Official Statement about my controversial comment

L

Lynn Grififth Knives

Joined
Jul 30, 1999
Messages
724
Below is a direct quote of a statement I made in the Spyderco Forum in a thread intitled Spyderco Neck Knife
Look in the July 99' Tactical Knives on page 20. You will see my Sniper, and two Stiff Kiss Tantos. Shortly after this picture was released CRKT came out with the Wharncliffe version, that more than a little bit resembles my Sniper. It is my honest opinion that CRKT got the idea from that picture. To me this is an example of less that desirable buissness practice.
Click to expand...
Please note that I said "opinion". I did not state any thing was a fact. I merely said what my opinion was. Whether I am right or wrong, that was and is my "opinion". I did not in any way mean to be derogatory to Ed Halligan who's name is on the collaboration. If my "opinion" was taken that way, then I apologize for that. I should not have stated my opinion, as it really pissed off Kit Carson, Darrel Ralph, and Tim Herman. It should however be noted that they were pissed off with me since long before this comment was made, and they even had bad mouthed in me the Chat Room the previous night (and for 6 months prior). This was a golden oppurtunity for them to pounce and pounce they did. It should also be mentioned that Spark was and is aware of these bad mouthing coversations as he has been present for them. It should also be noted that Spark to my knowledge has never expressed any disagreement about any of the bad things they have said about me. Spark did finally close some threads in which I was attacked. He did this after I contacted Mike Turber about the situation. Below is the picture I was stating my "opinion" about.
tacticalsniper.jpg


I fully apologize for sharing my "opinion" on this. It was small of me to do so. It was and is my honest "opinion", but by stating it I opened myself up to an attack that was long in the works. I expect most of you will know what I am referring to. If you are not sure please check out the Spyderco Neck Knife thread and read all responses, then check out the threads in the Knives for Sale:Makers section. I am not trying to bring anything up here. It was my full intention to not respond to this. I have been advised by some of my friends that I should respond to finally close this issue. In short, I apologize for making my "opinion" known. I apologize for the ill feelings my "opinion" may have caused.


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Lynn Griffith-Knifemaker

griffithknives.com
GriffithKN@aol.com
Available Knives
 
Lynn,

Since I wrote that particular article for TK that gave you the nice plug, I feel that I am pretty qualified to let you in on something.

In preparation for the article I was clued in by Ed Halligan, master knifemaker and all around nice guy that a Wharncliff blade was in the works for the KISS line (Peck series).

This was way before anyone (including me)ever saw your "sniper", since your knife came last.

Since the TK article came out, the Peck series was introduced after the usual months of development, die tooling, sheath tooling, etc.

IMHO, AFAIK, The timing is coincidental.

Believe what ever you wish, but assumptions can get us all in trouble from time to time.

Looking forward to your next article.
Wherever it may get published.


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+++++++++++++++++++++++++
"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb
 
Well, I can see where you are comming from Lynn, but I don't know the whole story. I DO know that I really hate to see makers at each others throat, and grouping up to attack another maker. Then again, I don't know the full story. I also know that Darrel Ralph is a great guy, as is Tim Herman, (can't say about Kit as I haven't delt with him "yet"
wink.gif
) but I DO know that Tim is VERY opinionated.
wink.gif
In any case, I hope we can just all come to some sort of agreement, and maybe even hear some more apologies or something. Then again...I DO NOT know the whole story, if their is one.

-AR

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- AKTI Member ID# A000322
 
Lynn,

I don't know what the past history between you and the other makers has been. I don't really care.

I did endure the posts in the Spyderco Forums post on Neck Knives.

I believe that a little bit of research on when Ed Halligan and CRKT developed products would probably go a long way toward changing your Opinion on the Neck Peck's origins. I saw a Wharncliffe version of the KISS on Ed's table at the Blade Show when the Stiff KISS was introduced by CRKT. That is what the PECK and Neck Peck were based on. That Blade Show occurred before the issue of Tactical Knives you reference.

What I heard the other makers saying to you (quite possibly more harshly than necessary) is take a big bite of "Humble Pie" and do a lot more research before stating an accusatory Opinion. On that point I agree.

I am not sure that I agreed with the way they shared this wisdom with you (I believe it would have been better in private) but as I said before I don't know what has transpired before.

Please do not take this as an attack. I believe that you have made a mistake in this matter.

You made an accusation in a Public Forum without doing enough research to be absolutely certain. (Stating that it is Opinion does not change the fact that an accusation is made)

You were called on it by several makers. (Again, I believe it might have been better done in private but I don't know the history)

You have now brought an issue that had died down on the Spyderco Forum back up here.

My advice to Everyone is to let this die.

