BOTM thoughts

[AZbuckNM]

Started posting this in April BOTM but wanted to start a new topic:

Don’t shoot me guys...but... in my opinion the BOTM quality is going to decrease because of the pressure to crank out 500 piece runs. It is obvious that Bucks new focus (coincidentally happens with a new president, not sure about that one) is volume and squeaking out every dime they can out of these runs because of the popularity and I get it as a small business owner myself. I’m on the fence with the BOTM, I’ve enjoyed the exclusivity of the small runs but also realize that it leaves a lot of people wanting...but that’s what makes it collectible??? Man...I am conflicted.

Thoughts???

 

[GPyro]

I like the higher BOTM numbers.
.....Largely due to the fact that it discourages flippers.

I have stated myself that I thought the quality of the current Legacy Collection was more of a mass produced attempt to sell knives, rather than an attempt to show off talent.

I'm hoping the future Limited Edition knives will fill this void.

Don't get me wrong, I believe Buck makes a great product at a fair price.

But there is room for improvement.

 

[GPyro]

Note:

Censorship is alive and well here.

 

[eveled]

Before the BOM, the Web Specials were better. Small runs and cleanup runs were listed there.

The BOM should be a large quantity so people have a chance to get them.

One of the exclusive pocket knife companies is disappointing people with every release. They are sold in seconds. It’s turning a lot of collectors off. It is like trying to get concert tickets. They sell out in seconds yet the ticket agencies have plenty to sell at 10 times the price.

 

[Lesknife]

I’m not just a collector, I like to use a good knife too at work and outdoors activities.
The exclusiveness or hard to find only interest the collectors, flippers and scalpers.
And what do they use those super steel blades for that can cut like nothing before?
and upgrade materials that are the most durable ?

To display and just look at ?

Make some money?

Where does that leave the professional or sportsman or outdoorsman, or stockman or gardener that want a good knife to use that performs like they need them to?
Why not make plenty of good knives so anyone who needs one can afford one instead of paying an obscene price from a flipper or getting what’s left of the lesser grade materials ?

I’ll bet you in a few days if not already there are some of this months botm 104 on auction sites for double or triple what they were released at and the person selling them are the main benefactor before the knife even cuts anything!
It kinda grates on me when one person or group makes it hard on someone else just because they can.

 

[AZbuckNM]

I love the spirited conversation! Like I said, I’m on the fence. I noticed a recent change. Im addicted to buying Bucks!

 

[eveled]

Lesknife I agree with what you say, but wanted to point out that the “users” only need a couple of knives. Feeding the collectors makes good sense too. Releasing so few that the flippers and scalpers make more profit than Buck does makes little sense to me.

I guess the collectors are to blame for buying the knives that are being flipped.

 

[DonJGiles]

I’ll bet you in a few days if not already there are some of this months botm 104 on auction sites for double or triple what they were released at

Yes, there is one (at least) there for the low low price of $210.00.

 

[ncnurseryman]

I like the higher BOTM numbers.
.....Largely due to the fact that it discourages flippers.

I have stated myself that I thought the quality of the current Legacy Collection was more of a mass produced attempt to sell knives, rather than an attempt to show off talent.

I'm hoping the future Limited Edition knives will fill this void.

Don't get me wrong, I believe Buck makes a great product at a fair price.

But there is room for improvement.

I purchased the 2021 legacy 124 based on what I thought would be a unique ebony handle. If you look at the website picture advertising the 124 it looks more brownish. I bought it based on that picture but low and behold it looks almost identical to the black micarta version with some very minor color. It's still a nice knife but I think Buck mislead people with their marketing.

 

[Fixall]

I've been concerned about the changes in leadership at Buck too (and still am), but at this point, it's just wait and see.

On a positive note... Buck started using 3V steel for the very first time after the new President took over. Who knows how long that's been planned, but maybe it's a good sign.

I’m not just a collector, I like to use a good knife too at work and outdoors activities.
The exclusiveness or hard to find only interest the collectors, flippers and scalpers.
And what do they use those super steel blades for that can cut like nothing before?
and upgrade materials that are the most durable ?

To display and just look at ?

Make some money?

