Do your morals have any impact on your knife purchases?

The whole symbolism thing is a trip. I heard the metal mulisha guys used to have bottles thrown at their trucks. Not long later everyone was wearing the hats with the German skull thingy.
 
Not trying to derail anything. As time goes by the meaning of symbols can change as younger generations view them.
 
Sosa said:
The whole symbolism thing is a trip. I heard the metal mulisha guys used to have bottles thrown at their trucks. Not long later everyone was wearing the hats with the German skull thingy.
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I haven't heard of the metal mulisha, I'll have to do some reading. I enjoy learning about symbols/tattoos as a hobby.

I should probably contribute to the thread topic though.

I'll use a somewhat off-topic personal example to illustrate.

Many people I know personally come from less fortunate parts of the world. They were lucky enough to be able to study at my university here in the States. Some became acquaintances, others lifelong friends.

I don't know if y'all remember that building collapse in Bangladesh, probably over a year ago now, that resulted in some injuries and even people being trapped. Some of my friends hail from there and although none were hurt, friends of friends were hurt, working in the section of the building owned and operated by Wal-Mart. It was later revealed that shoddy workmanship and cutting corners on safety and structural integrity were the cause of the crash (not surprising).

"Red, why are you using an example that has no mention of knives and involves people we don't care about?" Good question. Mostly I'm just tired and it's late and this is all I could think of.

Anyway, we get lots of clothing from Bangladesh. I now try to look at labels and not buy from there, supporting business practices that I know actively hurt people. But there may be a flip side to that (I say may because I don't know for sure).

It's possible I'm taking money out of my friends' pockets and that of their families. I'm pretty certain I'm only taking money out of Wal-Mart's pocket, which is fine, but I am not positive.

That said, I'd be dishonest if I said I don't buy Wal-Mart. I still do, when I need to, which is pretty often as they are the only big name in town. There were others when I first moved here but Wal-Mart was under construction then, it has since become the only game in town, more or less. I can buy some similar stuff for a lot more money but I choose not to. So in a way, perhaps I am something of a hypocrite. All that said this is not a Wal-Mart bashing post, at all, just using an example, and I certainly can't fault the Wal-Mart business model.

It matters to me if, like Marcinek said, I know the people running it are just plain jerks, and in recent years, it has begun to matter to me if I find out that stuff they do is really hurting people, rather than the faceless rumors you usually hear. When it gets real like that, I have to think twice.
 
Heres an example. I don't think its tasteful or right, but it happens.
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RedLynx said:
I haven't heard of the metal mulisha, I'll have to do some reading. I enjoy learning about symbols/tattoos as a hobby.

I should probably contribute to the thread topic though.

I'll use a somewhat off-topic personal example to illustrate.

Many people I know personally come from less fortunate parts of the world. They were lucky enough to be able to study at my university here in the States. Some became acquaintances, others lifelong friends.

I don't know if y'all remember that building collapse in Bangladesh, probably over a year ago now, that resulted in some injuries and even people being trapped. Some of my friends hail from there and although none were hurt, friends of friends were hurt, working in the section of the building owned and operated by Wal-Mart. It was later revealed that shoddy workmanship and cutting corners on safety and structural integrity were the cause of the crash (not surprising).

"Red, why are you using an example that has no mention of knives and involves people we don't care about?" Good question. Mostly I'm just tired and it's late and this is all I could think of.

Anyway, we get lots of clothing from Bangladesh. I now try to look at labels and not buy from there, supporting business practices that I know actively hurt people. But there may be a flip side to that (I say may because I don't know for sure).

It's possible I'm taking money out of my friends' pockets and that of their families. I'm pretty certain I'm only taking money out of Wal-Mart's pocket, which is fine, but I am not positive.

That said, I'd be dishonest if I said I don't buy Wal-Mart. I still do, when I need to, which is pretty often as they are the only big name in town. There were others when I first moved here but Wal-Mart was under construction then, it has since become the only game in town, more or less. I can buy some similar stuff for a lot more money but I choose not to. So in a way, perhaps I am something of a hypocrite. All that said this is not a Wal-Mart bashing post, at all, just using an example, and I certainly can't fault the Wal-Mart business model.

It matters to me if, like Marcinek said, I know the people running it are just plain jerks, and in recent years, it has begun to matter to me if I find out that stuff they do is really hurting people, rather than the faceless rumors you usually hear. When it gets real like that, I have to think twice.
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I go to wallyworld sometimes too. I'm not proud of it.
 
marcinek said:
Let's say you think the Marcinek XTreme Tactical Bushcraft Survival Stabinator is a great knife. Well designed, reasonably priced....exactly what you are looking for.

But! You think I"m a jerk, or you have found my business practices to be horrible, or you have found out that I eat puppies, or half my profits go to my cult leader, or whatever.

Do you buy the Stabinator?
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You make the exact product I'm looking for.

1) You're a jerk. It depends on several things whether I'll buy from you. Will I have to deal with you at all or after the initial purchase transaction? If no to either, then why would I care? I'm buying a product from you, not taking you home to share a meal. The after puchase consideration is only because I may have a problem with the product, you being a jerk decreases the probability of having my issue with your product resolved to my satisfaction. My concern is about the product, not your jerkiness.

I actually bought a product from a small company owned by a person with mixed reviews about his jerkiness. I understand he often interacts with his customers. But I still bought it because his product offers a great value for my buck, his product has features I want, and I don't think I'll have to deal with him at all. And if I do, I just need to be extra respectful of him and all will be well.

2) You have horrible business practices. What business practices would be so horrible yet be legal and make good business sense at the same time? Do you have a bad habit of stretching out your payments to your suppliers? As a customer, I really don't care if your long term viability does not affect your product after I buy it. Do you have a reputation of not shipping product your customers ordered? That's going to affect my decision as it may impact my transaction.

3) You eat puppies. I just got myself two puppies also but as pets, not food. I'm not sure about the legality of eating puppies in the US; I'm sure it's okay in some other countries. But you eating puppies does not affect the product I'm buying from you. But if you believe that quenching the knives that you make in fresh puppies' blood, even though it may be legal where you are doing it, I would not buy your product because what you're doing directly impacts the product.

4) Half of your profits go to your cult leader. It definitely won't affect my buying decision. What would you think of people who would do business with you only if you were of the same religious persuasion as they were?

Are people thinking of companies that copy designs? As long as the copying isn't illegal, I don't find it immoral nor a bad business practice. Otherwise, there would be one family who would be very rich from having the monopoly on wheels. If all a company offers is a particular "look" that someone is able to reproduce at a lower price then it's not my duty to protect their earnings. I generally would not buy a "knock-off" because of other considerations such as reliability, quality, etc. but not because it's a "knock-off." Just because someone buys a copied design from a legitimate seller and you buy only the "real" thing doesn't make you more moral or better than them; you're just in a different market segment. By "knock off" I mean just the copied design, not a counterfeit product.
 
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Agreed good post
FortyTwoBlades said:
It's important to realize that whenever you make a purchase you're buying more than the item itself. I don't personally tend to let the presence of fanboys dissuade me from a purchase. Like all the other factors, however, some folks wish to avoid "buying into" a group they find distasteful due to the association of the item with the fanboys and their decorum or lack thereof despite the connection being indirect. :)
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There is a maker who fabricated a story to sell knives, he sold his customers knives based on a lie. People purchased his knives believing he had the experience in the area he claimed even though its BS and been proven BS and he doesn't have the experience he claims. He got rich selling knives based on lies... I won't get to into it as I am trying to keep this from becoming a bash thread. There are more details that make it even more immoral if you care to know like I said send me an email.
Rey HRH said:
You make the exact product I'm looking for.

