BK20- Speculation on the 450 units

Look at it this way. If Ka-Bar is trending to sprint runs that may allow for dream knives to become reality. If they are doing small runs it allows for maybe CPM3v versions of fan favorites in small batches and fast turn around on ideas that they want to "Dry fire" as a way to see if they will move. Its really not a bad thing.
 
bootzon said:
I get that Bladite. That's not what I meant. I was referring to those with knowledge of how the machining process of production knives works to comment on my theory.
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every company is different, and comparisons would be difficult.

i know a LITTLE about what KaBar does, and it might surprise you to learn it too.

other companies have other processes.

if i had to guess, i'd say they're more different than they are the same.
 
We asked for specials/sprint runs. They gave us what we wanted.

Considering this one just popped means its destined to go away.

KA-BARs been making a lot of mistakes lately, is this one of them? Who knows.
 
Thanks Bladite. Are you free to speculate, or do you have to keep your thoughts to yourself? Is the BK20 a path to somewhere, or is it the destination so to speak?
 
bootzon said:
Thanks Bladite. Are you free to speculate, or do you have to keep your thoughts to yourself? Is the BK20 a path to somewhere, or is it the destination so to speak?
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well, i've known about the 20 for a "long time".

some beans i can't talk about. most i can't either :D

if you realllllllly want to know, call KaBar and ask to speak to the owner and/or his main guy.

they will either tell you some things, or tell you to walk a short pier, but probably more polite than that :D
 
I have been bugging the crap out of Ka-Bar to build this knife...... They built the number they thought they could sell......We got 450 of them...... I am happy...... Who knows(do NOT read anything into this statement as there is no there, there)I will be pushing and bitching for more as I am confident that it is a viable long term product...... John is very good at saying no if he is confident that it is not........ He is right most of the time and I respect his instincts - most of the time..... I try to not talk him into losing money - he gets testy, and I do not blame him..... I am very thankful that a project that has been gestating for decades has come to successful fruition....... I like my new knife and am damn happy to be able to use it......

E
 
Silverthorn said:
Look at it this way. If Ka-Bar is trending to sprint runs that may allow for dream knives to become reality. If they are doing small runs it allows for maybe CPM3v versions of fan favorites in small batches and fast turn around on ideas that they want to "Dry fire" as a way to see if they will move. Its really not a bad thing.
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Yes! That'd be fun! All I ask is a little heads up! Some folks can't just drop a couple hundred bucks on a spur of the moment thing. With a week or two notice, it'd have been interesting to see how fast they'd go and I bet more would have bought multiples. I for one may have bought 2 if I had time to save up or not have just bought a 21 and other stuff. Instead I got just one because I may not have had a chance at another.
OTOH, the ploy could be to spring it on folks in order to create impulse buys. I'm no marketing expert, but I am an experienced consumer! In my experience, I know that with time, I can figure out a way. Some have had to pass on this one due to bad timing.
 
I don't think I have ever seen so much stressing over the release of a new Becker. Rejoice ingrates.

BK-20 - Immediate purchase. Delivery - Why is this box so heavy? Why is there a 4 and 5 in the box? Reread the site in less of a hurry. Free knives with the limited 450 run???? WOOOO! One can never have enough Machaxen laying around.

Looks like a reworked Brute kind of. Me likey, need to order more.
 
Hmmm, I just had a thought...
Need a super secret jar to squirrel away emergency Becker Bucks! This whole entire BK20 situation has been fun, completely lit up the boards, and has seem to brought on quite a bit of attention to the brand. Maybe just in my little world. If this becomes a regular thing I want to be ready!
 
Silverthorn said:
Look at it this way. If Ka-Bar is trending to sprint runs that may allow for dream knives to become reality.
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Good point. Next they should do Dubz's redition of a Brute 2.0.

BK1FullFlat.png
 
I think you are spot on NCSlice, after buying my first Becker (a bk14) I have spent the last few months reading back through the forum learning everything I could about the Becker line trying to decide on my next one. Never felt the need to join or chime in until I checked in on the forum yesterday morning and this whole Bk20 thing fell right into my lap.
No deciding now! With three amazing blades on their way I could not be more excited.Joined last night and have been checking out all the Bk20 threads every chance I got today.
 
