Well, I am disappointed in the 4 hole version. I think it clutters the knife. I see they might be trying to avoid the confusion with the Kershaw design(are the holes a SPECFIC size, like Viele's?), but I do not agree with that dispute either. I've read the threads about the Spyderco hole dispute and I think it stinks. I will come right out and say it: I think that Sal is a stinker and a scared or illogical businessman.
Let's think about this: Spyderco has developed a following with their knives-their quality and value. The round hole is a great idea-I do not think anyone disputes that Sal came up with it. The thing that gets me is, if people have developed a liking to Spyderco knives, do they buy a knife solely because it has a round hole in it? I should hope not. A round hole in a blade means squat. I can take a piece of steel, drill a hole in it and put an edge on it and it does not mean quality. What I mean here is-you buy the knife because it is a Spyderco. If the hole is so damn important, the company would be called Bladehole or Hole Knives or something. So I ask you Spydie fans out there-do you go looking for a knife with a hole in the blade or do you confirm that it is a Spyderco before you purchase it? Don't lie now. I also think the fact that Sal is in such a bunch to protect the round hole because he knows he has a monopoly on it and up to this point has intimidated people to maintain that monopoly. You should know better Sal; Americans do not like monopolistic businesspeople-history has taught us that. Also-do you think that people who own and are loyal to Spyderco, knowing their quality and reputation, suggest "the knives with a round hole in the blade" to their friends? NO! You suggest a SPYDERCO! And to those people who walk in and happen to pick up a Spyderco, they don't know a darn thing about Spyderco's reputation-it's all up to the quality of the product after they buy it. Following that reasoning, only people experienced with Spyderco knives are going to associate the round opening hole with Spyderco knives, so they already know the quality of them-the hole brings nothing in relation to quality-the Spyderco name does.
I say shame on you Sal and I admonish you to rethink your logic and business tactics. I for one am extremely put off by your arguements over the Benchmade 630 and it will be a cold day in hell before I buy a product that supports someone with faulty logic and frankly greedy and questionable business tactics and ethics-in my mind.
). IMO if they just had to get around the patent I wish they had added a 4th smaller hole towards the end of the blade instead of towards the handle. Oh well, I'll probably still buy one.
