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cold steel all sizzle and no steak?
- Thread starter bladelover30
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Go back to my initial post in this thread, and you'll see I've only owned one Cold Steel fixed blade. I've been talking about folding knives and only folding knives ever since. There's no wriggling around. I don't know and never claimed to know much about their fixed blades, throwing stars, blowguns etc. Only someone trying himself to wriggle out of a position would claim I've suggested otherwise.
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Nope, the point is that you're using the term incorrectly. I can call a turd a rose, to quote the colloquial saying, but that doesn't make it smell any better. You can make up definitions all you want.
For your reference from a different source, since evidently the dictionary didn't do it for you:
"A niche market is the subset of the market on which a specific product is focusing; therefore the market niche defines the specific product features aimed at satisfying specific market needs, as well as the price range, production quality and the demographics that is intended to impact."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niche_market
Or:
A small but profitable segment of a market suitable for focused attention by a marketer. Market niches do not exist by themselves, but are created by identifying needs or wants that are not being addressed by competitors, and by offering products that satisfy them. See also market segmentation.
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/market-niche.html
Or:
"A niche market is a focused, targetable portion of a market."
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/marketing/g/nichemarket.htm
That would be the first 3 hits on google for "market niche."
Notice how they all state that we're dealing with a particular segment or subset of the market? And how, within the range you mention, Cold Steel sells products targeting a rather broader range of the market?
If you're going to make up a definition, at least do an effective job of making up a term that doesn't already have a standard definition.
-Edit- Since you evidently forgot what you said:
Regardless of whether or not you meant to refer to folding knives, the fact remains that Cold Steel markets to every segment of the market. Thus it's inappropriate to use the term "market niche" to refer to their pool of potential customers. Because Cold Steel can compete in a much broader portion of the market than virtually any other knife maker out there.
For your reference from a different source, since evidently the dictionary didn't do it for you:
"A niche market is the subset of the market on which a specific product is focusing; therefore the market niche defines the specific product features aimed at satisfying specific market needs, as well as the price range, production quality and the demographics that is intended to impact."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niche_market
Or:
A small but profitable segment of a market suitable for focused attention by a marketer. Market niches do not exist by themselves, but are created by identifying needs or wants that are not being addressed by competitors, and by offering products that satisfy them. See also market segmentation.
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/market-niche.html
Or:
"A niche market is a focused, targetable portion of a market."
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/marketing/g/nichemarket.htm
That would be the first 3 hits on google for "market niche."
Notice how they all state that we're dealing with a particular segment or subset of the market? And how, within the range you mention, Cold Steel sells products targeting a rather broader range of the market?
If you're going to make up a definition, at least do an effective job of making up a term that doesn't already have a standard definition.
-Edit- Since you evidently forgot what you said:
Regardless of whether or not you meant to refer to folding knives, the fact remains that Cold Steel markets to every segment of the market. Thus it's inappropriate to use the term "market niche" to refer to their pool of potential customers. Because Cold Steel can compete in a much broader portion of the market than virtually any other knife maker out there.
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Gosh that was dumb. Try to find anywhere that I used the term "niche market'. You won't find it -- any more than you'll find my use of the term "niche knife". Actually documenting yourself trying to twist my words was unfortunate on your part.
And of course it ignores every single thing I've said about "market niche" being used in a relational sense -- a perfectly appropriate use of the term. Care to wriggle a bit more?
Can we discuss CS knives, hawks, swords, spears, whips, push daggers etc....... w/o anymore of your brain twisting horsecr*p gadfly? Is this you in this video?
[YouTube]Tc-kjz9s2IA[/YouTube]
If you don't like it, find the "ignore" button. I've given that advice before to others. Or actually join the discussion with a pertinent comment. My fingers don't get tired, no matter how many chime in.
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That was from a google search of the term you did use, market niche. The latter definitions place the words in the same order that you do, namely, market niche. In neither case do we find your "relational" definition that excludes a focus on a particular subset of the market. Hmm, I wonder why that might be? Perhaps because philwar was correct that you aren't using the term correctly?
Okay, 'nuff said. I get the feeling that you are so far up on your high horse that you are incapable of actually comprehending the argument.
So...
Anyone interested in the Cold Steel Gladius Machete? I've had one on pre-order for ages, not for any kind of useful purpose, just for fun. It's amazing how hard it is to find an inexpensive gladius-like-object that will cut and not self-destruct in your hand if you try to do more than hang it on the wall...
Okay, 'nuff said. I get the feeling that you are so far up on your high horse that you are incapable of actually comprehending the argument.
So...
