Something I'd like to see...LCT book

[sticknstring73]

I had met Lynn at several Parking Lot Sales in Ventura. On one of these occasions I had mentioned the idea of the possibility of producing Cold Steel belt buckles. I had sketched a few samples and gave him the business card from Northwest Brass Works. They do amazing work and will make custom orders on request. His wife was there and she took me aside and I spoke with her about this project/idea. I wanted nothing in terms of financial incentives, just the thought of a heavy brass Cold Steel logo buckle would have been reward enough! I left my sketches and the business card and even brought several samples of buckles I had purchased from Northwest Brass Works so that they could see and feel the quality of the product for themselves. Never heard anything about it again.

Belts and buckles go places that knives and other tools are not allowed. Airports, court houses, police stations, public transit, hospitals, etc.

Interesting. Between this and the book proposal these are very interesting events. He probably had many people over the years approach with ideas and proposals. I wonder if it was a bit overwhelming trying to run the company and field these ideas. Or maybe he only wanted his own approach. CS is a very individualistic company, other companies are just not doing what they are. Can you imagine Gerber making an Espada XL type knife?

 

[The Whip]

You really had it together! I wish he had taken you up on it. What a shame. Very interesting experience for you though I'm sure. How did he receive the idea? Did it seem like he was interested? Bored? Indifferent?

Thanks. I had put a lot of thought into the idea and I was quite serious. As anyone reading these boards knows, I'm a longtime fan of Cold Steel and really like delving into the development of the products and the company. Cold Steel has had a tremendous impact on the knife industry, and I think that's a story worth telling (and one that's been mostly ignored by the larger knife community). I wanted to write an accurate, informative company history--a book that I would enjoy reading.

As for Lynn's response, he wasn't dismissive, but neither was he especially enthusiastic. He was polite (as he's always been during my in-person interactions with him), but I got the impression that working on a book about Cold Steel's history was not a project that was high on his priority list.

Or maybe he only wanted his own approach.

This is definitely the impression that I have of Lynn. I think that he ran Cold Steel his way. He was always looking for new ideas and new approaches, as evidenced by how many established and fledgling custom makers and designers he hired/consulted over the years. But I'm confident the final decisions were always his and that we have only him to thank for the broad diversity of Cold Steel products.

-Steve

 

[sticknstring73]

Thanks. I had put a lot of thought into the idea and I was quite serious. As anyone reading these boards knows, I'm a longtime fan of Cold Steel and really like delving into the development of the products and the company. Cold Steel has had a tremendous impact on the knife industry, and I think that's a story worth telling (and one that's been mostly ignored by the larger knife community). I wanted to write an accurate, informative company history--a book that I would enjoy reading.

As for Lynn's response, he wasn't dismissive, but neither was he especially enthusiastic. He was polite (as he's always been during my in-person interactions with him), but I got the impression that working on a book about Cold Steel's history was not a project that was high on his priority list.




This is definitely the impression that I have of Lynn. I think that he ran Cold Steel his way. He was always looking for new ideas and new approaches, as evidenced by how many established and fledgling custom makers and designers he hired/consulted over the years. But I'm confident the final decisions were always his and that we have only him to thank for the broad diversity of Cold Steel products.

-Steve

Yeah I got that vibe from a few of the videos. I agree with you totally in that last part. There's really nothing else with that diversity, wildness, and quality. My hope is gsm recognizes this and doesn't tinker so much. I can't imagine he'd be happy if they messed it up.