Any W&SS products you want me to get at SHOT?

storl

storl

Joined
Apr 17, 2007
Messages
1,607
Hey all,

Mods, I hope a thread like this is allowed. If it's not, please lock it and give me a kick in the butt.

A couple of events are converging:

1. I'm opening a store here in Smyrna, GA.
2. I'm going to SHOT next week.

Since I am getting all my crap out of my house and finally hiring some employees, I'll be able to pick up a ton of new lines. Is there anything you guys want me to look at in particular while I am at SHOT? Here is the complete list. The original reason I started my business was this forum, so I thought I would extend the courtesy of trying to source stuff that you guys have trouble finding or want to see more of in general. You guys help keep me from going back to the corporate world, so I want to keep you all happy.

I already plan on talking to Camelbak, Surefire, Streamlight, Petzl, and all the vendors I already have. I'm not touching apparel, but I'm open to anything else. I'll be talking to the REI type vendors (Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Jetboil, Suunto, etc.) in February.

BTW, if anyone else is going to SHOT and wants to meet up, I'll be there late Tuesday night, Wednesday, and Thursday. I'm staying at Treasure Island, across the street from the convention center.
 
I would love for you to check out and maybe pick up some 5.11 gear (a belt and pants maybe). I have been interested in those for a while and wonder if they are good kit for bushcrafting.

TF
 
storl,

Wow brick and mortor is a big undertaking. Especially since you are already talking about hiring people.

I helped a buddy start a small specialty shop and it was tough and he has yet to make any money on it.

I took a look at your offerings on your web store and I will mention a couple of things I saw/didn't see that might be nice. I am not sure if what I am suggesting is going to be available at SHOT or not since I didn't go threw their website to see who was going to be there.

I didn't see Nalgene stainless bottles, I know they are popular here and I didn't see much in the way of cook ware. I know there is a lot of talk about people cooking out of Billy Cans, but some folks don't want to make their own. I didn't see much in the line of knives on your site. I know there are tons of online knife vendors and custom makers, but there are only a few sources for Mora's, Gransfors Burk and Wetterlings.

I did see a good selection of lights, so if it were me, I would think twice about adding too many more lines. Too much choice can make it hard to make a decision. Unless you are really into lights and that is where you want to focus.

Your focus (at least on the website) seems to lean toward raw materials. Maybe if you offered more material to make different things.

Hope this helps.
 
I'd just be happy if you took a bunch of pics and posted them here of anything you might think we would think is cool:thumbup:
 
Shelters maybe? Although SHOT may not be the best place to find these. I did check out your site when I was looking for different shelter alternatives though (a tarp or tarptent).

A recent thread here pointed out both the variety of tarp designs and materials and the pricepoints folks are willing to pay for them. At the moment I am still looking, but I am leaning toward one of the cottage makers rather than the low-end (WalMart) or high end mass manufacturers (Kelty).

I have to say that the last time I was looking for a shelter (you were still with your former employer), you dealt me an absolute ace with the tent I bought from you. It fits well for the purpose I outlined in my request and was as described (or better) when I opened the box. I've used it several times since then and am still as pleased (if not more so) as I was when I first received it. I look forward to dealing with you again!

Codger :thumbup:
 
When will the store be opening? I'll definitely swing by sometime- I'm just down the road in the ATL. :thumbup:

It would be really cool if you stocked Moras- none of the stores around here carry them (that I'm aware of- and I've looked).
 
Maybe some of the budget French made pocket knives, Opinel and Douk Douk come to mind. There are a ton of patterns of the Douk Douk and it's hard to find them all online, I think these might prove to be a popular seller for you.

Also I've been thinking about a K&M matchsafe, I have one of the ones you offer, but I've been really wanting a K&M (these also seem hard to find online).
 
silenthunterstudios said:
Can you pick up the RAT spokesmodels for me?
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I think they'll be over my 50 lb luggage limit, so the extra weight charge is on you.

