Knife variety in the absence of product congruence

not2sharp

not2sharp

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Congruity theory proposes that the greater the brand / self image congruence, the more a brand will be preferred.

Most of us have a very clear idea of what the products we use should be. We can buy televisions by the inch, hammers by the ounce, shoes by size and clothing off the rack. We know what a shirt should look like, there may be greater or fewer buttons, different colors and materials, but from a functional perspective we know what we want. When we look at more complex items, like computers, cell phones and their kin, we look for a very narrow range of features like storage and memory capacity, speed and compatibility. Even our entertainment system comes in fitted blocks, with 30 and 60 minute serial programs and 90 to 150 minute features.

However, when it comes to knives, there seems to be no parameters, the variety is near endless and the features are all over the place. This is almost certainly a recent development. If we look at the ethnographic distribution of historical knives, we can usually assign specific types of knives to certain regions, periods and people. Perhaps the recent explosion in global communications, combined with shifting patterns of practical application, has brought all of these various global knife solutions together; creating a massive mishmash which is still evolving as it works itself out. Which begs the question: will the variety of knives eventually diminish as the designs ultimately settle on a few winning types?

n2s
 
I don't think that regression to the mean will necessarily apply to knives. When you factor in artistic variety (and whim), along with purpose driven design, I can't see the endless smorgasbord of knife variety ending anytime soon. Just this evening I swapped out my Manix 2 for a Blur, for no other reason than that I was tired of the Manix. If you build it, they will come.
 
It's already happened. People forget that the true giants of the knife industry are Victorinox and Opinel. We're way, way out on the lunatic fringe here.
 
Good question.
No, I don't think so.
I ask myself: What's the purpose of all those knives? Clearly not the need to cut.
Please don't get me wrong, the ability to cut should be the first purpose of a knife.
However, if I look at the wide array of knives offered these days cutting seems not the first priority anymore.
Knives offer fancy materials or mechanism, exoctic design and the solution to a mental need.
It's the desire for adventure, that mostly takes place in the mind.
The possesion of an object can make you feel special.
There are different needs (as well as budgets) that need to be satisfied --> brings us a wide selection of knives.
red mag
 
Adding to some of the excellent observations above, I believe more distribution of wealth may be a factor. Through most of history, the masses could only afford the basic while the few wealthy did have a wide variety of knives/daggers in their collective possession. We now have, particularly in the west, a large populace with disposable income. Knives, being a basic desire from earliest times, can now be had in forms the masses desire as opposed to only a small population.
 
There is so much propretary features in the industry and consumers that really get upset when people are using other's features. It is also a very cluttered market so big companies and up and comers have to do things just so they can stand out and get people's money. The "higher" end makers generally have collectors as a huge portion of their consumer base. You have to tweak your product(s) ever so slightly just to get people to keep on buying your product.

However, there are knife features that are preferred and you'll see the industry going to cater for that.
Most makers use standardized hardware, usually TORX.
Most makers produce knives on a phosphor bronze or bearing system.
There is a big fascination with G10 and Titanium frame locks. You see a whole bunch of that.

Of course the biggest variation that you'll see is blade shape, length, geometry, etc. I know what I like, but that'll differ from person a which is different b which is different from c and so on and so on
 
I'll disagree... i think when most people look for a new knife they also look for a very specific set of feautyres... folder/fixed, blade length, weight, steel type, handle material, etc. Even most of those have subsets... with folders there is locking and non locking but with their own subtypes (different types of locks, slipjoint, friction).... nautral and synthetic handle types, stainless and carbon steels with a myriad of choices for each.


For example it's very unlikely I'll ever carry a knife that does not have thease features: folder, locking (either frame, liner or a sliding type like such as the axis, or something similar), stainless, synthetic handle, blade 3-3.5" with tip up carry.


The way you dichotomized entertainment into serial programs and features (with no other distinctions) would be like dichotomizing knives into fixed blades and folders (again with no other distinctions). When I want to watch a movies i have specific paramters. When I go to the theater the conversation does not go like this:
"Yes, I'd like one ticket please"
"One ticket to what?"
"Oh, I dont care, anything... I just want to see a movie"

Specific genres and subgenres, actors, actresses, directors, etc all play into it. Heck I'd say over half of the movies I watch are because I enjoy the actor or director and not because I'm terribly interested in the plot.

However, technology has allowed us to start pushing the boundaries of what would have previously been considered normal or acceptable (in almost all things). For this reason I believe variety in all things will continue to increase along with technology. Sure there will be trends but as long as there are things to cut there will be things to cut with. And as long as there are things to cut with companies will continue to come up with new ways to cut them and new ways to convince us to use their cutting tools instead of others. Until they invent the light saber.... that'll be about the end of "knives" as we know them.
 
Oh I don't think anything can kill traditional knives. They may not be the latest and greatest version of tactical tech, but they still have a strong and loyal following. Even some of the people who carry ZTs and Sebenzas have a soft spot in their hart for the lines of grandpa's old slipjoint. Just wander over to the traditional folders and fixed blade forum to see for yourself. Just like fashion, food, and music tastes vary and global communication lets us see what other cultures offer so variety will continue to increase.
 
It isn't just knives that are being sold with fluff and flashiness. They are willing to sell anything to anyone.

The variety of knives available will diminish, after breakfast cereal goes back to 10 choices. I don't think its unique to the knife industry.
 
sweet_hitch-hiker said:
I'll disagree... i think when most people look for a new knife they also look for a very specific set of feautyres... folder/fixed, blade length, weight, steel type, handle material, etc. Even most of those have subsets... with folders there is locking and non locking but with their own subtypes (different types of locks, slipjoint, friction).... nautral and synthetic handle types, stainless and carbon steels with a myriad of choices for each.


