2013 BladeForums Traditional Forum Knife Pre-Order thread

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jwh said:
I fell out of remission from my Leukemia about 5 weeks ago . I will be getting a bone marrow transplant if they can get me back in remission. I would like to see it happen NOW. Later could be too late.

Jwh
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Sorry to hear this:( prayers sent from Texas!

And another vote for order now also:thumbup:
 
So, let's close up shop on this and get the knives ordered! Either set a final deadline for orders to be placed or just go for it with what we have. I'm still in for mine, paid in full months ago.
 
Daniel Dorn said:
Hey, as I've already paid, I'm all for getting it started, ASAP.

I'm sorry for all the delays, but contrary to some opinions, this is probably one of the higher numbers of knives, compared to all the rest. As far as pre-sales, it probably passes all the others.

I have the 2007 knife, and that was a limited number of 57!
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The total so far is impressive by any standard, but not a record setter.

170 pre-paid in 2010
184 pre-paid in 2011
250 *sold in 2012 *I'm betting if pre-payment had been required last year it would have still been the biggest number pre-sold to date since all 250 were sold basically before they were bfinished IIRC.
<140? so far in 2013

Numbers had been going up every year.

If this year's production were assured and a solid drop dead date were announced, I'm sure more would sell, but I doubt anyone else right now wants to pay for something that may not even happen.
 
I've been hoping for a Congress Jack since one was considered last year. Especially after getting one of the new TC Barlow's with sheepfoot main I'm more excited than before to put a Congress Jack in my pocket! It doesn't seem to be a very common pattern, I've only seen a few Fight'n Roosters for sale since I started into this hobby.

As I am also in the middle of a custom forum watch project, I fully understand how difficult the process is. In fact, I don't think I ever want to do another custom watch, never mind a yearly project. However one of the other subforums has done a number of them and they continue to have success.
 
I'm betting if pre-payment had been required last year it would have still been the biggest number pre-sold to date since all 250 were sold basically before they were bfinished IIRC.
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1. The 2012 knives were not sold before they were finished. I ordered my last one from Spark two weeks after I got the first one.

2. The knives were ordered by Spark well enough in advance that we had pictures and dialog throughout the manufacture which did drive sales. This year there has been no order, no progress reports, or even a running total as to when the "magic" number of knives were (or would be) sold to keep interest up or those who paid advised.

If you look at the sales of knives last year (going by the old threads) you can see that a large number of orders were placed as the project came together and people could see how the final product would appear. The sales so far this year are completely without that type of assurance, and it's quite plain that lacking any progress or visual aids sales have slowed.

Another reason sales slowed is that the number of knives planned increased with the idea of specifically having knives available for those who wouldn't pre-pay (or place an order); there was no incentive to buy early built into the program. You have to truly restrict the numbers (say limit production to half of what the market will bear) or offer discounts up front for those who finance the project (say a 20% lower price for pre-paid) to build value and generate certain sales; that's basic marketing.

On another note, more people were involved in the process (voting, etc) this year than any previous year; approximately 30%more than the previous year. Where did all that support for this project go? Looking at the numbers for all the other choices I would expect future "Year/Forum" knives to sell less than 100 pieces based on the follow through.
 
jwh said:
I fell out of remission from my Leukemia about 5 weeks ago . I will be getting a bone marrow transplant if they can get me back in remission. I would like to see it happen NOW. Later could be too late.

Jwh
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Prayers and best wishes to you.
 
For me, it's not about the pattern, it's about Bladeforums. I'm more of a reader than a poster (AKA Lurker), but I buy these knives because they are traditional, limited edition, well designed AND (Most importantly) part of being a member on BF. Over the last few years (I think my first was 2009. I'll have to check it later) I've really enjoyed the process of getting the forum knife together. I love the fact that we have a say in the design, and even though the design I wanted lost out most years, I still buy and cherish them.
It feels like it all started really positively and that it has somehow lost momentum and become a bit negative this year.
 
jwh said:
I fell out of remission from my Leukemia about 5 weeks ago . I will be getting a bone marrow transplant if they can get me back in remission. I would like to see it happen NOW. Later could be too late.

