First Paul, let me repeat part of what I told you on the phone the other weekend. I had no interest getting into this in any detail on a forum, however since you and Ron opened the door with your above post, then so be it. I assume you are acting as Ron's spokesperson, since you state details that you couldn't know without him telling you.
*****First, let me correct you. I am not, nor have I been speaking for Ron. I would not, however blame him for staying out of this fray. (He just had his shoes shined, if you get my meaning)
I came upon Ron's Ring Bowie by accident while browsing Chuck Ward's photo site one Sunday afternoon almost a year and a haft ago. I believe only a few saw the photos as they were quickly taken down.
*****Funny how "accidents" happen, no?
I was a little angry at first because I thought (with Ron and Kyle being good friends) Kyle had giving Ron permission to make that close a copy. I contacted Kyle and found he knew nothing of the copy. Kyle contacted Ron, and I will just say they had a
discussion.
*****Yeah, seeking permission is big with you. I noticed
NOT that you were very careful to clear the use of my style and pattern for the sheath Kyle made for your knife. Now it has been know by all for a long time that I don't care and, in fact, encourage new makers to use my style, but since permission is so very important to you, I thought sure you'd "at least" ask me if it was okay.
After again speaking to Kyle I cooled off and just figured I would drop it or probably mention it to Ron if I saw him at a show. I was actually going to ask him about it at the past Blade Show but I was so sick the entire time I didn't feel like talking much at all.
******Yes, personal face to face confrontation will cause one to feel ill.
I pretty much kept it to myself (only telling 3 friends) until I opened this thread of Lorien's a couple weeks ago. I thought, why not post up both knives? It was a great example of what Lauren was addressing.
A LITTLE of the background:
About two years ago a purveyor contacted me as he had a client who was very interested in the Bowie. I suggested he contact Kyle about possibly making a
similar one. Kyle wouldn't make a copy so the purveyor went to Ron who agreed to for ALOT of $$$$$.
Now Paul let's discuss the differences you and Ron point out:
Incorrect Paul, as you can clearly see in the photo below that Ron's has a ring guard and a separate shell guard just as Kyle's does. I do applaud Ron for the cool sheath carry strap for the extra guard. His only original idea.
*****I guess this further proves, I'm not speaking for Ron. If so I would have known there were two guards. I do know his ring is not integral and therefore removable……and yes, Ron does have my permission,as a previous student in my shop to use any of my "designs" and/or techniques freely at will.
Based on the inaccuracy of your first difference, I would need to see how the frame is different.
*****Perfectly possible, but the travel expense is on you
That's the only 'substantial' difference I concede too.
Now that's picking nits.
*****This coming from a nit picking champion.:thumbup:
Sufficiently different? I would say pretty close for one maker duplicating another's billet without their input.
*****Yep, sufficiently different as would be expected.
I would like to know how long it took him to find a piece of mammoth that matches that closely.
*****Yours is from the left tusk, his is from the right
You're really stretching it Paul.
*****Take another look. one is a vine pattern, the other is notches.
All, I'm saying is just maybe Ron should have asked his friend first before copying his knife to this degree.
And second, with Ron's tremendous ability and creativity, why would he copy another's knife to this degree?
******Because he was asked to and
more, because he could.
One of the things that has surprised me most in this thread is how many condone this practice of copying a specific knife from another maker for monetary gain without asking.
And I don't care what anyone says, it's not the same as making a Loveless or Moran style knife.