For example it's very unlikely I'll ever carry a knife that does not have thease features: folder, locking (either frame, liner or a sliding type like such as the axis, or something similar), stainless, synthetic handle, blade 3-3.5" with tip up carry.


The way you dichotomized entertainment into serial programs and features (with no other distinctions) would be like dichotomizing knives into fixed blades and folders (again with no other distinctions). When I want to watch a movies i have specific paramters. When I go to the theater the conversation does not go like this:
"Yes, I'd like one ticket please"
"One ticket to what?"
"Oh, I dont care, anything... I just want to see a movie"

Specific genres and subgenres, actors, actresses, directors, etc all play into it. Heck I'd say over half of the movies I watch are because I enjoy the actor or director and not because I'm terribly interested in the plot.

However, technology has allowed us to start pushing the boundaries of what would have previously been considered normal or acceptable (in almost all things). For this reason I believe variety in all things will continue to increase along with technology. Sure there will be trends but as long as there are things to cut there will be things to cut with. And as long as there are things to cut with companies will continue to come up with new ways to cut them and new ways to convince us to use their cutting tools instead of others. Until they invent the light saber.... that'll be about the end of "knives" as we know them.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't want to dichotomize a parameter.

So let me point out that technology also has allowed us to have 100 different brands of mayonaise, hot sauces and corn chips staring at us on the shelves, but how many choices do you have for gas/electric, phone/internet service, water and the other things that REALLY matter? About the same as we've always had.

It's the "180 channels of crap" syndrome.

Our parents' "knife Led Zepplins" were Buck, Case, Opinel and Victorinox. Ours are Kershaw, Gerber, Spyderco and Conoco.

Who's better off?
 
That's kind of a different conversation though because things like water, gas and electric don't really operate under the same market conditions because they are utilities. Even for phone and internet there are several options (land line/VOIP/Mobile and dial up/DSL/Cable/Fiber optic/Mobile respectively) as well as several options of carriers and a plethora of options within carriers. My point was given a relatively open market, if there is as task to be completed there are generally people willing to buy the tools to complete it, and if people are willing to buy something, other people are willing to make it and sell it and will continue to innovate their product to get more people to buy it.
 
red mag said:
It's the desire for adventure, that mostly takes place in the mind.
The possesion of an object can make you feel special.
There are different needs (as well as budgets) that need to be satisfied --> brings us a wide selection of knives.
Click to expand...

I agree with this, I think many knife purchases today are based on a perceived need, not an actual need. Manufacturers are good at marketing to those perceptions, and people are drawn to the idea that a tool like a knife can perfectly satisfy that "need". The variety offered today reflects what the market is willing to bear. As long as that market exists, the variety will continue. Knife makers can manufacture the "need" just as much as the actual product. Something I remember from a marketing class a long time ago was the objective should be to create a need and fill it.
 
If I am reading the thoughts expressed thus far correctly, the abundance of knives currently on the market reflects the market demand driven by significant availability of disposable income. However, should that income level drop, the perceived need for many of these knives may be tested and the real need may be something far removed from the present market.

n2s
 
Variety is the spice of life. That is why there are endless options in all sorts of products, some more than others.

Some areas I wish (either because of production limitations or legal issues) had more options/variety. In my perfect world, I could have several wives--each fulfilling a specific set of needs/skills for me, as opposed to having to find that needle in a haystack, or settling for someone less than ideal.

Anyway, back to knives. I do not think that knife production/variety will dwindle in the face of perfected designs. Human nature will dictate the need for something better, no matter how perfect the current product is. Someone will always be there to rehash or reinvent.

Just look at how far knives have changed, sharpened stone to crude fixed blades, swords, slipjoints, lockbacks, and now a myriad of locks and steel to choose from. No my friend, knife production will not slow down, but accelerate at what may become an alarming rate, much like other products.
 
Yet we have seen some knives go away. There are certainly far fewer hollow handled survival knives then there were during the 1980s. Also, the craze over the silly Tom Brown survival knife seems to be passing. Knife collecting is subject to popular fads as were Pound Puppies. Things get made because people are curious about a movie prop, but once they realize that the screen fantasy is not reality, the demand dissipates. Probably, the biggest bubble in the mix today are the many massive camp knives. They are fun to play with in your backyard, but if you try to hike with them they will quickly wear you out.

n2s
 
Its all supply and demand. But knives are tools, not pound puppies (btw my sister still has her pound puppies sleeping bag) and will be needed. There are those who need them for working and around the house and those who want that latest trend, and/or both. I know the current trend is big overbuilt folders and big chopper fixed blades. Never really got bit by the big folders, but the choppers seem to be quite useful for camping etc. The future always intrigues me.
 
I own several knives that are excellent and meet my needs in every way. And yet I still buy knives. Because we don't just like knives, we like buying knives.
 
I believe that the designs will continue to diversify because fewer and fewer people actually use knives in a meaningful way.

If you don't have to actually use the knife, the outlandish and uncomfortable features are less important.

Super thick stock. Horribly obtuse grinds. Outlandish multiple curves. Useless saw teeth and hand shredding rough spots all mean nothing but cool looks if you only ever cut air, or imagined enemies.

If you take it for a use review and make one or two fuzz sticks and call it good, it will be fine. Take that same knife and whittle a hickory pick handle for three hours and see if you still feel the same.

Make kindling with a chopper for a few hours, or chop down or process wood for a few hours, and the aggressive texture is not so cool.
 
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