He had a perfect opportunity to make a good name for himself and make a tidy profit at the same time. While the deign is not my style, it is popular. Dave Beck has given free use of it, so design theft is not an issue.
He could have listed them as being made in Asia, sold them at a reasonable price, and done just fine in the market. CRKT isn't hurting for business. Unfortunately, he jacked up the price, misrepresented the origin, and marketed them to a group that actually cared about those kinds of things.
As far as the banning. He should've easily been able to afford a dealer membership with his profits. Instead, he tried to sell his knives in the "Individual For Sale" forum, and used WS&S as his own little advertising space. Then came back under multiple usernames to bump the threads he was banned for.
dear god his website is ridiculous "13 inches of Pure Wilderness Predator Intimidation!" "Brutal sawback edge"
No offense to the O.P. Ya like what ya like but this company sounds ridiculous
not only that but he's got a Frost Bowie for 65 bucks and he's got a TOPs Tom Brown Tracker for less than his rip-off Thats Bold to say the least
wow
ivan
Very reminiscent of J. Lightning.