If you are wondering my reason for posting the BOYCOTT BENCHMADE and "No F*#king Butterflies" sign, it is because Benchmade has once again seen fit to disregard Spyderco's trademark on the round opening hole with a new model they introduced.  This theft is even more blatant an indefensible than their first misappropriation of the mark.     

Those who wish to justify their continued support for an ethically bankrupt company use arguments that are unsupported by the facts to defend their morally reprehensible position. 

Fact: The round hole opening device has been used as the opening device on every FOLDING knife except one that has been marketed under the Spyderco label from their first, the C01 Worker to their latest the C113 Caly 3. The sole exception was the C27 Jess Horn.

Fact: A manufacturer's use of a trademark on one distinct group of products (in this instance folding knives) and their non-use of it on other distinct product groups (fixed blade knives, kitchen sharps) does not impact the legitimacy of the trademark.

Fact: Companies are allowed to have more than one trademark, so the existence of other Spyderco trademarks, such as the "bug", does not does not impact the legitimacy of the round hole opener as a trademark.

Fact: "Functional" features CAN be given trademark protection, as long as the functionality does not confer a functional advantage. As an example, paint on a vehicle serves a functional purpose, but John Deere has a trademark on a specific color of green.

Fact: Manufaturers, including Benchmade, who have used oval and other shaped opening holes have asserted, and continue to assert in their advertising that their opening hole is superior to the round one. By that assertion, they have eliminated the argument that the round hole opener has a functional advantage over other shaped holes. The fact that ANY hole opener of reasonable size, regardless of shape, has a functional advantage over thumb studs, disks, nail nicks, etc. is beside the point.