So, Jim, what's your opinion? Is or isn't the 6-pt Gilbert that I posted in the other thread a SW "knock-off" or "copy"? We have already heard from Fred that he thinks it is neither.
I'd have to go back and look, but I will try to explain in this post without doing that.
What's your definition....and how does this particular cue fit in your definition of these terms.
I don't have a number or a definition, also I don't believe it's up to me to say and I have grey areas. By number I mean a percentage (again explain later)
I think the problem here is that you appear to take such a hard-line stance with your "cue design theft" mantra
I don't get as mad as many would love to believe or as mad as Joe gets, he relly takes it very personal. I do however stand behind my beliefs.
(which may is admirable), but when faced with examples, your take on your own motto fluctuates from hard line (when it's a cuemaker that may be new to cuemaking, more of a "production shop"...e.g. Coker, KC Cues, Mohawk, etc. or a cuemaker whom aren't too familiar with) to just a quick brush off (when it's a cuemaker that you have some affinity with.....e.g. McWorter, T.Wayne, or Schick).
I disagree, I just get bored with Joe's spin on it, I have never said it was ok, I don't go easier on anyone I may or may not know or respect. I'm not working for Joe and I don't feel a need to jump threw his hoops, I brought up what I consider to be a problem and it's becoming more of a problem because of the new technology and the mass amounts of new cue makers who are able to buy this technology that allows none talented people to steal from those who have talent. When I say it's wrong it's wrong, no matter who does it, When Bill Schick who I consider one of the best all time makers does it it's just as wrong as when Coker does it or Phillippi. But again grey areas are part of it and I am not black and white.
That is what I think Joe's always been driving at and poking holes through your veil of CUE DESIGN THEFT.
He has never poked a hole, that's your spin cause he's your lil buddy, there is no hole in what I've said there are hundreds of holes in Joe's version of what I believe.
Hell, I think most of us feel that copying an exact duplicate cue is wrong.
No Joe has said that he feels there is no such thing as stealing, even on exact copies of 1 of a kind cues, when I asked to confirm it's what he meant I even used the seaworld cue, still he claims it was fine. Now I know he's your lil buddy but how did you miss that?
It's with all these other sides of the argument that folks have problems with your position.
I don't believe *FOLKS* have a problem with me or my position, I'm sure they have issues with Joe's version of my position.
IMO, as is life, cuemaking definitely has its shades of gray when it comes to styles and designs.
BTW, my take on the example Gilbert I have shown is that it is a "SW inspired design"....a design which originated from DPK, by the way. There are enough differences for it to not be a "copy" or "knock-off", and the cue holds true to Andy's standard specs. But, on the other hand, I guarantee this cue would look more like a SW from 15ft away in a pool room than any Coker I've ever seen.
Sean