Recommendation? Best steel prices

Guys, the site-wide policy on bladeforums is that an individual or company has to pay for the privilege of advertising and / or posting links to their business and sites.

That said, the membership can "mention" businesses and / or their experience with a particular vendor...BUT...they cannot link to a non-supporting vendor.

This rule applies here as well as throughout the site. Spark Spark will tell you the same thing. If the rules haven't always been enforced, or have been lax because of mods not being aware of what's going on back here, that does not change the site rules.

If you have questions, put up a thread in the Service & Support section of the site. A level playing field is what we all seek...and being fair to those who support the site with their hard earned bucks is paramount.
 
The following sections are taken from the rules which govern bladeforums:

SECTION 1- Membership Levels Defined:

BladeForums.com is supported by members who have paid subscriptions. These different subscription levels offer various perks and benefits. As such, only certain membership levels may advertise items and services for sale on this site. Below are some general guidelines as to what priviledges each membership has within this area. Put it another way, without the appropriate level of paid subscription, you may not advertise or sell on this site. Period. No excuses.

DEALER / MATERIALS PROVIDER - Dealers are defined as anyone who purchases at wholesale pricing, or purchases items with the intent to resell (flipping). Other terms for dealers include purveyor, broker, reseller, etc. Materials Providers offer raw materials such as steel, handle materials, or other items related to knifemaking in general as typical stock for sale to the forum members or to the general public via their own store front or website. We reserve the right to make the final determination as to what constitutes a "dealer".

Dealers/Selling -
  1. You must have a current DEALER membership to sell on this site.
  2. You are allowed to have any other level of membership and take part in discussions, but unless you have a DEALER membership you may not:
    • Mention or link to your business in any way (not applicable to Knifemakers)
    • Use private messaging to sell to members
    • Include your business name in your username
    • Use your signature or avatar to promote your business.
    • Take part in any discussions involving your business OUTSIDE the Feedback forum.
 
Thanks Blues. I have to admit that I had that wrong. Since Shop Talk is largely about suppliers and materials, I was under the impression that as long as the non-member dealer wasn't posting about his business, another member could post a link. I regularly post a link photo of a product to show what I am referring to, or an ebay seller who has a good motor package. From what you say, I guess that breaks the rule.
Example:
Here is a good basic grinder chassis - https://reederproducts.com/shop/ols/products/rps101-grinder-chassis

In many cases it is hard to get just a photo without the link attached.
I think I'll send Greg at Reeder a note to get a membership here.
 
guys i want to not start any crap here ...
i started here as a "Knifemaker" with membership etc waay back when "Kevin" first took over from Turber..
i stopped doing the "Knife Maker thing as i NEVER sold a single knife here..
we had Nick Wheeler/Tom Ferry/Ed Caffrey Many others freely giving their "Worked For it Advise" then the whole Paid Membership thing came out...
i Received "Warnings" that i was breaking the rules !!! when i asked How i was Breaking the rules ?? it was a link to my dead website in my signature !!!!
they said i was Advertising !! i damn near left the forum to never return !!! the Other Guys that used to give their advise felt the same way and left Never to Return..
it is really sad to see this come up so often again and again.. i think it will only hurt this place long term as it ties the hands of those trying to help others learn the craft.. i think those that Advertise to sell here Should for the most part buy a membership.. (Like Chuck has) it shows his character..
 
I agree, Chuck, Jerod, Ben, Fred, and the many others who have made their business grow from Shop Talk and Bladeforums are examples of folks who got a proper level membership and showed business character.

I also agree that the rules in Shop Talk are a bit more restrictive that they could be. In the rest of the forums, I can see it, but here the site is all about sharing sources and suppliers. I don't think non-members should be allowed to advertise or post links to their sales, but in some cases the rules hamper the moderators. In most cases I allow a lot of leeway. Sometimes I am directed by a complaint or other mod to notify an offender. Sometimes the poster is getting pretty close to the line and I point out the rules. Most agree to keep it kosher, but some get argumentative. I don't plat baseball, but am pretty sure arguing with the umpire isn't a good way to deal with a call you don't like. :)

In cases like yours, the only person who knows the site is dead is you. To anyone riding heard over this drove of cats, it looks like a link to a sales site.

Just another comment, many of the old timers who used to be here left because of the big fights that used to prevail between them and some rival makers. Those arguments and fights have been pretty much resolved. Some of the old folks came back, like Fitzo. Others have passed away or aren't as active as they used to be. Others have grown so big in the business that they don't have the time to post in a forum.
 
It is what it is. All of the rules that are in place are there because people took advantage of our good nature and tried to screw over other members. If a steel company is making money off the site and wants to be advertised here, they can help support the community. If they don't, that says a lot.
 
I put up a thread about the rules. I am sure some won't agree, but the rules are the rules.

Question - If I post an image of, say, a motor/VFD with no link, is that OK. It would be much clearer in a photo than in a long written description. Example:
1653422662368.png
 
Spark said:
It is what it is. All of the rules that are in place are there because people took advantage of our good nature and tried to screw over other members. If a steel company is making money off the site and wants to be advertised here, they can help support the community. If they don't, that says a lot.
Click to expand...
As someone who has been kicking around this site for a bit…

“it is what it is” because this site is a business, and there are costs and work associated with operating it and the people who own and do that work deserve to get paid. Also the site serves a large group of people so some of the rules are not going to be a good fit in every situation and that is unavoidable. I feel it is pretty reasonable for people to understand that.

In my opinion saying “it is what it is” because the rules are in place because people are taking advantage of your good nature or out to get you is way off base, almost laughably so. Stacy did a good job of explaining the nuances of the situation and how the rules still apply. I didn’t find your post helpful on this topic, but if that is really your perspective, it certainly helps explain some of the conflict that the site has had.
 
There is not a forum out there that has no rules, bylaws, or membership privileges. This one is no different. Many knowledgeable and notable knifemakers have left this forum because they disagreed with the rules, and that is unfortunate. But it is the cost of having rules...
 
Everyone back to your grinders.
As long as Bladeforums can sell your data and collect fees.

This place will definitely prosper, because that's what makes for great content.
 
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