Cold steel sues CRKT.

[lobo9er]

Shut it down if this is being discussed I didn't see it anywhere when I searched unless I over looked it.

copied this from another forum.

PRESS RELEASE - Cold Steel Sues CRKT for Allegedly False Claims

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Cold Steel Inc. has sued Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT), alleging that claims in CRKT’s marketing materials are misleading consumers into purchasing folding knives that do not perform as advertised and that could potentially expose consumers to the risk of serious injury. CRKT claims that several of the locking mechanisms within their current line-up are capable of converting a folding knife into a “virtual fixed blade.”

Cold Steel’s complaint, filed in federal court on June 3, 2015 (Case 2:15-cv-04166), alleges that this claim violates the federal Lanham Act and related California state law. The claim alleges that this is an empty advertising slogan, as CRKT’s folding knives cannot begin to match the strength of a fixed blade, and that furthermore, those same knives will fail catastrophically when significant pressure is applied.

“Consumers are entitled to truthful information,” said Cold Steel President Lynn C Thompson. “They need to know what a knife can and can’t do. We are a nation of people who USE our knives. Responsible knife owners want to use their tools, and they should be given honest information about the performance, reliability and safety they should expect.”

According to the complaint, CRKT’s statements relate to three locking mechanisms – LAWKS®, AutoLAWKS™ and L.B.S™ CRKT’s printed and online marketing materials include statements which include:


Sliding the LAWKS® lever forward assures that the folder is a virtual fixed blade. . . .

Integrated into the design is the patented LAWKS® safety, which effectively converts the [knife] into a virtual fixed blade. . .

The AutoLAWKS™ lever moves forward automatically whenever the blade is opened and locked to assure that the folder is a virtual fixed blade. . . .

When the blade is opened, locked and the L.B.S™ is actuated, the knife becomes a virtual fixed blade, and will not accidentally fold while in use.


According to the complaint, these claims constitute representations that, when pressure is applied to the knife in the open position and while the locking mechanism is engaged, the knife will have almost the same resistance to folding as that of a fixed blade knife of a one-piece construction.

Cold Steel’s complaint goes on to state that CRKT’s locking mechanisms perform “worse than many other comparably priced knives, and far worse than lower cost knives manufactured by Cold Steel” The complaint also alleges that Cold Steel is entitled to unspecified monetary damages caused by CRKT’s “blatantly false claims” and “dishonest tactics” about the strength of their knives. Cold Steel also seeks an injunction, treble damages, and attorneys’ fees.

For further information:
[email protected]
(800) 255-4716

 

[lobo9er]

Not a fan of cold steel. Their knives function as they should from the reviews, but the company it self is lame. In my opinion of course. They advertisements are over the top ridiculous showing sheet metal, sides of beef and hogs being destroyed, then complain when people break their knives, true they replace them but includes letters of discontent with how their knives were used.

This however is low. In my opinion of course. unless Lynn cut himself with the CRKT in question, this is nothing more than publicity.

 

[Speedo66]

Key word is "virtual", which is in each ad. Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines virtual as "very close to being something without actually being it". I think they covered themselves.

Personally, I always found Cold Steel to use not the best steels, and to be a little over the top with spears, whips, etc. This lawsuit goes along with that. CRKT I've found to be very innovative, with decent prices and well made products.

 

[hso]

I'll assume this is a marketing tactic more than a consumer protection effort

 

[lemaymiami]

Wonder what state the complaint was filed in... California would be the first suspect.

 

[bikerdoc]

I dont own one single Cold Steel product.

 

[X-Rap]

Can't see that case going far, kinda makes you wonder if he'll sour more than draw.

 

[Valkman]

I dont own one single Cold Steel product.

Me either, and never will. Stupid lawsuit.

 

[hso]

Here's the link to the court suit - http://www.scribd.com/doc/268364363/Cold-Steel-v-CRKT#scribd

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
COLD STEEL, INC., a California corporation, Plaintiff, vs. COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE & TOOL COMPANY, a business entity, form unknown; GB II CORPORATION, an Oregon corporation, dba COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE & TOOL COMPANY; and DOES 1 through 10, inclusive. Defendants. Case No. COMPLAINT for: 1. False Advertising, Lanham Act section 43 2. Unfair Competition, California Business & Professions Code section 17200 et seq. Demand for Jury Trial Plaintiff Cold Steel, Inc. (“Cold Steel”) complains of Defendants Columbia River Knife & Tool Company, GB II Corporation dba Columbia River Knife & Tool Company and Does 1-10, and alleges as follows: 1. This is an action for false advertising section 43(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a); and for violation of related California state law. These claims address the false and misleading statements in Columbia River
Case 2:15-cv-04166-AB-PJW Document 1 Filed 06/03/15 Page 1 of 12 Page ID #:1
2:15-CV-4166

Here's the link to Lynn Thompson's statement on the CS website - http://www.coldsteel.com/crkt_lawsuit.aspx

There's a lot of negative backlash in the internet knife forums against Cold Steel over the filing.

