Do your morals have any impact on your knife purchases?

[Allen R.]

So the dishonesty of the maker drove you away, but you like the knife so much you don't care about there dishonest ways. That's cool its your money and you can support who ever you like.

Yeah pretty much. The maker has been accused of being dishonest etc. But after meeting the guy I thought I would want to knock his teeth out, but he was a nice guy, makes a good American made product and stands behind his work. He's not ripping off designs from other makers either. I'm by no means a fan boy, but I just realized I would rather buy the knife I want rather than study the makers past, after all I'm not wanting to be best buds with the guy I just wanted the kind of knife made by his company.

 

[shinyedges]

I get you, for me I don't care how nice someone is, many of the most evil immoral people have been cool charismatic people. Making your business profitable off lies and deceit is what it is. Like I said you can support who ever you like with your money.

Yeah pretty much. The maker has been accused of being dishonest etc. But after meeting the guy I thought I would want to knock his teeth out, but he was a nice guy, makes a good American made product and stands behind his work. He's not ripping off designs from other makers either. I'm by no means a fan boy, but I just realized I would rather buy the knife I want rather than study the makers past, after all I'm not wanting to be best buds with the guy I just wanted the kind of knife made by his company.

 

[Allen R.]

I get you, for me I don't care how nice someone is, many of the most evil immoral people have been cool charismatic people. Making your business profitable off lies and deceit is what it is. Like I said you can support who ever you like with your money.

I think you and I are speaking on the same company, I was what the maker claimed he was, so I took the accusations against him a little more serious than others. I've read all the aligations against him, and I'm not saying he didn't do what he was accused of, all I'm saying is I wanted a good knife and he makes good knives. Same as microtech and zt I have an ultratech in my left pocket and zt 562cf in my right. Zt is a great company and I've owned nearly every folder they make, but I'm not going to get rid of my microtechs over that mess. Not trying to name brands here just making an example, business is business and I appreciate this being civil. I'm loyal to the knives I like, if I get done wrong by a brand or company I'll write them off, but I'm not going to boycott a brand based on politics, I mean look at the knife industry ideas are borrowed or stolen or what have you all the time, Sal Glessar is only maker I've ever seen that will use a lock or feature and give the original designer credit, and I have much respect for spyderco and will buy them as long as they make knives because 1.they make knives I like and 2. Sal and his crew are good people, but not every company is as stand up as spyderco. Sure I could buy only spydercos but I sure love my other knives as well.

 

[shinyedges]

Allen I sent you an email.

So morals do not factor in your purchases any longer.

 

[RedLynx]

Allen I sent you an email.

So morals do not factor in your purchases any longer.

That might not necessarily be true. Morality is not only different but can be a sliding scale. One may decide that X action is not in itself immoral enough to warrant, say, a boycott, even if they don't agree with it.

 

[Pittknife]

L

Does it matter if the company you purchase your knife from has shady practices? Or is owned by an individual who has below average integrity? We all know that no one is perfect, were all human. But a continued display of a lack of morals isn't a mistake, does it bother you to support such a person with your money?


This isn't about any company or person, just curious how fellow forum members feel about it.

Mods i wasn't sure where to put this so move if necessary.

There are so many great companies and knife makers to buy from rather than deal with a shady company or maker.

There wa a particular maker that I have dreamed about buying a knife from. I own one of his that's Really pricey. I was going to buy another higher end one and found out some things I didn't like about him. Trust me, I loved and wanted the other custom so bad. It turns out the things I found out about soured me from the knife I owned from him already. When you are buying a knife, it's not just the knife, it's about the maker/company as well.

 

[shinyedges]

I agree, good post.

L


There are so many great companies and knife makers to buy from rather than deal with a shady company or maker.

There wa a particular maker that I have dreamed about buying a knife from. I own one of his that's Really pricey. I was going to buy another higher end one and found out some things I didn't like about him. Trust me, I loved and wanted the other custom so bad. It turns out the things I found out about soured me from the knife I owned from him already. When you are buying a knife, it's not just the knife, it's about the maker/company as well.

 

[k5MOW]

Yes I would say it does for me.

Roger

 

[shinyedges]

But he did find the maker to be shady enough to sell off the knives. Now he's putting money back in the same makers pockets. Seems like wants override morals. It happens every day with many people including myself. I guess morals still factor in just not enough to override the like of the knife.

That might not necessarily be true. Morality is not only different but can be a sliding scale. One may decide that X action is not in itself immoral enough to warrant, say, a boycott, even if they don't agree with it.

 

[WEB2]

If there is something I don't like about the maker, but I do like the knives, I'll usually buy them second hand. That way I figure I'd not directly helping the maker. That being said, there are makers through their repeated actions that I'd still never deal with.

Same here. About the only new knife i will buy is a Buck.

 

[PURPLEDC]

I get you, for me I don't care how nice someone is, many of the most evil immoral people have been cool charismatic people. Making your business profitable off lies and deceit is what it is. Like I said you can support who ever you like with your money.

Well I think one other thing to think about is how much internet gossip is just that, gossip. I am sure there is more than one maker whos reputation has been tarnished unjustly by a disgruntled ex employee, friend or family member or just a peeved customer. The problem I have with holding anything I read on the internet is I have no idea if its the truth or just a bunch of inflated nonsense that got embellished along the way. Some stories are easy as there is some kind of proof and the maker at some point comes clean. But many times its more along the lines of "i heard from my best friends, cousins, nephew's deaf turtle and he SWEARS its true!" Its simply too hard to fact check many of these rumors. Even if something is actually rooted in truth your perception of the person and the circumstances surrounding the incident can change depending on who and how the story is told. One of the biggest problems with the internet is how much is left to interpretation. Especially emotion. Further complicating what some might feel is a cut and dry topic.

