BladeForums.com SitRep: Please read, IMPORTANT

I could deal with a membership fee; for the amount of information I get from here, it should be worth equivalent to a magazine. Actually, it should probably be more, but I must be honest/realistic: if it were much more than another mag subscription, I probably would have to hang it up.

One suggestion if we go with any kind of t-shirt, cap, or sweat shirt: I would prefer to have any logo be discreet, as I would like to be able to wear it in public without giving up any potential tactical advantage. You know, never wear a firearms brand clothing anywhere as it gives warns the BG that you are a potentially 'harder' target, therefore he 'deals much more harshly and quickly' with you. Just MO, FWIW.

O_D
 
Let us know what you need to keep this site open; I for one will help as much as I can. I like the idea of a reasonable annual fee, $10 - $15 is reasonable enough that most anyone with Internet access should be able to afford it. I also like the idea of getting a t-shirt or other apparel item. I second the idea that any logo should be relatively innocuous and somewhat discreet.

I also like the suggestion that you have a free trial period for newbies and lurkers. I was one of these for awhile and like Scott Evans says, if this hadn't been free I probably wouldn't have tried it.

Already ordered one of the Spyderco Dragonflys in carbon fiber, not that I NEEDED it since I already have one in Zytel and one in stainless. I like the idea of supporting this site with my purchases for two reasons: 1) so far as I know there isn't a well stocked store to buy knives close to me and 2) it's a good deal!

Please, please, please keep this site open!!!
 
Voluntary membership is a good idea. I agree that I get more out of this than the knife rags. So much so that I rarely buy any knife rags anymore. Since I'm saving money by not buying TI, Blade or KI I'd be more than happy to pay $10-$15 annually to be part of this. With or without a T-shirt.

I like the membership drive idea. This could be bi-annually or even quarterly. Rather than having raffles, the donated items (thanks to all who've offered to donate items) could be used as incentives as has been previously suggested.

I also like the Bladeforums store. I've already purchased a new Tuf-cloth and I'm waiting for word on the Native and Sifu. These two knives are destined to be my two new carry knives.

Mike and Spark, keep up the excellent work. It as much appreciated.

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Ciao

Mike Melone
memelone@yahoo.com
"One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them." --Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1796

 
The best reason to do the voluntary $10 or whatever membership should be "you get access to special goodies". That means limited production stuff like the SIFU (yay!) or more conventional stuff at good prices due to it being donated by Sal or whoever.

That still doesn't "screw any newbies". And by making limited runs of killer stuff available to BF members only (or at least, they get first pick), it would NOT cost the manufacturer much if any, just the cost of setting up a limited run.

Example: Bill Martino could order a batch of special hand-engraved Bladeforums 12" Sirupatis with horn grips or whatever, still sell them himself as "member only" items and the site gains on the membership fee side with no loss to HI - which isn't big enough to support large-scale donations, I don't think. Not at Spyderco's level, anyways.

Jim March
 
I've only been on the internet a very short while and this has to be one of the BEST sites to come along, I hadn't ordered the DragonFly, got the Native coming, but now I've reconsidered and will send in a request for one.

If this site was a pay-per-view I think we'd lose a lot in inputs, not to mention the work involed in tracking the yearly dues, these admin guys have enough to do already! It would probably quadruple the maze.

The idea of asking for a donation is a good one and I'm sure would work, all would aggree on the value of info we get here.

T-Shirts, a different on every quarter would be a Very good idea, Maybe with a knife picture on the pocket, helps the BF and whose ever knife that is run at the time, maybe even a little from the Company for the advertising, nothing blatant.

Keep us informed, as you always do!

Thanks!
G2

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When a fellow says, "it ain't the money but the principle of the thing,"
it's the money.
F. McKinney Hubbard

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html

 
My superfluent opinion is

1. Keep the site free to the general public

2. Sell stuff like imprinted merchandise (stickers, t-shirts, etc.) to everybody

3. Take donations.

4. Group the people who gave donations into
- Bronze member (<$10)
- Silver member ($11-50)
- Gold member (>$50)
This should appear like now the 'Senior Member' under the name with each posting.

5. Or (if not possible with software), make a Hall of Fame with the same grouping. Or show it in the profile.

6. Let those donating member have a first pick at special closeout or othe knife sales. They could get notified by email. Or have access to a special sales forum with password.

7. Those members should have a special personal sales forum, where they can sell and purchase knives among themselves. This way it gives them more confidence in the deal.

8. Since this site promotes the sales of participating companies (how many knives does Spyderco sell more now because of this forum?) they should be charged. Donating knives for sale is a good thing, but it takes administrative effort to do so. A usage fee is clearly better.

Good luck,
Ralf
 
How about only making the monthly drawings open to members who have paid their optional annual fee? I bet alot of people would pay just to have a shot at winning knives like this month's Carnivour.
 