Joe - Shoot me an email. I'd like to meet up if you have some spare time.

Location - It's going to be in the Publix shopping center at the corner of South Cobb and East West Connector in Smyrna.

Everything else - Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try to make appointments with as many of them as possible so I can at least look at what they have to offer.
 
Codger_64 said:
Shelters maybe? Although SHOT may not be the best place to find these. I did check out your site when I was looking for different shelter alternatives though (a tarp or tarptent).

A recent thread here pointed out both the variety of tarp designs and materials and the pricepoints folks are willing to pay for them. At the moment I am still looking, but I am leaning toward one of the cottage makers rather than the low-end (WalMart) or high end mass manufacturers (Kelty).

I have to say that the last time I was looking for a shelter (you were still with your former employer), you dealt me an absolute ace with the tent I bought from you. It fits well for the purpose I outlined in my request and was as described (or better) when I opened the box. I've used it several times since then and am still as pleased (if not more so) as I was when I first received it. I look forward to dealing with you again!

Codger :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I want to pick up a brand that does nice sleeping bags and tents, so I'll try to get either Marmot or Mountain Hardwear in February. I don't know how stringent they are about making you buy apparel as well, but I'll give it a shot.

I have one tarp and would like to pick up some more. I'm also into hammocks and will try to get Hennessy Hammocks, since I am a huge fan of their stuff. I'd consider Clark, but I've never seen a dealer of them other than Clark themselves.
 
storl said:
I want to pick up a brand that does nice sleeping bags and tents, so I'll try to get either Marmot or Mountain Hardwear in February. I don't know how stringent they are about making you buy apparel as well, but I'll give it a shot.

I have one tarp and would like to pick up some more. I'm also into hammocks and will try to get Hennessy Hammocks, since I am a huge fan of their stuff. I'd consider Clark, but I've never seen a dealer of them other than Clark themselves.
Click to expand...

Great! You might consider also making a trip to the annual "Trail Days" hiking festival in Damascus, VA. this spring (May 14, 15, 16). Reps from many of both the large and small manufacturers of outdoor gear will be setting up booths and you will have the chance to talk to most of the owners/designers of the hammocks. It isn't nearly as big as the SHOT show, but you might find it worthwhile.

Partial list of '09 vendors:
BACKPACKER MAGAZINE
BIG AGNES
BIG SKY INTL
BLUE RIDGE OUTDOOR MAGAZINE
ETOWAH OUTFITTERS
GRANITE GEAR
LEKI
MOUNTAIN HARDWARE
EAGLES NEST OUTFITTERS
OUTDOOR SPORTS MARKETING
ENERTIA TRAIL FOODS
PRIMUS
PRINCETON TEC
SUPERFEET
THERMAREST PADS
LAFUMA
MINUS 33
VARGO
MOUNTAIN LAUREL DESIGNS
NEMO EQUIPMENT
SWEET SPRINGS HAMMOCK
THE OUTFITTERS AT HARPERS FERRY
WARBONNET OUTDOORS
GREGORY MTN PRODUCTS
HENNESSY HAMMOCKS
SIX MOON DESIGNS
JACKS R BETTER, LLC
SPEER HAMMOCKS
ANTI-GRAVITY GEAR
 
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Marmot & Mountain Hardwear are both great -- good clothes, and good bags, too. I know nothing about their tents, though.

Maybe those groovy new Exotac matchcases?
 
mora knives,condor machete or other brands,billy pots or other mess (cooking) kits
 
I would really like to see Dietz Lanterns stocked. I am not sure of the quality now that manufacturing has moved to China, but if you gave them a look and thought they were still quality, I would certainly get one.

+1 on Condor Tool
 
Outstanding, when is the grand opening? (I work in Marietta)
Gear-Nalgene stainless bottles, stainless cups to nest with, bottle carriers (maxpedition or something close.)
 
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