Cold Steel vs. CRKT Lawsuit

[Velitrius]

"Red Bull Gives You Wings!"

"Uhh, upon review of the evidence in the case of People VS Red Bull, no it doesn't. Judgment for the plaintiff!"

Just as "protective of consumers" if you ask me.

 

[craytab]

If you can't beat em, sue em!

The problem is, CS is already beating CRKT. CS has made leaps and bounds in the last year where as CRKT is just putting out the same poorly executed and over priced stuff it has for the last 10 years. It really makes no sense for CS to be doing this. It just makes them look bad.

 

[fishface5]

Wow. I'd love to see the pleadings and cited authority, but on its face (1) I don't see how Cold Steel can prove that it has suffered any harm sufficient to grant standing to file suit, and (2) the relevant question would be not whether it is possible to induce lock fail, but whether it is possible to induce failure using the knife of its size for the purposes intended by the design. CS may have a stronger lock when placing 200+ lbs of pressure against it, but I can't conceive of a normal use of a 4" blade or less, whether fixed or folder, that would require such strength. These are pocket knives not mountaineering picks!

 

[Goosey]

I was expecting a patent infringement or something... CRKT has been saying that about their LAWKS system for many a year now. They just suddenly decided to sue CRKT for s***s and giggles? :thumbdn:

CRKT should sue Cold Steel for their "World's Strongest, Sharpest Knives" slogan as this is an empty advertising claim that violates the federal Lanham Act and related California state law.

Still want to buy an Ultimate Hunter though.

 

[Lycosa]

The CRKT Journeyer folder can become a fixed blade. uh-oh.
Not worried.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

The problem is, CS is already beating CRKT. CS has made leaps and bounds in the last year where as CRKT is just putting out the same poorly executed and over priced stuff it has for the last 10 years. It really makes no sense for CS to be doing this. It just makes them look bad.

Yup. With the new models and new steels CS had just become my second favorite company. This knocks them down more than a few pegs. I'll still probably pick up a few of their new pieces, but this will make me think long and hard before new purchases.

 

[jbmonkey]

Breaking other company's knives and suing knife companies for being... Knife companies.

Well, they have always been different and have a devoted following that will be here defending it in just a second. I love the triad and the quality of their folders but it's getting harder to like them as a company. I bet many would tell me they've been turned off by their actions years before I ever did.

Im a fan of many of their products and demkos triad lock....but I'm not going to defend this. I don't see what they are doing that makes any sense...from what i can see of their own news release statement. I don't like what they are doing and i feel it's wrong.

 

[Steel130]

Yup. With the new models and new steels CS had just become my second favorite company. This knocks them down more than a few pegs. I'll still probably pick up a few of their new pieces, but this will make me think long and hard before new purchases.

Same here, I was surprised when they even got permission from Spyderco to use the Civilian design for their Black Talon 2. It was partly what made me look harder at this years offerings. And now this backslide again.

 

[nick21]

Lol Cold Steel. Not surprised though, they seem to treat other companies with a lack of respect. Surprising coming from a company with such a silly reputation.

 

[KingMC]

(to be sung to the rhythm and beat of "du hast" by Rammstein)

Douche, douche noz, douche nozz-le , lol............ I have more lyrics to this song but its NSFW. Seriously, I think cold steel has an issue with minding its own business. If we are gonna split hair this much Im sure we can ALL find something to sue CS over.

Well done, I sung it to the tune and it fits just right.

 

[Lorien]

this is pretty disgusting behaviour, imo.

 

[mwhich50]

Man, that takes things to a whole new lame level of douchiness. :thumbdn:

At first I thought you must be making a joke thread...I mean really, it just seems ludicrous.

Name calling? :thumbdn:
The OP just represents the extremely critical side of the argument.
If Cold steel wanted to appear more objective when testing the Otanashi noh Ken, I think a stabber like the Ti Lite or Counter Point xl would have been a smarter choice.
Cold Steel has already confirmed that these tests have generated a lot of criticism.

 

[druid189]

You know, back in the days where I played paintball as rigorously as others play[ed] football, there was a time when "Smart Parts" did this exact same thing.

Long story short, one of the two brothers [before the brothers created the company Smart Parts] worked for Tom Kaye of Airgun Designs Inc. [who made the 68 Classic Automag]. That brother left AGD and joined his Patent Attorney brother to create SP. Rumors had it they were copying/stealing non-patented designs from other makers [AGD, AKA, et al] and filing/winning undeserved patents on them. They actually closed businesses down over these "patent wars." The one that sticks out as foremost in my mind is the paintball marker called the AKA Viking. I have one and to be honest, IMO, is more the predecessor to the workings of an Angel...NOT anything SP previously made. It is a 3 tube design, low pressure paintball marker that uses electronic solenoids to meter gas usage [hence, "low pressure"]. AKA refused to patent protect their property because at the time, the business was geared towards a "family" of paintballers. SP was [IMO, illegitimately] awarded patent claims and halted all further production of the Viking marker. AKA is down to making regulators and small 'parts' and that's it. The Viking, at the time, was the pinnacle of paintball markers. SP effectively shut them down/out.

This move by CS tastes exactly like that. It seems if you can't win on your own merit, you shut down the competition....much like a smear campaign might do.

 

[Stays Sharp]

The OP just represents the extremely critical side of the argument.

I would like to be enlightened on the other side of the argument please. Doesn't have to be extreme either

Anyone representing it? I want to hear the reasoning.

Any publicity is...good publicity? Ding, ding ding?

 

[cosmophonic12]

 

[nick21]

I like Cold Steel's products, I really do, but then they go and do stuff like this.

Cold Steel if you're listening, sell your products based on their merits. Don't smear the competition...

 

[cncpro11]

I read it, kind of agreed with it up until Cold Steel wants financial restitution.
Pretty lame on their part.

 

[craytab]

Y
It seems if you can't win on your own merit, you shut down the competition....much like a smear campaign might do.

Yes, but again, how much is CRKT a threat to CS? Cold steel effectively stepped out of CRKT's lower market position this year. Cold steel does make better products than CRKT now. Fit/finish, QC, materials, design, and price for what you get all go to CS. This makes very little sense for CS to take aim at a lower level competitor. CRKT has proven time and again to shoot themselves in the foot. No need for CS to pile on.

 

[cistercian]

I have a early voyager clip point which I retired from EDC because I liked it so much.It was made in japan and was very cool...so I have patronized Cold Steel.
I was thinking about a sword from them.There is zero chance of that now.Their tests are interesting to watch and their other videos are over the top as well.I always found them entertaining...not as epic as the soda bottle killer of United Cutlery but still fun to watch.

This move is mean-spirited and driven by self interest in my opinion.Safety is just an excuse they are using in my opinion.

I don't care what they make now...for me at least...no sale.

 

[Charlie Mike]

I'd be happier than a pig in $hit if Lynn Thompson was my uncle.