Civil Ware Knives..Heard of them?

Never heard of them, and I cant find any links to the Americana Heritage Store, where, allegedly, these are being sold like hot cakes...go figure....
 
orezona said:
I guess I am defending the skater more than his endorsed product, to be honest.

I really like Anza* knives but the CW versions are overpriced -as are the rest of the products from CW.

Geoff kills it on a skateboard but at the end of the day, a knife designer he most certainly is not.

I got bristly because I'm a skater too and well, I want to support Geoff and hope his product is successful.

(* can't believe I got the name wrong)
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I feel you on that one.
I can respect defending someone whom you admire or respect for what they have chosen to do, but this is just one of those instances where the person backing the product is not really in the right line of work or the right product for them and their talents.

I would like to see them do well as a US-based company, and its always nice to see new faces among our community, but their product really does not seem like it has many redeeming qualities.
It looks like right now they are riding on his reputation to sell and strange marketing tactics, but that is a really slippery slope in terms of marketing. I have seen brands do it, but they don't usually do it with a product that seems to fly in the face of the regular segments of its market as much as these knives do.
 
Never heard of these until my boss said he wanted one. Instant alert warnings going off after that, lol. He's an ex-BMX guy, still in the bike industry. And has a lot of love for the skate industry. He's also not a knife guy at all and sarcastically refers to my coworker and I who carry as being in the "cool kids knife club". So he basically only wants this for the marketing image of the skater holding the knife.

Granted that guy kicks ass on a skateboard.

For that price you can get handmade semi customs straight from the maker, with a lot more care in the design (imo) I mean check out Michael Morris knives. You can email him up, specify the blade design, handle material/design, etc... and have a much nicer (from what I can see) knife made up to your specs, and it looks like these Civil Ware knives are just bad knockoffs on the style with no real design thought.

none of these pictures belong to me

Michael Morris EDC. From $100-125
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Friction folder $120-150
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I am in no way trying to shill for this maker. I don't own any though I've always thought of ordering some. He was just the first maker I thought of with that same "used file" handmade knife style, though he's certainly not the only nor the first to do so. It just looks like these knives are marketed towards non knife guys, and they have most of the same flaws that cheap gerbers/S&W type department store knives have, but with an expensive gimmick.
 
1. Can we verify they are made in the USA?
2. With 154cm steel you're getting comparable pricing
3. Looks like a lifetime warranty (I know only as good as they are open)

If we can verify number one, two, and three, I don't see why this is not a good thing. I don't see the design of the blade is to bad, but the handle just needs a little refinement. Looks like their first folder, I'm sure they will change up their designs and develop like any other company that has developed.

But to outright shut them down, man I just wonder why? For what?

As to the idea that's a bad thing that hipsters are buying knives on the west coast, I totally don't get why one would worry about that? Seriously, enough in this life to worry about, but hipsters spending money on what we also love to collect? Not seeing it.
 
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I've known Geoff for many years now from skateboarding, very rad dude, great skateboarder, hunter, family guy. One of his newer ventures ontop of running a few other companies. To my knowledge these are being made here in california, down south by or with help from anza who does their fixed blades. I wish them the best and hope they get more kids motivated to get outta the city. :thumbup:
 
Yeah, Geoff definitely needs to go back to the drawing board before I support his new company. However, isn't any publicity good publicity? This is introducing a large group of people into the world of high end cutlery. Sure I started carrying M-techs and the like, but my tastes have vastly change.
Lets admit it, we're all bummed that our secret ultra cool exclusive hobby is going mainstream. In case you didn't get the memo, all the cool cutlery OGs are moving on to the high end utility knives(box cutters), and when they invade that we'll move on to vintage fingernail files and upscale letter openers and so on.:D:cool:
 
This wasn't a knock on Geoff at all since I actually didn't know this was his endorsed company. Just a knock on the idea that these were ridiculous knives advertised as for self defense on their site, overpriced an badly designed from a new up and company. USA made or not.
 
SadSappySucker said:
Yeah, Geoff definitely needs to go back to the drawing board before I support his new company. However, isn't any publicity good publicity? This is introducing a large group of people into the world of high end cutlery. Sure I started carrying M-techs and the like, but my tastes have vastly change.
Lets admit it, we're all bummed that our secret ultra cool exclusive hobby is going mainstream. In case you didn't get the memo, all the cool cutlery OGs are moving on to the high end utility knives(box cutters), and when they invade that we'll move on to vintage fingernail files and upscale letter openers and so on.:D:cool:
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You're correct. And to add the more people that buy and carry blades helps ensure voting to keep knife rights going
 
Yo Mama said:
1. Can we verify they are made in the USA?
2. With 154cm steel you're getting comparable pricing
3. Looks like a lifetime warranty (I know only as good as they are open)

If we can verify number one, two, and three, I don't see why this is not a good thing. I don't see the design of the blade is to bad, but the handle just needs a little refinement. Looks like their first folder, I'm sure they will change up their designs and develop like any other company that has developed.

But to outright shut them down, man I just wonder why? For what?

As to the idea that's a bad thing that hipsters are buying knives on the west coast, I totally don't get why one would worry about that? Seriously, enough in this life to worry about, but hipsters spending money on what we also love to collect? Not seeing it.
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I don't know about them being made in the USA but I hope they are.
Comparable pricing of a Spyderco Para 2 is $34 below the base price of this 'Striker'

I posted this not to outright shut them down or complain about hipsters buying knives but the fact that the marketing, pricing, and design still has alot to be desired for. A small knife advertised for self defense will only cause problems for those who carry pocket knives in the future. Knowledge is power.
 