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AKTI Member No. A000370
 
1. Lynn how can that really be your opinion when your own leed time for 1 knife is 3 to 6 months. How can you think CRKT can put a knife in to the market shortly after seeing a pic. in a mag?
2. I was in the chat room and can tell you right now that Spark has not been in there very much at all since it has moved to newnet. He has not been apart of any percived bad mouthing of anyone I have seen. So, on placing any blame on Spark is just another false statement by you.

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db
Why do we press harder on the remote, when we know the batteries are dead?
 
To all,
I trust completely what Anthony Lombardo says. My opinion is changed. As I stated in the first post of this thread, I should not have ever stated my opinion. It was small of me. I do not believe I am the first ever to state an opinion, that was as matter of fact wrong. Nor do I believe I was the first to do so on this forum. I apologize to CRKT for stating my opinion, and in my initial post here I apologized to Ed Haligan.

Anthony Lombardo,
You did write the article. I really appreciate it. That article has been a very large boost to my career. In the near future I intend to advertise with Tactical Knives. That Article is the reason why I will.

Darrel Ralph,
My apologies for stirring you up. I know there is something between us. What I don't know is how it originally started. What I would most like to know is how to stop it. If you would like you are welcome to call or e-mail me, or invite me to call you on my dime. Please lets work this out off-forum.

Kit Carson,

I have long respected you as a knifemaker. I know you see me as over zealous, and perhaps you are correct. I did not intend to step on your toes by being so. I am a very zealous person, and it spills over here.

Tim Herman,

You make very attractive works of art. I am impressed by your talent, to say the least.



When I first came on here I saw where Darrel Ralph had posted a picture of his Neck Knife. It was very beautiful. Everyone seemed to be very pleased that he shared his picture. I used my right mouse button to veiw source to see how he did it. I seen many makers posting there work, so I though it was the thing to do. In that first 3 weeks or so I posted my pictures a lot. Too much. I got a private e-mail telling me not to post my pictures in thread where it was not apropriate. I all but stopped posting pictures. Over the past months I have posted pictures very rarely. Most of the pictures I have posted have been in the Knives for sale section. The others were in response to someone showing specific interest in them. As for my discussing my knives. I really like this forum, and wanted to be a part of all the great knife talk. In recent years I have had to spend all extra money on equipment instead of knives. So I don't have much to say on factory knives, or even other customs. Where I do have knowledge on other customs or factory knives, I have contributed. Where talk has been about custom, and mine fit the category, that is what I discussed. I guess I just wanted to be included. As for my statement on Spark. Spark as never made me feel like he in any way cared for me. That with the recent thrashings I have taken on here, and a few of his recent comments, I grouped him with some others. If this was unfair to him (and I am sure it was), then Spark I apologize to you to. My intention from this point forward is to not post in any part of this forum near as much as I have in the past. Unless told not to, I will still post on occasion where I see that I can be a direct contribution, or in threads directly related to me (started by others). I will also post in the for sale forums when I have something to sale. I have met some of my best friends through this forum. They will ofcourse remain my friends as long as they like. Anyone that would like to is welcome to call me or e-mail me at any time.


I will close now as I am a lil' choked up from eating "humble pie" Sorry for any and all ill feelings caused.

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Lynn Griffith-Knifemaker

griffithknives.com
GriffithKN@aol.com
Available Knives
 
Lynn, Sounds like a good deal to me, lets close this puppy and say goodnight and get back to the forums. I held back on the other posts and read in mock horror the abuse and silently wondered how it could go on so long, glad it's over and your apology is well said.

Not speaking for Spark, but as moderator he has a ton of stuff to do and so I feel that he is doing the best he can with as many members as we have going now!

I wanted to mention what Ed Schott told me when I had ordered my Lord Wharncliff's Mistress fighting knife from him, he told me that he felt he designed a new knife when he took a sheepsfoot style and stretched it out, and was surprised when he found out it's been around, as all have noted, a very long time, he laughed as he told me the tale and I've not had a chance to put the knife through it's paces yet to do a review on it, but it is a nice piece.

So, lets get back to what we here all are infatuated with, sharp edged things!!!

G2
 
Hey Lynn. I think you're an OK guy. Keep up the good work. You have some good knives, and IMO should be proud of them. I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on the knives for sale forum in hopes of seeing more (well, and watch your board).

Good luck.