Anyone interested in the Cold Steel Gladius Machete? I've had one on pre-order for ages, not for any kind of useful purpose, just for fun. It's amazing how hard it is to find an inexpensive gladius-like-object that will cut and not self-destruct in your hand if you try to do more than hang it on the wall...
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Sure...you can buy me one for my birthday, which is on Sunday.
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Not that you'd get it until next year, considering how back-ordered they are. I've gotten 10 emails from Knife Center saying "we will ship your order as soon as all items are in stock..." (There's only one item). Which to my mind says quite a bit about how popular Cold Steel is, since I know they got their first shipment in a month ago.
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I'm very patient when it isn't my money.
Well, as I've pointed out several times, my relational usage has been in line with a concept like "ecological niche". And I've proffered use of the term "market segment" or some other synonym if it would help your understanding.
But semantics aside, I've seen no response to my actual research on the number of Cold Steel folding knives priced in the $30-80 range. I wonder why that is? Oh yes! Because it demonstrates my point so clearly and undermines those who have been making silly arguments to the contrary.
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I can't bring myself to do it. I did think about it but watching you as begin your walk to the plank or at the very least make the PT list is kinda enjoyable in an inexplicable way. :yawn:
[YouTube]cFKX_0If_Tk[/YouTube]
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I don't know what the "PT list" is. But I'm pretty sure I haven't broken any forum rules or needlessly called names or otherwise behaved immaturely or inappropriately. In fact, I've tried to keep the discussion on point and actually took the time and trouble to count up Cold Steel's folding knives to demonstrate my point.
Sorry I don't have a Youtube link that helps further the discussion.
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I'm pretty sure that the whole argument was about semantics, and how you aren't using the term correctly. But feel free to keep wiggling. I find it entertaining as well, considering that it's just an argument about the use of the word "niche."
Honestly at this point, with all the wiggling, I've lost track of what your point was about the $30-$80 range. If you are saying that their products in that range comprise a large portion of Cold Steel's market, yes. Pretty much everyone agrees with that, and has said something to a similar effect. If not, then I suspect your "research" is probably not saying what you think it does. Most of the comments in this thread have mentioned that, expensive and possibly overpriced products notwithstanding, Cold Steel has a variety of excellent offerings that are quite inexpensive, since cost is often a major complaint about Cold Steel. Well, that and marketing techniques.
Honestly at this point, with all the wiggling, I've lost track of what your point was about the $30-$80 range. If you are saying that their products in that range comprise a large portion of Cold Steel's market, yes. Pretty much everyone agrees with that, and has said something to a similar effect. If not, then I suspect your "research" is probably not saying what you think it does. Most of the comments in this thread have mentioned that, expensive and possibly overpriced products notwithstanding, Cold Steel has a variety of excellent offerings that are quite inexpensive, since cost is often a major complaint about Cold Steel. Well, that and marketing techniques.
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You'll probably get all ten of them on the same day!
I didn't actually order 10. I just get one of those emails every month saying, "hey, we STILL don't have your item." It kinda makes me sad each time.
Well, if you've been following along, you'll have realized that I pointed out several times that a number of posters here (including some in the semantic quibble) are actually in agreement on the main point: Cold Steel competes primarily in the $30-80 range of folding knives.
And no, I haven't been engaged in a semantic quibble. I've explained the context in which I've used the term "market niche" and offered synonyms to clarify. I've tried to defuse the semantic nonsense in that way, but some folks want to make it out that I've said stuff I never said. But go back and read, and I think you'll see I've been consistent and (I think) very clear. I was never talking about narrow "niche markets" and never used the term or idea of "niche knives".
Now let's recap: I think Cold Steel competes and markets its folding knives primarily in the $30-80 range (as shown by the number of products in that range) and that it knows that -- in 2011 and recent years -- its target market for selling folding knives is in that range. Whether you call it a market niche, market segment, plain old market or whatever.
Does anyone disagree with that statement?
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Just yanking yer chain gadfly. Your past interruptions of threads aren't going to go un-noticed for long. I could have a better argument with my mailbox. At least I'd get to make a point once in awhile, when my arm gets tired from working the handle once in awhile.
Don't kid yourself for a minute and think that you're making huge contributions to some of the threads in which you've been exhibiting the same sort of behavior. You're derailing the discussions and disrespecting members either out-rightly or through your transparent sarcastic remarks.
So, I'd urge you to take your own advice and forget preaching to us about niches professor and start contributing about the topic, while overlooking the slight errors that you perceive in other member's observations. Most of us have women at home or in our lives to handle that job.
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