Spyderco WTC commemorative

Mr Glesser,I must ask how did you arrive at the figure of at least 100 Spyderco knives in the pockets of those leo's and FF that died?

I was in NYC a couple weekends back for the Frefighter memorial service.I met tons of NYC FF,in their firehouses,the bars and on the street.I did not see one pocket clip of ANY kind let alone Spyderco's.

I don't doubt there were some but 25% of the guys carring Spyderco seems high based upon what I saw.

Don't get me wrong I wish the brothers would all carry Spyderco,instead of the junk most of them carry,and I am working on changing that,one Delica/Endura at a time.:)
 
I think that no matter what, this project would hurt some. Kind of like the idea of raising the Titanic. Some say leave it because ti is a grave, others say raise it so we can preserve it and teach our children about it. Tough call either way what to do, you know?

I am all for projects of this type, as long as they are done very respectfully, tastefully, and with honor. Sal showed that he followed all 3 criteria by talking with victims' families, police, firefighters, etc, and by discussing the issue with his wife and no doubt many others.

I like how this is a positive effort by the "knife community", which I'd like to think helps show that knives aren't evil and nasty, it is the people who sometimes use knives in negative ways that are evil and nasty.

One thing I think is very important about these types of projects is the long run benefit. Go ask 16 year olds what the gulf war was all about, and most can only mutter "Um.. Saddam Hussein.. Um,, somethign about Keww.. Kewaight? WE KICKED AZZ!" People already are forgetting that conflict. With knives out there (and other items) which use parts of the WTC in them, you get an artifact that people can see and touch and hold and learn from. It brings home what happenned when you can touch a part of that history.
 
Questioning Sal on whether it was trully 100 Spyderco's, or 70, or 50...is just being argumentative, IMO. What does it matter? Lets stay on topic.

One thing I think is very important about these types of projects is the long run benefit. Go ask 16 year olds what the gulf war was all about, and most can only mutter "Um.. Saddam Hussein.. Um,, somethign about Keww.. Kewaight? WE KICKED AZZ!" People already are forgetting that conflict. With knives out there (and other items) which use parts of the WTC in them, you get an artifact that people can see and touch and hold and learn from. It brings home what happenned when you can touch a part of that history.
Click to expand...

Good point.

Warthog
 
Sal, I don't know you fron Noah, and to be honest, have never owned a Spyderco though I have great respect for the knives. But I tip my hat to you and all of those good people at the company and associated with the project who helped do this. I think it's a great measure of respect, and that you did everything right in talking to the families and everything else. You have no reason to apologize.
 
Sal, I my opinion you and your company are a class act all the way. I applaud your efforts to recognize those who were lost and help those who were left behind.

Peter
 
I first saw this thread about five hours ago, and wanted to respond, but was at a loss of words to match how I feel when speaking of such a profound matter. About all I can say at this time is way to go Sal. You were quick to donate and send knives during the rescue efforts of 9/11, and now you've taken the twisted wreckage of Ground Zero and created not only a memorial that can fit into a pocket, but a tool which is quite capable of saving lives in the future, while helping the families of the SAS Professionals who lost thier lives that tragic day, and all in a business venture with no profit. Hats off to you for such a noble act.

You can bet I'll find a way to purchase one. It will most likely be hung on my wall of EMS certifates and plaques right next to the American Flag from my Grandfather who was buried two days ago.

There's some things we shouldn't forget.

Thank you Sal.
 
Originally posted by Sal Glesser

FTC, perhaps we might have a changes to share thoughts sometime, somewhere. Seeing the knife and feeling the steel doesn't seem to invoke negativity.

sal
Click to expand...

Sal,

As you probably know from my posts at the Spyderco Forum, I have a great deal of respect for your company, Spyderco, your products, and you personally. I would be happy to share my thoughts with you about any subject matter, any time. I've never been accused of not having an opinion...often that's my problem!

First and foremost, let me re-iterate as I've done so many times already that I commend Spyderco's efforts for this as I know it is with the best of intentions. I've never doubted that and wish Spyderco the best of luck to raise as much money for the victims' families as possible.

You know, people are so quick to focus on the so-called "negativity" that they perceive and they totally ignore my positive comments and that's not fair.

Second, at no point did I ever tell any individual that they are wrong for purchasing the knife (I challenge anyone to find a quote like that). I know there are guys like R.V., who will purchase it with the best of intentions to help out a good cause. Excellent. My only criticism would be for those that intend on buying it to sell at a profit as a collectible in a few years. To me that would be sick and disrespectful. Even then, it's a free country and I wouldn't flog them publicly.

However, to change my mind about buying it is another matter. Like I said, my sole reasons for not purchasing it is a personal one. Maybe, I'm just superstitious but I would not feel comfortable owning it and no amount of peer pressure or popular concensus from this forum is going to change that. And while I appreciate your efforts to use "systematic desensitization" techniques to help me overcome this, I typically stick to my personal beliefs and I'm very stubborn about that. But I will extend you the respect and be open-minded enough to at least peruse the knife should I come across it. Then again, as a merchandiser, you know that the hardest thing to change in a consumer are strong affects and beliefs. You even said there was differing opinions amongst the Spyderco company.

This by no means diminishes my opinions of Spyderco and, in fact, I just purchased a Spyderco product this week and there are many other Spyderco goodies I want in the future. But just like some people won't buy, say, an Endura or a Spyderrench, or a certain car or eat certain foods due to personal preferences; likewise, I don't want a WTC Commemorative. As one sage and insightful forumite stated: It's like raising the Titanic and you can't please everyone.
 
Sorry FTC. I am not trying to convince you to purchase one. Nor am I trying to modify your values or views. I respect your position and opinion.

I'm sure there are many things we would agree on and some that we wouldn't agree on. On the WTC project, we can just agree to disagree. I still appreciate your comments and support.

sal
 
Just my 2$, when I saw the WTC Commemerative on the web I thought cool! Then I read about how it was made and I thought hmmmm. Put it this way, I respect Spyderco, but it is not a knife I would ever want to own. I understand the reasons in me for this attitude and I don't have to explain myself. It just does not feel 'right' to me from my point of view.

The way it has been done I feel is respectful and decient, just not for me. No offence intended to anyone.

I go with my considerable gut on this one!;) Hey at least its not a Civilian model...:p

I don't mean to make light of this topic, you know what I mean.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top