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"Absolute safety is for those who don't have the balls to live in the real world."
 
when did these forums become a place where opinions couldn't be stated? Lynn, you keep right on doing what you're doing. Since I've been a member, I've seen countless and I mean COUNTLESS examples of opinions stated and rebuked. It's what keeps these forums lively. Lynn makes great knives, and if he's opinionated, that (in MY opinion) makes him a more interesting guy and I really, really enjoy having conversations with him. These personal attacks are BS, and those responsible should be ashamed that they didn't have the decency to respond in a more appropriate manner. Now Lynn feels like he should not be as active in these forums, and that is a loss to us all. I seriously hope that he changes his mind.
Paul Petrick
 
Lynn, you've made quite a few assumptions here, and I'm going to do my best to correct your misconceptions.

<ol>[*] Bad Mouthing in Chat - As far as I am concerned, the chat is the same as a phone conversation, and as such, I'm not going to even remotely try to regulated it. Heck, we don't even own #BladeForums.com on newnet, one of the members does. Like db says, I haven't been on much either.

I have been there when your name has been brought up, Lynn, but each time it's been poking fun at your self promotion, or rather, your over abundance of it. Other people have been poked fun of as well, and I'm sure that more than a few jokes are had at my expense when I'm not there. But, I'm not too worried about it; again, I consider it like a phone conversation.

Worry about the things you can change not the things you can't, and don't be afraid to look and see what you are doing wrong.</li>
[*] The "Attack" on you on the forums - I firmly believe that "you reap what you sow". Do a search on that term and see how many time's it comes up and you'll see who says it.

It was incredibly egotistical of you to say that CRKT ripped off your design, and in incredibly bad taste to intimate that Ed Halligan would do so. You are entitled to your opinion, but when you give voice to it, you should be prepared to suffer the consequences. That is the same for anyone on the forums, lord knows how Mike and myself have been called on the carpet for some of our lamebrain ideas.</li>
[*]How long it takes for me to deal with a situation - Look, let's be realistic. There are 36 forums here, and I've got a job to do of which the forums play a small part. So, I can't be everywhere at once. When stuff happens in several different locations, oftentimes I can't be there instantly. Many times I get there in time to deal with the flames, instead of heading things off at the pass. Mea culpa, I'm only human.

I'd only ask that you consider that if I'm not getting there in time for you, that you draw my attention to the thread. If I get there late, don't consider it malice, but maybe actually think that I just haven't seen it. The moderators play a big part in keeping things in check, but sometimes they don't want to step in and I respect that, because some issues are pretty sensitive. But please don't assume that I'm omniscient and omnipotent, as I'm neither. I can't even answer all the emails we get, let alone read every single thread.</li>
[*]Whether or not I "care" for you - Lynn, despite popular belief, I try not to harbor ill will towards anyone. When I offer a rebuke, or constructive criticism, it's just that. If I don't like you, you will know it without a question. You will know it.

My views of you are pretty simple - you have a lot of potential, but you need to reign in on your self promotion as it's abusing our guidelines. Given the statements of late, I'll second the statement that you should probably eat a helping of humble pie. Other than that, there's nothing wrong with you or your knives, and if you devote enough energy to it, you'll make a big name for yourself.

But the way to do that is not by going after the guys who have "been there and done that".

I'll be honest, I'm not going to make you feel special or coddle you. I don't do that for anyone, because I try to treat everyone equally. When I say something, or make a suggestion, treat it like that and move on, because I am not here to make enemies. I'm here to make sure that the forums run smoothly. The best way for me to do that is to try to be fair and equitable to everyone.

It's when someone feels that they are being singled out that we run into the problems. Rest assured, I don't act on people's beliefs, I deal with their actions. Be responsible for yourself, and I don't have to get involved. I don't try to make it personal, so please don't assume that I've got it in for you.
</li>[/list=a]

So, now that we're all done criticizing ourselves and others, let's all sing Kumbiya and hold hands....
biggrin.gif


Spark

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
It would seem to me that if you're wares weren't something to be reckoned with, big players in the field wouldn't give much concern to anything you said. It would also seem that by comparing, you've found out who in the world already knew you were doing something interesting......
 
PTPALPHA...You said it. Lynn, post more often not less. Don't flee from adversity. What this Forum needs is a rumble room where the tough talkers can lay it on the line. How about a melee at the Blade West show? A little WCW mixed with professional knife makers, I'll pay to watch. Remember Lynn, behind the fence the little dogs make a lot of noise, open the gate and they run.....I look forward to seeing you a Blade West. I'm saving my money already.
 
I am just glad someone finally spoke up about different knife companies/makers having knives that look the same.
 
All right, another apology! This really supports my suggestion about starting an apology forum.

JK
 
Lynn, I hope that you don't let the negative feedback effect your posting frequency. As a maker you are upfront and honest about your work and while I might have disagreed with the opinion I was never bothered by your viewpoint.

-Cliff
 
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