Jwh
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My best wishes to you and your family. I hope everything works out and that you beat it again.
 
eisman said:
1. The 2012 knives were not sold before they were finished. I ordered my last one from Spark two weeks after I got the first one.

2. The knives were ordered by Spark well enough in advance that we had pictures and dialog throughout the manufacture which did drive sales. This year there has been no order, no progress reports, or even a running total as to when the "magic" number of knives were (or would be) sold to keep interest up or those who paid advised.

If you look at the sales of knives last year (going by the old threads) you can see that a large number of orders were placed as the project came together and people could see how the final product would appear. The sales so far this year are completely without that type of assurance, and it's quite plain that lacking any progress or visual aids sales have slowed.

Another reason sales slowed is that the number of knives planned increased with the idea of specifically having knives available for those who wouldn't pre-pay (or place an order); there was no incentive to buy early built into the program. You have to truly restrict the numbers (say limit production to half of what the market will bear) or offer discounts up front for those who finance the project (say a 20% lower price for pre-paid) to build value and generate certain sales; that's basic marketing.

On another note, more people were involved in the process (voting, etc) this year than any previous year; approximately 30%more than the previous year. Where did all that support for this project go? Looking at the numbers for all the other choices I would expect future "Year/Forum" knives to sell less than 100 pieces based on the follow through.
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Good points. I agree that there is basically no "urgency" when pre-payment is not required, but the lowish turnout for a Wharncliffe/Sheepsfoot main blade was foreshadowed in these two polls from last year:

Which Pattern for the 2012 Forum Knife?
Which Knife Survives to Become the 2012 Forum Knife????

When in a group of 5 patterns (2 with straight edge main blade, 3 with Clip main), it was a neck and neck vote for a simple majority of the vote.
When pitted alone against a knife with a Clip main blade it really wasn't close, finishing at almost 60/40

In the first poll there were 268 votes cast.
115 (43%) for a straight edge knife (Congress Jack 28%, Swayback Jack 15%)
153 (57%) for a Clip blade knife (Trapper 31%,Stockman 12%, Sowbelly 14%)

In the second poll there were 249 votes cast
104 (42%) for the straight edge (Congress)
145 (58%) for the Clip (Trapper)

You would think that maybe the Stockman vote would possibly have split between the two since it was a three bladed knife compared to the other 4 being 2 blades, but it would appear not.
I seem to recall that during discussions several people stated they would not be "in" for the Congress Jack, but I don't recall seeing the CJ folks drawing a line like that.

This year the voting was split among 18 choices.
114 votes out of a massive 373 vote total went to the Congress. 30% to the next closest at 12%. Probably the same guys and gals that voted for it last year.
It would have been interesting to see the choices paired down until one pattern got at least 51% of the vote.

But I am happy for the folks who like the CJ, and sincerely want to see them get the knife they have consistently supported for the last several years.
 
Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers folks, it's greatly appreciated. I was first diagnosed 8/1/2010 and have been in remission since. I was lucky enough to get my first grandchild 5 months ago. We feel blessed and we will give it our all this time around.


jwh
 
jwh said:
Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers folks, it's greatly appreciated. I was first diagnosed 8/1/2010 and have been in remission since. I was lucky enough to get my first grandchild 5 months ago. We feel blessed and we will give it our all this time around.


jwh
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So sorry to hear about this, and wishing you the best.
A cousin of mine was diagnosed right after my wedding 15 years ago. He was able to get a marrow transplant about a year after that and has been fine since.
Hang in there!
 
jakemex said:
Don't take this as rude but you might read the first post in this thread!
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Well, I feel the fool... I did a custom search that came up with nothing, but the answer was right there in the first post! :eek: Sorry about that.

It seems like there is less support this year because of the need to pay for a knife that is yet to be finalised and produced. I would be down for one if I knew that it would definitely have rat-tail's, wrap around springs and a main blade that is less than 3 inch's. I'm not sure whether it has actually been finalised or not. It seems like a very classy knife, and ticks all the boxes for me, I just haven't pulled the trigger because of that unsurety.
 