Where does that leave the professional or sportsman or outdoorsman, or stockman or gardener that want a good knife to use that performs like they need them to?
Why not make plenty of good knives so anyone who needs one can afford one instead of paying an obscene price from a flipper or getting what’s left of the lesser grade materials ?

I’ll bet you in a few days if not already there are some of this months botm 104 on auction sites for double or triple what they were released at and the person selling them are the main benefactor before the knife even cuts anything!
It kinda grates on me when one person or group makes it hard on someone else just because they can.

Hear! Hear!

 

[caquino]

Started posting this in April BOTM but wanted to start a new topic:

Don’t shoot me guys...but... in my opinion the BOTM quality is going to decrease because of the pressure to crank out 500 piece runs. It is obvious that Bucks new focus (coincidentally happens with a new president, not sure about that one) is volume and squeaking out every dime they can out of these runs because of the popularity and I get it as a small business owner myself. I’m on the fence with the BOTM, I’ve enjoyed the exclusivity of the small runs but also realize that it leaves a lot of people wanting...but that’s what makes it collectible??? Man...I am conflicted.

Thoughts???

Well... one of the apprehensions I had about the announcement of the new president is that he came from Smith & Wesson.

Quality control there has been disappointing to say the least for years... the things that buyers have had to contend with on a new firearm out of the box, things that should have never made it out of the factory, that required the buyer to return it to the factory to be fixed, without having even firing a single shot out of it.

This is a S&W 625-8 that I bought a few years ago, I didn't noticed it at the gun shop, but when I got to the range I saw that the front sight was tilted, because the barrel was over tightened.The muzzle crown was left with rough machine marks... not conducive to accuracy, it had to go back to S&W for correction.

Now we see issues with workmanship quality on the BOTM that are similar to the kind of things found at S&W.

So far we have "Wonky" & "Funky" looking grinds, rough looking grind marks on the spine, soft torx screw heads that round off, and dyed micarta that's not so pleasing.

Coincidence? Time will tell... but if it continues, I'm done with the BOTM's and possibly even newly manufactured Bucks, the same way people are seeking out older S&W's and not buying the new stuff.

 

[IDhorace]

BOTM at 500 pieces is a good idea I think. Thought it was encouraging that it took nearly a full day to sell out too. That's more the way it should be, giving more folks a chance, rather than favoring the chosen few who might be able to ride their email for a week until it pops and then buy 1/2 dozen to flip. *spit*

As to the new president, my understanding is that he hasn't been in the chair for a full month yet, so I'm not going to lay any blame there. But if he's awake he'll jump on these grumbles pretty darn quickly or some of the more fickle folks will get rowdy. I'm willing to, at this point, lay off the 104 quality issues on a flurry of new president, new steel, new personnel, supply issues... hopefully a non-repeating perfect storm.

Agree the product pics need to be exactly what the customer will see. On another dealer website I've seen more than a couple comments similar to the above about the 2021 124 being seriously darker in person than in the ad shot. Bad practice which needs to be nipped before it spreads.

my two cents... goodnight everyone!

 

[Fixall]

Well... one of the apprehensions I had about the announcement of the new president is that he came from Smith & Wesson. Quality control there has been disappointing to say the least for years... the things that buyers have had to contend with on a new firearm out of the box, things that should have never made it out of the factory, that required the buyer to return it to the factory to be fixed, without having even firing a single shot out of it.

Now we see issues with workmanship quality finish on the BOTM that are similar to the kind of things found at S&W.

So far we have "Wonky" & "Funky" looking grinds, rough looking grind marks on the spine, soft torx screw heads that round off, and dyed micarta that's not so pleasing.

Coincidence? Time will tell... but if it continues, I'm done with the BOTM's and possibly even newly manufactured Bucks, the same way people are seeking out older S&W's and not buying the new stuff.

I had no issue with my Torx screws and they seemed no softer than any of the others I've removed. They just had a ton of blue Loctite on the threads, which I look at a positive. The Micarta color is subjective. Hard to hold that against them. "Wonky" and "funky" grinds is nothing new in the industry and has plagues companies like Buck, Spyderco, Case, GEC, Benchmade, etc all in a similar manner. One of my 3V 104's had a perfect grind, the other did not. The grind marks on the spine is a bummer, but it wouldn't surprise me if the difficulty of machining 3V was to blame. Keep in mind that this is the first time Buck has used this VERY tough steel and that many companies won't even bother with it because of the difficulty working with it. Just rambling...

