2013 Forum Knife Motivation Thread (PIC HEAVY!!!)

I'm rather confused and I believe I'm not alone.

As for motivation, is it actually needed? From what I can judge between 125-140 knives have already been paid for, not as high as other years, but must records always be broken in order for this to take off? The number paid for so far is still a respectable figure, and far exceeds many other years, hardly a case of lack of interest. I understood that as soon as the trigger figure of 125 paid orders was reached then the order would be made and 90 days or so later knives would be ready for delivery plus a quantity of knives for those coming late on the scene.

Certainly, it is frustrating for both us waiting and those who have been putting the slog in to get this together to reflect on all those polls&threads where big-talkers claimed they were interested, even wanted multiple knives then to not order. However, that is the nature of internet polls they can attract passengers and show-offs. There are enough pre-orders (I think..) and I'm convinced that GEC will make another worthy forum knife, when they receive the order.

Regards, Will
 
Naah, it's the same for me as most recent years - I don't plan ahead for the forum knife & get caught napping, finance wise. As I've posted a number of times, I definitely intend to order one, but did not have the funds available to pre-order. Still short in fact, but saving & negotiating with the minister for finance hard. ;) Never mind, as long as we're given a final cut off date I believe & intend I will be in. If, as some are suggesting, the opportunity is closed with immediate effect I guess I'll miss out along with others who may be in a similar position. However that is certainly not what I understand a pre-ordering process to be.

Good on everyone who has pre ordered & shown their support financially. I wish I had been better organised & able to do the same & I personally do appreciate that your up front payment has ensured this year's SFO can go ahead.

As a bit of an aside, Spark is under a lot of pressure at the moment (my impression on reading his update) & understandably has to prioritise other things over the forum SFO. I'm a bit disappointed by what, to me, feels like a somewhat aggressive attitude by a few posters in the pre-order thread - it's certainly not the norm for this forum in my opinion & experience. I say cut Spark some slack, it'll all come together in the fullness of time.
 
freezergeezer said:
As a bit of an aside, Spark is under a lot of pressure at the moment (my impression on reading his update) & understandably has to prioritise other things over the forum SFO. I'm a bit disappointed by what, to me, feels like a somewhat aggressive attitude by a few posters in the pre-order thread - it's certainly not the norm for this forum in my opinion & experience. I say cut Spark some slack, it'll all come together in the fullness of time.
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I'm not sure that anyone is purposely giving Spark a hard time about this, but I can see how it could be construed that way. I am disappointed in some of the attitude surrounding this year's knife though. It's not like the forum usually is. It's out of character. I can see how it would leave a bad taste in the mouth.
 
jakemex said:
Next year I'll put my money in a custom, and avoid the long wait. ;)
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What? Long wait is synonymous with custom knife! Unless you find one that is available. Prepare to wait a year or more from most well know makers.
 
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Woodrow F Call said:
I'm not sure that anyone is purposely giving Spark a hard time about this, but I can see how it could be construed that way. I am disappointed in some of the attitude surrounding this year's knife though. It's not like the forum usually is. It's out of character. I can see how it would leave a bad taste in the mouth.
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I dont understand it either. The dang thing was put to a vote, I didnt get exactly what I wanted but I think the price is hardly exorbitant. I mean its almost a custom piece with limited numbers! I paid for one for two reasons, I like the knife enough to buy one...and I think it will help keep the program going. Haters should just keep it to themselves.
 
Modoc ED said:
My take is that there will not be a Forum Knife next year. I hope I'm wrong.
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Ed, I don't think there has been any announcement to that effect. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Peregrin said:
I think we've had enough discussion about the pricing. The price is what it is. If you want one, order one. If not don't.
All the speculation in the world isn't going to affect the price.
I'll be surprised if this isn't the last traditional forum knife. I hope I'm surprised.
You have to have a thick skin to step up and run this process.
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If my post is what you're referring to, I'm sorry about that. It wasn't meant to be taken literally and isn't an official announcement. I was reacting to all the negative comments we've had since the start of this years effort. I think it happens every year, but this years process seemed to be more contentious then in previous years.

Hopefully next year we can do it again.

I'm hoping this one comes to fruition. I prepaid mine as soon as we were able to.
I too get one every year to support the efforts of the community. I've been doing this years before I became a forum moderator.

This years looks like a good one. I was hoping for some decent stainless steel myself, but hey it's not all about what I want.
 
willgoy said:
I'm rather confused and I believe I'm not alone.

