New Doug Ritter folder

Pilsner said:
Then it will be fascinating to see the two different knives disassembled side by side, n’est-ce pas?
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It certainly will be interesting. If it hasnt happened by the time I get mine I just may take the risk and disassemble my first "bar lock" style knife just for the comparison pics for everyone.
 
Knife_Geek said:
Doug has already said that interchangeability is essentially 0 except the fact they used the same Benchmade three hole clip spacing.
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I bet he had to change everything to keep the lawyers happy. Cloning is one thing, but making an exact copy is opening himself up to an IP lawsuit.
Insipid Moniker said:
If you feel it's frivolous, why engage?
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I prefer a discussion. Replying to minor torts in a defensive fashion is meant to accomplish what? Your arguments about Ritter being a cloner and needing to cite Mel Pardue had merit. I don't care to take the modern and very much in vogue position of attacking a person and not arguing against their points. I understand people will do that, especially these days, but I feel that it detracts from why I come to general discussion. I come to talk knives, not to engage in interpersonal conflicts with random people on the internet.
 
Jhansenak47 said:
I bet he had to change everything to keep the lawyers happy. Cloning is one thing, but making an exact copy is opening himself up to an IP lawsuit.

I prefer a discussion. Replying to minor torts in a defensive fashion is meant to accomplish what? Your arguments about Ritter being a cloner and needing to cite Mel Pardue had merit. I don't care to take the modern and very much in vogue position of attacking a person and not arguing against their points. I understand people will do that, especially these days, but I feel that it detracts from why I come to general discussion. I come to talk knives, not to engage in interpersonal conflicts with random people on the internet.
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How was I attacking him? He felt folks were commenting purely to stir up drama, I engaged that point by voicing the opinion that his comment was exactly the kind of thing he just derided. That's very much a conversation.

Here's the thing, I'm here because I am passionate about a thing. I have strong opinions about that thing and I want a place to discuss them. I see that as the thread that unites us as enthusiasts.

However, some folks really don't like it when folks disagree with their strong opinions. Personally, I generally don't mind. I can definitely get heated (goes back to the passion bit), but I generally try to stay on topic and at least somewhat civil (I can be kinda bad at that last one at times).

Thing is, comments like that one are an attempt to hush what I regard as a valid conversation about concerns as to the origins of the knife in question. And, as stated, I like to talk about knives. That's why I'm here. So, yup, I'll happily engage when folks try that tactic.
 
cbrstar said:
I can't help but think what if it was a Chinese manufacturer making this. Would making a exact copy still be OK?
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I'm not sure what you mean, if someone random made an exact copy, it would certainly and quickly be attacked as a clone. Regardless of where they were from, and there would be no debate.
The only reason this one gets any sort of a pass is that everything is above board, save for giving Mr. Pardue any credit. Its not a complete copy, the axis lock is no longer under patent protection and while the Axis name might still be trademarked, they are not calling it that. The blade is generic enough that there is not really a concern there. The clip-screw spacing is kinda odd, but there is enough aftermarket action that it could just be a simpler move, the same thing happened in paintball all the time in the '00s, you'd use one of the standard barrel threadings from one of the big three companies instead of cutting yourself off from the aftermarket. So if/when the main concern is addressed there will likely be no concern remaining. While I don't like a company doing legal minimum redesign, and I think that overall the industry would be better served by giving credit. I think they should have credited McHenry and Williams on the lock design, and I think that Mel should get credit for the overall handle design, this is not as simple as most of the straight up cloner threads. I'm still on the fence, as to the entire ethics of a thing, I'm still of the opinion that Doug is from a different generation and thus doesn't see it the same way as many. I would prefer that they gave full credit as I think its due, and it would only help both companies.

I think that the knife industry as a whole needs to address how credit is given, and how design lineage can be described. When it was a smaller number of designers, things were different, but what happens in 10-20 years? I'd like a new designer to be able to say, I've used a Pardue handle with my own twist, rather than just trying to get to some 51% redesign mark. I also think that part of our role as fans of these designers and makers is to keep those names as part of the collective memory, especially as patents and trademarks expire, we need to keep the flame as it where, and tell newcomers the history.
 
gadgetgeek said:
.....The clip-screw spacing is kinda odd, but there is enough aftermarket action that it could just be a simpler move, the same thing happened in paintball all the time in the '00s, you'd use one of the standard barrel threadings from one of the big three companies instead of cutting yourself off from the aftermarket. So if/when the main concern is addressed there will likely be no concern remaining. .....
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A little snip of your comment.

Worth noting the clip screw spacing also matches many Spyderco knives. I think as you alluded to in your paintball analogy its just somewhat standard in the industry and nothing to really concern us of.
 
Knife_Geek said:
A little snip of your comment.

Worth noting the clip screw spacing also matches many Spyderco knives. I think as you alluded to in your paintball analogy its just somewhat standard in the industry and nothing to really concern us of.
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Things you learn. Non-issue then, as I suspected.
 
So much talking about this knife and yet so little first-hand experience/review of this knife. Nothing against Doug, Hogue, or whoever involved but why the hell started the hype (or whatever you call it) that early and yet at this point it is still "pre-order?"

I am really getting tired of waiting. Spyderco Rex 45 Military gets the honorable mention too.
 
sharp_edge said:
So much talking about this knife and yet so little first-hand experience/review of this knife. Nothing against Doug, Hogue, or whoever involved but why the hell started the hype (or whatever you call it) that early and yet at this point it is still "pre-order?"

I am really getting tired of waiting. Spyderco Rex 45 Military gets the honorable mention too.
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No photos is weird. We aren’t talking disassembled, we are talking side by side. Ha!

Will we see a Mini Ritter Grip-off to match the popular knife that it wouldn’t be replacing? Well, time will tell. I can’t imagine that any moral person would do such a thing.
 
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