Hi Mongo,
Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion, lord knows I express mine here often enough.
If people don't like the advertising campaign [ I'm not enamored with its direction myself personally ] they have the right to say they don't like it.
If people don't like Frank personally after having talked with him or meeting him, thats their perogative as well.
If people don't like the designs of the new product, think it's a rip on ER or anyone else, they can certainly voice that opinion anywhere also.
When ER first came on the scene here at BF, there were as many naysayers about their products as well, till someone stepped up, bought a few of the folders and straight blades and posted their reviews of the quality of the products. They were a new company in presence here in the US, led by their advance man Frank Miller who made their name here in the US by advertising and opening a discussion forum where people could become familiar with that line of knives, heretofor unknown by the masses.
Many questioned their limited liability policies, naysayed that Striders were as tough as the ER's and could be counted on to fully warranty any problems at any time, etc etc and would stick with Striders products, not liking the limited warranty issues, the unknown steel used in their line, would never buy an ER as they felt they were ugly, couldn't be as touch as Striders, etc, etc.etc.
Over time, many found the ER line to be a rugged knife, with good ergonomics while still others would never be enamored with their designs or warrantee's.
Many people on the ER forum expressed that the handles on the folders looked like they would be too slippery when wet, the grind on the MPC was too thick [ like an axe ], and a few otehr issues always popped up.
Over time, people who purchased an ER found that Frank bent over backwards to help satisfy the customers complaints, to the point he made good on replacing two of the folders I'm aware of when the user was clearly at fault by attempting to alter the design to their liking which made the knife unsafe.
People started to like Frank, he was making a name in the industry as an honorable, upstanding individual who truly took the customers best interests at heart and serviced everyone to the best of his ability.
Many still would never buy an ER, nnot liking the designs, the untested materials, the limited warrantee, etc etc. Many did not want to listen that the knives stood up to some very hard use and came through nicely, many didn't like the fact it was not American made. I have no problem with any of these folks, they have decided to not purchase a product based on their tastes and unresolved questions about the line.
Now Frank has started his own line of knives, based in part initially on the ER line which he is familiar with. He has endeavored to create an upgraded product that satisfies the consumers complaints about the ER's. Frank has never spoken that the new DOK's would not be based on the ER line with upgrades but we now have alot of people here making assumptions and accusations that Frank is trying to pull something over on the buying public [ like consumers would not be able to see the DOK's are upgraded ER's if he didn't mention it ]. They speak about him like he is some flying carpet salesman attempting to hoodwink the general public into thinking the DOK's are not based on the ER's [ which he never stated ]. Those making accusations about Franks supposed motives, intentions, or thoughts relative the new line have no idea what Franks intentions were, are or will be in the future relative the new DOK line [ including myself ].
These people are, in part, the same group of people who were naysayers about the ERs line, would never be buying an ER or DOK as the style, models, materials etc do not appeal to them to begin with.
Not one of them has probably made the effort and called Frank, spoken to him about the new line, the issues with no product at Blade last month. Instead they come here and bad mouth the product, the man behind it, question his integrity, his initial style of advertising the new line and all never having seen the product or waiting to see what others have to say whenthe DOK's are released. They have continued to with their obviously biased opinionss to attack Frank and the new line whenever this thread is brought back to the top in the forum.
Frank has not once made claims the new line was not based on upgrading some of the ER line. He has not stated, to my knowledge, that the new line are his designs either. Yet people here get accusatory and question his motives at every turn it seems.
I found it very interesting that several of the naysayers here had only recently started posting on BF, with many that had only a dozen previous posts and sometime not much more than that. Seemed a little over the top that these people, with no personal background on the ER line, or personal contact with Frank would jump into the fray of this thread without fully understanding the circumstances surrounding his leaving ER and his intentions with the new line.
I purchased three ER's from Frank last year, two folders and a Col Moschin double edge limited run straight blade. My personal take on the ER line is they are heavy duty, ready to be uised and abused and stand the test of time under harsh conditions. Those who do not like the ER line for whatever reason don't want to hear that information and would never consider purchasing their line of knives no matter what the product is capable of or how many people like them after handling/using them.
Now you may not like Franks ad campaigns, the new line of products, the ER line, whatever. Thats everyones perrogative here. I happen to like the ER line, and consequently will wait to see the DOK upgraded versions before making an assessment about their quality, materials and ergos.
That he had problems at blade spawned all sorts of accusations, conspiracy theories, and a whole lot of conjecture without any facts to support their position for the most part.
I consider Frank a gentleman who has shown in the past he is interested in serving the knife buying public to the best of his ability. He has not injured anyone here in words or deeds. Too bad he has not received the same in kind from some here who would be better served [ IMO ] waiting to see if and when the new line is released, what the initial buyers have to say about the DOK line, and how Frank handles issues as they develop with the new products.
It's one thing to express an opinion based on limited knowledge of the circumstances, to express opinions that the new line looks a lot like the ER line, etc. It's quite another for so many people to question his integrity and motives without having any knowledge of the circumstances which led Frank down this road he is traveling presently or his business model [ which may or may not succeeed ].
It's his money he's spending, he has not injured them in anyway, but some here are a little over the top [ IMO ] when it comes to making/throwing the accusations and conspiracy theories around and questioning Franks integrity without any basis for doing so.
I'll defend their right to express their views and opinions with vigor, but I will also defend some one who has never intentionally injured another by his actions, has always served the buying public honestly, and has not given cause for any to question his integrity except through conjecture and inuendos.
Franks a big boy and can defend or fold on his own reputation. In the meantime, it's disheartening to see so many jump into this fray here, so easily badmouthing someone they do not know, have no intention of getting to know, or buy any of his products.
Time will tell if DOK and Frank succeed in the new venture. If they don't, they don't. If they do, it will be because Frank made it happen and fully supported the product line which stood on it's own merits and strengths.
All of the previous posts on this thread by me are my opinions based on discussions with Frank, doing business with Frank and others posts about Franks service record and integrity. Everyone is entitle to their opinion, I have mine, you have yours. Fully acceptable to disagree, but I'll not stand idly by and watch others attack [ like sharks in a feeding frenzy ] his integrity when they have no basis to do so.
Brownie
.
's I included in my post. This implies sarcasm. 
