I can't believe this - I'm not only angry, but I'm extremely disappointed.

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Spark, my apologies from getting a Bladeforums thread started on Knifeforums. I was just trying to find out if I was the only one not able to get through! They should lock the thread out, really, now that it has nothing to do with the original content. I for one LOVE Bladeforums. It is a superb thing. I think all of the things you guys have done to increase revenue are fine. If you don't want to spend money to use BFC you don't have to. The 1Stop is GREAT! I think you have every right to do what it takes to keep this site going. I just hope it KEEPS going! What happened to the advertising banners that, if we clicked them, you would make money on? Does that still work, how well, and what do we have to do again?

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My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html

 
here,here, jailhack! i applaud mike and spark for their efforts.this is a great place. i reiterate spark's comment: never criticize thy neighbor until you've walked a mile in his moccasins.

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russ aka bladezealot. a cat almost always blinks when hit in the head with a ball-peen hammer.
 
Spark; I can understand your reaction now. On top of your Herculean efforts to upgrade the site, and deal with the problems which cropped up during this activity, you (indirectly) and Mike are accused of being whining, boorish people who complain about the cost of maintaining the forum. Further, Mike's integrity is brought into question. Even further, Cliff is accused of willingness to argue with a tree (well, he probably would, but if he did, he would apply calm logic even if the tree barked)!!

I agree with jailhack above; further, it is a free country. If you don't like what you perceive as whining here, then just vote with your mouse. And leave us alone.

If you are an internet dealer, and don't like the prices or conditions for advertising here, then take your business elsewhere.

As far as Mike saying he wouldn't compete with dealers, he has indicated that he will change his behavior. However, I think all of you are forgetting what Earl Stewart did.

This was in an entirely different league. Earl not only delivered an entirely different product than promised to James Nowka, he then suddenly quit being a Mad Dog dealer, and REFUSED to refund the deposits he had taken while acting as a dealer, despite NOT delivering knives. Well, he is facing legal action for this, and I am trying to get my $100 back, which Earl had since mid 1998. Strange that no one has yelled 'foul' on this matter.

In short, I rather like this place, and the very fact that I had no idea what Spark was talking about tells you how I feel about KFC (or KFF or whatever it is now); I do post there, but only visit every 2 or 3 weeks.

There is a lot of whining going on here, but it is not from Mike. So why don't you malcontents just take yourselves and go somewhere where both you and BFC would be much happier? Somewhere else. In other words, LEAVE!!

Most respectfully, Walt
 
Hi,
This is the best forum I ever visited. Keep it that way.
If you need to sell knives to support it, do so.
If someone does not like it: the internet has a lot of empty space to do better, good luck.
So do not worry.
Thank you anyway.
rolleyes.gif


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D.T. UTZINGER
 
Gee... I'm still reeling from the shock after reading this (and the one over at KFC).

I guess, to each his own. If they feel happier someplace else, then the door is wide open. Just leave us in peace.

Dan
 
Wow!
I was not aware of the dissention or the emotions, or the criticism.
Spark, you(and Mike) have seen turbulent issues and prevailed before. We (you and I) have had opposite emotions before and just grew closer.
The fact is that Bladeforums is my FAVORITE recreation. With almost 1000 posts, it's pretty obvious that I've been involved. It is my favorite magazine as well as my favorite place to hang out. Not only do I like the subject matter, I'm very fond of the members.
Reflecting on my purchases over time, I see that all have come from dealers who supported BF. They just happen to be the one's that continue to support you and are the finest out there.
From this point on, I will do business only with dealers that support my favorite recreational forum.
And, if you elect to charge the membership for access, sign me up first. This place is far better than any magazine I subscribe to.
Later, Bill
 
I do my very best not to take sides, but once a while there are things I think are indeed fighting for. Just wanted to know that I'm with you on this one.

I've mentioned this before, but have you considered the idea of pay membership? It's nothing more than asking for donations. And in return, you get a change in status title. "Patron" sounds nice.

I know how people feel about some kind of class disparity. "Patrons" would not have any more or less privilege than "member". And we have no conflict over the usage of "visitor" and "member". In fact, I think the title change would be no more different than wearing a BFC.com T-shirt to help promote the site.

Anyways, it's only an idea. I'd hate to see this site go down seeing how it's clearly in the red. And unless fortune changes, I fear that's exactly what will happen.
 
There is no such thing as a free lunch. If you think something is free, well you just haven't seen the bill. I purchase from the store. I donated the magazine subscription. I'll subscribe to the forum if that is required. Why all the whining? If someone does not like the environment they really need to go elsewhere. If one likes BF, derives enjoyment from it, why not pay a bit for it -- either directly or indirectly? I'm not a dealer so I'll not comment on that situation although I do have some thoughts about it. You may be able to figure out what they are. Regards to all.
 
You have 5000+ members . I think that , at least 99.9% of them appriciate YOUR work with the Forum , and for the others , who dont like it , let them start a Forum , or site or whatever they like of their own . The rest of us say : KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK !!! WE LOVE IT !!
Best wishes
Anders Johansson , Custom knifemaker , Sweden at http://www.scrimart.u.se
/ I know what it´s like to live on the lower edge of your limits , sometimes beneath , and if you can earn some money on this it´s because you deserves it and you´re well worth it !!! /


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Spark & Mike

You guys are doing a fantastic and seemingly thankless job.
For my part..THANK YOU for an amazing site....you are the cause for late nights and high phone bills....my fiance goes to be alone at night(I'm thinking of buying her knife to keep her company).....may your 1stopstore flourish.
Cheers
Hilton
smile.gif
 
I would very much like to see Mike and Spark profit from this site. And following their profit it would be great if the banner advertisers also did well...for the exposure to all us knife-types the ads are a great deal (sixth page ad in the local monthly cost me $625.00)!

