It's the 22nd!

Silver Needle said:
Hasn't she said here or else where that she lives with Guy? I'm betting she is now Mrs. Seiferd........ if they're into that kind of name change stuff.
Click to expand...

I did change my last name to Seiferd.

The marriage thing was really just a formality. We got tired of awkwardly telling people that we aren't married but that we aren't really just boyfriend and girlfriend either.
 
:D:D wow!!! Today blew up with Survive! info, and for once not related to knives!!! Big congrats :thumbup:

There is no perfect system, there will always be someone unhappy for some reason or another, even if you go to the pages hosted by "big companies" people are unhappy. You guys do what works for you and make sure you can make a living, while actually LIVING and everything will work out!
 
Last edited:
SURVIVE! Ellie said:
I did change my last name to Seiferd.

The marriage thing was really just a formality. We got tired of awkwardly telling people that we aren't married but that we aren't really just boyfriend and girlfriend either.
Click to expand...

I... oh wow.

I mean, it's not that we didn't expect it, but... Wait, didn't Guy used to have a different girlfriend before the move? You didn't marry him just to make work-life easier, right?



Also, I cannot send flowers to a PO Box, where do we send them?
 
Oh NO, she left!!! And I don't know where to send flowers!


Maybe I should call... but i wouldn't want to ... interrupt ... anything ... y'know?
 
*Huffing and puffing* MY RANT!!!

Just checked. It lets you build one like they have them (there is no "out of stock" on the 5.1 like the other models), yet there is a disclaimer saying that all options of steel for this knife are unavailable. I tried to add one to my cart and it only lead me to my wishlist.

If they were for sale, they aren't anymore.

And yes, Monday morning is hell. I'm at work and busy, plus can't be on the net while I'm working. I guess only a few will be able to participate in the Monday blitz and then make a killing on the secondary market later. Since the stock is so low and the demand so high, I should quit my job and buy everything I can and sell them for exhorbitant prices like that guy does with all the Busse's. Just kidding. I'm not that kinda guy.

Why not "Sales Saturdays" so the majority of us have a chance to at least get ONE?

I'm a survive fan, love their knives, own several, can't wait for the 12 to come out, and just bought an original 5. Guy is a design genius, BUT, I'm wearing thin on this way of doing business. I get it. Economics 101 to a degree (Is there a false market being created here?). I do see older models sitting on the web with no sales. Only the "new" models are being highly sought after by a few fan boys (is that true?) But how long will it be before enough customers are driven else where since we can't ever just go online and buy a knife. Surely for a shop that doesn't really "make" knives, their is a solution. ONE more person in the shop to help out? I understand quality control. I've been in that business. It seems with the high demand, the capital should be there to expand. Does Guy really need to assemble and sharpen EVERY knife? I can sharpen a knife that will whittle a feather stick out of a single hair but there is never a need in the real world I use my knives in. Certainly it would not take a highly skilled (highly paid) employee to assemble a knife based on a work order or sharpen them constantly. The have Guy in charge of final QC. I've pimped and modded every S!K knife I've owned. Custom scales, shortened the fasteners, new finishes, etc. and Hell, I can barely tie my own shoes.

I know a lot has been said about Mike Stewart over at Bark River, some good, and some not so good. I've owned many of their knives. Never a problem usually to just order one and have it delivered. The same can be said for many other brands. Emerson comes to mind too. Chris Reeve is another. No one can dispute the quality of the CRK brand and their is minimal if any complaints on quality, he charges a high price for his knives, and yet, you can order one just about anytime you want. And to go along with that, if their is a problem, those guys stand behind what they build. I'm not an economics major but something is wrong here.

I use my ESEE Junglas in the woods more than any blade I own. $170.00 with the sheath and will cut, chop, or baton anything the GSO 10 will for $150.00 less. Guess I need to pull the old ESEE 4 and ESEE 6 out and start using them again too since it may be that I'll never be able to go online and just order a Survive!Knife like most other companies.

I'm just frustrated and venting since I really NEED/WANT a 4.1 and maybe even a 5.1 in 20cv. Actually, the 4.7 seems like it would be perfect for what I'm looking for. When are those going to be available? 2017? 2018? After I'm dead?

I've met good friends here and feel connected to a few of the really devoted S!K fans. I was always leary of posting this and offending anyone but it is what it is. I'm not the only one and this isn't the only thread.

RANT over. My original GSO 5 will be here in another day or so but it's 3V and I'll cuss under my breath at someone every time I worry about rust or need to keep it meticulously cleaned and oiled after every use. Maybe in 2017 or 2018 S!K will actually have knives for sale online like everyone else.