1) You're a jerk. It depends on several things whether I'll buy from you. Will I have to deal with you at all or after the initial purchase transaction? If no to either, then why would I care? I'm buying a product from you, not taking you home to share a meal. The after puchase consideration is only because I may have a problem with the product, you being a jerk decreases the probability of having my issue with your product resolved to my satisfaction. My concern is about the product, not your jerkiness.

I actually bought a product from a small company owned by a person with mixed reviews about his jerkiness. I understand he often interacts with his customers. But I still bought it because his product offers a great value for my buck, his product has features I want, and I don't think I'll have to deal with him at all. And if I do, I just need to be extra respectful of him and all will be well.

2) You have horrible business practices. What business practices would be so horrible yet be legal and make good business sense at the same time? Do you have a bad habit of stretching out your payments to your suppliers? As a customer, I really don't care if your long term viability does not affect your product after I buy it. Do you have a reputation of not shipping product your customers ordered? That's going to affect my decision as it may impact my transaction.

3) You eat puppies. I just got myself two puppies also but as pets, not food. I'm not sure about the legality of eating puppies in the US; I'm sure it's okay in some other countries. But you eating puppies does not affect the product I'm buying from you. But if you believe that quenching the knives that you make in fresh puppies' blood, even though it may be legal where you are doing it, I would not buy your product because what you're doing directly impacts the product.

4) Half of your profits go to your cult leader. It definitely won't affect my buying decision. What would you think of people who would do business with you only if you were of the same religious persuasion as they were?

Are people thinking of companies that copy designs? As long as the copying isn't illegal, I don't find it immoral nor a bad business practice. Otherwise, there would be one family who would be very rich from having the monopoly on wheels. If all a company offers is a particular "look" that someone is able to reproduce at a lower price then it's not my duty to protect their earnings. I generally would not buy a "knock-off" because of other considerations such as reliability, quality, etc. but not because it's a "knock-off." Just because someone buys a copied design from a legitimate seller and you buy only the "real" thing doesn't make you more moral or better than them; you're just in a different market segment. By "knock off" I mean just the copied design, not a counterfeit product.
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NO!!! I only buy with my eyes not what i hear ( blah blah blah military blah blah blah) STRIDER, BUSSE, HINDERER, thats awsome good looking knives that i need more of :)
 
Everyone has there opinion, but please don't name companies because I'm trying to keep this from being a bash fest thanks.
IZULA said:
NO!!! I only buy with my eyes not what i hear ( blah blah blah military blah blah blah) STRIDER, BUSSE, HINDERER, thats awsome good looking knives that i need more of :)
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If everyone would remain on topic and avoid naming companies in this thread i would appreciate it.

Its not about the company , its about how the customer feels about immoral dishonest companies or makers. And whether you would support such a company or person with your money.
 
If I see a knife I like, I buy it. That's it.
Of course I would not buy a knife from a creep.
 
That's cool, others share your opinion. Everyone is entitled to spend there money on whatever they like.
Lycosa said:
If I see a knife I like, I buy it. That's it.
Of course I would not buy a knife from a creep.
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Im going to take this thread towards a positive reference... For me morals or values definately effect my choice. Here is a positive example. I recently bought a Southern Grind Bad Monkey... I was on the fence, because of the price and the steel choice, but really like the look of the drop point version of the knife. I have handled enough blades to be able to look at a design and know I will like its feel and that it will actually funtion the way I want. I wasnt going to buy it and then I read up on Zack Brown's Southern Ground Camp. It is an outdoors oriented camp for kids with special needs (mostly autism spectrum disorders). I found out that the sales of his knives fund the camp. That sealed the deal for me. The icing on the cake was when the product showed up and was WAY better than I expected. I am perfectly happy with the purchase, knowing that I got an awesome product, supported a good cause, and at the same time supported a small American business. Plus I like his music.
 
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