Geez guys...could we chill with the melodrama about "man of his word" and "dishonor", etc...these two guys are NOT taking the food from our tables to feather their nests!!!!!!!!!

As for me...I have never spent so much time, met so many people, learned so much AND PAID SO LITTLE in any other part of my life!

Thanks for the site guys!!

-Michael
Totally willing to skinny up a bit more for my favorite site!

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Chefget's Knife Page
 
I've been here since the beginning and have witnessed many changes, some I liked and some I didn't. But the thing about Bladeforums is that I've always felt that if I had an issue I could feel free to discuss it with Mike and Spark. I don't think they have any agenda other than keeping this place going, people that complain about unfair treatment could talk to Mike and Spark privately, just as you or I could, unless their aim is to press their view on them through bullying tactic.
My .02

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Buck Collectors Club Member
Knifeknut(just ask my wife)
Cetan Blood Brother
Military & Moran Admiration Society
 
This money issue with Bladefoums and how much it costs them seems to be a seasonal topic. Guess we should expect another rant about this again around early June eh?
 
About three weeks ago, one of my co-workers started to get the "cutlery itch", from me
smile.gif
. So the fastest way to show him, online, what some options were for what he wanted to pay was to fire up BF, hit "links", and go to "dealers that support BF". I honestly can't recall which ones we browsed, but he ended up getting a CRKT M16 Tanto from a BF advertizer, and he's real happy with it.

This kind of thing can't be all that rare. Us "major knife knuts" end up giving advice all the time so there's going to be "BF link/ad driven sales" to people who aren't even lurkers, never mind members.

As long as Mike competes in the market "just like any dealer" and doesn't shaft the advertizers by treated them as second-class, he's not doing anything wrong.

Regarding the complaints about him "not living up to his word not to deal": it clearly got to the point where it was "be a dealer or shut it all down". That would have been a disaster; it's taken years to build this community up, and if it shatters those same dealers who are advertizing and benefitting (and they ARE) will be SOL. If James Nowla at KF tried to expand to take up the slack, the same logistical nightmares will plague him and it'll be the same choice again: directly profit in order to keep the site running, or go away.

Wailing about "Mike broke his word" is nuts. Look at the business realities and then ask "what course benefits the most people?" and the answer is "what he's doing".

(Sidenote: Mike, Spark, I assume specs and pics are coming for all models? At the very least you need links back to the manufacturers so people can see what items you're talking about...but you knew that already
smile.gif
).

Jim
 
You know something. Mike and Spark don't "owe" us anything. They started a site that was designed for the sole purpose of furthering knife knowledge. They have done that and then some. Mike and Spark are free to do whatever they like. Even If they were making ends meet without the new knife store and wanted to open it just to make more money then that is their right. People are getting upset that it will now cut into thier business, you know what.....TUFF. There are plenty of knife shops on the net, right here in the forums as a matter of fact, that have better prices than 1stopknifeshop.com Should'nt we dealers be angry at THEM?? We act like Mike And spark owe us something and can't further their own lives because it "might hurt us" Who the hell are we???

Mike, Spark, you guys have busted your asses to make this place THE BEST. Pay NO attention to anyone that complains about what you are doing. You have the right to do whatever you want. I know that, and you know that.

I could rant all day on how people are so stuck on themselves they think they are the center of the universe and all revolves around them.

I am not refering to anyone specific. But this complaining about what YOU are doing is REDICULOUS!!!

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Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
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"only the paranoid will survive":)


 
Mike & Spark,
I'm not a dealer, so I can't speak from whatever concerns they have . . . but as a knife afficionado I want to thank you both for all your hard work to keep BF a great place!
 
I'm hardly the most prolific poster, but I did want to express my support for you guys. I think you do a fantastic job with this site, and I greatly appreciate it. I've learned more here for free (and not just about knives) than I have anywhere else.
 
I just read that thread over at KFC and I couldn't beleive it. Thats unbeleivable that people will bitch about things like that.This site is the most informative place to go when it comes to knives and its alot of fun besides. I started trying to make knives before I found Blade forums but the knives I'm doing now are a hell of a lot better seeing as how I can get help from people who know what they're doing. Personally I haven't participated with any of the fundraising things, but a big part of that is I'm 16 and I don't have a credit card or checkbook. As far as I'm concerned you can support the site any way that you want to and nobody should complain.I'm just gratefuol that its still here for me to come to and its free!
Thanks again for working so hard at this, I still can't beleive that those people were complaining.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Spark,

I can't be bothered with visiting KnifeForums to see who complained there but I will say this.

Unless the Dealers who have actively supported BladeForums.Com are complaining to you and Mike (I don't think they would complain publicly) you don't have a problem.

The complaints of any dealer who has not supported this forum should be considered the empty whining that they are.

On the other hand if the dealers who have supported you have a problem I would suggest that you try to work something out with them.


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AKTI Member No. A000370
 
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