Opinions please: Ethics of Production Folder Inspired Fixed Blades

[David Mary]

I have been wondering how others view the idea of fixed blade knives inspired by certain production folder models. For example, I have read people saying that they would like to see a fixed blade interpretation of the Spyderco Military, or the Cold Steel Spartan. My question is this: let's say a maker makes blades like this available, in your opinion, what, if any, would be the ethical ramifications of advertising it as exactly that "Spyderco Military Inspired Fixed Blade Knife", etc.? The way I see it, it's not like a patent would be violated, or anything dishonest would be taking place, but the maker would be benefiting by the brand names in the title. Assuming the product is of sufficient quality to do honor to the original it was inspired by, it shady, or upright to describe the knife as inspired by the model from that company, even knowing that this might boost awareness and sales of the knife among those looking up "Spyderco"or "Cold Steel"?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

 

[b00n]

If the maker does one off knives with the blessing of the original designer I see no issue. The spydie hole is a trademark too and custom makers use it too. I think most companies in the sector would be cool with it as long they are asked first and it isn't several hundred knives/low volume runs.

 

[Smaug]

I don't think they're an ethical issue, just a lack of creativity.

 

[evilgreg]

It depends on the specifics to me. If it's the kind of thing where you've already had a "hey, I really love folder model X of yours and I want to make a fixed blade inspired by that design that looks like this" conversation and the response is positive, that's a different animal than a situation where someone just goes out and duplicates someone else's design, just converting it from folder to fixed or vice-versa.

 

[Dfunk1210]

I think the OP might be asking if its ok for someone besides Spyderco to make a “Spyderco Military inspired fixed blade”

 

[ScooterG]

Kinda like this??

 

[Charlie Mike]

Like this?

I've made lots of fixed 7 styled knives. Nobody has bitched about it yet.

 

[David Mary]

I could see it being considered a lack of creativity if a maker had none of his own designs and merely made exact duplicates of others' work. But that is not what I am talking about.

I think the OP might be asking if its ok for someone besides Spyderco to make a “Spyderco Military inspired fixed blade”

Yes, exactly.

Kinda like this??

No, of course not, if the company already has a fixed blade version of their folding knife out on the market.

Like this?

Yes, exactly. Not duplicates of the design, but inspired by the ergos and/or style of the production folder. Beautiful knives Charlie Mike!

Thanks for the replies.