Are you late with your 2008 Christmas Exchange knife...?

[Cliff Davis]

Scott,
Do not take any of this personal. You did a great job organizing and running the exchange. I'll gladly do it again this year.
While one or two may have turned out to be a waste of time, overall this was a good experience for the other 99% that participated.

Please don't forget that over 600,000 people have lost their jobs and income since this exchanged started.

 

[scottickes]

Scott,
Do not take any of this personal. You did a great job organizing and running the exchange. I'll gladly do it again this year.
While one or two may have turned out to be a waste of time, overall this was a good experience for the other 99% that participated.

Please don't forget that over 600,000 people have lost their jobs and income since this exchanged started.

That's no reason to not jump online and email me confidentially and say, "Hey Scott, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be able to fulfill my promise to make a knife". This is all people are asking. If they couldn't afford their internet payments, they can go to any public library and jump online for free and email me. I have volunteers lined up to be Secret Santas to fill in for anyone that is not going to be able to make a knife. It's about being an adult about it.

 

[James_Terrio]

Speaking of planning ahead... I'm sure I'll be interested in signing up next year, but I won't commit unless I have a nice knife ready to ship. That would prevent me from making an ass of myself. Sound reasonable?

 

[Cliff Davis]

That's no reason to not jump online and email me confidentially and say, "Hey Scott, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be able to fulfill my promise to make a knife". This is all people are asking. If they couldn't afford their internet payments, they can go to any public library and jump online for free and email me. I have volunteers lined up to be Secret Santas to fill in for anyone that is not going to be able to make a knife. It's about being an adult about it.

I'm at a loss as to how to even respond to this post.
May god continue to bless you and your family.

 

[Keith_H]

Hey Bob- Just want to make sure you know Keith isn't a dead-beat. His biggest delay was by far ME.

Thanks for the support, Nick. I would have been late anyway, and even if I did send it out without you I would have sent a poorly done knife.

Nick
In no way am i refering to Keith i am not at all worried about myself i know Keith is working away on it. I am refering to this.

"I don't feel that this is the right forum to be calling people out. They know who they are and I know who they are. One of them did this last year and the year before! All kinds of excuses last year, and now again this year. He is definitely not going to be included next year, if I run it again."

If a person was in one exchange before and never sent a knife they should never be aloud in another let alone two without the person that has there name not being told they did not fulfill there agreement in the last exchange.

Bob

I still feel like a thief, though! Kind of like a sponge that sucks up shipping money, shop time (from Nick) and fine damascus knives!

At the sake of being redundant... I'll just reiterate... and try to be clear.

Keith has been working hard to build his presence in this "community." As opposed to most "kids" his age, he types his posts with good spelling and punctuation and treats people with respect.

I volunteered to help him with his exchange knife when he was having heat-treat problems. He lost a couple months because of MY hang-ups. Not anything he did.

I just want to make all this clear so he doesn't get excluded from future projects or have anyone think poorly of him when he hasn't done anything wrong.

Now if anybody wants to call me a dirtbag, I've got pretty stout shoulders and can handle the load...

Thanks.

Edited to add: Thanks Bob!... we must have been typing at the same time

Nick you were typing as I was. I would never say anything or think anythiing bad about Keith. He is working on the knife and is just late getting it finished. That is allot different from not saying anything or letting anyone know what the hold up is. I also believe that everyone else is the same way too.

Thanks for the support, guys! I promise that if I do it again next year I will be on time. Maybe we should create a 7 page poll titled: "Do You think that Nick Wheeler is a Dirt Bag?"

 

[JTknives]

Still waiting on mine also.

Sorry Tek yours is just about done and about to go out, you will like it trust me . also who ever had bubba-doll there's is also almost done, i have been helping her make it. I would like to publicly thank Scott Ickes for doing this for every one. I know I'm not the fastest at getting work out the door but if i say i will, i will. my word is very important to me even thought i might be a tad slow. If anyone has felt like thy got screwed on the knife exchange because thy did not get one let scott ickes know and i would be more then willing to donate one of the knives i have already made. I do have one of my Valor wallet knives still that has a hawk bill on it .

 

[Mikel_24]

Speaking of planning ahead... I'm sure I'll be interested in signing up next year, but I won't commit unless I have a nice knife ready to ship. That would prevent me from making an ass of myself. Sound reasonable?

That's exactly what I ended up doing since the two knives I wanted to make for the knife exchange, are still waiting to have the butt of the handles finished (99.99% finished). I also need to sharpen them.

I had a few unused finished knives. I choosed the best one, refurbished and sent it.

