Dietmar Pohl: "We see the knife as a system"

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His knives are as distinctive as they are high quality. Under his own brand POHL FORCE, the blades by Dietmar Pohl have found enthusiastic users worldwide. (All his knives can be seen in the text and clicked for a larger view.) We wanted to know from Dietmar Pohl what the 5-year assessment of his company is, what his favorite knife is, and how he deals with having his work copied.

SPARTANAT: Pohl Force turned five this year. So, still a relatively young child. What is your assessment?

DIETMAR POHL: My assessment after five years is absolutely positive. In this relatively short time, we were able to establish Pohl Force as a real brand name within the international knife industry. Not only were we able to expand our range year by year, but also our network of distributors worldwide. With Pohl Force USA www.pohlforceusa.com, we are now even better equipped to serve the North American market. Our distribution network ranges from almost all European nations, to Russia, South Africa, Australia, and to the Asian market with countries like Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand. But the strongest market for us remains Germany. It makes us particularly proud that our knives are officially used by German special units such as police SEKs or customs. Looking back on the last years since founding the company, I must admit that I should have started my own business a bit earlier. Working for your own company is incredibly motivating and also offers opportunities that you simply don't have as an employee. A fact that I now attach even more importance to. I would definitely take the step again.

SPARTANAT: What makes the products of Pohl Force special?

DIETMAR POHL: There is no question that other knife manufacturers also develop good products. However, what sets us apart is that we do not see a knife as just a single product, but rather follow a system-oriented approach. We always try to put ourselves in the user's situation and offer the best carrying and usage options for them alongside the knife. A good example of this is the Alpha model. Professional users from the special operations sector approached us with the demand that the knife should be suitable for both uniformed open operations and covert MEK operations. The covert use as a folding knife with a pants clip was easy to implement. For use in open blade position with quick access, a sheath system that could be attached to tactical gear was needed. Therefore, we developed the Kydex sheath with an adjustable belt adapter. For those who want more, the Kydex sheath can also be attached to a shoulder carry system or a thigh adapter. Of course, we also offer the classic knife holster for the folded state: MOLLE-compatible and with a silent quick release.

The example of the Alpha illustrates well the user-oriented development of the system. A variety of details, such as the ability to use it with gloves on, disassembly under field conditions with slotted screws, and so on, create a comprehensive concept that is designed for real-world use. And each product from Pohl Force is developed from this perspective. Our own ideas about how the product should perform in use, combined with feedback from real users in the military and police special operations, are integrated into each development. As one of the few manufacturers, we also regularly improve our products and adapt them. This is partly associated with high tool modification costs, but the user is clearly our priority. They must be able to rely on our product. Of course, we also strive to offer the highest level of service to the customer after purchase.

SPARTANAT: If you had to choose a knife from your collection. Which one would it be? Why?

DIETMAR POHL: Personally, I would always choose the Kilo One Para-Rescue. It has the ideal size for almost any application and feels comfortable in the hand. However, the real strength of the knife lies in the modified Santoku blade shape. Certainly one of the most versatile blade shapes. It has a continuous blade thickness of 5 mm almost to the tip. The tapered grind is ideal for both chopping and finer cutting work. The edge is straight and can be sharpened by a layman with a flat stone. And of course, the knife with a blade length under 12 cm complies with the current German weapons law. The ability to carry the knife flat and close to the body with a pancake leather sheath or alternatively have quick access with a Kydex sheath also follows the knife system philosophy of Pohl Force here.

SPARTANAT: What quality criteria are important to you?

DIETMAR POHL: We naturally place a high value on general processing quality. Therefore, no knife leaves our workshop without undergoing a strict quality check. Always documented with a certificate, signature, and date. We make no exceptions here. The inspection includes both the materials used and the mechanics. We regularly have the steel alloys and blade hardness checked by a research and testing institute in Remscheid. The proportion of CNC-manufactured components in our knives is increasing through our partnership with Lionsteel in Italy. Here, we aim to focus even more on this in the future. CNC manufacturing offers a high degree of tight tolerances in our knives, which of course benefits their functional reliability.

SPARTANAT: You are now also one of the knife manufacturers commonly copied in China. Is this a problem for you?

DIETMAR POHL: We have registered trademarks and design rights for our products, but unfortunately, these are not respected in China. This is frustrating, but a situation we have to live with. However, it is surprising that even a small company like us has been targeted. However, we console ourselves with the saying that "only the best are copied." Jokes aside. The illegal use of our trademark is the real issue. When customers, unaware that they have fallen for a counterfeit, post about these knives in public online forums, not knowing they are fake, it causes significant damage to our reputation. Therefore, we try to educate not only on the homepage of our website but also on our own Facebook company profile. But as I said, apparently we have to live with this like so many other manufacturers. Fortunately, the counterfeits are so poor in quality that it becomes apparent right away.

DIETMAR POHL is responsible for over 60 different serially produced knife models designed by him. Three books on the subject of knives authored by him have been translated into several languages. It all started as a hobby. After studying business economics, this hobby became his main professional field with his entry as marketing director, designer, and product manager in the Solingen knife industry in 1994. After 14 years, realizing his designs under his own name, with his own company POHL FORCE, represented the next step on his "knife" journey.

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