What to do?

Thomas, I want you to know that, if you're ever in need, I'm always willing to receive a free knife. I'm just a giver. It's in my nature.
 
BTW, the wannabe matter is sickening. The gall of something like this is beyond me...

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Thomas, I am very pleased with how both Kershaw and ZT knives are influencing my life.

I don't post frequently but I probably should. You need to hear the good things 99% of us feel in our hearts.

Typically only the ones that complain are the ones you here from, and that can be discouraging.

Recently I have gifted several Tremors to friends at the office, and this Monday I will be taking a ZT350 in the office so another co-worker can decide how to spend his Christmas money.


Just wanted you to know.
 
I'll admit that the policy changes make me a bit sad, but yeah, I think you're making the right decision. Jerks screw things up, and you've gotta minimize that. It stinks for the people who aren't jerks, but that's how life is. Keep making the great knives you're making and I'll still be checking your forum and pulling out my wallet.
 
BTW, the wannabe matter is sickening. The gall of something like this is beyond me...
- MT actually had the gall to make a poster of their copied knife and put it proximity to the ZT poster?
 
From three decades of teaching and a decade working with impoverished communities in rural Africa, it's become obvious to me that simply giving things to people results in short-term benefits at best. It's much better for people to earn something, or at least to have a small share in the cost. Everyone appreciates the outcome more, regardless of whether it's a B grade, a bag of maize, a new roof, or a knife. There is an equally long history of psychological research (autonomy support and its derivatives) that reinforces this--everyone needs to feel they are a part of the process. The upshot--give your knives to people that have made a contribution to your company, have assisted their communities (online or off), or otherwise been good citizens of the world. They will know the meaning of both giving and appreciation.
Cheers, and Merry Christmas.
 
It is sad their will be no more first look threads, but it is totally understandable. Their must be nothing worse in business than somebody stealing your work that you put all the time, money and effort into.

About the giveaway part, I think it is quite ridiculous people complaining about a freebie. I mean come on people, seriously.... You should name and shame them.

I am new to forums and since I joined I have been on virtually everyday and love it.

Anyway Thomas, if you ever feel the need to donate to a great charity, The P1GEONPOO needs a new knife appeal would be very gratefull I'm sure:)
 
This is unfortunate but understandable given the circumstances. I would be pissed if I gave someone something that they wanted and then they complained about it. Thomas, I hope this doesn't affect your participation on this forum, the REAL Kershaw customers appreciate it.
 
My dad used to say that some folks would bitch if they got hung with a new rope. He also said my mom would complain if she got solid gold D%$# every night...but I digress. It is a shame that you have had to alter your giving nature because people can't appreciate a gift. Personally I don't own a Kershaw but have always found your designs extremely interesting. I can't imagine bitching about a free one.

This also kinda brings up something that happened to me last week. I was over at another site admiring a limited production BHK. It was one of their monthly specials that I missed the boat on. About a week later I see a box show up in the mail from BHK. I started combing my mind trying to think if I had something on back order. Nope.

Then I thought the unthinkable, the dreaded drunk purchase. Nope again.

Opened it up and there was a BHK Drover, the one that I had been admiring. Wrapped around it was this note:

Gerri,
I thought you should have this early Christmas gift. You seemed to dig the drover and the elves have been busy.

Merry Christmas and a good New Year, Scooter Santa.

I have to say that I was blown away by random kindness. Never has this happened to me. This is a knife that I will always treasure because I understand generosity like this.

If others don't F em.

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I have a couple of points on the subjects at hand. Firstly I find that in my own case (and I believe that this is just across the board human nature) it's almost more fun to want something than to get it. Sure it's going to be awesome when I get my 0560, but I think everyone has expreienced the wait wait wait for something, and then even though it's perfect and what they wanted, when you get it it's kind of a let down because you don't have anything left to look foreward to. For that reason, I have been enjoying these long months of waiting for my 0560. If I get too excited about it and start thinking that the wait is too long, I just go buy something else that's already out that I didn't have before, or if I'm broke I just stay away from this forum for a few days. I would prefer to know ahead of time about the amazing new products Kershaw and ZT have coming out, but I understand why the new policy is going to against that since most people are "give it to me now already" types.

Secondly I have never recieved a free knife from anyone for anything, contest or otherwise. I can in no way understand how someone would complain or nitpick a free knife. That is absolutely insane. Heck, send me a part of a knife and I'd be ecstatic! I would think even getting a free knife like a Crown or something inexpensive like that would be awesome, but getting a 0551? WOW that'd be like winning the lottery. It sounds to me like those people had (have) issues and that should not discourage giveaways.... A few bad apples don't ruin the whole barrel...
 
I for one would never turn my nose up at a free knife, ever. Anyone that does should get a dry shave with said knife. Of course if it's a Kershaw, at least it will be sharp!

First person to say "I'll take it" (from the U.S. please) gets a free Kershaw Vapor III that I got, from Thomas!!!!
 
Thomas, I just wanted to say thank you and Kershaw for being one of the best companies I have ever dealt with. I own multiple Kershaws and have just recently started to buy other brands to go along with them. I pretty much always have a Leek in my pocket, or 2, and have recommended Kershaw to many people over the past several years and will continue to do so. Unlike many here I never reached the minimum posts in this forum to enter the give aways, so I really can't comment on the doing away with them, I did love seeing the first looks on the new products, especially the original Volt, even when they were above my price range; but I understand you have to stop the theft of your designs. You guys put a lot of time and money into making and supporting a great product, and it shows. As with several people above, Kershaw got me into wanting to make my own knives (fixed blades) and is responsible for my introduction to better quality knives than that other Oregon company. I loved the first Kershaw that I ever bought so much, that recently I managed to find an almost mint version to go alongside it, as it is long out of production. (That would be the 2420, if you care to know). I really cannot believe that someone would complain about receiving a knife that they entered to win, or asked for, for free?!?! That is ridiculous. Maybe I was raised in a different world than those people, but being from the south, we were always taught to be polite, to say things like, yes sir, and, please and thank you; people with bad manners were called on them and the offending behavior was corrected. Too bad their parents didn't teach them better manners.

I still say that you guys are a class act, thank you and I hope that you continue to make and support a great product for many years to come.
 
Wow! Due to circumstances, I only have knives that were gifted to me by family and/or makers. I have had a couple ZT301s and 302s. I loved them, but feeding family and medical bills comes first. I have a few knives left, but as far as Kershaw/ZT I have my ZT350WW(my EDC) and another is a Skyline(my youngest son's soon to be first knife). I don't believe in getting rid of gifts. I certainly wouldn't have the audacity to complain about a knife given to me. I also have no forgiveness for blatant thievery of others creative property. Using a great design with permission and giving credit for authorship is the only way it makes copies OK.
Thomas, I hope things turn around for you. You certainly deserve better than complaints and forgery.
 
Thomas, I havn't posted much but you can be sure that I've been keeping up and reading all the posts for the past few months!

Coming from the automotive industry (aftermarket and oem replacement products) I have seen these same types of situations from companies. I'm not here saying you should or shouldn't be doing early releases for upcoming products, but the bottom line is in the end if it's a great product (like all Kershaws/ZT's Ive owned are) it will sell itself, whether it's released 6 months before shipping or 6 days before shipping. Some of these people just have NO CLUE what it takes to run a manufacturing business as well as a successful marketing and customer service division, but unfortunately they are the ones who ruin it for all of us.

I only have great things to say about Kershaw/ZT/Shun as I own them all and I plan on buying many more. I have dealt with Kershaw customer service and it was by far the best customer service experience I've had with any knife manufacturer!! Keep up the good work and focus on providing a quality product and the knives will sell themselves!

Oh and what's this I hear about people getting free 0551's? I'd be happy with a free echelon ;)
 
BTW, the wannabe matter is sickening. The gall of something like this is beyond me...
With the hand wringing and proud diabolical smile, this image feels like it should be in a caption thread. :cool:

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