I will keep my back covered next year as well, just in case.
Mikel

 

[efleming]

I've not received my 2008 Christmas knife yet either. Sounds like the guy i sent my knife to is pretty busy. No matter to me either way. I will still participate this year regardless if I end up getting a knife or not. The knife I sent off to him was my best knife to date and I'll take the same approach next time around. For me it was more about the giving than the receiving.



Eric

 

[Mikel_24]

...The knife I sent off to him was my best knife to date and I'll take the same approach next time around. Eric

I love that handle! What is it? I guess it is time to ditch the home made micarta and get into more classy looking stuff like exotic woods and alike.

BTW, I am glad you are participating next year and taking the very same approach... I will be there to see if I can get lucky and get your knife! But be sure you will be reciving another knife from me

Mikel

 

[scout_77]

I'm not trying to clam this is all about me or anything. I was Just speaking out as one of the people effected by it, and give my 2 cents on telling everyone who was late.

Scott,
If it shows up great. The problem is a lack of being up front. I have sent several e-mails just wanting to know if the guy was doing alright. The last email I got from him was January 10th. If it comes in the mail I will be happy to post a pic of it.

 

[efleming]

Hello Mikel,

The handle material is dyed box elder and the blade is D2. Thank you for the kind words and look forward to participating again.

Eric

I love that handle! What is it? I guess it is time to ditch the home made micarta and get into more classy looking stuff like exotic woods and alike.

BTW, I am glad you are participating next year and taking the very same approach... I will be there to see if I can get lucky and get your knife! But be sure you will be reciving another knife from me

Mikel

 

[Phil Dwyer]

Hi Friends,

...For me it was more about the giving than the receiving.

Having met Eric and worked with him in his shop, I can attest to this being true for him. Never-the-less, I'm sure the guy would be tickled pink to get a knife in the mail.

I'm one of the delinquent bums! I believe I've corresponded with my exchange partner all along though. Although I'm sure he is disappointed, he has been very understanding. In addition to family and job responsibilities miring me down, my high school shop is being relocated to a new campus with less shop space. I am trying to put a bit of a shop together at my home (a rental) in its stead. Weekend pick-axing a rock ledge to pour a small slab and rains have made the going slow. Be assured though, I will persevere and get this little sucker out. In fact if all goes well, it will have the 5160 blade I forged and ground with Eric (while visiting family in Southern Cal.)

All the best, Phil

 

[clemsonreeder]

Sorry Tek yours is just about done and about to go out, you will like it trust me . also who ever had bubba-doll there's is also almost done, i have been helping her make it. I would like to publicly thank Scott Ickes for doing this for every one. I know I'm not the fastest at getting work out the door but if i say i will, i will. my word is very important to me even thought i might be a tad slow. If anyone has felt like thy got screwed on the knife exchange because thy did not get one let scott ickes know and i would be more then willing to donate one of the knives i have already made. I do have one of my Valor wallet knives still that has a hawk bill on it .

Thanks for the heads-up Jarod, I hope Barbara had fun making it and learned alot!

 

[JTknives]

Thanks for the heads-up Jarod, I hope Barbara had fun making it and learned alot!

She has been having fun with it. she like to have everything perfect so it will be very nice. she has really put her heart into it. she lives the one she got from you, see is always saying, "oh its so cute" . that translates into man talk like this "man that's a way sweet knife, its bad a$$".

 

[TekSec]

No matter to me either way. I will still participate this year regardless if I end up getting a knife or not.

I think what it comes down to for Scott doing this, is he accepts responsibility for each and every maker making a commitment. Now that I've heard from Jarod I know and that's fine, however, an occasional email or even an apology if he was unable to contribute would have been appreciated as I'm sure any of the other makers will attest. I've been on the forums for a few years from now, have sent many a newbie free materials to help them get started, etc. This boils down to not the "I gave now where's mine" attitude but more the Christmas spirit (although it's almost Easter now) of it all. I take Eric's statement a little personally (even though I know it's not meant as such... sorry, Eric) and feel as though some might construe this as a b***h session. Yes, I will probably do this again and yes it's not about receiving but it does make it more fun and exciting to come home looking for a box on the step knowing that each and every participant keeps his word and frankly, the "deadline" of Christmas. We all have other committments and lives but if you don't think you can do this, then don't. It's just not fair to other makers to get their hopes up. As I said, Jarod, an email would have been nice. The last I heard was you had an issue and it was coming but I'm not one to badger and figured it was just not going to happen after not hearing anything else. I appreciate the fact that you posted and look forward to seeing it.

