Should Knifemakers Engage the Public? - Mike Snody Responds to Arch Duke of Arkansas

Those of you who are going on the counter-attack against the "duke of arkansas," I understand that you like and support Mike Snody, but you need to realize that there are a LOT of people who would like to ask the same questions of Mike Snody, the main ones of which he did not really address in his response. That said, I think Mike was a gentleman in his response, and I strongly oppose anyone who calls a knife maker's website "trash" or calls him "white trash" (although that was another poster).

But, let me tell you, I still don't understand the Snody thing. And so, I think the questions that "duke of arkansas" asked were perfectly reasonable. I'm sure a lot of people have been wanting to ask those questions. After all, what IS the deal with the "theme" of Mike Snody and the website. I actually did visit it once, but it completely confused me. Does that make me ignorant and out-of-touch? Okay, well Snody says in his video that he doesn't discriminate against anyone and does want my money, so can you help me to understand? I bought two custom knives in the past 2 months, and spent $300 on each, so I've got the money, brother. But I do *not* get the Snody concept. It's not like other knife maker's and frankly, I don't know if I like it. I don't understand the references to money and bling and all the links and the mentions of subscriptions. I genuinely wondered if I was really on a knife maker's website, and I eventually just left when I couldn't actually find links to knives.

Almost every other knife maker has a much more subdued presence on the web and in real life. They talk about their knife making background, they describe their process, then they discuss the types of knives they make and steels they use, and they display examples of their work and the shows they have attended. That's it. We're talking about 99.99% of knife maker websites. What in the world would I get from a subscription? Are their lives that interesting? So even those of you who strongly support Snody, you shouldn't be surprised when someone gets confused by Mike Snody's take on being a knife maker.

I still think that knife making is a respectable skilled trade and art, but I don't see how in the world that fits in with this bling/cash/subscription-based culture. I don't understand it at all.

Notice that I have not insulted Mr. Snody at all and even defended him. So please, no flames.
 
Now I will admit that I have scratched my head a couple of times when reading Mike's website, posts, etc., but the lad does nice work and that's what counts, right?;)
 
Magnanimous_G - not "getting it" is more than okay. I didn't "get it" at first, either. Calling something trash because you don't "get it" is not okay. That is the issue I have with the self-proclaimed duke.

Roger
 
I don't know Mike personally, but I do like his knives and his work.Now, while I may not understand his marketing approach and the whole "gangsta" persona, I do understand that Mike has a flair for marketing and self promotion, and that is why he is at the top of his game, and why he has followers that will pay to subscribe to his site.He's made his mark in the custom knife world,and what he does and who he is works extremely well for him, so rock on Mike!!
 
Thanks for your post. :D Ferrari's and Ducati's confuse people as well, but most would agree that they are pure cash $$MONEY$$. Why in the world would Mike want to be like every other knifemaker?

I'm not sure if I really want to divulge this next bit of info, but if you are a paid member of SnodyWorld, you get a substantial discount on your knife purchases through SW. It's usually as much or more than the yearly paid subscription rate. It's really a no brainer if you want a custom Snody knife. :D

Magnaminous_G said:
Those of you who are going on the counter-attack against the "duke of arkansas," I understand that you like and support Mike Snody, but you need to realize that there are a LOT of people who would like to ask the same questions of Mike Snody, the main ones of which he did not really address in his response. That said, I think Mike was a gentleman in his response, and I strongly oppose anyone who calls a knife maker's website "trash" or calls him "white trash" (although that was another poster).

But, let me tell you, I still don't understand the Snody thing. And so, I think the questions that "duke of arkansas" asked were perfectly reasonable. I'm sure a lot of people have been wanting to ask those questions. After all, what IS the deal with the "theme" of Mike Snody and the website. I actually did visit it once, but it completely confused me. Does that make me ignorant and out-of-touch? Okay, well Snody says in his video that he doesn't discriminate against anyone and does want my money, so can you help me to understand? I bought two custom knives in the past 2 months, and spent $300 on each, so I've got the money, brother. But I do *not* get the Snody concept. It's not like other knife maker's and frankly, I don't know if I like it. I don't understand the references to money and bling and all the links and the mentions of subscriptions. I genuinely wondered if I was really on a knife maker's website, and I eventually just left when I couldn't actually find links to knives.

Almost every other knife maker has a much more subdued presence on the web and in real life. They talk about their knife making background, they describe their process, then they discuss the types of knives they make and steels they use, and they display examples of their work and the shows they have attended. That's it. We're talking about 99.99% of knife maker websites. What in the world would I get from a subscription? Are their lives that interesting? So even those of you who strongly support Snody, you shouldn't be surprised when someone gets confused by Mike Snody's take on being a knife maker.

I still think that knife making is a respectable skilled trade and art, but I don't see how in the world that fits in with this bling/cash/subscription-based culture. I don't understand it at all.

