Knife Copies

[DANA HOLMAN]

Guys
I was just wanting to know is it unethical to copy someones knife, maybe not the the t, but same shape, handle, ect.?
there is so many kind of knife blades out there and some of the blades you guys make are just sharp looking, if it is wrong let me know, i don't want to step on any toes.
thanks dana

[Lin Rhea]

Just ask the person whose knife you want to copy. I bet it'll be OK. Lin

[tmccall]

There's nothing original under the sun.  Knife making has been around for many, many years.  The designs that work have survived the years and many designs that weren't so good have fallen by the wayside.

IMHO There's nothing wrong with imitating or even improving upon what you know works.  They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery.

I wouldn't advocate an exact replica, but you wouldn't do that anyway.  By the time you take a knife design and put your own personal twist on it, it becomes something that is uniquely yours.

Go for it!

[DANA HOLMAN]

thanks guys
lin some of your knives i would love to try my hand at, if you don't mind, not to say i could build it near as good as you do, karl has a few to, and alot of others,
thanks
dana

[Lin Rhea]

Go for it. Let me know if I can help.    Lin

[Wampus]

I've thought about this a bit and I figure an amateur maker like me trying to copy somebody's design for my own learning or to give as a gift to a friend or relative is not hurting anybody.  It would be different if I was making a whole bunch of copies and selling them as "Lin Rhea designed" knives on fleabay or something.  I've never sold a knife and don't ever plan to.  It's purely a hobby for me.  I don't think there's much danger of me hurting a talented Master Smith's business by giving away one of my poor copies of his design.  They never look like the original anyway.  

[Nosight]

IMHO If these fine knife makers were not wanting to share not only the knowledge but how to do it they would not be here...

I think they want us to copy spin twist and redo their work thats what this forum is all about.

Again Just my 2 cents worth..

Later....Buzz

[DANA HOLMAN]

Thanks guys
Dana