Who's selling their "extra", "new model" 5.1's and for how much? I might be in the market for one.

Let the beatings commence until my morale improves........
 
Hale Storm said:
Let the beatings commence until my morale improves........
Click to expand...

*Ahem* The Seiferds (wow, that was kind of neat to type!) are doing their best and agree that they need to find a competent addition to the S!K family, or so Ellie has said. I think she wants demand for their knives to slacken-off so she can enjoy more of her new husband's attention.

I would totally sell you my new GSO-5.1 ... but I really like it :o I'll have an ESEE-6 up for sale soon, but I guess you already have one ... Yeah, it's like the Hog-Trough. Wouldn't it be something if Ellie started posting a "GO" thread like they do over there? :)


I read what you're typing, we all do, even Ellie and Guy.
 
Ellie, just wanted to say I for one appreciate the info you put out. I know you guys are busting your butts; getting things done to the best of y'alls ability without compromising the quality. I think everyone understands that you guys are growing and learning new things, like better processes etc, all the time. Which allows for faster production. You guys make an outstanding product that everyone is anxious to have. That is a great thing! No matter how stressed you guys get, just know a lot of us understand all of these issues. Never sweat the small stuff..everything else will fall into place and work out.
 
chiral.grolim said:
Wouldn't it be something if Ellie started posting a "GO" thread like they do over there? :)
Click to expand...

Actually, considering this thread and some of the things said, I think that is exactly what needs to be done. It reads like this morning wasn't much different, except there never was a "GO!"

ETA: Congratulations to the Seiferds
 
Hale Storm said:
*Huffing and puffing* MY RANT!!!

Let the beatings commence until my morale improves........
Click to expand...

Hale, I think you have a lot more built up capitol than the one post wonder ranters. I understand your frustration and don't wish to beat on you at all. I will say however that frustration often clouds perspective. The companies you referenced are all industry veterans with established brands and processes. I tried to look into CRK a little as I think they are the most analogous of the ones you referenced and I found their "about page" interesting specifically this:

"The road between 1984 and [time of writing] January 2016 has not always been smooth. For many years, the endeavor was under-funded but with determination Chris and Anne put all they had into producing the best knives possible, within the resources available. In March 1989, they moved from their native South Africa and settled in Boise, Idaho. That move in itself was a major undertaking but vital for the future of the company."

I work for a multi million dollar company and we can't even throw money at our production problems to solve them. Sometimes patience really is the only answer. You might be able to find a proxy to help you out if the Monday threads aren't working out, I know that works for a lot of Busse fans. Hang in there man.
 
SURVIVE! Ellie said:
This has been touched on before so I will try to be brief. We can't change availability without lowering quality and/or increasing prices. So, there will continue to be a wait for GSO knives for the foreseeable future.

I am purposely switching up the times that I list the knives for folks who may be working or sleeping Monday mornings. Right now, supply is limited because Guy is still working on fulfilling preorders. Once those have all gone out later this year, the Monday releases will have some much larger numbers. The knives have always sold out quickly and often end up for sale elsewhere for a mark-up. We would definitely prefer to have the supply necessary to meet demand ourselves. We have increased our production numbers, but demand does continue to increase as well (even though we don't advertise at all).

"A waiting list and a few made public at a specific time as well." Something like having a preorder and then selling the remaining knives as we have the time to fulfill regular orders? :) I guess we could be more specific than "Monday" but then we would sell out in 5 minutes rather than 20. And we would need someone to answer all the angry emails accusing us of being horrible people.

We have learned that there are two groups of customers: one that definitely wants it and another that wants it now. No matter what we do, one of those groups is unhappy. The Monday releases are designed so that we no longer feel buried by orders, meaning morale will be a lot higher, leading to more knives actually being available.

When you say waiting list I'm assuming you are differentiating that from our current version of a wait list, the preorders. We don't have a non-payment based waitlist for several reasons.
1: It is not an easy thing to keep track of. You're talking about hundreds, probably thousands for the GSO-5.1, of names. We might be able to run it through our website, just have the system not charge people. But as people have proven, they don't read the fine print. We will have all the same problems as we have with preorders, except that people won't have paid for the knives.
2: Of course, if they aren't paying that means there will be a lot more names on the list. A lot more knives that we have to produce. Knives cost a lot to produce, and with our standards there are often a lot of knives that don't make it through QC. We might produce enough to cover the waitlist, but then more names get added and/or less knives are up to standard than expected. Then the end of the list is waiting a whole other big chunk of months for the next production run. Then more names get added to the list.
3: Time.
- Guy is a human, not a robot. He can only make so many knives in a time period. Say we get 1500 orders for the GSO-5.1, 800 orders for the GSO-4.7, 500 orders for the GSO-2.7, 1000 orders for the GSO-4.1.... His year fills up pretty quickly and our wait times become several years.
- I am a human, not a robot. I don't have the time call thousands of people to get payment information and deal with, "oh, I forgot about that. I can't pay for it anymore" and all the other things that can happen.

