...the BK10s? big hassle, and they really didn't sell well -- the number of people who kept them is VERY low too. imho, WE need to step up when special offers are presented, hold forth, and do good reviews too (esp on passarounds/contests - gripe gripe)...
To expect every Beckerhead, or even a majority to jump on a special offer like that is unrealistic. BK&T is supposed to be about "knives that work for a living" and have a low cost. For many, that low cost was the initial attraction, and in some cases the continual attraction. Especially when you consider that the BK10 was duplicating the capabilities of knives already out (2, 12, and in some cases the 7) and many just couldn't justify dropping $100 on something that does that. Not all of us are collectors. At the end of the day , while I can eat ramen for a month to pay for an awesome knife, I will not force my family to eat ramen for a month just so I can get a knife. Was it awesome we got a limited run chance at them? Heck yeah it was, and there isn't a person here that didn't appreciate that. After the first week or two, we had, what, 65 of them or so going directly to Beckerheads? How many more were bought afterwards by Beckerheads? And yeah, some didn't keep them, but don't think that because we didn't enter your contest we don't still have them. I still have mine at least. I didn't enter your contest because I genuinely feel that I have won more than my fair share and some of the newer people deserve a chance at the awesome generosity that exists here. And while I may not say it enough to you (Bladite), or Moose, or Guyon, or most of all Ethan, I for one appreciate it greatly.
Ethan, I don't think an apology is owed on your part. To say that you have been anything less than an exemplary host both here and at your home would be a disservice to you and everything we have all been through up until now. Between yourself and the "Terrible Trio" we have had more fun than any subsection of the internet has a right to, and I know that because of this I have made a ton of friends and had some really great experiences I would not have otherwise had.
That being said, I don't think there is anyone that would disagree with me when I say that some loosening of the restrictions placed on the mods concerning communication about upcoming products would be a bad thing. You don't just light a fire, you gotta build it, and getting the word out about things before they happen could only help build that fire (IMHO).