Ryouchijtx said:
I don't know about them being made in the USA but I hope they are.
Comparable pricing of a Spyderco Para 2 is $34 below the base price of this 'Striker'

I posted this not to outright shut them down or complain about hipsters buying knives but the fact that the marketing, pricing, and design still has alot to be desired for. A small knife advertised for self defense will only cause problems for those who carry pocket knives in the future. Knowledge is power.
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How many knives from major manufacturers are sold as self defense knives? Moot point to me as I feel people should be able to own knives as a self defense tool.
 
Yo Mama said:
How many knives from major manufacturers are sold as self defense knives? Moot point to me as I feel people should be able to own knives as a self defense tool.
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I agree but my point was nowhere is it referred to as a tool first, last ditch later at a 3'inch blade, 3.5 handle. People should be able to buy well made knives for the price instead of buying into a facade of 'manly men'
 
Ryouchijtx said:
I agree but my point was nowhere is it referred to as a tool first, last ditch later at a 3'inch blade, 3.5 handle. People should be able to buy well made knives for the price instead of buying into a facade of 'manly men'
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"Designed for self defense, every shape and curve of the #civilwarestriker is made to cut and enhance bleeding. It sounds nasty but no other knife on the market that we are aware of has these same distinctive features and benefits. In the coming weeks we plan on extending upon this proprietary design element. It's what the brand was built on, and it's important that you(the customer) are aware."

You don't say.. vomit-inducing copywriting.

I'm surprised, actually, since I imagined their target demographic to feel a bit uncomfortable with the words cut and enhance bleeding.
 
Ryouchijtx said:
I don't know about them being made in the USA but I hope they are.
Comparable pricing of a Spyderco Para 2 is $34 below the base price of this 'Striker'

I posted this not to outright shut them down or complain about hipsters buying knives but the fact that the marketing, pricing, and design still has alot to be desired for. A small knife advertised for self defense will only cause problems for those who carry pocket knives in the future. Knowledge is power.
Click to expand...
Spyderco has entire lines marketed purely as self defense knives. They are just one of many that are guilty of this. It's quite a lucrative market so of course companies are going to try and capitalize. Do I agree that these ""self defense" knives promote a good image? No. BUT do I believe that there are bigger fish to go after before slamming some brand new company that has barely developed an identity yet? Yes.
Which knife do you think gets more publicity the Spyderco Civilian, Cold Steel Rajah(Espada, etc...), any Emerson,(the list could go on forever) or some brand new company?

I say give them some time to settle into their place. Either they put out some flavor of the month tactical stuff and most likely fold, or they start putting out some more practical knives and possibly flourish. Bottom line, the best way to vote is with your dollars. I do not like Cold Steel's marketing, so I do not buy from them even if they put out something I like.
 
asdf12345 said:
"Designed for self defense, every shape and curve of the #civilwarestriker is made to cut and enhance bleeding. It sounds nasty but no other knife on the market that we are aware of has these same distinctive features and benefits. In the coming weeks we plan on extending upon this proprietary design element. It's what the brand was built on, and it's important that you(the customer) are aware."

You don't say.. vomit-inducing copywriting.

I'm surprised, actually, since I imagined their target demographic to feel a bit uncomfortable with the words cut and enhance bleeding.
Click to expand...

Are they living on cloud 9 :confused: "..no other knife on the market that we are aware of has these same distinctive features and benefits.."

quoted from VVVVVV
http://websta.me/p/985095802723394688_290360920
 
Ryouchijtx said:
Are they living on cloud 9 :confused: "..no other knife on the market that we are aware of has these same distinctive features and benefits.."

quoted from VVVVVV
http://websta.me/p/985095802723394688_290360920
Click to expand...

Don't get me started on outrageous ad quotes. Benchmade loves to use their military oriented b.s. to portray an elitist status and same with Emerson. They aren't doing anything the bigger guys don't do.
 
SadSappySucker said:
Spyderco has entire lines marketed purely as self defense knives. They are just one of many that are guilty of this. It's quite a lucrative market so of course companies are going to try and capitalize. Do I agree that these ""self defense" knives promote a good image? No. BUT do I believe that there are bigger fish to go after before slamming some brand new company that has barely developed an identity yet? Yes.
Which knife do you think gets more publicity the Spyderco Civilian, Cold Steel Rajah(Espada, etc...), any Emerson,(the list could go on forever) or some brand new company?
Click to expand...

SadSappySucker said:
Yeah, Geoff definitely needs to go back to the drawing board before I support his new company. However, isn't any publicity good publicity? This is introducing a large group of people into the world of high end cutlery. Sure I started carrying M-techs and the like, but my tastes have vastly change.
Lets admit it, we're all bummed that our secret ultra cool exclusive hobby is going mainstream. In case you didn't get the memo, all the cool cutlery OGs are moving on to the high end utility knives(box cutters), and when they invade that we'll move on to vintage fingernail files and upscale letter openers and so on.:D:cool:
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Aha I totally missed your intial post and yes I'm pretty butthurt our hobby is going mainstream. :D I've got my traditionals and my blunt letter opener at the ready though.
I have no qualms against people coming into the knife hobby, I would rather they stay clear of knives that aren't worth it if they come across this thread in Bladeforums though.

I apologise since my initial post as OP was a bit harsh in the heat of the moment but it reminded me as well of the days where I saved up my hard earned money and still do for a knife purchase. I wouldn't want to be a teen or young adult who saved up for ages and unknowingly bought this 150$ poorly designed knife while there are so many other options just because it was advertised and endorsed by 'cool' people on Instagram and Mr. Rowley.
 
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