Should Knife makers be able to have the final say on their knife quality?

[Les Robertson]

Gunner,

This issue is really confused. If in fact your talking about Cold Steel. They along with Busse, Randall, Reeve, Spyderco, Benchmade, etc. Are not knife makers!

These are manufactured knives.

The issue is being clouded as it goes back and forth between Custom and Factory.

Factory knives are what they are, they are only going to be as good as the computer programer who puts the information into the machines.

However, if your talking custom knives, then the quailty is determined by the skill of the indivdual. This will vary greatly. But, the price should reflect the skill level.

Tom, Bob and Bud are correct. The quality should speak for it's self and the consumer is the ultimate judge of quality.

Quality will always sell. Rule of thumb in marketing, the louder someone yells about the product, the worse the product is.

Every time you think about buying something because of advertising. Think about who the target market it is. Different advertising strategies for different markets. Sales techniques that appeal to you, will not appeal to others and vice versa.



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Les Robertson
Moderator
Robertson's Custom Cutlery
http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/rcc/makers.shtml
I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.

 

[Knife Outlet]

I find it pretty hard to criticize success and Cold Steel is certainly successful. Personally, I find the marketing a little brash but entertaining and I consider the products to be excellent for what they are and what they cost. Advertising claims are just that and, as others have said above, they don't matter. What matters is value of the product and the success of the company. Cold Steel wins on what matters regardless of what they say or the way they say it.

Les makes an important point in suggesting that the marketing is targeted to someone and that someone may not be you. I have some customers that collect Cold Steel knives avidly and really love them. I know one fellow in Alaska who says he has them all. I wouldn't argue since he's bought lots of them from us. I view this fellow as a serious knife knut and collector. He's enthusiastic and happy. He may not collect what some of you do, but he counts just the same.

One guy likes expensive hand made folders and another one likes Japanese made production knives. Different strokes for different folks. Shouldn't let it get you down. Enjoy the knives you enjoy and be happy.

Cold Steel will be churning them out and selling them by the cartload whether you like them or not. They'll do that into the future as a result of the product and its value. You can attract some customers with advertising but, in the long run, success depends on the product. Take care.

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Fred
Knife Outlet
www.knifeoutlet.com