Wall St. Journal Sheeple Knife Review

Razoredj

Razoredj

Joined
Feb 22, 1999
Messages
3,357
Today's Wall Street Journal includes an article entitled Giving Dad The Edge in which Jonathan Welsh (who is, apparently, reasonably knife-ignorant) reviews five knives:

1. Al Mar Hawk Ultralight from the www.knifecenter.com

2. Buck Executive from www.onestopknifeshop.com

3. SOG Mini Gentleman from www.absoluteknives.com

4. A "dress folder" from www.orvis.com
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Can anyone tell me where this comes from? Is it a rebadged import? I doubt Orvis makes its own knives.

5. A Mel Pardue 330S from www.corradocutlery.com. (Benchmade's name is never mentioned in the article, as if Corrado produced the Mel Pardue itself.)

All the stores received good reviews, though One Stop was described as "Laid-back, but helpful." The overall tone of the article, at least in the beginning, was somewhat snotty, though it may have been a lame attempt at humor:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">
Sure, Dad seems highly evolved...[but]you'll see that evolution has barely touched him: He's still hunting (for the remote control), gathering (from the fridge), and building fire (in his gas grill). And he's still secretly fascinated by sharp things. After all, the modern urban landscape still presents all sorts of emergencies to stir that slumbering Y chromosome: an unopenable package, wrapped in nasty, fibrous tape; an unsightly thread dangling from the hem of a jacket or evening gown.</font>
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It was interesting to read a non-Knife Person's review of the blades in question.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">[The Mel Pardue 330] from Chicago's Corrado Cutlery, for example, brought to mind Montgomery Ward's suit department: Its uninspired, squared-off shape kept it from standing out in an otherwise stylish corwd. And the awkward, spring-style locking mechanism turned off our testers, one of whom called it "a cut thumb waiting to happen." Of course, Dad knows exactly how to fold a knife -- just ask him).</font>
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So obviously, none of thse knobheads had ever seen a linerlock before. (Though there are plenty of us who mistrust it, too.)

Welsh expressed surprise that SOG's mini-gentleman was the "least-threatening" of the knives reviewed, since SOG is "known for military-style knives like the Dessert Dagger and Government Agent." The knife was described as nice, but a bit heavy for Dad's pocket.

The "Ain't those knife rednecks funny" tone continued in the Buck review:

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Another surprise came from Buck Knives, famous for folding knives serious enough to dress an elk (and heavy enough to knock one cold).</font>
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The Buck Executive was described as the best overall value in the group, as well as the slimmest and lightest.

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Besides, of the models in our group, it would look best being drawn from a pinstriped suit to spear olives from a martini.</font>
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Orvis' Dress Folder was described as having a "classic look," and was "solidly built." The Al Mar Ultralight Hawk was lauded for the "pleasing, authoritative click" of its locking mechanism. The article concluded:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">
The Hawk wasn't the most stylish knife we tested, but its no-nonsense look was appealing. And while its curved black handle gives it an appearance that borders on frightening, that's OK because, as one friend pointed out -- while striking a pose out of "West Side Story" -- this is the only knife in the group that one could confidently use "for protection." Maybe even against a woolly mammoth.</font>
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Sheeple would be amusing if they weren't so ignorant.

-Razor


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AKTI #A000845

[This message has been edited by Razoredj (edited 06-01-2001).]
 
ahh bless 'em!!
Wow the author is a real comedian! The hint of some prejudice creeping in there but overall more positive than most knife articles we get to read.
 
To me the tone of the article is almost one of amusement that anyone would really need a knife in our modern age. While the author perhaps has a few positive things to say about some of the knives I definately get the impression that his real view is that carrying a knife is a little odd...especially if its of any size at all.

But then one can hardly be surprised that an article appearing in the Wall Street Journal would betray its author as having near terminal Cityboyitis.

Its funny how dependant some people are willing to become. A knife is such a basic tool to me that I can scarcely imagine not having one with me at all times. Knives are tools and symbols of individualism. To me they say "This may be a modern world but I'm going to try to take care of myself by being equipped."

Its probably the same reason I backpack, hunt and fish. The skills I learn doing these things are meaningful to me.

 
Thanks for sharing. It's interesting (bordering on laughable) to see sheeple try to review a knife. You'd think they would get someone who knew atleast a little about knives to do or atleast help with the review.
 
Actually, the review sounds pretty refreshing. I am getting a little tired of the usual XYZ supersteel quadruple tempered (BS) coupled with the latest locking mechanisim to beat all locking mechanisms. These guys reviewed the knife as a fashion accessory. Give them a little credit; we were ignorant once too.

[This message has been edited by not2sharp (edited 06-01-2001).]
 
I think that this article is refreshing. Sure, the author is a bit condescending and ignorant about knives but at least he automatically assume that these knives are evil weapons. He acknowledges that a normal person could have daily tasks for which a knife might be useful. Finally, it is good to see what a non-knife nut finds attractive in a knife. I think that all knife retailers and manufacturers should pay attention to articles like this. Furthermore, this article can help us knife nuts to see how others percieve our tools.
 
Geez, some review that was...ACK!! How is it possible that the Wall Street Journal neglected to mention the "Wall Street Tactical"
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Photo borrowed from www.hermanknives.com

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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Razoredj:
Today's Wall Street Journal includes an article entitled Giving Dad The Edge in which Jonathan Welsh (who is, apparently, reasonably knife-ignorant) reviews five knives:

Sheeple would be amusing if they weren't so ignorant.

-Razor

</font>
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Hay, Fellas, only Not2Sharp and Tony got it right. "Always be thankful for publicity" "Complain only if they misspell your name". I would love to have my name in TWSJ, even if Mr. Hunt goes on TV and makes it sound like a Socialist Rag. Write the editors and thank them for the industry (maybe they will do it again.)

A. G.
 
I have it directly from an unreliable source that the Wall Street Tactical actually was included in the test group at first. It was dropped after the third tester in a row wet himself at the sight of it.
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I ran out during lunch and picked up today's WSJ (x3 copies) in response to Razor's post (I had to see it for myself...also, our marketing department wanted a copy for the file).

I agree with A.G. 100%. This is positive press and casts knives in a good light...we knife people get far too much bad press. I feel it is well written and very down-to-earth (practical).

Here's a sample from the opening paragraphs:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Sure, Dad seems highly evolved--he's sensitive, gentlemanly, and he even looks pretty good in a suit. But look a bit more closely, and you'll see that actually, evolution has barely touched him: He's still hunting (for the remote control), gathering (from the fridge) and building fire (in his gas grill). And he's still secretly fascinated by sharp things.

After all, the modern urban landscape still presents all sorts of emergencies to stir that slumbering Y chromosome: an unopenable package, wrapped in nasty, fibrous tape; an unsightly thread dangling from the hem of a jacket or evening gown.

So with Father's Day approaching--June 17 is closer than you think--we thought it fitting to buy Dad a pocket knife. We wanted something that would walk a fine line: It had to be civilized-looking, yet still get respect from his inner caveman. We ruled out those multi-purpose Bordeaux-openers and eye pluckers, and went instead for single blades, perilously sharp, with locking mechanisms. We also wanted a knife that would fit into his trousers, So sorry, Pop, nothing over four inches; modern life demands some compromises, after all.</font>
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The rest of the article talks about the character and quality of the knives purchased, and even more, talks about the buying experience from five mail order companies. He talks about the staff and promised turn-around times for delivery (an important issue for consumers leading up to a gift-giving holiday). OneStopKnifeShop.com sold the Buck Executive to the author. This is what he had to say about Spark's business:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">We paid $6.00 for standard ground delivery. Knife was out of stock, but company said it would arrive within two weeks. It did. [His interaction with staff was] Laid-back, but helpful. Our representative gave accurate estimate of delivery lag for restocking. It's easy to find what you're looking for on this site, which has an especially wide range of knives. Company also deals in flashlights cigarette lighters, camping supplies and and security equipment.</font>
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Kevin: Way to go! And free advertising in the WSJ!

The various knives, in my opinion, were respected the spirit of the knives and the industries that manufacture and distribute them.

Could it have been better? Yes...but not much. I'll take this any day in comparison to what other types of press could have been given.

------------------
Ron Andersen
Consumer Services Manager
SOG Specialty Knives, Inc.

Website: www.sogknives.com
Email: ron@sogknives.com
 
What you have here is a young reporter with an assignment from his editor that he didn't want and knew nothing about. So he filled up his assigned column inches with fluff as much as possible. Real knife reviewers never do this.
 
I should clarify; I wasn't overly horrified by the article, just mildly amused and a little irritated by the ignorance it displayed. Certainly this article beats anything you're likely to see in USA Today or the New York Times.

It was the West Side Story comment at the end that really irked me, I guess.

-Razor

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AKTI #A000845
 
This is the part I really like:
"So with Father's Day approaching--June 17 is closer than you think--we thought it fitting to buy Dad a pocket knife."(italics mine)

The WSJ is not targeted at blue collar workers or rural folks who generally see knives as tools or part of everyday life. It's targeted at white-collar, behind-a-desk people who are peppered with liberalism and political correctness every day.
And the article is recommending that these people buy knives (even if it's for someone else) because they are useful tools. Even in the "urban landscape".

I think this is good for both knife carriers and manufacturers. A touch of welcome open-mindedness (is that a word?).

I actually got a kick out of the hunter-gatherer-firebuilder thing.

Sure, I think the tone is a snotty and condescending, and most of the attempts at humor were really lame, but in a time where everything you hear about knives in the media is negative, here's a ray of hope, however small.
Put it this way. I'd rather see the article there, as-is, than not see it at all.

Maybe some of "them" can learn, after all.
 
Thank you, Ron, for posting the article.
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I think it's a good thing that the article was published. By knife people standards, it was horribly written by people who didn't know what they were talking about (though the same could be said of many of the articles that appear in the knife rags). By non-knife people standards, it's good press for us. It might convince someone to buy a knife for their father, or themselves, and that's good all around. Yeah, any of us would have chosen different knives, and we would have written about them differently, but there's really nothing bad about that article having been published. Maybe it'll even inspire another magazine to do a similar article.

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"Is not giving a need? Is not receiving mercy?" - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
"Cutting his throat is only a momentary pleasure and is bound to get you talked about." - Lazarus Long
"Knowledge is not made for understanding; it is made for cutting." - Michel Foucault
 
I don't know about the other vendors, but we're getting killed with Buck Executive orders from this article. We quicly sold out of the ones we had in stock yesterday morning (prior to finding out about the article), and then the internet orders have been hopping as well.

I've cleaned out all my distributors of them and *still* need more.

Like Ron said, there's nothing like free advertising, and while "Laid back, but helpful" isn't exactly high praise, it does accurately describe how I want 1SKS to be.

Now if we can only get them to to review Microtech LCC's, or Benchmade 940's / 770's, or CRKT K.I.S.S knives like that...

Kevin

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
Owner, BladeForums.com
 
Hey Kevin,

If you're running out of the Buck, switch them over to the "extra-heavy" (that thing isn't heavy) Mini Gent of ours!
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(Shameless plug!)

------------------
Ron Andersen
Consumer Services Manager
SOG Specialty Knives, Inc.

Website: www.sogknives.com
Email: ron@sogknives.com


[This message has been edited by Ron@SOG (edited 06-02-2001).]
 
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