Sal Glesser
Moderator
- Joined
- Dec 27, 1998
- Messages
- 11,746
First, I'd like to apologize to the original poster. The Alaska knives thread was hijacked into a black hole.
I thought to resurrect. Please, no round hole legal arguments.
I have not seen Alaka knives folders, do you have pics?
I know that Knives of Alaska has been using a finger hole in their fixed blades for many years. There were others also using finger holes in their fixed blades in Europe. That's why we couldn't get a trademark for fixed blades.
I understand that they make high quality pieces and most fixed blade companies will ultimately include folders.
The hole opener patent has been expired for 6+ years now and opening holes are becoming common.
We just assumed that when the patent expired, companies would see it as an opportunity to try to get creative. A hole opener hole shape is very distinctive on a folding knife, much like the grill on an automobile. We assumed they would become popular in folders and I've encouraged makers to create their own.
Most knife designers have figured out that the important part of a hole/dent opener is the ridge or lobe along the top of the hole. Some have jumped on this to begin their own identity. Jim Wehrs / Doug Hutchins have been using their "bean shaped hole", first at Gerber, and now at Lone wolf, since the mid 90's. Tim Wegner has created his "V-hole" which is also identifiable as a Blade Tech. I noticed that even Swiss Army is playing around with hole shapes. We created the "comet shaped" byrd hole as a consistent identity.
Many companies just use "off-round" shapes, I would assume being respectful of our trademark.
sal
I thought to resurrect. Please, no round hole legal arguments.
I have not seen Alaka knives folders, do you have pics?
I know that Knives of Alaska has been using a finger hole in their fixed blades for many years. There were others also using finger holes in their fixed blades in Europe. That's why we couldn't get a trademark for fixed blades.
I understand that they make high quality pieces and most fixed blade companies will ultimately include folders.
The hole opener patent has been expired for 6+ years now and opening holes are becoming common.
We just assumed that when the patent expired, companies would see it as an opportunity to try to get creative. A hole opener hole shape is very distinctive on a folding knife, much like the grill on an automobile. We assumed they would become popular in folders and I've encouraged makers to create their own.
Most knife designers have figured out that the important part of a hole/dent opener is the ridge or lobe along the top of the hole. Some have jumped on this to begin their own identity. Jim Wehrs / Doug Hutchins have been using their "bean shaped hole", first at Gerber, and now at Lone wolf, since the mid 90's. Tim Wegner has created his "V-hole" which is also identifiable as a Blade Tech. I noticed that even Swiss Army is playing around with hole shapes. We created the "comet shaped" byrd hole as a consistent identity.
Many companies just use "off-round" shapes, I would assume being respectful of our trademark.
sal