 

[RedLynx]

But he did find the maker to be shady enough to sell off the knives. Now he's putting money back in the same makers pockets. Seems like wants override morals. It happens every day with many people including myself. I guess morals still factor in just not enough to override the like of the knife.

I guess it really depends on how you factor your own morals. I don't know if the maker in question or what he said that caused him to be "shady" was actually "immoral," even for the previous poster. Perhaps it was, or perhaps it wasn't, but morals is sort of a strong term to apply here, I think.

 

[shinyedges]

My opinion is the maker is and was shady and immoral. We were talking about the same maker. I don't think moral is a strong word to use.. it tells us what's right and wrong its guides are actions.

I don't want to stay focused on any one maker or company to avoid a bash thread.

I guess it really depends on how you factor your own morals. I don't know if the maker in question or what he said that caused him to be "shady" was actually "immoral," even for the previous poster. Perhaps it was, or perhaps it wasn't, but morals is sort of a strong term to apply here, I think.

 

[RedLynx]

My opinion is the maker is and was shady and immoral. We were talking about the same maker. I don't think moral is a strong word to use.. it tells us what's right and wrong its guides are actions.

I don't want to stay focused on any one maker or company to avoid a bash thread.

Right and wrong and moral or immoral aren't necessarily the same thing, is what I'm saying. Not everything that is wrong is immoral, nor is everything I might consider to be right ALSO moral, by default. That's why personally I think it's too strong a word for this conversation, but that's just my opinion.

 

[shinyedges]

I agree with you, there is a lot bad information out there. Also people who intentionally try to ruin other peoples reputation. BUT there are other times when a maker or company lies on a public forum and gets caught lying and therefore brought the scrutiny on himself. I always like to follow the evidence to a concrete source or otherwise its just a rumor. But if a maker spews the words well then...

Well I think one other thing to think about is how much internet gossip is just that, gossip. I am sure there is more than one maker whos reputation has been tarnished unjustly by a disgruntled ex employee, friend or family member or just a peeved customer. The problem I have with holding anything I read on the internet is I have no idea if its the truth or just a bunch of inflated nonsense that got embellished along the way. Some stories are easy as there is some kind of proof and the maker at some point comes clean. But many times its more along the lines of "i heard from my best friends, cousins, nephew's deaf turtle and he SWEARS its true!" Its simply too hard to fact check many of these rumors. Even if something is actually rooted in truth your perception of the person and the circumstances surrounding the incident can change depending on who and how the story is told. One of the biggest problems with the internet is how much is left to interpretation. Especially emotion. Further complicating what some might feel is a cut and dry topic.

 

[shinyedges]

Legally right and wrong sometimes (often) differs from morally right and wrong this thread is about how a customer feels about purchasing a knife from a maker or company that has done or taken part in things that are morally wrong. I don't know how else to explain it. Your entitled to your opinion thanks for sharing.

Right and wrong and moral or immoral aren't necessarily the same thing, is what I'm saying. Not everything that is wrong is immoral, nor is everything I might consider to be right ALSO moral, by default. That's why personally I think it's too strong a word for this conversation, but that's just my opinion.

 

[RedLynx]

Legally right and wrong sometimes (often) differs from morally right and wrong this thread is about how a customer feels about purchasing a knife from a maker or company that has done or taken part in things that are morally wrong. I don't know how else to explain it. Your entitled to your opinion thanks for sharing.

I know what the thread is about. I'm not speaking in the legal sense. I'm saying that even internally, as people, as humans, moral and right (again, in the non-legal sense) are not the same thing.

Example: I don't think it's wrong to kill a murderer. But I also wouldn't say it's morally right, either. It can be "not wrong" without being "morally right", and vice versa.

 

[shinyedges]

I guess that's where we differ for me its morally ok for someone to kill in the name of protecting themselves or others. It boils down to right and wrong.. right isn't always rainbows and clouds sometimes right is dirty but necessary.

Just because its unpleasant doesn't make it immoral.

I know what the thread is about. I'm not speaking in the legal sense. I'm saying that even internally, as people, as humans, moral and right (again, in the non-legal sense) are not the same thing.

Example: I don't think it's wrong to kill a murderer. But I also wouldn't say it's morally right, either. It can be "not wrong" without being "morally right", and vice versa.

 

[RedLynx]

I guess that's where we differ for me its morally ok for someone to kill in the name of protecting themselves or others. It boils down to right and wrong.. right isn't always rainbows and clouds sometimes right is dirty but necessary.

Just because its unpleasant doesn't make it immoral.

I think you're confused. I'm saying it isn't wrong to kill a murderer--in fact, for me, it isn't wrong regardless of whether my life is in danger, if I know this person has murdered someone but isn't actively trying to murder me. That said, I don't go around all Dexter on other people.

For you, moral and right and immoral and wrong are interchangeable terms that mean the same thing. For me, they are different things. Someone can do something wrong that is not immoral.

 

[shinyedges]

I hear ya, if you wanna discuss morals further shoot me a pm or email. I don't want to take the thread too off course.

I think you're confused. I'm saying it isn't wrong to kill a murderer--in fact, for me, it isn't wrong regardless of whether my life is in danger, if I know this person has murdered someone but isn't actively trying to murder me. That said, I don't go around all Dexter on other people.

For you, moral and right and immoral and wrong are interchangeable terms that mean the same thing. For me, they are different things. Someone can do something wrong that is not immoral.