Notice that I have not insulted Mr. Snody at all and even defended him. So please, no flames.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
as to the original question "should knife makes engage the public" yes they should it is another form of advertising. I would remind my self that some times the maker will "lose" the debate when dealing with people. As long as the maker stays calm and keeps to the hight road it is a way to make a connection with those in your market as well as draw attention to your product.

as to this case I think mike responded to criticism. people are talking about him and his product, hell I had not looked as his sight before and I checked it out so I would have to say it is working so far.
 
I Support Mike

.
.
.
Horton.jpg
 
Mike has carved out his niche in the industry

When I first saw mikes stuff I was a bit confused but i did my own research I did not come on an open forum and
Criticize

Then I meet mike and let me tell ya to watch this guy sell out at a show in a half hour and see him shake hands and spread positive vibes thru the industry what can I say ya gotta love this guy

Mike is selling more than his knives he is selling an image Just like many other makers

He could have ran the I'm a martial arts military guy bullshit but he kept it real and ran with his own thing Snody World

Why should he have to explain anything to anybody

He is successful and a great maker and above all even though I am not into the pimping and ghetto thing I am in to Mike and his thing and I have much respect for the guy

Mike says flat out it's all about the money and I respect that but to be honest I ve seen this guy it's also about the people for this dude he's a great guy

I support Snody :)
 
Like he said in the video good publicity or bad publicity it's still publicity and every time someone criticizes him your putting money in his pocket

Snodys one smart dude
 
I have never met the man but have to say "Gob bless" to any man with the courage to run crackheads out of your neighborhood and then post up video on the 'net of the event!
 
And I forgot to mention that not only does Mr. Snody appear to be making a good living selling his knives through his slightly unorthodox marketing efforts, he also seems to be having a lot of fun. I worthy example for other knifemakers to study even if you choose a slightly different method of getting your name out.;)
 
Im surprised you even took the time to deal with this hater mike. He dosent really get it and i doubt he ever will. I have been following the forums for a while now and i can say that mike is a good stand up guy who would not hesitate to help someone in the community that has mutual respect for him.

I am 23 years old. The funny thing about this is that out of all the knife makers I can identify and relate to mike more than most.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I just watched a lot of the YouTube videos. I will say that Mike is an interesting person; I mean that in the good way, like someone you want to learn more about. He does seem to get upset at detractors, and his fanboys are constantly on the attack. I don't like that at all. There's no need for it. As he says himself in his videos, "Let the haters hate." But he also seems honest and confident about his product, which is good. As for the hype, I don't need an "image" with my knife, thank you. I'm fine with my own, boring image. I need a good knife from a knife maker; that's it. I revisited the website. The Boss knife with the resin-impregnated cord handle looks interesting to me, and I might get it.

Conclusion: still shaking my head, not interested in a subscription because the website doesn't even say what you get for $50 or $200 a year (and I can't imagine what information or service a knife maker could possibly offer me that's worth $200 a year), but I might get the Boss knife, we'll see.
 
Not all publicity is necessarily good publicity.

I find Mr Snody's schtick off-putting. Others, of course can and will have a different opinion.

He makes some nice knives, however I would not buy a knife from any maker with a "$" makers mark. To me it diminishes, rather than enhances the design

YMMV
 
Since Mike is doing nothing wrong any publicity he garners weather it be from a fine product or an image that obviously draws attention hence this thread and the increase in interest on his web site or his u tube videos is good publicity and like I said mike is one smart fellow

I'm more of a forged Blade kinda guy but I love mikes Japanese styled stuff and his business plan

For the gentleman that said he does not need his makers to have an image that's fine but a lot of makers find people do hence Emerson, Stryder, Busse, Hinder and many others
 
Magnaminous_G said:
Almost every other knife maker has a much more subdued presence on the web and in real life. They talk about their knife making background, they describe their process, then they discuss the types of knives they make and steels they use, and they display examples of their work and the shows they have attended. That's it. We're talking about 99.99% of knife maker websites. What in the world would I get from a subscription? Are their lives that interesting? So even those of you who strongly support Snody, you shouldn't be surprised when someone gets confused by Mike Snody's take on being a knife maker.
Click to expand...

I think you answered your own question. Mike is different than almost every other knife maker. He stands out in the crowd and although his style does not appeal to you or maybe even a majority of knife purchasers, it is appealing to a large enough demographic for him to pay his bills and grow his presence in the custom knife world.

Also I think it can be a little confusing the first few times you see the vids because they are so different in approach and content compared to other knife makers marketing. I was a little confused until I saw that video where he was bragging about "center cut titanium" from a sheet of titanium and it all clicked. Its more about entainment and branding that a direct sales pitch or magazine add with a pretty pic of a knife.

I like it and remain impressed.
 
Well the guy has got people talking about him. From my experience...when this is happening, somebody is probably going to make money. And this case... I'm sure it will be Snody. I've told him before that the 'gangsta' thing isn't for me (not moral.. just aesthetic)... but the person I see in the videos seems to be an honest, hard working and upstanding person with a great personality. I was disappointed to see he wasn't at Blade show this year....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top