Product or Prototype?

bld522

bld522

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I started a discussion in another thread and the thread got closed before we had enough time to explore it completely. So I thought I'd reopen it here. The question is, what is a "product" and when should awards be provided for its innovation? First, the background.

At the 2013 Blade Show, ZT won the "Most Innovative Product of the Year" award for the 0454 folder. The 2014 Blade Show is a couple of weeks away and the 0454 has still not been released for sale to the public. That being the case, did the 0454 qualify to be considered for a "product" award in 2013 and if not, should ZT forfeit the award? To me, the answers to those questions hinge on whether the 0454 was ever legitimately a "product".

As far as I'm concerned, a product has two defining characteristics:

1. It has to exist.
2. Somebody somewhere can buy it.

If it fails on either of those counts, it may be an "idea" or a "design" or possibly even a "prototype". But it's not a "product" and it shouldn't be considered for awards that are given to products.

What makes the 0454 situation particularly egregious is the likelihood that it won't be released before Blade 2014 begins, presumably making it eligible for both the 2013 and 2014 "Most Innovative Product of the Year" award.

So here's what I'd like you to discuss.

1. Is the 0454 a product? Or was it and is it still only a prototype.
2. If it's only a prototype, should it have been eligible to win a "product" award?

Have at it! :) (PS: Wherever the discussion goes, I promise I won't close this thread.)
 
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If a product isn't 100% for sure going to be out the year the award is given it shouldn't win any type of product of the "year" award.

If it won't be out that year it shouldn't be entered in the first place. They should wait until the next year, or whatever year the product will be out.
 
Agreed. If you don't actually launch the dang thing in the year the award is given it needs to be yanked and the design shouldn't have been submitted in the first place.
 
I agree with the first two posters. I think it is a mistake to be giving awards for a knife that is in fact pretty clearly (at least to me) in the prototypical stage at least. A 'product' needs to be awarded to something that has been produced and used by consumers at least for a little while IMO. Frankly, I think even LE's that are 'consumed' by so few, would skew the views of a given product as well. But at least those do exist, and can be bought by 'someone'
 
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Havent they been winning knife of the year for years straight with knives released two to three years down the road? BLADE doesnt seem to have an issue with it. How much you want to bet its the same story this year. Maybe they should have an award "Prototype of the year" so they can win that too.
 
No, maybe they should have an award, "Prototype of the Year" so ZT could win that one . . . PERIOD! The "Product of the Year" award should be given to a "product" that meets the definition. And just because something's been going on for awhile doesn't necessarily make it right, does it?

To my way of thinking, giving the "Most Innovative Product of the Year" award to a product that isn't released in the year it's awarded makes a mockery of the award and besmirches the reputation of both Blade Magazine and the manufacturer who accepts it. Shame on both of them, I say.
 
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bld522, in the past I have thought of you as being a little harsh on ZT/KAI, but I have to say that I agree with your point here spot on. It truly makes the award laughable when it is awarded to a knife for a year, and said knife isn't even released in the same year--weak.
 
I won't say I don't have my issues with ZT/KAI, Fish. I do. But in this situation, it wouldn't matter if it was ZT/KAI or some other manufacturer. It really is the principle of the thing that concerns me.
 
Kai is marketing the products they produce.The Blade award is a great advertising strategy to create branding that steers you to buy other products from them because you you can't acquire a 0454.If you believe a company makes the best products out there, then you buy more of the products they produce.This hype drives other segments and product lines in a company.Think about all the awards like JD Power and Associates,Motor trend, etc....They are PR/ advertising companies.Who made them the expert who decides who gets the award that they created?Have you ever seen a billboard while driving down the road that says"voted best restaurant in whatever city"?You think that THEY voted it as the best then it must be good so stop there because it must be good.Stop yourself and ask yourself a question.Who are they?In Kai's case the hype is actually true when the consumer actually gets the product in hand.The ZT LE are some of the most stunning and spectacular production knives if you could actually acquire one at some point.It's just an award and take it at face value.Who created the award and where does their revenue stream come from?I think Kai deserves the awards and has created some distance from it's competitors in my eyes.The only thing I can suggest is for you to write Blade and explain your rational as to why and whom the award should be given to.Good luck on your endeavor.Life is too short so enjoy the knifes you have and get off the computer and cut something!!!!!!!!
 
