Clones and copies

When it comes to "custom" knives, a lot of makers clone their own models. Look at the shop pictures from some makers, some have multiple blades blanks ready to be "customized" with different handles. Sometimes these "custom" "handmade" knives are also partially machine made.

There are no absolutes in knife making and design when it comes to "custom" "handmade" "original", etc. Meet the maker, talk to them about what they do and how they do it. Buy what you like, unless you want investment grade, then buy what is hot.

You should buy a violin based upon how it sounds and how the sound and the violin fits you and the music you play. You cannot "clone" a violin, whether from 1960 or 1793. I have a modern copy of a Strad that sounds considerably worse then a "no-name" german violin from the early 20th century.
 
One thing that needs to be pointed out.......

RWL has ALWAYS encouraged people to copy his knives.

He freely gave templates to ANYONE who came to his shop and asked him for them (including me)

There are some knives that are the center of a knifemakers "look" and constitute their main source of income.

Copying these knives is intellectual theft and should be frowned on by everyone in the community...... :p


and one other thing...............how come so many people refuse to be identified in their profile???
Sorta makes you wonder...................................
 
The MIM process is not required in the making of exact copies, it will just make it easier. CNC can do the same thing, but requires more work.

I don't know if MIM will ever really have an effect on the custom market. It will not have an effect on the one of, true custom knives. Ethical manufacturers will not use this process to copy the popular designs of custom makers. Those that lack ethics will, but they are doing that now anyhow. The equipment needed to make knives by the MIM process is very expensive, and not likely to be in wide spread use for years to come.
 
"Cloning" is not the right word for what you're talking about; stealing is the right word. Ripping off ideas is the right term.

This is nothing new. People have been stealing other peoples ideas and copying them for centuries.

You don't need MIM (as pointed out, it's way too expensive for ripping off knives) and cnc machines are also not a factor. You can use any machines you want. What's a factor is NOT HAVING ANY IDEAS OF YOUR OWN and stealing them from someone who does. Or just realizing that you can make more money by not spending any time on R&D and taking from someone who has.

Mr. Loveless' work is unique in the world of knifemaking, both for the content of his work and for the pervasive influence he exerts over the entire, modern world of knifemaking. There are a number of other makers who's entire output consists of work that is totally based on Loveless' designs. And there are very few makers who have not in some way been influenced by his work. Loveless is the exception rather than the rule. Scagel's work is approaching this area but his scope is much more limited than Loveless'.

Most makers work very hard developing their own style and designing their own distinctive line of products. The realities of the legal system make it very difficult to legally protect all of this work. Thankfully there are a lot of makers and customers out there who still understand the word "honor" and for whom it remains important. These people don't copy the work of others and they don't buy copied knives.

Technology and precision are not relevant to the argument. Honesty and integrity are very relevant.
 
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