Yeah, eventually I'll use it for something I suppose, and when I do, I'll let y'all know my impressions.
Other than that, I got to thinking about the "weapon" aspect of this knife. Why is Boker's advertising any less negative than Dalton's "Assassin" OTF autos? When you hear the word "stiletto," does it conjure up visions of a utilitarian knife to you? Do "Combat Elite's" folders appear to you to be intended for digging trenches or poking 6" - 8" in the dirt for mines? If not, what do you suppose the word "Combat" refers to? What reason on Earth is there to carry a boot knife if not for a backup weapon? (I'm talking civilian use here, not military. I could better understand the latter.) How about bali-songs? Like the Bradley "Mayhem?" Did Mr. Bradley call it that so his customers could cause mayhem on loose threads and trimming calouses, or maybe breaking down boxes? The Microtech line of "HALO" knives is based solely on a game where the player is an assassin fer cryin' out loud! The name "Pirahna" doesn't exactly inspire thoughts of utilitarian usage for their knives. Wilson Tactical (formerly Combat Elite) makes a myriad of variously-configured "fighters," as does almost every other highly-thought-of, high-end manufacturer. Hell, most all of those examples create visions of knife-wielding maniacs bent on murder moreso than the title "Reality Based Blade."
You know as well as I that I could go on all night finding advertising and marketing which portrays knives as weapons every bit as much as the one being discussed here. Interesting though, that in all of my surfing through here and other knife-related forums, only this one and Dark Ops has threads devoted entirely to knockin' 'em for exactly that, not to mention tearin' down those who just buy 'em because they like the looks of 'em. Not that I feel you've done that USAFSP, but it's certainly been a prevelent theme in this thread.
I'd venture to say that, in the history of mankind, they've been weapons in most people's minds ions more time than they've been thought of as "tools." I'd further surmise that the shift in view didn't even get a strong foothold until well after the advent of the handgun. As Charles Barkley would say, "I could be wrong, but I doubt it." Not trying to be a smart-ass, I'm actually enjoying this discussion with you USAFSP, I just happen to think that a majority of objective observers would not agree with your above statement, although, in every-day-life terms, I see it exactly the same way you do. I just don't think the ummm....*reality* that knives can be and are weapons is mutually-exclusive to the premise that they're tools as well.
Actually, according to the advertising you're complaining about so vociferously, you've got it exactly backwards.
Listen, I'm not trying to get you or anyone else to *like* this knife. I really couldn't care less. I just don't understand the intensity with which it is being criticized, or the glaring inconsistencies between those criticizms of this knife as compared to others which are marketed in much the same way.
Bottom line, and as you have so graciously acquiesced, to each his own.
Have A Good'un,
Blues
.
Either way, it's at the top of my aquisition list.