SOG's Official Response

[Kaizen1]

Can be found here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7780434&postcount=90

I give you all strictly facts to consider and decide for yourself:

SOG SOGzilla Large in "Dual directional prehistoric armor plate"

Spyderco Endura 4 FRN with "Bi-Directional Texturing®"

SOG Toothlock

Benchmade Rift

SOG SOGzilla Large SS

Spyderco Endura 4 SS

SOG Fielder

Bob Lum Custom Saber Tip Folder

SOG Tomcat 3.0 LTD (blade only). Blade description: "the LTD uses a technology that has previously been found only in custom knives [referring to Warren Thomas without giving credit]. The VG-10 blade is painstakingly laminated with carbon fiber...The one sided tanto grind (Kataba) [Chisel ground]"

Beretta Knives (production), Warren Thomas design Avenger II. Blade description: "tanto VG-10 blade with a carbon fiber laminate on one side, and a carbon fiber handle. [Chisel ground]"

 

[dangreco]

Wow. They are just about one of the most innovative and original knifemakers out there, now aren't they?

 

[misterjuiceman]

well, they lost me as a customer.

 

[Siggyhk]

Wow. I thought that the CS GI tanto bad. Guess I'll do my best to not own a SOG again. Oh well, I probably never would have anyways as I think they've been going down hill quality wise for awhile now anyhow. -Maybe this is a desperate attempt at survival for them. If so, I hope it doesn't work. And thier marketing guy is pretty crazy. Somebody should smack him.
Sorry, it's not the marketing guy who needs smacked, it's the chief designer. -Actually, maybe beaten with a rubber hose would be better.

 

[tjsulli790]

That Lum copy leaves a bad taste in my mouth. :barf:

 

[missin_hobo]

Wow is right. That 'response' addresses none of the problems that people have been bringing up here. It's all just beauracratic boilerplate.

It dismisses the allegations of plagiarism merely by saying they're not the first to do so.

It talks about people copying their bowie design, as though they invented the bowie themselves.

You know, it may be fair to mention such things, but it doesn't excuse the choices SOG has made lately. It may be fair to use an innovation from another knife company, especially if it makes a better product, but SOG has gone much further than that.

The SOGZilla does not 'call upon previous generations of knives for inspiration' nor is it 'distinctive in its own right.' Those might be reasonable statements if its only common attribute with the Endura was the hole, but rather this knife copies it curve for curve. Same goes for the other knives. More so than Chris or Spencer, I'd rather hear what Sal has to say about that.

Oh, and don't worry SOG, I still love your fixed blades and your multitools - but I may never buy one of your folders again.

My condolences to the gunny.

 

[Kaizen1]

The SOGZilla does not 'call upon previous generations of knives for inspiration' nor is it 'distinctive in its own right.' Those might be reasonable statements if its only common attribute with the Endura was the hole, but rather this knife copies it curve for curve. Same goes for the other knives. More so than Chris or Spencer, I'd rather hear what Sal has to say about that.

Actually, that's a fairly accurate statement. The Endura is already in it's 4th generation.

 

[Tactical Tanto]

I have lost some respect for SOG knives.

 

[missin_hobo]

But in those four generations, the endura has changed relatively little, and in either case those changes where Spyderco's right to make. Accurate or not, my point was that it doesn't excuse SOG of blatantly ripping it off.

If the response mentioned that the sogzilla was designed collaboratively with Sypderco and Sal Glesser, (vis-a-vis Byrd) that would be different.
Since it mentions nothing of the sort, I'm assuming that's not the way it went down.

 

[Kaizen1]

But in those four generations, the endura has changed relatively little, and in either case those changes where Spyderco's right to make. Accurate or not, my point was that it doesn't excuse SOG of plagiarism.

It was a joke about how SOG was using the Endura "generations for inspiration."

 

[jakeyjake4528]

That is pretty bad.

 

[dinozzo]

That is not cool:thumbdn:

 

[winbag338]

Is that you obama?

 

[missin_hobo]

Originally posted by Kaizen1
It was a joke about how SOG was using the Endura "generations for inspiration."

Ah. Sorry. My sarcadar is inconsistent at the best of times.

Wow, this thread is taking off. Glad I'm not the only upset one. It's a real shame, because SOG still has its share of good products.

 

[Jpalmer1988]

I was considering picking up another Seal Pup but after seeing this, I'll find something else.

 

[hector81]

:thumbdn::thumbdn::thumbdn:
:barf:

 

[45stops-em-quick]

Where's that SNL video of "sweet Robbie Schneider"(in the words Adam Sandler) of Makin' Copies, when you need it.

 

[trix2004]

soo... now it is called " Innovation " ?
funny guys working at SOG.

 

[lava_lamp]

SOG SOGzilla Large in "Dual directional prehistoric armor plate"....

That handle seems more derivative of a Spyderco Byrd to me...

 

[Josh K]

That handle seems more derivative of a Spyderco Byrd to me...

Aren't the Byrd knives also branded under the whole "prehistoric / dinosaur" concept?

Funny considering SOG then says "Dual directional prehistoric armor plate."