 

[JTknives]

I think what it comes down to for Scott doing this, is he accepts responsibility for each and every maker making a commitment. Now that I've heard from Jarod I know and that's fine, however, an occasional email or even an apology if he was unable to contribute would have been appreciated as I'm sure any of the other makers will attest. I've been on the forums for a few years from now, have sent many a newbie free materials to help them get started, etc. This boils down to not the "I gave now where's mine" attitude but more the Christmas spirit (although it's almost Easter now) of it all. I take Eric's statement a little personally (even though I know it's not meant as such... sorry, Eric) and feel as though some might construe this as a b***h session. Yes, I will probably do this again and yes it's not about receiving but it does make it more fun and exciting to come home looking for a box on the step knowing that each and every participant keeps his word and frankly, the "deadline" of Christmas. We all have other committments and lives but if you don't think you can do this, then don't. It's just not fair to other makers to get their hopes up. As I said, Jarod, an email would have been nice. The last I heard was you had an issue and it was coming but I'm not one to badger and figured it was just not going to happen after not hearing anything else. I appreciate the fact that you posted and look forward to seeing it.

I do feel very bad for not keeping you updated, i am actualy sending you 2 knives to make up for it. i hope that will help a little

 

[scottickes]

I'm gong to make a request. If you haven't communicated with me yet, as to not receiving a knife, please do so at my email address. scottickesknives@gmail.com

I want this thread to take on a nicer tone or just die a silent death now. This won't be happening next year, because I'm going to change it to a "Knife in the hat" Christmas Gift exchange for next year or not do it at all. If I do it, I'm going to have the sign up during July, with all knives being shipped to my address, no later than December 1st. In the box with the knife I'll request flat rate shipping fees, so that I don't bear the expense of shipping them to your exchange person. You'll know who you're exchanging with. If someones late getting a knife to me, I'll make adjustments to the list, so that everyone gets a knife. If someone doesn't make the deadline, then that's the way it goes. I want to be able to have enough time to get them reshipped out in time for Christmas. Although this isn't really fair to those that weren't late, since they are now paying double shipping costs, it makes sure that it doesn't happen again. If too many people object to having to ship it to me with additional moneys for the reshipment, I just won't do it. I keep feeling like the bad guy in all of this, and all I was trying to do was put 80 or so smiles on people faces.

This idea was suggested by Erik Boese and I thinks it's a good one.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....81 flat rate shipping boxes all at once. Everybody else at the post office that is in line that day is going to friggen' hate me!!

 

[JTknives]

I'm gong to make a request. If you haven't communicated with me yet, as to not receiving a knife, please do so at my email address. scottickesknives@gmail.com

I want this thread to take on a nicer tone or just die a silent death now. This won't be happening next year, because I'm going to change it to a "Knife in the hat" Christmas Gift exchange for next year or not do it at all. If I do it, I'm going to have the sign up during July, with all knives being shipped to my address, no later than December 1st. In the box with the knife I'll request flat rate shipping fees, so that I don't bear the expense of shipping them to your exchange person. You'll know who you're exchanging with. If someones late getting a knife to me, I'll make adjustments to the list, so that everyone gets a knife. If someone doesn't make the deadline, then that's the way it goes. I want to be able to have enough time to get them reshipped out in time for Christmas. Although this isn't really fair to those that weren't late, since they are now paying double shipping costs, it makes sure that it doesn't happen again. If too many people object to having to ship it to me with additional moneys for the reshipment, I just won't do it. I keep feeling like the bad guy in all of this, and all I was trying to do was put 80 or so smiles on people faces.

This idea was suggested by Erik Boese and I thinks it's a good one.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....81 flat rate shipping boxes all at once. Everybody else at the post office that is in line that day is going to friggen' hate me!!

you have been awesome with this. it must be so much work. I think the idea of sending you the knives is very good. then every one that makes a knife gets a knife by Christmas. if some one is late o well. it will also protect the people that get in over there heads. I would just like to say thank you for what you have done and all the hard work you have put into this. it means a lot to me and makes the knife community feel more like a family. i give you 2 huge :thumbup::thumbup: way up in the air .

 

[TekSec]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....81 flat rate shipping boxes all at once. Everybody else at the post office that is in line that day is going to friggen' hate me!!

If you want your postal delivery person to hate you, schedule them for residential pickup That would be an interesting site seeing a huge pile of boxes sitting in front of your house!

 

[James_Terrio]

If too many people object to having to ship it to me with additional moneys for the reshipment, I just won't do it. I keep feeling like the bad guy in all of this, and all I was trying to do was put 80 or so smiles on people faces.

Scott, you are definitely not a bad guy in this. I admire all the work you put into it and your patience. I think the idea for next year is just fine.