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

People pay it because the tools are well made, serve their purpose, and (like some other things discussed here) provide something of an antidote to the mass-produced world around us. I like my Superbug because it's really handy (fixed a faucet with it the other day), but also because it was made by a creative human being. That's worth something.
 
Corz said:
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.
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Go online and get some equipment (Grinders / Lathe /Bridgeport) get some steel and design something similar start turning them out at a great price to break up this "monopoly". Simple! I'm sure you will be a rich man just like that in no time.:D I'll be looking forward to seeing your product.:thumbup:



:)
 
smersh said:
People pay it because the tools are well made, serve their purpose, and (like some other things discussed here) provide something of an antidote to the mass-produced world around us. I like my Superbug because it's really handy (fixed a faucet with it the other day), but also because it was made by a creative human being. That's worth something.
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I think some of it may also be due to the "members only" mentality. Like when kids make "club houses". Part of the fun isn't only being in the club, but because not everyone can be in the club.

I don't participate in that mentality since I think it's kind of pathetic.
 
I wouldn't say pathetic. It's more like being a sports fan, going to all your team games, buying the t-shirt, reading the sports pages, memorizing the stats. Humans aren't just hunter-gatherers, we've always been collectors, too. Look how far back cave painting and other decorative arts go -- as far back as language, evidently, and probably not coincidentally.

We've referred to fine knives here as working jewelry, and Peter Atwood's work certainly fits the category. There is a fun aspect to it, at least as much as a pride of ownership.
 
Not to mention that he is a pretty well liked guy with a fantastic sense of humor. ;)
 
Gerber made the artifact, which is a similar product.

If they made something similar but slightly smaller and without the exacto blade, I would buy it.
 
SaMX said:
Gerber made the artifact, which is a similar product.

If they made something similar but slightly smaller and without the exacto blade, I would buy it.
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If they made one without the x-acto blade period, I would buy it.

As it is, I put a CountyComm micro Widgie on my keychain, and already am finding tons of uses for it!
 
SaMX said:
Gerber made the artifact, which is a similar product.

If they made something similar but slightly smaller and without the exacto blade, I would buy it.
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the Gerber Shard is a smaller version and doesn't have the blade.
 
^Good to know!

Atwood's little tools are custom curiosity pieces. They're works of art, designed by him. Honestly, more power to the guy. He's come up with a niche market on his own, and has designed some truly unique and original stuff.

I'm happy to see more production keychain tools coming out. That said, Gerber's little prybars and the CountyComm Pico Widgy I have on my keychain are not really competing with Atwood. If anything, they could potentially bring him more business.

They're not for everybody, but Atwood's tools are in a category of their own.
 
I don't know much about Peter's pry-tools, but I used to own one of his folders, boy it was a pleasure, especially his special snakeskin anodizing....
 
They look cool, but they are too expensive for me personally. I also don't understand why a prybar need to be made out of S30V or 154CM. Seems like a waste if the tool doesn't need to hold an edge.
 
Peter Atwood is an individual knifemaker, not a corporation with a factory. It is easier and therefore ultimately cheaper for him to limit the steels he uses and has learned to machine and heat treat. Stocking and working a greater variety of steels would be more trouble than it's worth.
 
Thorrg said:
They look cool, but they are too expensive for me personally. I also don't understand why a prybar need to be made out of S30V or 154CM. Seems like a waste if the tool doesn't need to hold an edge.
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You don't get quite the same WOW factor out of plain old carbon steel as you do with the more exotic steels. Some folks make their purchasing decisions based solely on the steel that is used in manufacture, and the current flavor seems to be exotic steels.

Chuck
 
Most people probably wouldn't be terribly interested in these sorts of tools, and if such a tool is to be used frequently, a dedicated tool will generally work better.

Furthermore, many people already carry keychain bottle openers. I think it would be difficult to convince someone to abandon their free promotional or extremely cheap bottle opener keychain and shell out $10 for something that's nearly identical except with a prybar and a screwdriver on one side.
 
Corz said:
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.
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I use my Prybaby that I have on my keys all the time. Whether I am opening up on of my favorite micro brews or prying it is very convenient. I would rather pry with that then use an expensive knife and possibly break the tip. If I need anything bigger I use a prybar. I'm not so cheap as to whine about what someone charges for their stuff. Especially stuff the quality that Atwood puts out. Where do you come off calling people "snobby elitists" or "monkeys" because we like nice stuff and want to patronize good American craftsmen and artists? Your post makes me think you are a TROLL.
 
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A new member could blast Dark Ops, United, S&W, Gerber, CRKT, etc. all day long and get a grand welcome. This is not Atwoodforums, nor even an Atwood specific sub-forum. A dissenting opinion on individual brands/makers should not have people screaming troll from the rooftops, yet it happens every single time. Protip-if people who don't like the same things as you are trolls, then you got a few billion to deal with across the globe.

I too do not understand the steel choice. There are cheaper steels to acquire, grind, and HT. I don't know what about an S30V prybar appeals to anyone who bothers to research what they are buying. Wow, 3% vanadium, that'll help pull a nail.
 
hardheart said:
A new member could blast Dark Ops, United, S&W, Gerber, CRKT, etc. all day long and get a grand welcome. This is not Atwoodforums, nor even an Atwood specific sub-forum. A dissenting opinion on individual brands/makers should not have people screaming troll from the rooftops, yet it happens every single time. Protip-if people who don't like the same things as you are trolls, then you got a few billion to deal with across the globe.

I too do not understand the steel choice. There are cheaper steels to acquire, grind, and HT. I don't know what about an S30V prybar appeals to anyone who bothers to research what they are buying. Wow, 3% vanadium, that'll help pull a nail.
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I may not be a "pro" but the OP called Atwood products "overpriced and mediocre". How many has he bought and used to come up with that assertion? I understand everyone won't like everything I like but to come to this forum and start slamming makers with fine reputations right off the bat seems like trolling to me.
 
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hardheart said:
A new member could blast Dark Ops, United, S&W, Gerber, CRKT, etc. all day long and get a grand welcome. This is not Atwoodforums, nor even an Atwood specific sub-forum. A dissenting opinion on individual brands/makers should not have people screaming troll from the rooftops, yet it happens every single time. Protip-if people who don't like the same things as you are trolls, then you got a few billion to deal with across the globe.

I too do not understand the steel choice. There are cheaper steels to acquire, grind, and HT. I don't know what about an S30V prybar appeals to anyone who bothers to research what they are buying. Wow, 3% vanadium, that'll help pull a nail.
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I agree with most of what you said. Just because someone doesn't like Atwoods doesn't mean they're a troll.
FWIW: I'm a big Atwood Fan.
 
Brules1 said:
I agree with most of what you said. Just because someone doesn't like Atwoods doesn't mean they're a troll.
FWIW: I'm a big Atwood Fan.
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I was referring to the terms "snobby and elitist" as the troll like part of the post. The guy comes on a specialty forum and calls people names because they aren't too cheap to buy what they like.
 
so Corz is too cheap to know what a good pocket tool is?

I hope your edc knife is at least a Lochsa. Again, people have different opinions. Some people are fine with a CRKT M16, or a CS Voyager, or an Opinel. Other people tell them those knives are junk. Who is too cheap, who is too snobby?
 
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