Why Do People Say Lynn C. Thompson Is Controversial

[TopicBlade]

I have never looked into the politics in the world of knives but I keep seeing little comments here and there about Cold Steel's owner.

To me Cold Steel knives are fantastic

 

[J_Curd]

Because everything they make turns you into a ninja instantly the minute you buy it (or watch the DVDs).

They do make some good product here and there, but the "kill, maim, instant death" marketing approach is a disservice to this hobby.

 

[Danbo]

Do a search, and all shall become clear for you.

They don't call them Cold Steal for nothing.

 

[dip_n_ride]

Because everything they make turns you into a ninja instantly the minute you buy it (or watch the DVDs).

They do make some good product here and there, but the "kill, maim, instant death" marketing approach is a disservice to this hobby.

Very well put.

 

[SaMX]

have you seen the "warrior lifestyle" videos on the website? :jerkit:

 

[Phil Elmore]

Cold Steel manufactures several very good knives at prices I don't think are unreasonable. It also manufactures quite a few knives that are, in my opinion, overpriced. Unlike many (or most) knife manufacturers, the company does not have a problem marking its knives as self-defense tools -- which some politically correct knife enthusiasts find distasteful or worrisome. Also, Lynn Thompson's aggressive marketing and willingness to directly confront those with whom he disagrees (or to speak ill of knife designs Cold Steel does not currently offer) often causes controversy.

Personally I can't see getting all worked up over it. I own some of their knives; I won't buy other knives they produce. Their marketing doesn't in any way bother or offend me -- and I think we need to be careful of marginalizing the concept of knives as self-defense tools, or we will soon not have that option at all (legally).

 

[J_Curd]

Phil,

I'm not politically correct. I just know how to stay under the obviously focused radar, something that a TON of people in this hobby blatantly have no clue to be the more logical choice.

Any tool can be employed for self-defense tool. Constantly associating bladed tools are self-defense items only objectifies them for further scrutiny.

Don't bring a knife to a hammer fight.

JC

 

[Alberta Ed]

Cold Steel makes some good stuff. I have half a dozen around, and they all do what knives should: cut well. The CS Master Hunter IMHO is one of the best hunting knives made. Lynn Thompson has consistently come up with a lot of innovative designs for a couple of decades now and added a great deal to the knife industry. His marketing approach is controversial and sometimes confrontational, but you can take it or leave it. Just my two cents.

 

[comoha]

Phil,

I'm not politically correct. I just know how to stay under the obviously focused radar, something that a TON of people in this hobby blatantly have no clue to be the more logical choice.

Any tool can be employed for self-defense tool. Constantly associating bladed tools are self-defense items only objectifies them for further scrutiny.

Don't bring a knife to a hammer fight.

JC

Well stated...:thumbup:

 

[2sparky]

Phil,

I'm not politically correct. I just know how to stay under the obviously focused radar, something that a TON of people in this hobby blatantly have no clue to be the more logical choice.

Any tool can be employed for self-defense tool. Constantly associating bladed tools are self-defense items only objectifies them for further scrutiny.

Don't bring a knife to a hammer fight.

JC

I agree 100 percent +1
-Barry-

 

[watchcollector1968]

They do make some goofy stuff, but they also make some very good knives. As for marketing, I have no problem with how they do that. To always worry that we need to "stay below the radar" is irrelevant today. Those who would ban knives and guns will do so no matter what. They consider the objects evil and there are no good excuses for having them.

It has already been tried with guns. "Well gee, its my hunting rifle"...do you really think your bolt action rifle with a scope is safe from these people? They have taken to referring to them as "sniper rifles" as opposed to hunting rifles.

No amount of saying "I have this locking folder with 4" blade for spreading peanut butter and cleaning my nails" is just silly.

Tell me one good reason why we should always try to not offend them and keep our hobbies secret as though we are ashamed of it. It has never worked in the past and will not work now.

All we have done over the years is allowed them to insult us, call us crazy and the more we try to appease them the worse it has gotten. It is time for people to stand up and say "yeah, we have a right to own these and if so needed, to use them to defend our lives...if you dont like it, tough!!"

 

[J_Curd]

Tell me one good reason why we should always try to not offend them and keep our hobbies secret as though we are ashamed of it. It has never worked in the past and will not work now.

Simple: To prevent the citizens who have not been made aware or polarized on the issue to continue ignoring it. Why add fuel to a fire if all they have is a spark?

 

[Phil Elmore]

Phil,

I'm not politically correct. I just know how to stay under the obviously focused radar, something that a TON of people in this hobby blatantly have no clue to be the more logical choice.

It's the easier choice; if one believes in preserving the right to self-defense, and one dispenses with the mistaken notion that hoplophobes can or should be fooled or placated, one may make the more difficult choice to live "out of the tactical closet," so to speak.

They do make some goofy stuff, but they also make some very good knives. As for marketing, I have no problem with how they do that. To always worry that we need to "stay below the radar" is irrelevant today. Those who would ban knives and guns will do so no matter what. They consider the objects evil and there are no good excuses for having them.

It has already been tried with guns. "Well gee, its my hunting rifle"...do you really think your bolt action rifle with a scope is safe from these people? They have taken to referring to them as "sniper rifles" as opposed to hunting rifles.

No amount of saying "I have this locking folder with 4" blade for spreading peanut butter and cleaning my nails" is just silly.

Tell me one good reason why we should always try to not offend them and keep our hobbies secret as though we are ashamed of it. It has never worked in the past and will not work now.

All we have done over the years is allowed them to insult us, call us crazy and the more we try to appease them the worse it has gotten. It is time for people to stand up and say "yeah, we have a right to own these and if so needed, to use them to defend our lives...if you dont like it, tough!!"

Well said!

 

[J_Curd]

if one believes in preserving the right to self-defense

Knives are one of the worst choices for self-defense. If you want to talk about the rights of self-defense, I will support you fully. I have a CCW, and I carry a firearm daily. You will never hear me argue that we do not need to be vocal or unwavering in the ability to protect ourselves from those who may seek to harm us.

As I have said before, nothing is a weapon until employed to cause damage to a biological target...be it bleach, a 2x4, a sling shot, a screw driver, or a coffee cup.

To stigmatize a knife as a weapon does disservice to the main function of a knife, which is merely a tool until used otherwise.

 

[Phil Elmore]

A knife is an extremely effective weapon if one knows what one is doing with it. Recognizing it as such is not a "stigma" except in the eyes of hoplophobes.

 

[Bastid]

All I can say, is that if I need a knife, I much prefer to buy it from an individual or company that does not rip off the designs of others and does not cater to the mall-ninja crowd.

There are way to many that fit that bill for me to patronize the ones that do not.

Fact is that 99+ percent of us will never have a self defense use for a knife. That is what a .45 ACP is for.

 

[Phil Elmore]

That's fair enough, Gus -- but as long as it's possible to run out of .45 ACP, I'll always have a use for a knife, too.

 

[severedthumbs]

That's fair enough, Gus -- but as long as it's possible to run out of .45 ACP, I'll always have a use for a knife, too.

dont forget your ninja trickery. lol'ing

 

[J_Curd]

Phil,

I believe you are missing the point. A knife can be used as a weapon, but by definition it is a tool. To call it only a weapon polarizes the issue.

I have taken martial arts, but I dont claim to be any master of martial blade crafts. I am intimately aware of the damage that a knife can cause.

I also know one could do the same or more damage with a screwdriver or broom stick if properly trained. If I touted the use of screw drivers and brooms as tactical tools, I might manage to get them unduly scrutinized by the hoplophobes as well...

Back on topic: Cold Steel's marketing includes such catchy lines as "will crush bones like dry twigs and pulp flesh into jelly". The graphic nature of the act doesn't need to be explained to those who have trained to use them in such a capacity. It's over the top, and asking to be used in a Supreme Court case.

 

[Phil Elmore]

I'm not missing the point; I reject the premise on which it is made. I also don't believe hoplophobes can be mollified no matter how much we self-censor.