It's a CopyCat World...

Unfortunately, virtually every curve has been done by someone somewhere. I don't think it is a question of copy catting. I think it is just that you can look through the archives and find those same or similar curves having been done before. If you make a blade design that is truly unique you are likely to come with something very ugly.
 
3Guardsmen said:
A Spyderco that looks like a Benchmade that uses a Spyderco hole! I can imagine there'd be a bit of a resemblance.:D)
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Not just the hole. I think this was a rare instance where Spyderco designed something that looks like a competitor's model, rather than the other way around. Notice the blade shape and the look and materials of he handle. You can't see it in the photos, but the D'Allara is about the only fat-handled Spydie I can think of. it's girth is similar to the Grip. Also the ball-bearing lock seems like an attempt to compete with the AXIS lock.
 
It makes sense that companies copy designs that are well received. Eventually all the auto makers copied Chrysler's minivan which dominated the market and now the Chrysler is lackluster and the others well received. I view Spyderco as unique and innovative as they come.
 
lava_lamp said:
For example, have you noticed how the Spyderco D'Allara looks like the Benchmade Mini-Griptillian?

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I hadn't seen the Spyderco D'Allara. It does look like the Mini-Griptillian. Both are very nice looking.

Bill
 
lava_lamp said:
Not just the hole. I think this was a rare instance where Spyderco designed something that looks like a competitor's model, rather than the other way around. Notice the blade shape and the look and materials of he handle. You can't see it in the photos, but the D'Allara is about the only fat-handled Spydie I can think of. it's girth is similar to the Grip. Also the ball-bearing lock seems like an attempt to compete with the AXIS lock.
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Wasn't the D'allara released before the round hole, hollow grind version of the grip? I don't know for sure but I'm pretty certain the D'allara was released when benchmade was using the flat saber grind and thumbstuds or an oval hole, then released the pictured version much later.

The locks are similar, and the blade shape...the rest isn't. Wire clip vs standard clip, D'allara has thinner grips with a palm swell and full length steel liners, different handle texturing etc. I've owned them both and in that photo they might look similar but in use they're quite different.
 
Knife Outlet said:
Unfortunately, virtually every curve has been done by someone somewhere. I don't think it is a question of copy catting.
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Exactly! It's a flat piece of metal that has to have certain shape, otherwise it is not a knife anymore, How may variations you can do on the pretty much flat surface with limited geometry anyway...
 
Vivi said:
I've owned them both and in that photo they might look similar but in use they're quite different.
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I agree, I don't see much foul play between those two. I don't know how long the HG Grip has been around but it must be pretty long. I've seen some 440C models of it which BM hasn't used in the Grips in a long time. I also believe the first model of the HG Grip had an oval hole.

As long as a company makes some attempt to make the knife their own and produce it at a high quality level I'm okay with it. What bothers me is when a company blatantly and completely copies a design and then on top of that produces it at a lower quality level. Improve something or don't do it.
 
The knife is a wedge. That's all it is. You can dress it up all you want, but in the end it's just a wedge. I don't see a problem with "copying" designs as long as copyrights aren't violated.
 
Vivi said:
Wasn't the D'allara released before the round hole, hollow grind version of the grip? I don't know for sure but I'm pretty certain the D'allara was released when benchmade was using the flat saber grind and thumbstuds or an oval hole, then released the pictured version much later.

The locks are similar, and the blade shape...the rest isn't. Wire clip vs standard clip, D'allara has thinner grips with a palm swell and full length steel liners, different handle texturing etc. I've owned them both and in that photo they might look similar but in use they're quite different.
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The D' Allara was discontinued for a year about before the 550HG came out.
 
lava_lamp said:
Or how about the new Boker Jetstream and the Chris Reeve Umnumzaan?

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I don't consider it a copy.

diff blade shape
diff handle shape
diff grooves

Do you mean no one should produce a folder with a titanium (in this case aluminum) handle any more?
 
lava_lamp said:
How about the SOG Bluto and the Kershaw Baby Boa?

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That's a close one; thought the SOG was the Boa. How many ways can you design a knife. The subtle differences between two similar looking blades can make all the difference to me. Jimping on one blade and not the other, the type of lock, diferent blade materials; those things can make me love, hate or feel indifferent about a blade.
 
Neo said:
I don't consider it a copy.

diff blade shape
diff handle shape
diff grooves

Do you mean no one should produce a folder with a titanium (in this case aluminum) handle any more?
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Come now, it's like the US Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart's description of pornography: "I know it when I see it." If we took a poll, I have no doubt that a large majority of people here on this board would think it's a copy. If we polled among the less-discerning (non-knife people) population, it would be nearly unanimous.

Note the pivot bolt - fairly unique to both of these knives yet similar to one another. Note the cross-hatched grooves - particularly the angle to the handle and the squares created and the bevel of the grooves. Again, fairly unique and yet eerily similar. Note the color and texture of the handles and the general shape. You put it all together and it screams copy. Maybe not an exact clone that would result in a lawsuit from CRK, but a copy nonetheless.

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