I do have the same concerns about the new president for the same reasons as you (S&W, Lacrosse, and Danner going downhill while he was in charge).

 

[bucksway]

I brought this up a year ago or so but why not be able to subscribe to the BOTM program? I'm sure the details could be worked out..

 

[caquino]

I had no issue with my Torx screws and they seemed no softer than any of the others I've removed. They just had a ton of blue Loctite on the threads, which I look at a positive. The Micarta color is subjective. Hard to hold that against them. "Wonky" and "funky" grinds is nothing new in the industry and has plagues companies like Buck, Spyderco, Case, GEC, Benchmade, etc all in a similar manner. One of my 3V 104's had a perfect grind, the other did not. The grind marks on the spine is a bummer, but it wouldn't surprise me if the difficulty of machining 3V was to blame. Keep in mind that this is the first time Buck has used this VERY tough steel and that many companies won't even bother with it because of the difficulty working with it. Just rambling...

I do have the same concerns about the new president for the same reasons as you (S&W, Lacrosse, and Danner going downhill while he was in charge).

Some valid points... regarding first time out with 3V and all. I guess I'm a bit more critical about QC after what I've experienced and seen posted on the S&W forums for many years.

 

[Lesknife]

Lesknife I agree with what you say, but wanted to point out that the “users” only need a couple of knives. Feeding the collectors makes good sense too. Releasing so few that the flippers and scalpers make more profit than Buck does makes little sense to me.

I guess the collectors are to blame for buying the knives that are being flipped.

I should have worded that to say the type of collector that is only concerned about the high value popular items that move fast instead of the brand, type or model which they find interesting for what they are and not just a hot item.

Yes collectors are an important part of the brand name identity, representative specimens in their collection and many of them preserve the history and stories of the brand or models because they have a particular appreciation or passion for the brand or model. And there are some good ones right here on this forum.

Idk, it just seems to me that nowadays a different breed of collectors has emerged and they don’t have the passion or respect about the items they can acquire. It’s just another thing that can be manipulated to their own gain.

I’m sorry for the long post but I think things in the market are changing and not always for the good.

 

[BuckShack]

I think Buck of the Month should be available for the entire month. Run whatever amount makes sense and keep taking orders for the entire month. That is the name of the program after all.

 

[GPyro]

I think Buck of the Month should be available for the entire month. Run whatever amount makes sense and keep taking orders for the entire month. That is the name of the program after all.

They could do that on a pre-order bases.
Interesting idea.
Even less exclusive.... as if 500 is.

Subscribing to a BOTM sounds like Amazon, or Costco.
That could turn into another membership fee.
I'm not into "pay to shop" programs.

It would be nice if Buck could limit LE's to BCCI members.
....1 each..

I agree there's a difference between collectors and opportunists.


It's important for a company to pay attention to it's loyal customers, in this case collectors.
If you lose their faith in your products, you have begun to lose sight of your companies future.

 

[IDhorace]

Anyone paid attention to the mad flipping that has gone on in the various types of custom knives over the past few years? Like a cross between the Mad Hatter's tea party and musical chairs... we DON't want that.

 

[GPyro]

I should have worded that to say the type of collector that is only concerned about the high value popular items that move fast instead of the brand, type or model which they find interesting for what they are and not just a hot item.

Yes collectors are an important part of the brand name identity, representative specimens in their collection and many of them preserve the history and stories of the brand or models because they have a particular appreciation or passion for the brand or model. And there are some good ones right here on this forum.

Idk, it just seems to me that nowadays a different breed of collectors has emerged and they don’t have the passion or respect about the items they can acquire. It’s just another thing that can be manipulated to their own gain.

I’m sorry for the long post but I think things in the market are changing and not always for the good.

I've read your post a number of times....

And I began to realize that the one of the things I like most about this forum is most everyone here is into this hobby for the same reasons.

Love for a product and respect for a brand / each other.