No worries, salmonkiller. I already cut something this morning. Thank heaven for Febreze! :)

I realize there's always more than one side to an argument, and yours is compelling. But not compelling enough to overcome the fact that the award in its current form is a travesty. Everything you said could be overcome by simply creating a "Prototype of the Year" award and giving that to ZT or whoever deserved it. And it would send the proper message that the item that garnered the award isn't available yet. But to give a product award to a "product" that doesn't exist isn't just clever advertising. It's arrogant and misleading. And it should be rebuked by manufacturers and consumers alike.
 
I am a very patient person when it comes to getting a knife, any knife, weather I buy it on the exchange or order new. I only require communication. That said I know and understand KAI's time frame when it comes to their award winning LE knives so I get excited when they are announced and previewed and are released not before. Same goes for any other manufacture like Spyderco and the mule team knives for example.

It is Blade's show and they have been consistent in their process so I don't see any reason to introduce rules and not have the best design win. I just see this whole thing as impatient whining.

Relax and try not to control things you can't. I know it is impossible for some that are wired that way must be hell emotionally.
 
No. The 0454 isn't a knife I'm interested in, so no whining is involved on my part. My only interest is in being treated fairly and respectfully. Telling me a product has won an award for product of the year and then not delivering the product is both unfair and disrespectful. It keeps other manufacturers whose products are available for sale from winning an award that should rightfully be there's. Worse still, it could cost them money if I decide not to purchase their product in anticipation of one that never arrives. I take exception to that and as far as I'm concerned, so should they.
 
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I wonder what the people who make the decisions at Blade would think of this. Maybe forward this thread to them. "Knife of the year" then it doesnt exist until three years later, I see what youre saying. Is it a big deal to the average Joe? No, but maybe (just maybe) it would be fair for all participants to have their knife be an actual product for that year. It may also force ZT to stop announcing knives years ahead of release because Im sure they like going for that award. In turn, less threads moaning about when when when lol.

Add: Oh and when they finally come out, its extremely uber limited most dont even get to have one. Maybe it should be called showcase knife of the year. A knife of the year should be like the Umnumzaan, won it in 2008, released the same year, and everyone can get one.
 
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bld522 said:
No. The 0454 isn't a knife I'm interested in, so no whining is involved on my part. My only interest is in being treated fairly and respectfully. Telling me a product has won an award for product of the year and then not delivering the product is both unfair and disrespectful. It keeps other manufacturers whose products are available for sale from winning an award that should rightfully be there's. Worse still, it could cost them money if I decide not to purchase their award-winning product in anticipation of one that never arrives. I take exception to that and as far as I'm concerned, so should they.
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Same for me here, and to be clear bld522 is spot on with this, arrogant and unfair to other knife mfgs. who deserve a fairer shot at the award and are actually delivering knives in question.
 
This award is just propaganda in my opinion.Propaganda is generally an appeal to emotion, not intellect. It shares techniques with advertising and public relations, each of which can be thought of as propaganda that promotes a commercial product or shapes the perception of an organization, person, or brand.Who voted on this award?
 
I honestly don't know who votes for the Blade Magazine annual awards, but I rather doubt it's the manufacturers themselves or a consortium of consumers. Blade Magazine staff and contributors would be my best guess.

Anyone? :confused:
 
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bld522 said:
I honestly don't know who votes for the Blade Magazine annual awards. But I rather doubt it's the manufacturers themselves.

Anyone? :confused:
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Who advertises the most in Blade Magazine?Where does the money come from to keep the lights turned on year after year for a magazine publisher?Is there really an unbiased vote,or is the award predetermined?Could we expect this type of transparency ?I don't know the answers but some transparency would shed some light on the legitimacy of such award and how they were chosen to receive it for something that has not even hit the market......:rolleyes:Legit or propaganda?
 
Good question. Either way, Blade Magazine is the largest cutlery periodical extant and they run the biggest cutlery show in the country. So even if their awards are bought and paid for, and I'm not suggesting that's the case, what they say has impact.
 
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