Custom patterns vs common patterns

[silenthunterstudios]

Case has used Tony Bose's designs and interpretations of older patterns. Two of my favorites, the Lannys Clip and Tribal Spear, come to mind. The Tribal Spear is based on Tony's Zulu pattern, which was based on an old George Schrade two blade jack design. Is the LC different or the same, because Tony came up with it himself?

The basic trapper, stockman etc are out there in the public domain. Patterns are used and interpreted by different companies and makers out there. Makers use Tony's designs with his blessing, I would hope with his blessing. For something not so common as a Zulu, would it still be a public interpretation of a pattern, like a maker putting out their own trapper? Or would it be fraudulent for a knife company to make one? Of course copyright and such come into play, but I'm concerned with common decency. The LC and Zulu are some makers bread and butter, and I'm not saying I want to see a CV or 420hc or SS Zulu out there, but what if Northwoods, Northfield, Tuna Valley etc were to make one? The LC is Tony's design, the Zulu is something that Tony brought back from near obscurity. Is it a no go on principles?

I hope that I'm coming across coherently, I also hope that I'm not opening up a can of worms. I have seen quite a few patterns come out that would seem to be interpretations of custom designs, that have in fact been around for a hundred years, and were previously made by long gone cutlery firms.

 

[Cory Hess]

I have seen some pretty long threads on this exact topic in Shop Talk. The most common opinion seems to be that as long as you're doing your own interpretation of the design and not just copying the knife exactly most makers seem to be OK with that.

Here's the first thread I found with a quick search. If you do a search over in Shop Talk I'm sure you'll find several others.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1155244-Design-theft-moral-issue?highlight=duplicate

 

[Brian.Evans]

Honestly, I have never, never had a maker tell me no when I asked if I could have a copy of the pattern. Keith Johnson sent me a copy of his Vidar pattern. It's just one he made up, not a stockman or Barlow or other common pattern. That's the level these guys have. Of course, I'll always credit them when I post it, but like I said, I've never been told no.

Kerry Hampton used the Case Sodbusters as his pattern for his KnutBuster. I'm using a Case Sodbuster as a pattern for a drop point shadow pattern right now. It is what it is. I've never seen anyone get upset.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I'm just wondering why a company other than Case hasn't stepped up with a production LC or Zulu. I'd buy it in a heartbeat, although it would probably cost as much as my Case annuals or customs.