SPARK,, I've only been a member for a short time but enjoy visiting every chance I get..Count me in for the voluntary donation thing.We have to keep sites like this alive and running..(I'll tell my wife that it is a tax deduction!)..Rob
 
The "extended privilage" system seems like a good idea. People love access. Also, do not forget to look in to the 501c codes and all to make sure BF is covered from a tax angle... James...... you know anything about this
smile.gif

 
I am not in favor of different access levels based on financial contributions because there are alot of people that visit this site that cannot afford a 50 dollar donation. I have used info from this site to save myself Mucho amounts of cash, so even on my limited income I have been able to buy knives of much greater quality. I would prefer to be able to support the site with a pledge system like with the PBS fundraiser, and since it is on the net, it can run all the time, perhaps a page on the Bladeforums store that lets you do a pledge for $10 bucks or more. Being able to get small items like boomparsteekars to show off to the public will be the advertisement necessary to spur even more growth.

I still think that some goodies should be auctioned off here as well...would it be possible to get a Buck 110 with Chuck Buck's siggie on it? If Bob Taylor could runn off a one-off Sifu with a full polish and his mark on it, I think it would auction for quite a price, especially considering the REKAT is fast becoming a superstar in the realm of quality knives. The investment value alone would be worth it.

Also, I don't think that Manufacturers should be the only ones to donate knives for the forums...I know that a few of you guys out there have a one off or prototype that would sell well...Anyone interested in a Dremeled Ascent? If I ever get famous it might be worth something!
smile.gif
..that is about all i can donate right now...If I get a knife biz started I might do the good Karma thing like our favorite moderator...

Another consideration is how much larger can the site get? Is there a logical end to this madness? I spend at least an hour here just reading everyday...and it keeps getting bigger & bigger...pretty soon one will only be able to keep up with one forum.

YeK
 
blade forum,

I suggest you get started. I've heard of the bladeforum t-shirt and the Native. I'm in for both.
I also would have bought a Spyderco sharpener from the store if I knew they were in dire need, I have since bought a Lansky.
Let's go!
Nick
 
I just got done talking to my friend who has been in networking for two years, working in ISP, and is going to start his own ISP. He was saying that the most you guys should be paying a month for the connection you have is $800. If you guys are paying over that I think your ISP is giviving you the barrel. If you have more questions or want to get in touch with my friend or the company he works for give me mail. Bottom line though is that 1000 out of your pocket is way too high.

-RYan
 
I'd fork over the membership fee in a heartbeat. I like the idea of something for it too. How about: $10 gets you a hat, $20 gets you a shirt, $70 gets you a knife. Something along those lines.
 
Model it kind of after the Public Radio fund raising. This is Public Internet. Donate X amount of money get such and such premium.
 
I have only been visiting this site for a couple of weeks, but would hate to see it go under. I agree with the $10 to $25 yearly fee, with maybe a T-shirt, hat, etc. Also likes Sal's idea about selling special edition knives or regular run knives of special interest.

Keep up the goodwork.

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"...livin' free...in the :(:o Free State :o:("
 
I really like the life membership, for say $50. But there could be other levels too. Different goodies could go to various levels of membership.

With membership should come access to specials.

Maybe the monthly give away should go to paying members to encourage payment.

I know you make a good living Mike, but $36,000 is big bucks. We all get so much out of this site, we can help.

LD

 
Spide,

The $1,000 is all costs considered. Funny thing is you hit the nail on the head with the $800 bandwidth charge!

We have negotiated a better deal but we were just hit with a bandwidth charge since October. Oh well.

PLEASE ALL READ THE NEXT FEW LINES

Regardless of what we do with this site the forums will always remain FREE! So don't worry about that issue. What we are talking about here is in the next few months, with the plans I have, this site will skyrocket in hits and members. So we need to take measures now to make sure we can keep it running. I will still pay a major portion of the site out of my pocket but I just want it to be more self sufficient.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com




 
Hi All,
As the oldest "JUNIOR MEMBER" I say, Fish or Cut Bait. But wait, in here this might be something of a problem....
It's just time to pony up. "There ain't no free ride".
Dan
 
Keeping the basic site free is the right thing to do. There may be 1700 members now, but it's clear that number would plummet if a fee were required.

On the other hand, I personally think relying on donations is unlikely to work well (unless there are some wealthy philanthropists reading this), and it's not particularly fair, either. I'd like to see a system where members who pay some nominal fee ($10/yr?), or spend some amount at the bladeforums store ($50/yr?), get a few extra features and benefits. The examples listed previously sound mostly good, such as the ability to take advantage of special knife sales and to buy bladeforums gear. I'm already planning to play up the membership costs angle when I explain my Carbon Fiber Dragonfly purchase to my wife.
smile.gif


It might also be reasonable to limit some of the resource-intensive forum activities to paying members, such as full-message-body searches, or access to archives older than a few months.

-Brett


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brett@rahul.net
www.rahul.net/brett
 
I just placed a post on the Spyderco Forum about the Forum Store selling Spydie Stuff. Every one there wants Hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts, tie clips, hell anything with the Spyderco logo on it.

Sal has stated in the thread that he's looking for an outlet for this stuff to satisfy Spydie Fans.

This would be a great product line for the Forum Store to carry, as these guys seem insatiable in their desire for this stuff. If the Forum Store had an exclusive arrangement with Sal it could really help support the site.


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LD
"Every Dog Has His Day"

 
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