Cheap, good quality frame-lock...

Mike, you are correct in the fact that the knives we see have all used things that have been done before. There is a big difference however in using a drop point, a thumb stud, a liner lock or anything else that has been done before, and blatantly copying the whole design.
 
Keith,

I myself don't see a whole lot of difference..But again, I don't design or make knives, so that's pretty easy for me to say...copying is copying, if you ask me, but it's not my design or my knife or my company.

I am quite thankful, that, aside from a few notable exceptions, the knife community is quite open and helpful, and I fully realize that I benefit greatly from this...there are numerous knives out there that bear a suspicious resemblance to each other, for whatever reason..I think it's just inevitable.

Like I said though, Darrel Ralph, for whatever reason, has not commented on this, and when it really comes down to it, his opinion is about the only one that matters, I would think.

The real problem I had was the fallacious comments from quite a few, the scornful replies, and the piling on..that's what I really had a problem with.
I think this type of behavior is becoming more common, and more acceptable, and it sucks to see it happening.
 
Mike: sure people are copying the spydie-hole, and many different things, but this piece is a 99% copy.
Do I mind seeing an AFCK with some kind of thumbhole opener? No, cause I knew that at first they did have licence from Spyderco, and then they change the shape to avoid that. Am I a bit upset? yeah a bit, but it isn't a blatant copy like this and many blatant copies out there. Somehow it just affects people a lot more when someone is copying a lot from another's design, while it's less damning if you only got a little from other people's design. It seems that the people who invented them in the first place doesn't have that big a deal when a small part is copy, but much more so when almost the whole knife is copied. And this is the latter case.
As to prejudice against the knife, yes I'm damn right guilty of that. But I seriously doubt that a company who are not willing to seek permission to replicate a design would put a good effort into making a good knife. If you say that my comments are found in sand, I'll agree to you, because this is my instinct talking. And my instincts is quite correct many times.
Anyways I'd like to see this pass. DDR doesn't really have a comment about it and I don't really think dragging this on would help anything or anyone.
 
Let me say a few words as one of the financially challenged CHEAP dudes. I have a few Chinese Knock Offs of decent knives. One is very like a CRKT M16. It caused me to want and then acquire a genuine CRKT M16-03Z. The other is like a CRKT Point Guard. It makes me sort of want a genuine Point Guard (But I want other stuff more!)

Third. In direct talk of this thread. I have a Maples (DANG I wish I could post a pic) Tanto Bladed Frame Lock that is a pretty big, pretty solid knife with a metal frame. I did not see it on the Family Defense Website. Anyhow it is a pretty damn good looking knife, which locks up pretty good, has a very nice LOOKING Ground Blade. If it were made of slightly better steel, it would be a steal!!! I got it because it had the above traits and was CHEAP!!!

I got the CRKT clones before I had any idea what I was doing. I got the Maples which is not a clone of anything I am aware of because it looks great and was CHEAP!

I myself would more likely buy an actual Paragee from Outdoor Edge just to get the better blade, but I fully understand (and turn a blind eye towards) someone who is motivated by CHEAP!

Just from my reading of these forums, I find a BUNCH of people who DO buy actual Darrel Ralph, Chris Reeve and other custom stuff, as well as tons of folks who admit to owning CRKT stuff, so the guys aren't getting completely shut out!

Me, I haven't spent over $100 on a knife yet, and probably won't.

Like Rodney King said "Can't we just all get along?"

Joe Shmoe - As CHE@P @$$ED @ B@ST@RD @S YOU WILL EVER FIND!!!
 
Calyth, well put.
Faxanadu, I'm glad that you like your maple folder. Personally, I wouldn't use it for anything because I wouldn't trust the lock or the steel. As for deals, you'd be surprised what you can get for 20 or so dollars. The aforementioned Kershaw Vapor is on sale at Walmart for only 20 dollars and it is a HECK of a SWEET knife, I use mine almost daily. For 20 dollars you could also get: CRKT Mirage, Spyderco Calypso Jr (SMKW), Commander (tough metal folder), or a Spyderco Ladybug. I'd suggest to you that you subscribe to the Smokey Mountain Knife Works catalogue. When you get it, ignore all of the junky, cheapo knives and skip straight to the Swiss Army Knives, Spydercos, Gerbers, Kershaws, and the rest. You'll be carrying a great quality knife in no time.
Good luck,
Matt
 
If it isn't marked with it's country of origin,that's a customs violation and the knife is illegal regardless of whether it's a copy of a real knife.It's smuggled goods and buying it is just supporting the sweatshops.why not spend the money on a CRKT that's legit and much better quality?
 
I'm sorry, but I'm never happy to see someone's exact design copied. I don't care if it's made of better materials with more attention to detail, it's not right to copy someone else's work. If a company is reputable and wants to use a design, they will seek permission and licensing as Camillus, Kershaw, Outdoor Edge and Benchmade, to name but a few, have done in the past. You'll notice that a copy is almost never of higher quality than the original, because a person or company with pride in itself will put the effort into making thier own design.
 
Fax, I've got a Gerber Gator that I'll send you at no cost to you if you'll e-mail me your address. This is not a new knife, I've had it about 8 years and I have used it. But this knife still has 99% of its blade and other than a few usage scratches look almost new. I'm doing this to show you that quality doesn't necessarily mean expensive (although it sure can) and that Forum members are more than willing to assist newcomers in learning to appreciate "good" cutlery. Forget the Gator, I've got a new Meyerco that I'll send you with ATS 34 steel blade, G10 handles and titanium liners.
 
Okay, I found out what my Maples frame lock is a clone of. An S&W frame lock swat knife.

Not a real lofty target as clones go, but a blatant rip-off all the same!

So my bad.

Joe Shmoe
 
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