TV Show Tie Ins...

[illumination]

What is it with some high quality knife companies and their silly TV show tie ins?

One example is Rob Bayley (Bayley Knife), who for a while was selling a ~400 pound sterling (~$800) "Signature Bear Grylls Knife". Who would spend that kind of money for a TV show knife? Thankfully that relationship is over and the knife with Bear's signature on the blade is no longer produced... I suspect that many serious collectors thought this was a joke, and this was hurting the brand image. (Bear would probably be better off pairing with United Cutlery or someone like that and selling the knives mass market in Walmart...)

I noticed for 2010 Benchmade finally introduced the equivalent of a G10 Griptilian in the Benchmade Waddell's Bone Collector AXIS Folder series, but it is only available with a large "The Bone Collector" logo across the blade. Come on... At least do a small logo on the flip side of the butterfly!

Does anyone else think these tie ins are silly? Would these logos make you want the knife more or less, or are you indifferent?

 

[Insomniac1122]

I hate the silly tie-ins....and big mall ninjaish names like the recon tanto or anything by blackhawk

 

[illumination]

Agreed...like all the Dork Ops stuff.

In general I'm not a fan of Benchmade's other tie ins either (Harley Davidson and H&K), but in general I like their main line products.

I have no issues, of course, with the collaborations. For many of us, its the only way to get a knife designed by Bob Lum (Benchmade and Spyderco), Howard Viele (Spyderco), etc.

 

[Krieger]

I'm not a fan of a lot of the names SOG gives their knives. Mall Ninja is the best descriptor for this stuff .

 

[Krieger]

...In general I'm not a fan of Benchmade's other tie ins either (Harley Davidson and H&K), but in general I like their main line products.

I have no issues, of course, with the collaborations. For many of us, its the only way to get a knife designed by Bob Lum (Benchmade and Spyderco), Howard Viele (Spyderco), etc.

In my opinion, the Benchmade H&K knives are some of the best knives you can get from Benchmade. Many are designed by Mike Snody as well.

 

[illumination]

In my opinion, the Benchmade H&K knives are some of the best knives you can get from Benchmade. Many are designed by Mike Snody as well.

yes, i like many of the designs and Mike Snody is talented. but he is a knife designer, not a gun designer. i don't understand why a knife would be labeled with a gun brand.

what's next? h&k compasses? survival gear? toothbrushes?

to me a brand should represent authenticity. not something tagged onto a product produced by someone else.

 

[Krieger]

what's next? h&k compasses? survival gear? toothbrushes?

I agree. That would be brutal.

To me a brand should represent authenticity. not something tagged onto a product produced by someone else.

Like Calvin Klein t-shirts with made in china tags . This kind of thing is a pet peeve of mine too. The worst is some of the Henckels knives that say 100% German steel but it says made in China on the blade too. Outsourcing blows goats...