COPYCATS

HAMMERHEADKNIVES · Dec 5, 1999

THERE ARE ONE GUY HERE WHO IS RIPPING OFF DESIGNS FROM NEWT LIVESAY AND IT PISSES ME OFF HES SO BLATANT.LYNN GET SOME DESIGNS OF YOUR OWN BRO,YOUVE GOT THE TALENT BUT HELL YOURE JUST COPYING NEWT .HES A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE AND I CANT JUST LET IT GO.USE YOUR OWN TALENT AND QUIT RIPPING OFF NEWT.

DrRMJ · Dec 5, 1999

Hammer, which "Lynn" are you referring to?

brian w edginton · Dec 5, 1999

I don't think it matters which Lynn....the post is, IMO, offensive....and not just to "Lynn"

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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343

UW Mitch · Dec 5, 1999

Perhaps it's just the agressive tone, but I think it's pretty offensive to come out and accuse a maker of straight out ripping off another maker without some sort basis.

That's just what I think here.

~Mitch

[This message has been edited by UW Mitch (edited 05 December 1999).]

crowinghorse · Dec 5, 1999

In my opinion, a design is only "unique" when a maker goes out of the way to make his blades "different."
Randall Made Knives has been faced with a million copycats of their Model #1.
Black Jack is a prime example. That doesn't mean they are taking buisness from Randall. Someone copying anothers design is flatering, IMHO. If, however, the person's designs are ALL being copied by another person, that is another story. I don't know the story behind this post, but there are only so many ways to shape and make a knife, and we have come to a time in history where the imaginations of this generation's knifemakers have something in common: design and matierials. As soon as someone comes out with a "lightsabre", I will know it is time to move on...
Horse
P.S. If someone knows where I can get a Lightsabre, perferably red or blue, let me know

MTF3 · Dec 5, 1999

Imitation is flattery or so they say. First I had to figure out what you meant by "There are one guy."

Does this mean everyone that makes a bowie, a tanto, or a drop point is just a copycat? I think not and your post only brings a negative light to Newt and his fine series of blades. Maybe you should have consulted Newt before you made such a post.

I once had a lady show me a line of music from a Blood, Sweat & Tears song that was exactly the same notes as a 13th century piece. We all know how many musical notes exist and I don't think it was intentionally copied. Knife styles are much fewer and the quality and overall finish of a particular knife ranks much higher than the blade design. Blatant copycats do indeed exist in the knife world as well as people that are infatuated over a certain maker or brand. Both only lead to unnecessary arguments and sour grapes. Unless a patent was violated, I am of the opinion your argument has no merit. Both knifemakers are respected gentlemen and "there are two guys" that make good knives.

Steve B. · Dec 5, 1999

Fixed blades just don`t have this sort of protection. A certain tip with G-10 handles doesn`t make it a Newt rippoff. Was Newt the first to make a chisel ground tanto blade? If you`re talking about the Lynn I think you are, that Lynn spends more time gathering data about the user`s likes and dislikes than any other maker in the forum. I just don`t see him spending a lot of time ripping off others.

You might want to re-think your post. Why not email this "Lynn" directly? I think that would be more constructive than simply bad mouthing a person who you keep semi-nameless. The forums really weren`t created for personal attacks of this sort.

Chefget · Dec 5, 1999

I don't know about "Newt" and "Lynn", but who upsets me is the maker FARID who is known to blatantly rip-off designs from other makers.

Maybe people should stop buying FARID's knives to support this cause!

JMHO

-Michael

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Chefget's Knife Page

D. Epstein · Dec 5, 1999

Just a friendly note to you:

Dealers and makers who publicly engage in shouting and controversy often wind up screwing themselves because a lot of people, including myself, don't want to do business with uptight, high strung individuals who are apparently capable of saying or doing anything.

Your friendship to Newt may mean more to you than your own business, which is admirable, but you should understand the potential consequences of airing your views in this manner.

By the way, I don't necessarily disagree with what you say.

But DON'T SHOUT!!!!!!!

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"If they do these things in a green tree, what will they do in a dry?"

James Mattis · Dec 5, 1999

There is a lot of "homage" and "flattery" in the knife trade - factory or custom. What constitutes a variation on a theme that is public domain and what constitutes plagiarism can be the subject of lively and diverse discussion. It gets some "knife people" more excited than religion and politics, and that is why it is especially important not to be "combative" when bringing up the subject. And that's why I'm locking this thread.

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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001