Copy cats in call making and more

[Spring Dragon]

A friend sent me this link.  I am not on GON so I had no idea... I had to shake my head.  Not that I am anyone special but when I started making my turkey totes and many other items I vowed to be original and unique, come up with something different that wasn't really out there, my own ideas and design.  I wanted to seperate myself and respect other peoples work.  

Here is a guy, I believe was a former customer of mine who is now making them (totes), "exactly" in the same antler style/design as me, right down to how he cuts and shapes the antler for use, utilizes the brow tine,  to how I bore it out for the leather lanyard to attach, all the same!  It is exact!  He isn't the first to copy it either.

 Now if someone wanted to make one for themselves its one thing, if someone carves a tote made of different style or material thats another, but he is making and selling them exactly like mine, ....come on.  Never even bothered to ask me if I minded, Unbelievable.  So, it doesn't just happen to call makers.  Even my call holsters have been duplicated.  Though I am not a call maker so to speak, am I wrong for being bothered?  Cant people try to be original....come up with thier own spin off at least.---Jason
 http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?p=7548128

P.S.- if you are on GON, be sure to tell him Dragonfly said congrats on the tote design.

[ghost5]

I have seen it happen with all types of items and it doesn't surprise me that yours' got copied. Even with permission he never trained under you so I know I would be less than happy with him if it were me.

[MKW]

As long as things are made custom, by hand, there will always be "hacks" that copy it. The better the design, the more it will be copied. It ticks me off greatly, but there ain't a whole lot that you can do except express your displeasure with the "hack".

Mike

[GR8CALLS]

Jason

One thing's for sure, he doesn't have your abilities. Yours are much more detailed and certainly more stunning! 

Bill

[West Augusta]

There is a guy on another forum and one on ebay that have copied my strikers very close.  I have lost some sales due to one of them.  I don't like it and have expressed that but there is not much else you can do. 

You make the best Jason.  Nobody will argue that.  Just keep doing what you are doing.

[GSLAM95]

I agree Jason it is sad when custom made is copied.. 
The same person who is copying your tote took up for Jack Lewis (Pappy) on Old Gobbler earlier this year when I called him out for copying a Cornbread Strumpet almost to the letter!! 
Wait a minute.....
I think something similar just happened here on the roost just a short time ago but that thread was given censorship via da-lock because of who it was....
Now I see Steve is getting some of the same thing done to him with strikers.
Respecting each others hard work and design seems to have gone out the window long ago within the custom made world...
Best wishes to all and take it for what it's worth but I will never knowingly purchase anything from someone who I know is a copy cat and can't do their own original work...

[GSLAM95]

I agree Jason it is sad when custom made is copied.. 
The same person who is copying your tote took up for Jack Lewis (Pappy) on Old Gobbler earlier this year when I called him out for copying a Cornbread Strumpet almost to the letter!! 
Wait a minute.....
I think something similar just happened here on the roost just a short time ago but that thread was given censorship via da-lock because of who it was....
Now I see Steve is getting some of the same thing done to him with strikers.
Respecting each others hard work and design seems to have gone out the window long ago within the custom made world...
Best wishes to all and take it for what it's worth but I will never knowingly purchase anything from someone who I know is a copy cat and can't do their own original work...

 Don't worry Jason, that guy sure ain't no threat to your work!! Nice post GSLAM. 

Thanks SS but I am just a turkey hunter who likes to collect as well. 
Many here can not seem to handle an opinion from a non-callmaking person who observes and calls a spade a spade out loud!

[BigTom]

I agree Jason it is sad when custom made is copied.. 
The same person who is copying your tote took up for Jack Lewis (Pappy) on Old Gobbler earlier this year when I called him out for copying a Cornbread Strumpet almost to the letter!! 
Wait a minute.....
I think something similar just happened here on the roost just a short time ago but that thread was given censorship via da-lock because of who it was....
Now I see Steve is getting some of the same thing done to him with strikers.
Respecting each others hard work and design seems to have gone out the window long ago within the custom made world...
Best wishes to all and take it for what it's worth but I will never knowingly purchase anything from someone who I know is a copy cat and can't do their own original work...

 Don't worry Jason, that guy sure ain't no threat to your work!! Nice post GSLAM. 

Thanks SS but I am just a turkey hunter who likes to collect as well. 
Many here can not seem to handle an opinion from a non-callmaking person who observes and calls a spade a spade out loud!

 

[ferocious calls]

He is in the minor league Jason. You are top of the majors. Don't sweat it to much. His folley may come to haunt him.
Meanwhile keep turning out the best. Someday I will own one of yours or a good friend will. Your work is outstanding!

[Spring Dragon]

Thank you guys.  I'm really not all that angry, just more so bothered by it.  I just want to let everyone know who he is and what he did.  Thanks---Jason

[Gobbler Commander]

I agree Jason it is sad when custom made is copied.. 
The same person who is copying your tote took up for Jack Lewis (Pappy) on Old Gobbler earlier this year when I called him out for copying a Cornbread Strumpet almost to the letter!! 
Wait a minute.....
I think something similar just happened here on the roost just a short time ago but that thread was given censorship via da-lock because of who it was....
Now I see Steve is getting some of the same thing done to him with strikers.
Respecting each others hard work and design seems to have gone out the window long ago within the custom made world...
Best wishes to all and take it for what it's worth but I will never knowingly purchase anything from someone who I know is a copy cat and can't do their own original work...

I would sit back and watch the "train wreck.." in the form of this unsubstantiated defamation but I fell a need to educate those whom I do respect that read these posts and purchase my calls.  It should be evident to anyone who has seen my work, and who has seen the work mine is being compared to, that the internal composition and technique used to produce my "tube call" is exponentially different than that of the "strumpet," as is the sound produced.  As always I welcome the educated opinions of the real call makers, but I would appreciate it if those collectors that lack the basic understanding of internal design refrain from the malicious gossip.  I would be proud to display and play this call for Cornbread anytime. 

[bbcustomboxcalls]

I understand exactly how you feel.  A guy in NY was posting pictues of my calls and trying to sell them on ebay as if they were his calls.
There will always be people who try to profit off someone elses hard work. 

Bill

[Old Geezer]

If you come up with some unique designs or ideas you can expect to them show up in other makers work.  Sometimes what you see is unitentional other times not.  This is the world we live in.  I know of two instances where my work was not copied but other makers came out with a similar idea at the same time.  It happens.  But when it is a direct copy all you can think of is, where's the respect.  Jason, from where I sit you have nothing to worry about.  Keep up the great work.

Ralph