to be fair, creativity in design for knives can go only so far.
(everything is bound into the direction of a complete circle).
mass production of product's are firstly limited to the set budget of production cost and materials.
blade geometry is probably limited to fall within the scope of design purpose.
then when anyone actually start to design something like a knife it becomes obvious that there are only "X-numbers" of ways for anyone to hold/grip a knife.
the correct mix and match for any one specific marriage of purposeful blade patterns with optimum handle ergos will probably determine the soundness of a design.
and hopefully find instant favour for constant usage.
it's goes without saying that selling is a tough business especially when there are competitors vying for the same market (growing or shrinking, you decide).
cost factors and marketing philosophy will dictate how the end product will be sold or positioned. (make that low-end or high-end, if you will)
the easiest way to anything is to go with the flow.
when trend setters start the pace, others try to cash in on the rage.
it makes perfect business sense to tap the market with varients to choose from.
and the key factor is to make them even more appealing with a lower price bracket.
(so such practices do not affect the preception of entry level or novice budget concious buyers as only hard core collectors are quick in identifying "the original" from the fake).
blatant duplicates down to the brandnames and logos is the lowest point for any manufacturer, period.
it's different if the blade pattern or handles are generic in the traditional sense of the word. (like coocreese or currambits, machetes and bowies even).
the problem here i think is that, these blade designs haven't been around long enough to be considered a generic pattern.
hence the slightest likeness is probably going to be seen as a rip-off.
)
