Now let's look at it from the perspective of sales and marketing.
One glance at the S5 instantly tells me that it's a knife manufactured by Scrap Yard Knives. Why? Because of the thump ramp and the square choil. As someone else mentioned, those have become trademark features of knives manufactured by Scrap Yard. Is instant recognition more important to Scrap Yard than FF&F? Apparently it is,
BAHHHhhhh .... there you go being negative again Bruce! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />
I WAY prefer FF&F over "trademark features". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> I would HOPE most others around here would prefer FF&F as applicable to a given knife over "trademark features" as well. - Just make the trademark features worthy and functional. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
"Marketing" shouldn't be pushing "Square" into a round hole!
"Marketing" shouldn't be trying to convince it's buyers that "style" is more important on something where FF&F are CLEARLY more important.... ie.: uncomfortable stylish shoes for hiking vs. WAY better and more appropriate comfortable and appropriately designed and built shoes.
If "Marketing" wins out over FF&F, then either Busse and kin hope we are all Lemmings or we ARE all Lemmings. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />
Either way, I will "TRY" not to be a Lemming and would hope for support in NOT being a group of Lemmings.
In regards to "instant recognition", how is the SS4 recognized???? Scrap Muk... MPLE.... Yard Keeper.....????? Even NONE of the DM series of knives have a ramp or a square choil!!!... although, I personally didn't care for the guard/choil combination. - sorry.
The SS4 has a well designed functional choil and is considered one of the BEST Scrap Yard knives of all time by many. Yes some chose the DF/DFLE and some chose the S6 (and 1 chooses the DMCG <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />), but those are all significantly different in size. If size is relevant, I think right now the SS4 easily wins the sub-5.5" catagory.
When the final bell rings and the S5 makes its official debut, I wouldn't be surprised if aesthetics wins the day.
Well... AGAIN, I will mention: "I" prefer the aesthetics of the smaller guard with the rounded choil!!!!
I can only hope my views on aesthetics and FF&F are relavent. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />
And I think it should be noted that APPARENTLY the LARGE majority here ALSO prefer the smaller guard with rounded choil.
Regardless if reasons for such a large preference are based on FF&F vs. aesthetics and possibly both (like me), I think such a large biase should be considered and hold value for "Sales and marketing". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
I can appreciate "part" of the purpose of "Sales and Marketing" to be to create desire/demand for a given product or feature. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> - I say this with a significant knowledge and history in sales.
But, in the end, a "COMPANY" should be more concerned about what its customers "want" and the "Company" should be open to listening <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> - I say this with having a significant history in management and business ownership.
.....Especially considering a business that has a significant number of their customers providing their feedback on a "FORUM".
Granted, there isn't always a consensus around here about what everybody wants.
But, in THIS case, out of all of the comments I have read/noticed that mention anything about the choil, I think I have probably seen about 90% - 95% mention they would rather see a smaller rounded choil.
With NOBODY saying they actually prefer the FF&F potential of the large square choil.
Some like the looks - if they choose that over FF&F, I am sorry to hear. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />
And a couple seem indifferent - will buy it either way. But, those people "might" prefer improved FF&F if given the option.
I just think many (probably right <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ) assume that it is what it is and it will be what it will be. Dan has showed us a proto. We might NOT have much hope for it to change. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I really don't know.
But, it might be worth pointing out (?????), The Swamp Rat new line protos were posted and once released, MANY of those had significant changes.
Similar, Jerry sometimes posts concept pics of some Busse knives and makes changes prior to releasing.... so, you never know.
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