DOK products are made in the US, ER's are made in Italy.
Their DOK raven is not a rip off of Robs design in anyway from what I can see, those who attest that some sinister ripoff was perpetrated on the deceased mans design need to get a life or reality check as far as I can see. The two designs are not even remotely comparable in nature.
Ripping off ER's designs? All I see frank had in mind was to produce a knife at least as strong as the ER line, along the same lines with customer input as to what others would like to see in the way of design upgrades/features over the ER products. He certainly had enough requests and suggestions while handling the other line where he felt it warranted a new line based on a proven design but with upgraded features which appealed to the general buying public through those very suggestions.
Others here playing the guessing game, the what if's, the what for's etc are just that, guessing as to what DOK has in mind.
WillP: Even if it is sandpaper on the handles or something that resembles sandpaper in gripping ability, it's not like other companies have not done this previously right? Look to MOD and other mfgers who have done the same thing with their line of knives. See anyone having a problem with MOD doing the same thing? Nah, didn't think so. That begs the question about why you would post it then unless you just felt like joining the ragging crowd here.
DaveH: It clearly states the DOK knives are made in the US, ER's are made oversees. I'm pretty sure Frank would not have used the same people that ER uses just in GP.
MelancholyMutt: "Copy one or two things, and you're inspired... copy three and you're a thief..." Pretty strong wording for just an individual opinion based in supposition.
Manji: They are being marketed to the mil types, that does not preclude their marketing the same knives to the buying public [ like most every other maker does as well ]. If you owneda knife company and designed your products around mil type scenarios, would you then not advertise to the general public as well leaving that untapped for competitors? If you would, your business sense leaves a lot to be desired IMO.
lifter4Him: Other companies use blood grooves as part of their designs in blades, and have for about 50 years or more now. Anyone care to rag on KaBars/Camillus for the same reason or any other number of companies whose designs include these features in their blades? Again, it appears you just want to rag on a new company when you have been so conspicuously quiet about blood grooves on others products [ unless I missed those previous posts of yours, in which case, please provide the links to the same negative narrative to blood grooves of others knives so we know you are not jsut ragging on DOK but have a problem with ALL companies whose knives have the blood grooves ]. Otherwise it is shaping up to look like you have this "thing" against DOK specifically in which case your objectivity has certainly been compromised IMO.
Is the name "raven" copyrighted to the late makers work? Are there any other knives in the market that have used the name before Rob did or after? From anothers post, it appears the name Raven has been used by others. Please provide the links where you take offense to that maker/company using the same "Raven" name for one oftheir models? Again, whether you were Robs friend or not is irrelevant as to the statement you make of DOK ripping off someone elses [ name] for a knife. Where's the objectivity in that ranting? Jumping on the bandwagon like otehrs are we? Sure seems it to me.
Lewis: same goes for you.
UW Mitch: same goes for you.
Onikage: Unless you are privy to what transpired with Frank and ER, his suggestions for upgrading some of the features to them continuously based on users input, perhaps you should also sit back and ask the questions before assuming Frank never asked for the ER company to upgrade their products [ which always fell on deaf ears in Italy ]. Thats a fact, not supposition BTW.
When you write "Instead of making a new line of ER with new handles, they created a whole new company. What a let down.", you are also showing your subjective view without actually having any of the facts presented for your edification beforehand. "They" was the company ER. Frank was not "they", only the contact person here in the US.
"They" [ ER ] did not create a new company, Frank started his own venture. I suggest you get the facts, or ask questions so that you are more informed about the history behind ER, Frank and now DOK as well in lieu of guessing what happened and posting as if your statements are factual.
BTW--For those who asked earlier, the woman at the booth with DOK is Franks daughter. I'd think posters here would tread lightly in this area gentlemen.
Lots of accusations, negative comments about the company, the knives, the ads, the way things transpired at blade, inuendos, insults, etc. In the end, much energy has been wasted on this thread in that direction which doesn't amount to much in the final analysis.
Opinions about ones products is one thing, negative opinions are as welcome as positive opinions by Frank I'm sure. The flaming, accusations and nonesense that has transpired here are for the most part without merit, based on supposition and unwarranted IMO.
I'd say that Franks ads have produced quite a bit of recognition to the new DOK products here. Seems he can claim the ads a success based on the number of posts just on this thread alone as well as hundreds of catalogue requests directly to him in the last week. That, ladies and gentleman is some serious good advertising IMO, look at the people clamoring to see the new site and knives from DOK. My guess is that if no one had posted anything about the DOK and their products, the ads would have been a lot less successful than they have been to date.
Congratualation to frank and the ad people for a job well done in bringing this new company to the forefront of the buying public.
Brownie
