So why doesn't the big companies get into the "pocket tool" market?

C

Corz

Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
27
Peter Atwood is basically monopolizing the market with his overpriced and mediocre tools. So why don't the big companies produce similiar products? Gerber is doing their part by making the Artifact and Shard but are there plans for more? It's a market I think that would do well and is right now being dominated by snobby elitists. I doubt people will be acting like monkeys if cheaper and more better produced tools were available.
 
The obvious answer is... I have no idea. Personally I have nothing against Atwood or his stuff. But I can't justify those prices just to add one more thing to my pockets that I'll probably never use. His stuff is kinda cool, but not so cool that I want one.

BTW, welcome to the forums:). It is somewhat of a risk to have a first post trashing a maker (or his products) and/or his buyers. Usually member don't stay long because they start off in what may seem to some to be confrontational. The whole thing about "first impressions" and all. I welcome you and your opinions though:thumbup:
 
I have an original style Atwood PryBaby and it has held up to some major abuse (such as prying open steel lockboxes during an emergency.) I do agree that his new stuff is wandering away from "good use" form, fit and function though.

If you want alternatives, would $5 each fit your needs? Look here for Govt. issue gear such as $5 mini prybars (3 sizes), also take a look at the EOD breacher bar and Versadriver. You should be able to load-up for the price of an Atwood. (note: I have several of the mini prybars stashed everywhere for handy access and they all work, but my PryBaby has still held-up the best.)
http://countycomm.com/widgy.htm
 
Welcome to Bladeforums.

We don't need to trash a respected maker, especially one who isn't monopolizing anything. He makes very few actual items, satisfying a small specialty market. I have a PryBaby on my keychain. Everyone else is free to make keychain tools as well. The redoubtable Pocket Wrench goes back years.

Snobby elitists ... gaahhh ... if the major manufacturers saw real money in this, they'd be all over it. Design a few and offer them to them.
 
The answer: they don't think the market is big enough. If pocket tools get really crazy hot, expect Gerber to expand and Leatherman to chime in.
 
Dang, you're on a roll Corz! Your other-of-two posts in the Custom forum's a real humdinger too!

I think you'll see more and more production companies make tools like you're describing. Things tend to move in fads (pens--Surefire, Benchmade, William Henry, Timberline; now money clips--William Henry).

Professor.
 
did you just register here to blast various makers? I hope i'm mistaken but so far you got 2 going... and i havent even scrolled all the way down
I suppose i really dont know your motivations here but we've all seen threads like this, hopefully you arent one "them"
all the best
ivan
 
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I was giving the benefit of the doubt to this new member. I hope he/she doesn't prove me wrong by trolling.
 
No, I will not remain on these boards to troll. I actually love knives. My first two posts were just subjects I felt strongly about and had to post them. I will continue discussing them but I will also participate in discussing more "positive" aspects of this hobby in the future.
 
Nothing against Peter Atwood, but using S30V and 154CM for prybars is not for me. Top tier cutlery steel is not for prying.
 
Josh K said:
Nothing against Peter Atwood, but using S30V and 154CM for prybars is not for me. Top tier cutlery steel is not for prying.
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Sure it is. Look at the size of the tools. If they were 3 feet long, you might want to think about other materials, but at inches, stainless works fine.
 
I'd imagine he obtained patents on all his designs and products. Also, I doubt there is that large a market for these tools. But once a particular patent expires, a manufacturer probably will just copy what Atwood designed.

Leatherman owned the multitool market for quite awhile, but now there are very similar products that I'm sure would have infringed on his patent before it expired.
 
Corz said:
No, I will not remain on these boards to troll. I actually love knives. My first two posts were just subjects I felt strongly about and had to post them. I will continue discussing them but I will also participate in discussing more "positive" aspects of this hobby in the future.
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Glad to read that Corz:thumbup:
 
If there were really a market for these, I imagine some offshore clones would be all over the place, patents or not.
 
It is a niche market. It consists of a small percentage of knife knuts, who themselves are a small percentage.
 
I think they are cool, and I could find quite a few uses for his point, and chisel ground tools. But, it is alot of money to shell out.

Welcome to the forums.
 
Peter Atwood is a lot like Jerry Busse imo. Both have a rabid following of folks who will claw, shoot, and maim one another to get those products. Many buy several of each item, knowing they can turn around and resell for profit. Even if Gerber made $10 pocket tools and sold at Target and Walmart, it wouldn't effect the Atwoods and Busse's of the world.
 
Corz said:
Peter Atwood is basically monopolizing the market with his overpriced and mediocre tools.
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AHA! I've always wanted to know how to get a monopoly -- and now I know the secret! Mwahahahahaha!
funny-pictures-your-cats-evil-plan-is-working.jpg
 
gazz98 said:
Peter Atwood is a lot like Jerry Busse imo. Both have a rabid following of folks who will claw, shoot, and maim one another to get those products. Many buy several of each item, knowing they can turn around and resell for profit. Even if Gerber made $10 pocket tools and sold at Target and Walmart, it wouldn't effect the Atwoods and Busse's of the world.
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Agreed. It's almost like a community of people incestuously recycling and flipping the items from within a small group of people.
 
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