It's great that Bob Loveless and other makers have no problem with people copying their knives. That does not necessarily mean that others will not, or should not, object. Big name makers like Loveless have enough work to keep them busy for the rest of their lives.
Others might have more of problem with people taking money and recognition away from their own efforts.
All knifemakers are inspired and influenced by other knives. It's unavoidable. If you want to make a copy for yourself I see no problem with it. But if you are making copies of other's work to sell, without permission from the orignal maker, that's just wrong in my opinion. A lot of people apparently assume the original maker wouldn't mind. Just ask.
It also says a lot about the knifemaker in my opinion. If all you can do is copy someone elses work, it really doesn't say much about your creativity and skill as a knifemaker.
I have made a couple of copies of Gil Hibben's Elmer Keith knife with his permission. I just like the design and wanted to try my hand at it. Even then, I modified it a little to give it my own flavor but always made it clear that it was based on Gil's design.
I often use certain features or styles from a variety of knives. We all do. But I always try to add something unique of my own.
I see it as no different than anything else. If you want to build and sell cars, no problem. If you build and sell a Ford Explorer, you will probably have a problem.