As it is, we feel stressed when we try to take a whole weekend off. I can't go anywhere without the laptop. The dogs are always restless, none of us get enough exercise. Here's a good one: We got married last month and we laugh when people ask about the honeymoon because it is ridiculous for us to even pretend we can take that much time off and actually enjoy ourselves. So no, there will not be a wait list. I am sorry that we can't keep up with demand, but a wait list is not our answer.
Click to expand...

I love you guys and the knives are phenomenal. Congratulations on your marriage. Both of you are truly lucky to have each other.

Now, raise the prices already and let the market bear it's fruit. If the S!K brand truly is what it appears to be, the time has come to raise the price, add some quality people, and provide enough blades to meet demand. That system works for EVERY manufacturer of quality knives.

Based on your numbers above, that would generate over $750,000 in gross revenue per year. 3/4 of a million dollars and you won't raise prices, hire more people, and meet the demand of the market, to the point of driving customers away?

I've read many times that Guy has pure intentions of producing a high quality knife at an affordable price. I get it. Very noble. Genuinely noble and I mean that and respect him for his ideals. There are many other brands in the price range. I can't think of too many people I've been in contact with that are genuinely just great people like you and Guy, BUT, more and more I see posts like mine where people are getting tired of the same story. Aren't you tired of hearing it? Wouldn't you rather double your money and better yet, be the best damn knife available anywhere, at any price? It's arguable that for some uses, you already have the best knife available. The quality of today's Survive Knife is matched by very few in the arena, but only a select few can buy your knives. What have you gained? More and more customers who are getting frustrated with this process. At some point, the fanboys will have enough S!K's and the rest of the market will have gone elsewhere for good.

Please do SOMETHING.

Thanks for the time.
 
Hale Storm said:
Based on your numbers above, that would generate over $750,000 in gross revenue per year. 3/4 of a million dollars and you won't raise prices, hire more people, and meet the demand of the market, to the point of driving customers away?
Click to expand...

I read that line, and wanted to clarify something I said earlier, about not buying any more S!K knives. It was from frustration, but it wasn't saying that I wouldn't try. Just that it would likely be impossible if they go with this current format and stick with it.

I've ordered two presales (I'm really, REALLY hoping I get the notice my pre-sale 5.1 in 20CV ships this week), and I have two pre-orders in. There is one more that I'm interested in getting, and if they stick with the pre-order "wait lists" ;) then I may get it. I don't so much mind waiting. The frustration I posted a couple months ago was not so much with the wait, but with delays from the dates expected. But hey, those things happen. Right now, I'm working on a program that is over a year behind, approaching 1.5 years. Things happen, and people get frustrated. I've been on both ends, over and over. And I still get frustrated, and I will still vent. Then take a deep breath, and move on. If you're going to do production of anything, expect delays. But when you hit delays, don't expect people to NOT be frustrated.
 
redwood22 said:
Hale, I think you have a lot more built up capitol than the one post wonder ranters. I understand your frustration and don't wish to beat on you at all. I will say however that frustration often clouds perspective. The companies you referenced are all industry veterans with established brands and processes. I tried to look into CRK a little as I think they are the most analogous of the ones you referenced and I found their "about page" interesting specifically this:

"The road between 1984 and [time of writing] January 2016 has not always been smooth. For many years, the endeavor was under-funded but with determination Chris and Anne put all they had into producing the best knives possible, within the resources available. In March 1989, they moved from their native South Africa and settled in Boise, Idaho. That move in itself was a major undertaking but vital for the future of the company."

I work for a multi million dollar company and we can't even throw money at our production problems to solve them. Sometimes patience really is the only answer. You might be able to find a proxy to help you out if the Monday threads aren't working out, I know that works for a lot of Busse fans. Hang in there man.
Click to expand...


Thanks Redwood. I know the story of CRK too. It reads just like the S!K story if they would take that next step. I'd give everything I have if my brand could be thrown about with the likes of Mr. Reeve and his knives. S!K is right there and refuses to move forward. I too worked for many years in the production arena for a multi-BILLION dollar world wide company and my job was to solve production issues without money. 'Make it run faster, better, leaner, for less, and produce the best on the planet for the least amount of money' kind of environment. And we did. Year after year after year. The simplest steps could make a world of difference with minimal costs, with huge dividends to the company, and more importantly to the BRAND which is where longevity comes from.