Ryan Sumner said:
I would be down for one if I knew that it would definitely have rat-tail's, wrap around springs and a main blade that is less than 3 inch's. I'm not sure whether it has actually been finalised or not. It seems like a very classy knife, and ticks all the boxes for me, I just haven't pulled the trigger because of that unsurety.
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The first post contains the specs.
 
Ryan Sumner said:
Well, I feel the fool... I did a custom search that came up with nothing, but the answer was right there in the first post! :eek: Sorry about that.

It seems like there is less support this year because of the need to pay for a knife that is yet to be finalised and produced. I would be down for one if I knew that it would definitely have rat-tail's, wrap around springs and a main blade that is less than 3 inch's. I'm not sure whether it has actually been finalised or not. It seems like a very classy knife, and ticks all the boxes for me, I just haven't pulled the trigger because of that unsurety.
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The specs are finalized as stated in the first post. The only unsurety is whether we have enough pre-buys to move this project along. If this truly ticks the boxes for you, I urge you to get in now.
 
The specs have been laid out for a long time and enough pre-orders have been submitted and paid for for Spark to order the 2013 knives. I think at this point that Spartk should start making refunds as he stated above he could do OR lock these threads and order the knives he has orders for. Of course if he wants to order extras, that's his priviledge. Either way I think we need to get on with it.
 
Perhaps we could get Spark to set a date that he plans to either order the knives, or begin issuing refunds if he's not going to? That would also let anyone who has been delaying know that the time is up.

I appreciate the effort here, but I am also a paying customer and would like some final resolution. Let's get this done. I understand from some of his posts that Spark has been having some issues but the guy's a businessman, and he's got my money in his pocket and all I have is a promise of something that may be delivered someday.
 
Spark said:
Yeah, that's probably what's going to happen. Cut it down to 140 or so pieces and call it a wrap.
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This was posted 3 days ago. Let's give Spark a few more days before we start complaining too much.
 
So how big is it? Is it 3 1/2", 3 5/8", 3 3/4", 3 7/8" or 4"? Is the handle going to be 1/2" wide at the center, 5/8" wide, 3/4" wide? How thick will the blades be? What will the overall thickness of the knife be? How much is it going to weigh? Is the Micarta paper or is it linen?

For a finalized design, there are a lot of variables open. How thick, wide and heavy the knife is will determine whether it is a pocket companion or just another dust collector for me. The stated specs leave room for it to be either. I've paid for two anyway, and I'd much rather have them than a refund, even if they turn out to be something I won't carry. As a compromise, wait until the 20th of this month, then close it up. That gives people an even three months to decide and raise the money. If you can't scrape up $130 in three months, you really shouldn't be spending money on luxuries.
 
yablanowitz said:
So how big is it? Is it 3 1/2", 3 5/8", 3 3/4", 3 7/8" or 4"? Is the handle going to be 1/2" wide at the center, 5/8" wide, 3/4" wide? How thick will the blades be? What will the overall thickness of the knife be? How much is it going to weigh? Is the Micarta paper or is it linen?

For a finalized design, there are a lot of variables open. How thick, wide and heavy the knife is will determine whether it is a pocket companion or just another dust collector for me. The stated specs leave room for it to be either. I've paid for two anyway, and I'd much rather have them than a refund, even if they turn out to be something I won't carry. As a compromise, wait until the 20th of this month, then close it up. That gives people an even three months to decide and raise the money. If you can't scrape up $130 in three months, you really shouldn't be spending money on luxuries.
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Sorry Jack but that remark was uncalled for. It's not necessary to bring this down to a personal level and quite unfair to judge others circumstances.

Let's just order the knives and let it go. We'll do better next year.

I just ordered the 2013 Blade Forum Knife. If that helps get the ball rolling and smoothes feathers, I'm glad to do it. You guys should have known I'd order one eventually. I figured I'd run my mouth (errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr fingers) long enough and it was time to get on the bandwagon. Wait a minute!!! I can't hear the band.

Lets keep this about the 2013 Forum Knife and not get personal.
 
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