Majime lost my business for life

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That's a lot of cash for a cutting edge 2-3mm away from your garish nickel cladding.

Disgusted Paris Hilton GIF
 
northside said:
That's a lot of cash for a cutting edge 2-3mm away from your garish nickel cladding.

Disgusted Paris Hilton GIF
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I actually love the look of the steel he uses (from Baker Forge). But he definitely needs to make the primary edge below the s-grind a lot longer, like 2x or 3x longer. I like how long Nordquist makes the main bevels on his s-grinds - those suckers look like they'll last for ages of hard use.
 
Delat said:
I actually love the look of the steel he uses (from Baker Forge). But he definitely needs to make the primary edge below the s-grind a lot longer, like 2x or 3x longer. I like how long Nordquist makes the main bevels on his s-grinds - those suckers look like they'll last for ages of hard use.
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I feel like longer needs to be relate to thickness 🤗
 
Matt Jacobs said:
Just an FYI is anyone is interested. Majime knives has reached out and threatened legal action to at least 3 other knife makers via Instagram. I don't want to name them and make it worse but they are being fairly public about it. He is essentially saying that using a machine to mill out an S-grind, C-grind etc is exclusive to only him. The people he is calling out not only have different looking grinds but they have also been doing it longer. I can't believe someone in the the knife community would claim that an entire technique is theirs alone. It would be one thing if it was a copy but these aren't. I would be fine if he asked people not to copy his feather grind pattern but this is not what these other makers are doing.
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I’ve never heard of Majime, nor know anything about the case. Firstly, knife blades are difficult, almost impossible to patent. Has Majime splashed out the cash (+10k?) to have a patent approved? Or is this just sour grapes? Inventing something, or a production process means absolutely nothing unless willing to patent something. If it’s unique, innovative, game changer—other makers will get inspired; copy it; innovate the innovation, …as would be expected. S-grind, c-grind, aren’t anything new anyway. My Tsourkan workhorse is a riff on Kato—specs taken directly from a Kato—no harm there, knives aren’t art. If Majime feels that their process and design are truly unique—yeah, by all means, get a patent, and sue the as*** off any that infringe. FWIW, I’ve no issue with a maker profiting off an original idea, and legally preventing others from doing so.
 
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DitmasPork said:
I’ve never heard of Majime, nor know anything about the case. Firstly, knife blades are difficult, almost impossible to patent. Has Majime splashed out the cash (+10k?) to have a patent approved? Or is this just sour grapes? Inventing something, or a production process means absolutely nothing unless willing to patent something. If it’s unique, innovative, game changer—other makers will get inspired; copy it; innovate the innovation, …as would be expected. S-grind, c-grind, aren’t anything new anyway. My Tsourkan workhorse is a riff on Kato—specs taken directly from a Kato—no harm there, knives aren’t art. If Majime feels that their process and design are truly unique—yeah, by all means, get a patent, and sue the as*** off any that infringe. FWIW, I’ve no issue with a maker profiting off an original idea, and legally preventing others from doing so.
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Fair enough, but the issue is that he doesn't have an original idea, other smiths were doing this milling before him and selling it. He's trying to profit off of something he learnt from others.
 
riverblue said:
Fair enough, but the issue is that he doesn't have an original idea, other smiths were doing this milling before him and selling it. He's trying to profit off of something he learnt from others.
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Yes, exactly, which is why I'd mentioned the those grinds aren’t anything new. If there's a part of the production or design that's innovative or unique—and the 'smiths he learned from haven't patented it—then he could patent it. Although that may be viewed by some as a bit dubious by some. For better or worse—whoever registers the patent first that gets the credit; able to claim exclusivity. In all likelihood hood, an innovative J-style knife, design innovation—patented or not—would be copied by other Japanese, Chinese, and Western makers.
In other words—doesn't matter if the idea wasn't originally his to start with.
 
DitmasPork said:
Yes, exactly, which is why I'd mentioned the those grinds aren’t anything new. If there's a part of the production or design that's innovative or unique—and the 'smiths he learned from haven't patented it—then he could patent it. Although that may be viewed by some as a bit dubious by some. For better or worse—whoever registers the patent first that gets the credit; able to claim exclusivity. In all likelihood hood, an innovative J-style knife, design innovation—patented or not—would be copied by other Japanese, Chinese, and Western makers.
In other words—doesn't matter if the idea wasn't originally his to start with.
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He'd have to get past the whole 'Prior Art' part
 
superworrier said:
Patents are granted wrongly all the time. The problem is taking things to court is incredibly expensive, and knife makers don't have the money to deal with these threats.
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True dat. Small, small indie, makers likely don’t have the capital; or perhaps lack the inclination to invest in patents. Whether or not makers have the money isn’t a concern for me regarding patents—almost any business takes an investment to grow. If a concept, business plan is sound—there’re ways of finding money. Kickstarter for example.
 
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DitmasPork said:
True dat. Small, small indie, makers likely don’t have the capital; or perhaps lack the inclination to invest in patents. Whether or not makers have the money isn’t a concern for me regarding patents—almost any business takes an investment to grow. If a concept, business plan is sound—there’re ways of finding money. Kickstarter for example.
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Or lotteries? 🤦‍♂️
 
DitmasPork said:
Whatever it takes really. FWIW, as a small business owner, gotta get creative, put in the work to bring in funds to survive and/or grow.
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Should also make sure to follow all laws. Wouldn't want to get in trouble for running an illegal lottery or anything like that.
 
M1k3 said:
Should also make sure to follow all laws. Wouldn't want to get in trouble for running an illegal lottery or anything like that.
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Absolutely. I’m generally not fond of knife makers doing pay-to-play lotteries, or auctions.
 
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superworrier said:
Patents are granted wrongly all the time. The problem is taking things to court is incredibly expensive, and knife makers don't have the money to deal with these threats.
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That's very true. But it's often pointed out in industry that a patent is worthless until it's tested in court, and it costs a lot to pursue IP claims.

But it's all a moot point, since he doesn't appear to have a patent, nor a submission.
 
Wagnum said:
Most people might just call it a raffle. The phrasing makes it so much worse. A raffle is a fun way for someone to get a knife they can't afford for cheap, I don't think that was his intention here...
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In the US (all 50 states) whether you call it a raffle, lottery, or a casino, it is illegal gambling if you are doing it for profit without the proper licensing.
 
stringer said:
In the US (all 50 states) whether you call it a raffle, lottery, or a casino, it is illegal gambling if you are doing it for profit without the proper licensing.
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True. Also, selling used (or BNIB) knives should be taxed in the US—hopefully sellers on KKF BST are keeping track.
 
stringer said:
In the US (all 50 states) whether you call it a raffle, lottery, or a casino, it is illegal gambling if you are doing it for profit without the proper licensing.
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I have been told, but not confirmed, you can sell a sticker for $20 with a chance to be entered into a bonus drawing for a knife. Just a counter point that it's easy to do this and follow the rules.
 
Bensbites said:
I have been told, but not confirmed, you can sell a sticker for $20 with a chance to be entered into a bonus drawing for a knife. Just a counter point that it's easy to do this and follow the rules.
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As long as you also allow people to enter the contest without paying for entry as well. The "McDonald's Monopoly" exception basically.

https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/p...social-media-sweepstakes-or-contests-could-be
I don't really care at all. I just find it ironic that this is the same guy sending cease and desist letters to fellow craftspeople.
 
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