What’s the protocol

BP_

BP_

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What is the protocol on sending someone a production knife, to make me an identical blade with upgraded/different blade steel? Is this considered copying or stealing someone’s design since it’s production and not custom? I would never want to cause any problems, create any drama, or steal any design or idea from any maker, or any company. I know it’s impossible to get this particular knife in any other variation, but I’d like a different/better steel. What’s the consensus on this? I apologize if this has been covered before, and please don’t tear me apart if this is a “common sense” no. I’m honestly curious and would never do it if it’s looked at in a negative way. Thanks in advance :thumbsup:
 
I suppose you should just contact and ask...but generally it's considered gauche...so good luck finding anyone to agree to it...Some will do re-blades but they typically won't copy the blade exactly...
 
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KAEDC said:
I suppose you should just contact and ask...but generally it's considered gauche...so good luck finding anyone to agree to it...Some will do re-blades but they typically won't copy the blade exactly...
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Thank you for the reply. I’d rather not mess with it if there’s even a question. But did want to ask. I appreciate your help :thumbsup:
 
There ARE makers out there who'll do it, but it's probably not something they'd advertise. The one example I have is that it's somewhat common in Russian IG circles. There's an awful lot of Russian guys on Instagram with rebladed (100% upgrades) Emerson knives. Ever wish you had a Super CQC8 with a blade in M390? I've seen at least three different examples. I imagine they are not inexpensive, however.
 
Interesting.

There's an implicit assumption that once you buy something, it's yours.

But is it? At what point does "modifying" step over the line, into something else? What ethical duty do we owe to a manufacturer?

I would argue this way: buy the knife from a reputable dealer. That ensures the manufacturer will get their proper percentage of the sale.

Understand that any warranty is lost and gone forever. The OP is probably aware of this.

It would be good if the re-blade was done by a custom-maker who behaves ethically, but that cuts to the heart of this dilemma, doesn't it? I suppose I mean somebody who doesn't try to steal from customers, accepting deposits and then never delivering knives, and that sort of shady behavior.

Finally, I would say that the blade should be marked in a permanent fashion, in a way that identifies it as a non-factory re-blade, so that it cannot be mistaken for anything else, some time in the future.

If you do that, I would say you're as good as you're going to get.
 
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It's probably worth posting just what knife you want to have a nicer version of.

It may be something already considered public domain like a lot of traditional patterns.

Someone else may have already gone down this same road and will be able to give you specific advice.
 
People change scales, regrind blades and a myriad of other modifications. How is replacing the blade so different, especially if it's just for your own use? If your intention were to deceive somebody, that would be another matter. I knew a guy who made a new blade for his Buck 110 and I swapped blades on two Benchmade knives. Do we both need to go to pocket knife purgatory?
 
People replace components of knives and other products. I don't see how a blade is any different than a backspacer or scales.

Are there any knives that can be assembled entirely from aftermarket parts?
 
It's your knife, you can do what you like with it.
If you were buying dozens of some knife, upgrading the blade and selling them on at a profit that would be problematic but any changes you make to your pocket knife are going to go largely unnoticed by the universe.
 
I suppose the above is all true. I just don’t really like getting into any grey areas because I’d prefer not to come off like I’m trying to clone, steal, cheat, etc in any way. I just absolutely love this knife, and I’d love a stainless blade on it. I appreciate all the input. I think it would be a cool project if it was on the up and up.
 
I've seen it fairly often, so as long there's no subterfuge I don't see it as a problem. Of course, by the time you end up purchasing a decent folder and then paying a reasonably talented smithy to fashion a custom blade for it you'll likely end up paying close to what non-premium maker would charge for a unique custom knife.
 
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Like Rick Hinderer says make it your own and like mentioned above no different than ordering custom scales or other parts to swap out imo.
 
Thanks for all the honest opinions. I may end up reaching out to see if maybe I can find someone to help me with my project. If anyone has any suggestions, by all means, fire away. I’ll do some browsing in the makers section :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
I agree with the majority. If it is yours, you can have it modified any way you wish.
 
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Here are what I see as acceptable examples along the lines of OPs issue

1) Knife w/o any steel choice. You make your own or have your own blade made for it this blade can be as similar or dissimilar to the original as you wish
2) Knife comes in variety of steels and handles you desire but not the combo you wish. You buy knives to make the combo you wish and sell the Frankenstein that isn't the combo you desired or hold on to both sets to sell later in original manufacturer configurations.
3) Knife comes w/ steel but no handle choice. You make your own or have your own handle made as similar or dissimilar to the original as you wish.

Simplifying it and doesn't cover 100% but general enough to I think share what is basically a best practice guide to respecting the work and IP rights of makers.
 
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dryflytrout said:
People replace components of knives and other products. I don't see how a blade is any different than a backspacer or scales.
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I'm firmly in agreement with this. Surely just as much time, money, and research went into developing the handle shape or scale design. How can it be ethical to manufacture and sell alternative handle components that are exact copies of the manufacturer's original design in different materials but unethical to manufacture an identical blade in a different material?
 
I'm just gonna replace the blade. Cool.

Well, I'm gonna get new hardware too. And maybe new scales. What about that Ti deep carry clip?....

Oh shit I just cloned a knife on accident!
 
Unless the handle was so exquisite or unique, I don't see the point. Just buy a better knife with better steel.
 
I really don't see why this would be an ethical issue. Any more than any other part of the knife would be. Or a bigger engine in your Trans Am, different wheels on your mountain bike, polarized lenses in your sunglasses, brighter bulb in your Maglight, or the 743 different things you've changed on your AR, etc.

EDIT: The problem would be finding someone that could/would do it. Depending on the knife and the steel you want for the blade, making the blade could well be beyond the abilities equipment capabilities of many makers or machinists. Like if the blade requires wire EDM or a complex CNC program with 5 axis mills or whatnot.
 
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So in other words, it's cool as long as you pay a reputable dealer, and it's strictly for personal use, no distribution :D
 
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