Press Release--Zantop Homicide Investigation

[Ron Andersen]

BladeForums has hosted a fair amount of dialog on this topic, so posting our official press release here is appropriate.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">SOG Specialty Knives & Tools, Inc.


February 23, 2001


For Immediate Release


Re: Zantop Homicide Investigation


SOG Specialty Knives & Tools is a company that produces a variety of multipurpose tools, folding knives and fixed blades.

Several weeks ago we were contacted by the New Hampshire Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding their on-going investigation of the double-homicide of Half and Susanne Zantop.

We were served with a New Hampshire subpoena as well as a Federal subpoena to turn over our sales records for one of our products. We cooperated with the authorities by answering their questions and supplying them with distribution information.

Many branches of the media have speculated on the product and where it was purchased.

In fact, the product was not directly purchased from SOG Specialty Knives & Tools. Our products are sold through independent dealers. We do not know either the manner such products are distributed or the identity of any purchasers. It is alleged that the product which may have relevance to the Zantop investigation was purchased through an internet sporting goods source which carries our line. However, we are not in a position to verify this.

Two days ago the F.B.I. agent heading this case called us to thank us for our cooperation and stated that it was the first solid break in this case. The F.B.I. went on to say they could not have progressed to this point in the case without our help.

We cannot make any further comment without imperiling the pending investigation.</font>

As I'm sure you can understand, I will not be able to share further on this topic here in the forums.


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Ron Andersen
Consumer Services Manager
SOG Specialty Knives, Inc.

Website: www.sogknives.com
Email: ron@sogknives.com

 

[Steve B.]

I think Ron just answered all my privacy concerns. Obviously, only vendors would have the opportunity disclose the names of private parties who buy your knives. I, personally, have no problem with SOG`s actions in this matter. I think they did the right and honorable thing.

[This message has been edited by Steve B. (edited 02-24-2001).]

 

[Don Rearic]

I truly understand the passion of the critics of the decision to divulge information.

What I was left with, the question, what the hell were they supposed to do? Clam up?

If they had clammed up, and these two pricks would have killed someone else, what then?

Sadly, every time something like this happens, I hold my breath and wait to see if the "Crisis Creators" give the story legs, and in doing so, could cause some severe problems for knife ownership in this country.

The one story I read immediately seized on the knife itself, referring to it as a, "Special Forces Commando" knife...

And conveniently ignoring the fact that a butcher knife could have done the same thing.

The media never tells the truth.



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"You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar." ~Jeff Cooper
And the same goes for a knife...
And, I'm a Usual Suspect.

 

[cardimon]

Except of course the media are screaming about the SOG knives themselves.

Not about the fact that SOG is helping the investigation, but just that SOG knives were used and therefore are horribly deadly weapons. Lots of hand-wringing and commentary such as, "If only such weapons as SOGs weren't available, this might not have happened."

Sigh. Anything for ratings.

[This message has been edited by cardimon (edited 02-27-2001).]