As for motivation, is it actually needed? From what I can judge between 125-140 knives have already been paid for, not as high as other years, but must records always be broken in order for this to take off? The number paid for so far is still a respectable figure, and far exceeds many other years, hardly a case of lack of interest. I understood that as soon as the trigger figure of 125 paid orders was reached then the order would be made and 90 days or so later knives would be ready for delivery plus a quantity of knives for those coming late on the scene.

Certainly, it is frustrating for both us waiting and those who have been putting the slog in to get this together to reflect on all those polls&threads where big-talkers claimed they were interested, even wanted multiple knives then to not order. However, that is the nature of internet polls they can attract passengers and show-offs. There are enough pre-orders (I think..) and I'm convinced that GEC will make another worthy forum knife, when they receive the order.

Regards, Will
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I agree entirely. Don't understand what the problem is, or the reason for this thread really (though the pics are very nice). I'm not surprised that you're frustrated gentlemen. I agree with what Woodrow says too, there seems to be a lot of unneccesary unpleasantness about this issue. You folks have paid for your knives, I don't understand why the knife you've paid for hasn't been ordered, but hopefully it will be, and you'll be very pleased with the result. And all those who haven't ordered one (myself included) will either look enviously at the finished knife and kick ourselves for not ordering one, or we'll be quite satisfied with the choice we made and happy for the rest of you. In my opinion, it might be better to keep all this in the Order thread because I doubt this discussion is drumming up any extra sales, and it must be hurtful to the members who tried to deliver a knife everyone was happy with.

Jack
 
Peregrin said:
Ed, I don't think there has been any announcement to that effect. Please correct me if I'm wrong.



If my post is what you're referring to, I'm sorry about that. It wasn't meant to be taken literally and isn't an official announcement. I was reacting to all the negative comments we've had since the start of this years effort. I think it happens every year, but this years process seemed to be more contentious then in previous years.

Hopefully next year we can do it again.

I'm hoping this one comes to fruition. I prepaid mine as soon as we were able to.
I too get one every year to support the efforts of the community. I've been doing this years before I became a forum moderator.

This years looks like a good one. I was hoping for some decent stainless steel myself, but hey it's not all about what I want.
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No, no, Gary. I was just projecting my thought on this. I don't think Spark will want to go throug this again next year. We all know that there is a heck of a lot of work involved in this project.

Nothing negative meant in my thought/post.
 
overtech said:
I disagree 114 people voted for the congress jack and over 140 have been preordered.
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Yes.
Failed is the wrong word. It does seem to be listing and floundering though.
I don't mean to sound aggressive at all but there is money involved -its a business transaction and the customer has the right to ask whats going on.
We definitely need a more positive vibe:)
Any chance of an update?
 
Ernie1980 said:
...we are asking a company to create a custom knife basically.
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jujigatame said:
I don't think GEC is holding the group over a barrel but they are also not under any obligation to do us any favors beyond their normal practices, whatever those may be, for special orders.
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The Forum knife isn't a custom by any stretch, but it most certainly is an SFO (Special Factory Order)-- something GEC is proving adept at developing with and/or for special interest groups and individuals at understandable prices.

With an eye for (hopefully!) future Forum knives: I can't see that precedent, participation, or pre-orders indicated a demand for 300 knives this year. From what I can tell (thanks, eisman and FLymon for your numbers), the 114 who were most committed to this year's pattern have opted in fully-- (significant) cash paid in full, ready to roll. Others have joined them, expecting this to happen as per the conditions and time frame set forth at the beginning.

I am watching with interest and bemusement as Mike Latham creates and completes his broadstrokes polls, quickly ascertaining frame, blade, and cover preferences among participating enthusiasts in our midst. Sure, it's different from commissioning an entirely new frame, but close observation of GEC's pattern releases indicates that middle ground can be reached (tooling used for an SFO subsequently used for GEC's own runs, other variations, etc.). What if, with nary a (money-down) preorder, he delivers his anon?

(Again, an eye towards future Bladeforums knives: How to do this less painfully, and with clear communication?)

My understanding is that several (or at least, the few possible?) companies were contacted for this project, and GEC alone stepped up to the plate and gave it a go at realistic yet favorable costs and delivery dates (whatever "pain in the ass" fee has been added on top of that is of course the prerogative of the shipper ;)).

I join others in hoping that those who paid for this knife in full, at its stated price, receive it soon, with clear communication in the meantime.

