Bad knife availability news from our friend Stephen at SK Blades.

Not surprising. Disappointing, yes, (I'm still hoping for a SK Blades 301 SFO) but not surprising.

I hope Stephen has enough stock to stay in business until Buck can make him more knives.
 
DeSotoSky said:
Personally, I'm in disbelief that a company would be unable to take orders for product over the loss of just ONE person. Does not make sense, the situation as described is unbelievable.
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I feel exactly the same way Roger. Hard to believe a large companies business hinges on only one person in any part of the business. Something must be going on that we just don't know about.
Sounds like the old putting your eggs in one basket thing.

It's a shame SK Blades is having problems like this. I hope it works out for Stephen one way or another.
 
I’m posting the email here to help spread the information we have. Unfortunate news and I hope they are able to bounce back.

Email here:


Bad News for SKBlades

Hello Everyone,



We have an announcement here at SK and it's not great news. As many of you may know, the person who was running the Special Projects department at Buck Knives (hengem to you Forum guys) left a few months ago to begin a new job outside of the company. He was responsible for all Buck Special projects and 100% the reason for all the knives SK has been able to offer.



Since COVID and the departure of our contact, Buck has been unable to fill his role and we have not been able to place one single solitary order for any product. In short, Buck does not have a special projects department. In fact, we have been informed that we most likely will not get to order anything until mid 2021.



Because of this, we are considering either closing completely, or going into a "hibernation" status until Buck gets their act together. It's incredibly frustrating to be a few short miles from the Factory and not able to fill our shelves with new knives.



The bottom line is that whatever is in the store currently is all we have available for the time being. Many of you have requested more Gray Ghosts, and I personally am very frustrated and sorry that I haven't been able to get those.



So until things change with Buck, I suppose this is the way it will be.



Thank you to everyone single one of you for your support and continued patronage to SKBlades. I will continue to ask Buck to produce knives for us and hope they do.



Stephen

Owner


*edit*
The “hello” hotlink leads to the website.
 
If what is said is true... the trickle down would be a huge impact on Buck's business, there has to be more to the story.
I can think of SFO's (exclusives) at the following, now or in the past.
SK Blades
Copper & Clad / Shepherd Hills
Bass Pro / Cabelas
Smoky Mountain
Walmart
AG Russell
Dicks
***BCCI***
I know there are more...

As a Buck collector, I am disappointed there will be fewer unique knives to seek out.
 
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You're right Roger, but, SK's inventory is made up of only SFOs. The other's stock some of Buck's regular offerings. I just ordered another 212 Ranger from SK Blades.
 
Mr Cooper was monumental to Sk blades. They are also good friends outside of the knife world. I guess one day our own Joe Houser will retire or Jeff or Danny in warranty. Danny I believe touches every warranty and spa that comes thru the door. He has over 40 years in at a Buck. Billy Bates retired a year or so ago. I believe he was Copper and Clad's sales person.
 
This situation sucks. I don't have any other way to put it. It just sucks.

I hope things get better for Stephen, SKBlades, and Buck.
 
Companies, like Buck, MUST have succession planning for events like this one.

I always had several folks in the plan to replace those who are "irreplaceable". Next one up philosophy! No one should be irreplaceable.
 
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I jumped on over to SKBlades and got my order in for a Inferno and the Frontier while he still had some but I missed getting the smoke jumper. Just last Friday I was checking out the Inferno and looking at a few others. Mostly I was hoping he had some new ones in and especially the 301 he had talked about which was probably my most desired of the wish list and why I was dragging my feet.
It’s an uncertain time we live in now and who knows what things will be like a year from now. I wish Steven all the best and hopefully Buck can find the perfect person to fill the void. I too am scratching my head why just one person would bring it to a halt in SFOs but what do I know? If I was younger and better looking I’d like to give it a shot! Lol.
 
ive been putting it off for a long time. i just ordered a smoke jumper before they sell out of everything.
 
Lesknife said:
I jumped on over to SKBlades and got my order in for a Inferno and the Frontier while he still had some but I missed getting the smoke jumper. Just last Friday I was checking out the Inferno and looking at a few others. Mostly I was hoping he had some new ones in and especially the 301 he had talked about which was probably my most desired of the wish list and why I was dragging my feet.
It’s an uncertain time we live in now and who knows what things will be like a year from now. I wish Steven all the best and hopefully Buck can find the perfect person to fill the void. I too am scratching my head why just one person would bring it to a halt in SFOs but what do I know? If I was younger and better looking I’d like to give it a shot! Lol.
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Looks like the Smoke Jumper is back in stock.

*edit
Couldn’t resist, had to grab on for myself. :)
 
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