Doesn't anyone GOOD ever want to manufacture Blackie Collins designs any more?

C

Carl64

Joined
Apr 3, 2005
Messages
1,830
He designs a lot of neat stuff. But it's currently all Meyerco and other Chinese junk. The latest buddy system knife Meyerco imports is manufactured so poorly it looks like a picture some 2-year-old drew of the real knife which is hidden in some secret location. I always liked that hunter Case makes, but Case uses some of the most worthless steel available. Some of his stuff is made by Bear MGC, but despite their loud mouths I think they are still using soft 440a.

As far as I know, the only decent product available is the CRKT Rollock, but they have decided to downgrade their steel.

Why the heck have so many good ideas from Blackie Collins been sentenced to low-quality hell? Does he not ask competent manufacturers, or are they not interested? Or am I missing some good ones I should be aware of?

Edit:
Or am I the only one who thinks these designs deserve better?
 
The newest knife from Protech, the Ciabatta, is a Blackie Collins design. It's an excellent knife.
 
AG Russell is still selling the Hunter's Scalpel, with the Thumb-bolt sheath designed by Blackie Collins. In fact, AG has expanded the selection by adding two larger knives, with three choices of steel types. Of course only the sheath lock was designed by Blackie Collins, not the knives.

-Bob
 
I just looked up that Ciabatta and it is a cool one. How is it opened? Is it like a push-in release like a cassette deck door?
 
I have read about him and his talents as a designer and YES, I think his designs deserve better. Also, could anyone either confirm or not if indeed he was the first to incorporate a carbide-tip window breaker on a folding rescue knife (Meyerco Rescue)? I read about it a couple of years back in TK.

Inquiring knifeknut wants to know? . . .
 
Was he also the first to design an assisted open? I bought a Meyerco Cut & Strut back in the early 90's. Cool knife, but not up to the same standards as the Kershaws, SOGS, etc that are all over the place now.
 
rugerno1b said:
Was he also the first to design an assisted open? I bought a Meyerco Cut & Strut back in the early 90's. Cool knife, but not up to the same standards as the Kershaws, SOGS, etc that are all over the place now.
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Some meyerco was the first knife I saw with it. I think it was the Rascal:
pOLDSKU01-100886reg.jpg
 
Carl64 said:
Or am I the only one who thinks these designs deserve better?
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I tend to agree with you, but in the final analysis I think it ultimately boils down to whether or not Blackie Collins feels his designs deserve better. And based on the empirical evidence currently available, we can only conclude that no, he does not. This might seem sad to you and me, but if it's what puts the sheckels in Blackie's pocket, then who are we to judge.

I get similarly frustrated when I see that 90% percent of Ken Onion's beautiful Kershaw offerings are only available in 420, 440A or AUS8. But here again, I have a hard time faulting Ken for pursuing whatever arrangement is the most lucrative for him.
 
Bronco said:
I tend to agree with you, but in the final analysis I think it ultimately boils down to whether or not Blackie Collins feels his designs deserve better. And based on the empirical evidence currently available, we can only conclude that no, he does not. This might seem sad to you and me, but if it's what puts the sheckels in Blackie's pocket, then who are we to judge.
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I was hoping it was not his own choice. Indeed that is sad. I have seen his name on such junk that I would normally think someone didn't care, but that didn't fit with my idea of a person who likes knives so much that they think about all of these innovations. And yet, here we are with the current lot.

I would certainly not expect him to starve for my personal shopping wants, but with the level of quality we are looking at it seems like SOMETHING could be done.
 
I once had a Meyerco/blackie collins folder. It had g-10 handles, and a black-coated Tanto combo-blade with an oval/rectangular hole opener. It was a nice knife and I gave it away to a friend who I later lost touch with. Does anyone know what this knife's called? And if they can still be bought?
 
Seeing Blackie Collins name on something immediately gets me thinking that it's schlock. He's put his name on so much junk over the years, that I don't trust it at all.

This type of reaction used to really raise the hackles of the custom knifemakers on the forum. Apparently, Blackie has done a lot in the knifemaking field, and many knifemakers look up to him for whatever those contributions were. Unfortunately, I haven't seen those contributions, just seen and handled so much complete garbage with the Blackie Collins name on it in the past 15 years that I haven't been expecting or hoping for better.

Joe
 
I have a couple of them. It really is a simple opening and locking device. It opens with the same snap as a Godfather or Godson. It is as close as you can get to an auto without actually being and auto. I really like the knife.
 
Carl64 said:
I was hoping it was not his own choice.
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I hear you. But, as you probably know, a company can't market your name without your permission. Obviously, youth and inexperience can lead one to the signing of a bad deal. Blackie, however, doesn't qualify as either these days; ergo we can only assume he must be doing as he pleases.
 
Hey guys,

I have to agree that Blackie is a great designer & deserves better recognition & better companies making his knives. Bear & Sons cutlary of Alabama is making several of his designs & I hope more American makes jump on the band wagon. The bear knives I've seen are awesome & quality knives, but I'm yet to own a Blackie Collins Bear knife.

Swede:D
 
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