 

[Water-Man]

I own one. Cold Steel Master Hunter. Have owned it for several years and it's one of the best hunting knives I've owned.

 

[alexander45]

I was going to get one of their shambocks for use while riding my bicycle (discouraging dogs and other strays) but with this kind of bull going on I won't touch their products

 

[bannockburn]

I have to agree with Speedo66; the key word in CRKT's ads is "virtual".

 

[Litlman]

I have a Cold Steel Tanto that my little brother gave me back in the 90's, made in Japan. It's a nice knife. That being said, I have several CRKT's and love them, a Crawford Casper folder with Lawks that I lost, serrated Mirage, a peck that I use as a money clip and a Hisatsu with auto lacks. I just got 2 black Ritter RSK Mk5's for my kids back packs (cool little knives).i think I have a couple more but can't remember which ones. I did give a couple of the Mirage's as gifts to my family and they love them. My recent purchases have been Spyderco, Benchmade and CRKT products. No desire for Cold Steel.

 

[Sol]

What is "significant pressure"?

Sorry Mr. Coldsteel, but if you're misusing a product and injured yourself, that's your problem. Mr. Coldsteel should know, being an expert, that folding knives are just knives. Meant for small cutting tasks. Perhaps a screwdriver, a pry bar, lathe, axe a saw or a grinder is a more appropriate cutting tool.

If I bought a machete that can, as advertised "Handle virtually any task", do I sue when it can't cut down a 40 foot metal lightpost?

 

[ugaarguy]

I've owned a few Cold Steel products, and still have a Mini Tuff Lite that I really like. I've never cared for their over the top advertising though, and this lawsuit makes me even less likely to buy anything from them. In fact, quite the opposite, it makes me want to pre-order a CRKT 3700 GSD even though I really don't need one.

 

[Sol]

I didn't read that he injured himself, I just put that in my last post for general purposes.

 

[TimboKhan]

I find this to be an odd lawsuit given that Cold Steel themselves advertises the Pocket Bushman as being a close second to a fixed blade. They state categorically that no folder is as tough as a fixed blade, but saying that it comes as close to hitting the mark as any folder is just an issue of semantics when compared to the word "virtually" in my opinion.

I own two cold steel folding knives and oddly enough one is the pocket bushman, which has been my truck glovebox knife for years. It's a decent enough knife with an admittedly strong lock, but I bought it because it was big and cheap (less cheap now, I notice) as opposed to any claims to its fixed blade-like toughness. The other is a mini Tuff Lite that I bought based on a review Ugaarguy did awhile ago, and for what it is that knife has been fine as well.

That being said, Cold Steel just isn't for me. For what I like and need in a knife, I can buy other products that I feel are superior in construction and value. (Cough cough "Spyderco" cough cough). I think this is Lynn Thompson exhibiting some jealousy and nothing more.

 

[Vonderek]

As someone who is still in physical therapy 3 months after an accident with a Cold Steel product I am a bit amused that Cold Steel is suing another manufacturer for an unsafe product. Yeah I know I shoulda studied the online videos for closing a folding knife but whatever.

 

[herrwalther]

I'll assume this is a marketing tactic more than a consumer protection effort

My first thought. When you don't have much of a leg to stand on, try attacking someone's safety risk. Happens in the firearm community too. Read as officer safety or think of the children.

 

[plexreticle]

I have a pocket bushman and it may have a strong lock, but I feel like it's trying to kill me when I try to close it. There is more to a safe design than a lock that will hold hundreds of lbs.

 

[JTW Jr.]

Typical Lynn Thompson BS...anything for media hype.

Just like years ago when he created all that drama by writing the article slamming how the karambit was the worst knife ever , etc....then shortly after CS released their karambit.

Not a company that has ever impressed me. Even less impressed now.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I love my Cold Steel Shambok and Blackthorn walking stick.

 

[hso]

That's nice.

 

[dayhiker]

Maybe Lynn is trying to leverage his way into the big box store market.

If this ever sees the inside of a courtroom who's next? SOG ? Gerber? Or the real heavy hitters in that market, Kershaw? Buck?

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Sad to see Lynn sue CRKT ,I love my Hammond Cruiser I got from CRKT. I don't really understand what Cold Steel upset about cause their own ads are quite over the top.:banghead: