Have you seen the new Benchmade Neil Blackwood folder?

Joe hit it right on the head.

The patent has run out, now it's open to the general public to use as they wish.

Patents run for a given length of time and expire.

When I applied for a patent and it was accepted I had three time options in years [ forget what they were now ]and each longer timeframe cost more to patent it.

That said, I don't think about the hole issues and whether they are legal or not. Thats up to the attys and courts. My concern is whether I think I want the knife.

Brownie
 
I've read this post for about 10-15 times now, and every time I see that knife, the more I like. It's not too big for me (I'm a small guy), so I guess it won't be for you guys. THIS is definitely a winner. BM would be stupid if it canceled this one.

:D :D :D
 
Originally posted by the45guy
Steve...Kyle aquired the Skirmish from Neil.... I wanted it but Neil told me that I was too thin and if I carried it my pants would fall down ;)

:rolleyes: :eek:
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At the very least you'd walk funny! LOL!
 
Originally posted by brownie0486
Joe hit it right on the head.
The patent has run out, now it's open to the general public to use as they wish. Patents run for a given length of time and expire.
Brownie
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Nope, it's not a patent issue, but rather a question of a Spyderco trademark. And trademarks don't run out. They can be abbandoned or become generic, but there is no set time limit for their legal effectiveness.
 
Don't think it'll ever be a problem re: holes. Neil's Skirmish utilises the 3 hole design, which was a design which itself was featured on his earlier FIXED BLADE ninja / neck ninja series. I think the blade of the Skirmish (which the BM model originates from) itself evolved from the ninja/neck ninja blade.

I don't think an action for passing off would be well supported in this case.
 
I'm not sure if Spyderco trademarked the spyderhole, but they did hold the patent on the design within the blade which has expired.


That may be a reasopnable explaination why others are using anything but a round hole at this time even thogh the patent has expired.

Brownie
 
As nice as the knife is I still won't get one because I highly doubt we'll see a lefty version. Until then I'll save up and have Neil make me a lefty.
 
Originally posted by K.V. Collucci
As nice as the knife is I still won't get one because I highly doubt we'll see a lefty version. Until then I'll save up and have Neil make me a lefty.
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I've heard some chatter that the final release may still be an Axis Lock, I would truly be in heaven then.... The one we're all seeing pictures of is a proto so who knows what the final version will be...

Unfortunately Neil's not taking orders :(
 
If it were an Axis, it would need separate liners and scales. I have 2 Axis locks and a 750, I wouldn't mind getting another Ti framelock from BM.
 
Originally posted by hardheart
If it were an Axis, it would need separate liners and scales.
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Not necessarily, the 940ti is a titanium knife with embedded liners milled into the frame. This knife could easily be made into an Axis.

I have about 17 Axis knives and could always use more ;) :)
 
Originally posted by brownie0486
I'm not sure if Spyderco trademarked the spyderhole, but they did hold the patent on the design within the blade which has expired.


That may be a reasopnable explaination why others are using anything but a round hole at this time even thogh the patent has expired.

Brownie
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Brownie: Spyderco definitely trademarked the round hole, which is why it's not being used elsewhere. I'm guessing that since this is a trademark rather than a patent, the issue is more a matter of look than one of functionality. The look on this knife is one of three holes increasing (or decreasing) in size. To me, that doesn't look like a Spyderco hole, so my layman's judgement would be that it's not a trademark violation, but I have no idea how this area of law works.

We also, of course, have no idea if Neil already has a trademark on his three holes, or if there's been a deal with Sal, or if Sal even thinks this is actionable, or what, so it's a little too early to get irritated about it, IMO.

All that aside, it's an awesome knife. Nice looking, looks like it'll work in pakal, looks like the bevel is high enough that the edge'll cut okay, etc.

Joe
 
Originally posted by cpirtle


Unfortunately Neil's not taking orders :(
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Boy! You really know how to bring a guy down. :( ;)
 
Originally posted by cpirtle
Not necessarily, the 940ti is a titanium knife with embedded liners milled into the frame. This knife could easily be made into an Axis.
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Interesting, can you see where they insert the springs?
 
I hope it stays a framelock.

Legal length for a concealed blade where I live is 3.5"....I would love to have one that size, but I like it regardless...

I don't know what it is with knife companys who ignore the 3.5" limit...I would think it is common enough to consider making more regularly.....what really ticks me off is when they come out with a blade length of 3.63" or similar....so close, yet so far...

Why all the odd number sizes???

But go bring this back to topic....I love the knife, and want to say Congratulations Neil!
 
Originally posted by Joe Talmadge
Hmmm, 6 pages of replies (depending on your post/page size) in 2 days. Looks like BM has a serious winner
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I thought the same thing. Guess this assures the "First Production Run" will be SOLD OUT :D
 
Originally posted by Steven Roos
Well, hate to say it, but it is staying a framelock.
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Yep, just got the word from someone at BM - it's definitely going to be a frame lock. Fine with me!

Originally posted by hardheart
Interesting, can you see where they insert the springs?
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I need to clarify my earlier statement, I had some information in my last post that maybe didn't come across clear.

There is a milled pocket on the inside of the 940's scale that has a steel plate held in by two screws in the frame and the pivot screw - I tend to think of these more as "nested" liners. You cannot see them unless you look between the handle slabs and at the thumb and index checkering where they protrude. (they are only about 60% the size of the scale)

So when you said it would "need spearate scales and liners" I was thinking more in terms of say a traditional liner lock (or a 710/AFCK/TSEK/etc...) where if you are looking at the back of the handle you see a sandwich of scale|liner|backspacer|liner|scale.

It does need separate "nested" liners but the package is still thin because when you look at the spine you only see scale|backspacer|scale.

Hope that's not as confusing to you to read as it was for me to write :)
 
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