Well for the folks who don't know the origins of the DPx HEST and subsequently the folding version. Do your homework and you will see that I designed the HEST fixed over two years ago and every facet on the knife was carefully designed to do at least two or three things.
The folder was simply an ability to turn that fixed quality and reliabilty into a folder. Which means it had to lock. Not just close in the open position. Ergo the Rotoblock.
You haven't used the Folder but I think you would agree it is a very good translation of the fixed blade.
I am sure that if someone has a problem with anything related to an product they know where to find the manufacturer and discuss it with them. Knives are neither new or dramatically different. Each manufacturer respects the innovations of others but in no way shape or form is the DPx HEST derivate of a specific design. I started from a clean sheet of paper and came up with what you see now.
Darthsoaker makes the assumption that I immerse myself with what other people are doing. A modicum of "market research" would show that I have nothing to do with the knife business before creating the HEST. I spent/spend most of my time overseas and in other areas unrelated to manufacturing. I have been to two SHOT shows and one Blade show and enjoyed the people I met but I have never called myself an expert.
However I work with experts and only with people who have sterling reputations. So the folks who want to invent scenarios or excuses are entitled to their opinions but not in misrepresenting the facts.
The ability of the HEST Folder to open and lock and not just close (I am starting to repeat myself) is unique and the over design of the knife creates a rapid deployment system that locks. The Emerson does not lock if you read the patent carefully he has a nice system that uses a hook designed solely to open the knife. Is this marketing as a feature? No. Are their any competitive claims to other systems. No. The HEST is unique and will remain so. Why because we are not chasing the industry.
If Mr Emerson wants to review the knife and discuss its design with me that is fine but ultimately patents are to protect design and prevent competition from copying your design. There is no copying nor is there any design similarity. If you want to argue function (a rapidly opening knife) I have posted his patent info.
If you don't understand how the opener and the RotoBlock to together you will have to wait until you see the knife in action. But your tone seems that you are kind of dog whistle deaf on the basic concept: that the Folder is a pretty exact modification of the Fixed Hest.
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