Even more, I hope that-- going forward-- the process and its completion are not so fraught and/or uncomfortable for those who put their time and effort (and money!) into seeing each forum knife come into being.

Wishful thinking, perhaps, but SFOs don't seem to have to be this hard...?

~ P.
 
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pertinux said:
but SFOs don't seem to have to be this hard...?

~ P.
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umm... you should pardon, Sarah, but in my experience, anything designed by a committee is a "painful experience". And the larger the committee, the more painful it is. This knife was designed by a walloping large committee.

It was an open vote on every facet of the design. The majority won in each case. I doubt that any one voter got exactly what he voted for in every single vote.

The cost is what it is.
Those who bought a knife, have already accepted the cost, so they have no reason to complain.
Those who did not buy a knife have no reason to complain at how much they did not spend.

I have to say that all the finger pointing and second guessing is more than mildly annoying.
 
pertinux / Sarah
Well stated

Frank
Yes design by commitee is always difficult, I do it all the time
This design process with all the votes seemed to go smoothly and quickly, swifter than previous years
 
Since you seem to have an inside track ~P, what was it? Several, a few, or perhaps just GEC alone?

I think it was GEC alone, which is fine by me, as I know my knife will be first rate.
 
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Fair points about design by committee. However, that part of things seemed to go reasonably well. It's ordering the chosen knife that seems to have inexplicably hung up, that and the lack of communication as to what is happening. I can understand the frustration, and echoing Pertinux, I hope that those who paid for this knife receive it soon :)

Jack
 
knarfeng said:
mm... you should pardon, Sarah, but in my experience, anything designed by a committee is a "painful experience". And the larger the committee, the more painful it is. This knife was designed by a walloping large committee.
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Jack Black said:
Fair points about design by committee. However, that part of things seemed to go reasonably well.
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Agreed, on all the above. I'm just sorry that it seems to get so hard each year, especially on the volunteers here, after their work is done. At least, that's my observation of the past couple years (a small data sample compared to those of you who've been a part of this for years!-- many of whom also say, "The Forum knife is a challenge."). Thus, my thinking out loud regarding bringing the completed, chosen design to fruition, and a wondering how to keep the Fun in it for everyone, as much as possible. (Naive, I? It wouldn't be the first time.... :foot:)

Modoc ED said:
Since you seem to have an inside track ~P, what was it? Several, a few, or perhaps just GEC alone?

I think it was GEC alone, which is fine by me, as I know my knife will be first rate.
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Gracious no, no inside track. I've just going by what Blaine and Knowtracks have said in the various threads this time around, in addition to noting GEC's model of producing SFOs (as observed through reading this forum). I amended my "several" to "or at least the few possible" because, when it comes right down to it, there aren't "several" companies who could actually do this. I believe the guys stated that they contacted all who might be able to produce this knife, and only GEC was able/willing at that time. If I am misremembering this, I apologize.

~ P.
 
The BF Traditional knives are limited edition knives versus custom. I just wanted everyone to be clear on that. But you would think that GEC would pay a bit more attention to detail with a limited edition knife.

A few comments in general.... I really have not paid a great deal of attention to the ordering thread since I sort of decided that the knife would be nice, but un-needed on my end. But I understand folks wanting to buy each of the BF traditional knives. I feel sure that once they are made and pictures start to be posted that I'll wish I bought one. Hence I keep considering it.... regardless of the smaller size than I commonly prefer. I know I'll live either way, knife or no knife. The price is a bit higher than I expected. But as mentioned before by Gary, the price is the price. I would think that the more units produced the lower the unit price. But what do I know?

It seems that Spark is handling the business side of things and as such it would seem to be a "business decision" and it is HIS forum. It is his call as far as I'm concerned, but returning money is a pain if the decision is to punt on having the knife produced. 150 knives more or less is not that "limited" from my point of view.

As far as the "commercial" comment goes. I view this forum as a commercial activity considering that there are varying levels of paid membership. That said, it makes sense to me that running a forum that allows all of the buying and selling seems like it should cost something for the privilege and memberships are the easiest way to accomplish that. As a small business, having access to the right audience means a great deal and there is value in that. Many of you would be shocked how much I spend in advertising yearly and I have a very small business.
 
My understanding was that when the 125 pre-order threshold was met, the knives would be ordered. Now, I don't mind a long wait if I'm expecting it going into the deal, but this seems to have stretched on quite a bit longer than I anticipated. I just want the knife I paid for.
 
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