To Giant1, I"m not taking the high road I think most on here are taking the low road. To Buffalohump, I don't think CRK needs to start imitating anyone i.e. Sal Glesser, I understand the whole freedom so speech thing. That said just because you have the right to do something, doesn't make it right to do and you can catch more flys with honey.
My point was if you would go back and read all my post in this thread, was that given his age, contributions to knife industry (sebenza, umn, mnandi) etc, knife of the year titles, his companies reputation, etc. That we as a community were being a little harsh on the man about this. As you say the thread was started in good humor, some may see this "good humor" as being carried out in or with bad taste. Especially if the situation isn't looked at from a macro perspective, understanding that this may have been something HE wanted to do.
So given the fact that he has pretty much delivered beyond "customers" and "loyal customers" expectations the world over, its HIS name on the building, its HIS sweat, work, time, effort, etc, that has been poured out to please his loyal followers for these previous DECADES. Maybe, just maybe the customers could behave with some civility towards him and show him a little respect and understanding. However what we have here as evidenced by the post in 3 separate and distinct thread regarding the matter in his on subforum are "my money my rules" excuse me HIS company HIS rules, maybe Mr. Reeve should start acting like Sal Glesser. Wow didn't know that Mr. Reeves business model and past contributions for DECADES to teh knife industry were so flawed that he needs to start doing focus groups of his customers to see what they approve and disapprove oh how short sighted of him.
I also went on to state that I thought we as a community were better than this and we could have handled better including me. Yea go back and read all my post, no wait just use the first one and don't mention anything else about the other ones, that helps you prove your point better and further distorts the context of what I was trying to say.
The man, his knives, and his company are legends in the industry he didn't get to the point his now a professional knife maker/manufacture but not delivering to and for his customers. His is aging and approached by others in his state to help with a promotion he obliged trying to do something nice and give back the way HE wanted to, and in return gets treated like a school yard punk by his "loyal customers" on his on web subforum, yea that is great good humor.
What is most troubling is, I bet on top of everything else Mr. Reeve has done, he has also gone to some time and circumstance to ensure CRK continues on after he passes so that his customers will continue to have access to his product line. That kinda thing says a lot about a man and unless you have done it or seen someone you know and love go through it, you have no idea what is like. To watch a man stare his own mortality in the eye while figuring out what to do with his brain child, his baby, his business, his CREATION, his life's works. It is a humbling experience to say the least and really helps one put things in their proper perspective.
So again, I say this isn't about you, me or us this is about HIM and I think he has earned the right (and if not then who in the industry has) to be treated a little better from his loyal customers. So while it may have been started in good humor it was executed in poor taste in my opinion.
