Heading to the Forge! What would you want to see?

whitty

whitty

Dealer / Materials Provider
Joined
Aug 25, 2005
Messages
6,014
Every year I go to Atlanta for Blade Show, I always intend to go by and see Andy and the guys. To date it has never worked out. I am always too busy and they are even busier getting ready for the show. Popping in for a visit at that time is just never a good idea.

So next week I am hitting the road and going to see the crew. Looking forward to my first visit to the shop and getting to talk to everyone without the chaos of Blade Show surrounding us. I am hoping to spend some time with all of them and get some real insight to the day to day operation. While I get to see a lot of pics each week thanks to several members, it will be cool to see it with my own eyes.

So my question for you guys is; If you were going by the shop, what would you want to see? What questions would you want to ask?

If it is a question you are not comfortable posting on here then shoot me a PM or an email to scott@usamadeblade.com I will do my best to get you answers:D
 
1. Vance grinding out the fabled wharncliffe EDC

2. Andy's stockpile of mammoth molars!!!
 
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Hi Scott,

I am sure that you and I walked right by each other at the Blade Show, but never got introduced. I hope that you have a great visit to the Forge.

The questions that I would ask if I was making the visit are:

1) What is the status of the move to the new building?

2) What are Andy's priority goals for the business once they settle in to the new building?

a) More custom knife volume?

b) Introduce new models to the custom line?

c) Expand the Custom Shop options on the Mid-Tech line?

d) Add manufacturing equipment and/or capabilities that could not fit in the existing building?

3) How many models will eventually be added to the Mid-Tech Line?

a) What models are next in line at this point?

b) Will there be any other colors of micarta or G-10 (or burlap :) ) offered on the standard Mid-Tech knives?

That seems like a good start. I will probably think of many other questions right after I hit "send reply."

Enjoy the trip!

Phil
 
Comprehensivist said:
Hi Scott,

I am sure that you and I walked right by each other at the Blade Show, but never got introduced. I hope that you have a great visit to the Forge.

That seems like a good start. I will probably think of many other questions right after I hit "send reply."

Enjoy the trip!

Phil
Click to expand...

Phil, I've taken the liberty of rearranging your post a little and will answer what I can here. Thanks for the questions....

The questions that I would ask if I was making the visit are:

1) What is the status of the move to the new building?

Most of the construction is done. We are currently waiting on the County and the inspector to approve everything. So far they have been difficult and nit-picky to work with. We never would have guessed that it would take this long (we started the project in March I believe) to get in there.

2) What are Andy's priority goals for the business once they settle in to the new building?

Right now the goal is just to get in. We are also hosting the quarterly Georgia Guild meeting here next month on August 14-15th. Ideally we'd be all moved in for that. We have joked that the "meeting" will be asking everyone to load up their cars at the old shop and help us move into the new shop. :D

a) More custom knife volume?

Unlikely. Andy is maxed out right now so I doubt we'll see growth on the handmade side of things.

b) Introduce new models to the custom line?

c) Expand the Custom Shop options on the Mid-Tech line?

d) Add manufacturing equipment and/or capabilities that could not fit in the existing building?

We are certainly going to add machines. First on the list include new KMG grinders and a mill machine. Aside from that we're all excited to simply spread out.

3) How many models will eventually be added to the Mid-Tech Line?

a) What models are next in line at this point?

We have 4 models slated to go next - the Duke, Bushcrafter, Kephart, and Bushboot. These are already underway, but in the early stages.

b) Will there be any other colors of micarta or G-10 (or burlap :) ) offered on the standard Mid-Tech knives?

Presently we are sticking w/ black and natural canvas micarta.
 
Bamboo said:
Phil, I've taken the liberty of rearranging your post a little and will answer what I can here. Thanks for the questions....
Click to expand...

I appreciate the reply Ken. I wish you all best with the move and continued growth for the company.

I'll let you go now so that you can get back to work on all the stainless Padres that this crowd is restless for. :thumb up: :)

Your faithful customer,

Phil
 
Bamboo said:
Phil, I've taken the liberty of rearranging your post a little and will answer what I can here. Thanks for the questions....

The questions that I would ask if I was making the visit are:

1) What is the status of the move to the new building?

Most of the construction is done. We are currently waiting on the County and the inspector to approve everything. So far they have been difficult and nit-picky to work with. We never would have guessed that it would take this long (we started the project in March I believe) to get in there.

2) What are Andy's priority goals for the business once they settle in to the new building?

Right now the goal is just to get in. We are also hosting the quarterly Georgia Guild meeting here next month on August 14-15th. Ideally we'd be all moved in for that. We have joked that the "meeting" will be asking everyone to load up their cars at the old shop and help us move into the new shop. :D

a) More custom knife volume?

Unlikely. Andy is maxed out right now so I doubt we'll see growth on the handmade side of things.

b) Introduce new models to the custom line?

c) Expand the Custom Shop options on the Mid-Tech line?

d) Add manufacturing equipment and/or capabilities that could not fit in the existing building?

We are certainly going to add machines. First on the list include new KMG grinders and a mill machine. Aside from that we're all excited to simply spread out.

3) How many models will eventually be added to the Mid-Tech Line?

a) What models are next in line at this point?

We have 4 models slated to go next - the Duke, Bushcrafter, Kephart, and Bushboot. These are already underway, but in the early stages.

b) Will there be any other colors of micarta or G-10 (or burlap :) ) offered on the standard Mid-Tech knives?

Presently we are sticking w/ black and natural canvas micarta.
Click to expand...


Now that Ken has answered all the questions I guess I will stay home:grumpy:
 
Oh no Scott, you need to go because we need more answers.

Combining a prior Kal El wish list idea with Joe Duder's request, is there any possibility of some 1/8" CPM 154 Fiddle-textured Woodsman? Burlap and tapered would be a bonus, but I would "settle" for a bright colored G-10 or Micarta with SFT too. That seems like a more reasonable compromise than the Iran Nuke deal.

We look forward to hearing about your trip. Have a great time!

Phil
 
Comprehensivist said:
Combining a prior Kal El wish list idea with Joe Duder's request, is there any possibility of some 1/8" CPM 154 Fiddle-textured Woodsman? Burlap and tapered would be a bonus
Click to expand...

1/8" CPM 154 Fiddle-textured Toothpick! Toothpick! Toothpick! Cornflower blue with black bolster would be a bonus....and a Predator pinout ;)
 
whitty said:
Now that Ken has answered all the questions I guess I will stay home:grumpy:
Click to expand...

No, you have to come visit! And apparently much of your time will be spent convincing Andy to make Woodsman's and Padres in CPM.... :D
 
+1 on Joe's request - I need to get a Woodsman

Also, I wanna see a pic of the boxes of Fiddleback shirts I bet that they have laying around. I cannot seem to find any anywhere ;)
 
cutchu said:
+1 on Joe's request - I need to get a Woodsman

Also, I wanna see a pic of the boxes of Fiddleback shirts I bet that they have laying around. I cannot seem to find any anywhere ;)
Click to expand...

:thumbup:+1+1

Oh and while your making all those SS Padres and Woodsmans, could you throw in a 1/8" TT SS Monarch in a nice burlap? :thumbup::)
 
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