NCSlice said:
Hmmm, I just had a thought...
Need a super secret jar to squirrel away emergency Becker Bucks! This whole entire BK20 situation has been fun, completely lit up the boards, and has seem to brought on quite a bit of attention to the brand. Maybe just in my little world. If this becomes a regular thing I want to be ready!
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NC, do you remember the Christmas Club accounts at Savings and Loans? S&H Green Stamps? Maybe there should be a Becker Credit Card. Earn credit on knives and accessories with every purchase on the card.
 
dexgen said:
I think you are spot on NCSlice, after buying my first Becker (a bk14) I have spent the last few months reading back through the forum learning everything I could about the Becker line trying to decide on my next one.
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Months? It should have taken you only a few minutes to find one of my incoherent ramblings about how great the BK9 is.
 
dexgen said:
I think you are spot on NCSlice, after buying my first Becker (a bk14) I have spent the last few months reading back through the forum learning everything I could about the Becker line trying to decide on my next one. Never felt the need to join or chime in until I checked in on the forum yesterday morning and this whole Bk20 thing fell right into my lap.
No deciding now! With three amazing blades on their way I could not be more excited.Joined last night and have been checking out all the Bk20 threads every chance I got today.
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We sound similar. My trusty BK14 was my first Becker, I signed up for an account here in Dec '11 when I was researching the BK14.

I've long wanted a BK4, and a BK9. But when I got an email from KA-BAR last week about this BK20, along with the BK4 & BK5 thrown in, I instantly said forget the BK9, and ordered 2 of the BK20 within 30min of getting the announcement email. I know I'll use both BK4 for sure, and these BK20 are enough of a knife that I think I'll be happy with them and may not ever want a BK9, unless it is for collecting purposes. I really dig the BK20 the more I use it, and the straight clip is exactly what I like, a traditional curved clip Bowie is not my cup of tea. Thank you E for getting KA-BAR to do this.
 
I know, I tend to overkill the research plus have been splitting the savings between a ongoing AR build and a new knife. Couldn't pass up this three knife deal so the next round of AR parts will have to wait a little longer. The 9 is one sweet looking knife and definitely next on the list.
 
NCslice, I totally get what your saying.
I almost missed out on this because of funds as well, and a couple months heads up would have made it so I wouldnt have to miss out unless I wanted to miss out.

If I were a betting man, I would say its a combination of things. They dont want to drop a release date and miss it, they know that limited runs spawn a hard sell because of availability, they also know that too many knives made in a limited run negate that, and also may leave them with a ton of stock sitting around for a while. (See the S30v BK 7 for example.) At the end of the day I am excited that they made it and I got one, and that they threw in two extra blades. I suspect that like any business they will tweek their strategies constantly to adjust to the market. The nice thing about sprint runs is that if in 6 months people are still clamoring for the 20, and the after market on them is HUGE they can say, "Ok we need to make another batch of 250 and see how that goes." I mean they make no money off people reselling their knives at 3x mark up because of scarcity, but they would make money by offering something that people are willing to pay that mark up on. Again, just my 2 cents your mileage may vary.
 
bootzon said:
NC, do you remember the Christmas Club accounts at Savings and Loans? S&H Green Stamps? Maybe there should be a Becker Credit Card. Earn credit on knives and accessories with every purchase on the card.
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I do! I remember the first time I traded some green stamps. I hit up my mom and grandma, then just rummaged around all the drawers and stuff around the house. Finally I had enough for a pup tent. Prob my first camping experience in the back yard with the dogs. Damn...Ive never even thought about that until now. Weird the way memories disappear then pop back up like that. Thanks bootzon!
 
NCSlice said:
Hmmm, I just had a thought...
Need a super secret jar to squirrel away emergency Becker Bucks! This whole entire BK20 situation has been fun, completely lit up the boards, and has seem to brought on quite a bit of attention to the brand. Maybe just in my little world. If this becomes a regular thing I want to be ready!
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Lol. I stash any "spare" cash I come across in an old baby food jar I keep in my sock drawer. It's slow but adds up the across the year. Until I spend it that is...
 
Since one never knows when "a really good deal" of some sort will come along, I try to save a little nearly every day.

I have multiple methods of accumulating "fun money". I pick up and sell scrap metal and aluminum cans, which also leads to extra exercise while walking roadsides looking for stuff. Got $80+ last week from a trailer load of scrap metal ($3.50 / 100 lbs). I buy stuff at garage sales and sell the stuff on crags' lust or fleabay. I will pick up any coins I find on the ground. Any change in my pocket when I get home at night and dump it in a large plastic cup (about 30 oz) from Miller's BBQ (a CenTex chain).

Any $$ resulting from the above goes into a locking cash box. Any funds in that box are for garage sale purchases and "toys" - cast iron, hammocks, tents, knives, tomahawks, etc. My BK20 purchases made a sizeable dent in that fund. If I happen to sell any of the 4s/5s, the proceeds from those sales will go back in the cash box.
 
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