thing is a non-issue. Everybody is treating these knock-offs as if they are in direct competition with Kershaw. That knock-off is something you would see on the Home Shopping Network at 2am. The type of person that buys those knives DO NOT buy Kershaws and vise-versa. They don't even visit this site. If fact, I doubt anyone on this website has ever bought one of those HSN/Korean-Krap knives. I think everyone here is giving far too much credit to the knock-off. Kershaw will not loose a single customer because of that knife or others like it.

shecky himself has disproved this by his posts here and in his own thread where he intentionally buys a CS knock-off. Regardless of lost sales, patents, copyrights, and trademarks must be vigorously defended or they will be lost. This costs money and resources that could otherwise be used in ways that will more directly benefit the company and consumer.

 

[Cutshaw]

 

[shecky]

This whole thing is a non-issue. Everybody is treating these knock-offs as if they are in direct competition with Kershaw. That knock-off is something you would see on the Home Shopping Network at 2am. The type of person that buys those knives DO NOT buy Kershaws and vise-versa. They don't even visit this site. If fact, I doubt anyone on this website has ever bought one of those HSN/Korean-Krap knives. I think everyone here is giving far too much credit to the knock-off. Kershaw will not loose a single customer because of that knife or others like it.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately, I think too many knife nuts here can't see the reality of the issue.

I'll make an analogy. In the last few years, there have been a couple of products that have become very popular, and widely copied. Razor scooters and Croc clogs. Both products were introduced and cut rate copies immediately flooded the market. Both companies tried to take legal action against the copies, with fleeting success. Demand for cheap versions of their wares was just too high.

I personally bought knockoffs of both products. Neither company lost my sale, because I was never going to pay $75 for a scooter (what they were going for at the time) or $30 for foam clogs. I did pay $18 for a scooter, and $3 for some foam clogs. Neither are counterfeits. I suppose some could argue the copies are not good quality, but I have no complaints about them.

Do I feel bad about supporting "intellectual property thieves"? Not in the slightest. A company that refuses to supply any particular market pretty much surrenders that market to someone who is willing. Given their business practices, I was very unlikely to ever become one of their customers anyway. And I'll bet that's the same case with just about every one of the sanctimonious responders I've had in this thread. The only difference is the product is something they don't give much thought over and don't hold in high esteem. Even though the principle is the same.

Incidentally, both Razor and Croc have done the wise thing. Expanded their product line. Both have name recognition, perhaps the most valuable asset of all.

 

[shecky]

shecky himself has disproved this by his posts here and in his own thread where he intentionally buys a CS knock-off. Regardless of lost sales, patents, copyrights, and trademarks must be vigorously defended or they will be lost. This costs money and resources that could otherwise be used in ways that will more directly benefit the company and consumer.

On the contrary, I proved redsst's point. I had no intention of buying a CS push knife. They didn't lose a sale. However, I unexpectedly got what I suspect is a counterfeit. Which is beyond a copy.

Now, however, my curiosity is piqued. I may actually buy a real CS push knife to compare with the one I got.

Regarding patents, copyrights, and trademarks, I believe trademarks can be lost if not used or defended. However, I'm not quite sure the same applies to patents or copyrights. The costs related to defending such IP can be enormous indeed. It takes wise accountants and lawyers to decide if such actions are fiscally wise. Many times they are not, but are pursued regardless because of hurt pride and such. And many companies have fallen because of such refusal to acknowledge real life markets conditions.

 

[kneedeep]

Sorry, I guess I should have been more specific.

They don't even visit this site. If fact, I doubt anyone on this website has ever bought one of those HSN/Korean-Krap knives.

So you actually prove and disprove his point in one shot (assuming you don't actually ever purchase any name brand products).

Just curious do you purchase any name brand products?

Are there any knifemakers or manufacturers that you support other than the knock-off makers?

What do you do for a car? Did you import one of those Chinese knock-offs yourself?

 

[redsst]

Are you asking me or shecky?
I'll answer just in case.
The only three companies I really buy from, support or recommend are Benchmade, Spyderco and, of course, Kershaw.
I'll admit that in my youth I bought a few cheap knock-offs from flea markets, but I'm talking early teen years here. Long before I understood things like fit, finish and quality.
As far as cars, I drive a Chevy Malibu, but don't tell anyone.

 

[kneedeep]

Are you asking me or shecky?
I'll answer just in case.
The only three companies I really buy from, support or recommend are Benchmade, Spyderco and, of course, Kershaw.
I'll admit that in my youth I bought a few cheap knock-offs from flea markets, but I'm talking early teen years here. Long before I understood things like fit, finish and quality.
As far as cars, I drive a Chevy Malibu, but don't tell anyone.

I was asking shecky, but good answers, not that my opinion matters since these are all personal choices.

I am really just curious if he supports any particular brands or if he only shops based on lowest price. Not that I support shopping based soley on brand, quality and value are more important.

 

[svrider3]

Incase you haven't seen the post shecky, Thomas is giving a very high quality knife away that would be just perfect for you. :thumbup: