[alaskanativeson]

A while ago I read a message on the Cold Steel home webpage that talked about what a terrible person Mick Strider was, that he had "enlarged" much of his military history, that he was a disgrace to the knifemaking community, and that he sacrificed goats and live babies or some such. It really seemed like high school hair pulling to me. I understand Strider has done some of the same things about Lynn Thompson in different locations.

I know that this may be old news to some of you but I haven't read much about it. I don't get any of the knife magazines and since I've been doing a Masters course I haven't had much free time to cruise the 'net. Can some of you give me a nickel's worth of the history that has gone on here? I know there's a lot written about it in some of the blade forums but when I've tried to wade through much of it I get bogged down by people who don't really understand what it means to take the High Road. Are there legitimate complaints from or about either? Is this just a teenage girl's hair pulling contest between two poopyheads writ large?

[hso]

This is very old news, but it keeps recurring.

The summary is as follows, Mick Strider's (Mickey Berger) military service was called into question as was his criminal record. The inflation of the first and the omission of the second were dragged into public and widely publicized by Lyn Thompson of Cold Steel and Kevin McClung of Mad Dog.

A clear presentation (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=453852) is available at Bladeforums.

Please remember that a company is not a person.

[zerosignal]

A few links for you regarding Cold Steel's hypocrisy and thieving.

The karambit debacle: http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/cssto...e/Karambit.pdf
http://www.coldsteel.com/49ks.html

The knife design they stole from Bryan Tighe:
http://csstoreonline.stores.yahoo.net/60bs.html
http://www.tigheknives.com/Tpg1Tac.html

Stolen from Benchmade:
http://csstoreonline.stores.yahoo.net/60ce.html
http://www.anythingoes.biz/boguszewski_spike_650s.html

Copy of Benchmade's Axis-Lock:
http://csstoreonline.stores.yahoo.net/recon1.html
http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=523

A blatant ripoff of Ernest Emersons "Wave":
http://www.coldsteel.com/ak47.html
Read the last paragraph of the ak47 description. It's designed EXACTLY like the "Wave".

Another blatant ripoff:
http://www.coldsteel.com/tilites.html
http://www.steeladdictionknives.com/knives/custom/boguszewskiphil/CustomFolders/TitaniumStilettoFlipper.php

Hey! Yet another ripoff:
http://www.coldsteel.com/20cbl.html
http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/r1s.html

And finally, the ripoff that started the war with Strider:
http://www.coldsteel.com/80ft.html
http://www.striderknives.com/site/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=44&category_id=1&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26
Just check out end of the description from Cold Steel.



To put it lightly, Lynn Thompson steals other peoples designs and pawns them off as his own.

Whether Mick Strider lied about his military background has no bearing on the quality of his knives and the customer satisfaction he provides.

Cold Steel does make a few basic knives that are worth the money, but I refuse to fund a scam artist who has no honor.

[alaskanativeson]

When I first saw Blackjack Knives come out with a copy of the Randall Model 1 I was annoyed. When I saw Cold Steel did the same I was even more so. It seemed to me that they were just imitators, that if you wanted a great knife like the Model 1 you should get it from the real source, not an imitator. I know the old saying that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but since I'm such a diehard fan of Randalls I was bothered more than impressed. I will say that I had a friend who bought a Blackjack copy and really liked it, he said he couldn't afford the Randall and with the Blackjack he didn't have to wait to get the knife he wanted. Fine. Different strokes and all that.

Cold Steel has continued its tradition of coping other's designs. When I ask myself why, I find that the answer is more simple than I want it to be: Sales. That's the bottom line. I notice that with Cold Steel the knives they have copied usually include at least a phrase like "takes inspiration from" or "replica of a classic" to explain why they didn't bother to design their own product. While it annoys me I understand it. That doesn't mean you're going to find many Cold Steel replicas in my house except for the Twistmaster. I really like the design of the Opinel knife but the steel they use is just crap. I have bought every Twistmaster I could get a hold of. I have several Original Cold Steel knives, I consider my Recon Scout to be a great knife. I won't EVER own an R1.

From what I've read of Mick Strider so far I wouldn't use one of his knives to scrape dog shyte off my shoes.

Please remember that a company is not a person.

Do you know, by any chance, how is Mick Strider affiliated with Strider Knives?

[zerosignal]

Mick is the founder and owner of Strider. I'm not sure how much of a hand he has in their designs.

The information about his military and criminal record disturbs me, but I have never heard a bad word about him from anyone who owns his knives or had dealt with Strider.

Their products are universally awesome quality, with great customer service and a bulletproof warranty to back them up.

And they're all made in the U.S.A.

[hso]

Not being affiliated with the company I can not say definitively.

Again, the knives produced by a company may or may not be reflective of the people involved with it. A product's quality, design, utility, or value may have nothing to do with the image of the company or the representatives or people affiliated with the company. I know far too much about the personalities and company practices within the knife business and community any more to be naive about the image of companies or individuals and the products they produce. There are posers and thieves and liars as well as humble people of honor (and some that are nearly saints) in the business and I've been amazed as to who falls into what category and what products they are associated with.

[Valkman]

Not this again. Mick has never hidden his felony or jail time. This stuff is a witchhunt by this group (don't forget the dude that owns Maxpedition - he was in on it too) and now they've gone after a couple more of Mick's friends.

When I lost my SnG Josh sent me a new one, and for that and other reasons I will always stand by Strider. I wouldn't have a Cold Steal or a Mad Dog in my house.

[JShirley]

ans,

I used to have quite a few CS knives. I thought quite highly of the Twistmaster, as well, and purchased several.

People are people and people have quirks. Some you may be able to live with, and some may annoy the hell out of you. I met Thompson at a Blade show in 97, IIRC, and was less than impressed. It does seem that many CS designs are copied, and that LT sometimes needlessly antagonizes other makers.

I only said a few words to Mick at another Blade show, but I don't care for the geometry of his knives in general. Wild lies about his supposed military past, however, do not dispose me to think well of his products.

John

[Boats]

#1

http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies313.htm

#2

http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies365.htm

#3

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1231694&postcount=27


That should be all of the reading an intelligent person needs.

[alwilliam]

IMO..L.T. is a a ass and a large one on many levels :D.He also really knows how to tell some tall tales.

Strider I have issues with also because I have NO QUARTER for people who lie about military service..I also have major problems with convicted felons,Mick is truly guilty of both.


I have owned knives by both makers in the past..I sold all striders and will own no more... based on the proven fact of a false military record and a felony conviction by mick.

Both these guys are real pieces of work.:cuss:

[Gordon]

"but I don't care for the geometry of his knives in general. Wild lies about his supposed military past, however, do not dispose me to think well of his products."
About sums it up for me- I agree NOT a talking point!:D

[JTW Jr.]

I am with Valkman. Mick & crew , friends of mine , I am quite aware of Mick's past , always have been , still a friend.

LT on the other hand continues to copy makers designs , I have no use for CS knives , any more than I have use for a lawyer who talks crap till backed into a corner then back peddles.

Everyone has those that they support , and those they dislike. I merely state my opinion on both and don't try to force others to change their views.

[Boats]

Talks crap eh? I haven't got word one in on the three links above. They speak for themselves. I'm not passing judgment. The facts are in and people can draw their own conclusions.

[ArfinGreebly]

It's been real.

It's starting to generate more heat than light, though.

I would say there's enough data in the prior posts to permit someone who's interested to gather what he needs and make his own decision.

I like well-made machinery. Especially knives.

I got to hear some inside crud on one of my favorite manufacturers recently, from a guy who worked for them for 17 years.

I debated airing it here.

Know what? Their stuff is still good, their people still work hard and treat their customers well.

Hearing the crud won't help any of you, and will only serve to hurt the guys on the factory floor, who haven't earned that hurt.

You may eventually hear it, but you won't hear it from me.

Let's put this one to bed, shall we?