But hey, I'm just a customer. I don't know anything and it's none of my business how Guy chooses to run his. I can only express my opinion and spend my $$$ where I can. I can't spend them where I'd like at Survive!Knives, they have nothing to sell but morale patches.
 
Hale Storm said:
*Huffing and puffing* MY RANT!!!

Just checked. It lets you build one like they have them (there is no "out of stock" on the 5.1 like the other models), yet there is a disclaimer saying that all options of steel for this knife are unavailable. I tried to add one to my cart and it only lead me to my wishlist.

If they were for sale, they aren't anymore.

And yes, Monday morning is hell. I'm at work and busy, plus can't be on the net while I'm working. I guess only a few will be able to participate in the Monday blitz and then make a killing on the secondary market later. Since the stock is so low and the demand so high, I should quit my job and buy everything I can and sell them for exhorbitant prices like that guy does with all the Busse's. Just kidding. I'm not that kinda guy.

Why not "Sales Saturdays" so the majority of us have a chance to at least get ONE?

I'm a survive fan, love their knives, own several, can't wait for the 12 to come out, and just bought an original 5. Guy is a design genius, BUT, I'm wearing thin on this way of doing business. I get it. Economics 101 to a degree (Is there a false market being created here?). I do see older models sitting on the web with no sales. Only the "new" models are being highly sought after by a few fan boys (is that true?) But how long will it be before enough customers are driven else where since we can't ever just go online and buy a knife. Surely for a shop that doesn't really "make" knives, their is a solution. ONE more person in the shop to help out? I understand quality control. I've been in that business. It seems with the high demand, the capital should be there to expand. Does Guy really need to assemble and sharpen EVERY knife? I can sharpen a knife that will whittle a feather stick out of a single hair but there is never a need in the real world I use my knives in. Certainly it would not take a highly skilled (highly paid) employee to assemble a knife based on a work order or sharpen them constantly. The have Guy in charge of final QC. I've pimped and modded every S!K knife I've owned. Custom scales, shortened the fasteners, new finishes, etc. and Hell, I can barely tie my own shoes.

I know a lot has been said about Mike Stewart over at Bark River, some good, and some not so good. I've owned many of their knives. Never a problem usually to just order one and have it delivered. The same can be said for many other brands. Emerson comes to mind too. Chris Reeve is another. No one can dispute the quality of the CRK brand and their is minimal if any complaints on quality, he charges a high price for his knives, and yet, you can order one just about anytime you want. And to go along with that, if their is a problem, those guys stand behind what they build. I'm not an economics major but something is wrong here.

I use my ESEE Junglas in the woods more than any blade I own. $170.00 with the sheath and will cut, chop, or baton anything the GSO 10 will for $150.00 less. Guess I need to pull the old ESEE 4 and ESEE 6 out and start using them again too since it may be that I'll never be able to go online and just order a Survive!Knife like most other companies.

I'm just frustrated and venting since I really NEED/WANT a 4.1 and maybe even a 5.1 in 20cv. Actually, the 4.7 seems like it would be perfect for what I'm looking for. When are those going to be available? 2017? 2018? After I'm dead?

I've met good friends here and feel connected to a few of the really devoted S!K fans. I was always leary of posting this and offending anyone but it is what it is. I'm not the only one and this isn't the only thread.

RANT over. My original GSO 5 will be here in another day or so but it's 3V and I'll cuss under my breath at someone every time I worry about rust or need to keep it meticulously cleaned and oiled after every use. Maybe in 2017 or 2018 S!K will actually have knives for sale online like everyone else.

Who's selling their "extra", "new model" 5.1's and for how much? I might be in the market for one.

Let the beatings commence until my morale improves........
Click to expand...

We have tried hiring people and none of them have worked out. The payroll taxes alone are a good chunk of a production run. Part of the problem is that we grew too much, too soon. We should never have reached out to dealers, we should not have been in certain review videos, we should not have hired a bunch of marketing people. It's in the past and we don't do any advertising at all anymore.

There are also a lot of things that don't see the light of day because they don't pass our standards (for example: the entire run of GSO-4.1 Scandi knives). I know most people will tell us we need to raise prices to compensate for those things. But, we don't believe that the customer should be burdened by production inefficiencies. SURVIVE! doesn't exist because Guy wanted to create a huge company or to become a billionaire. He just wanted a quality knife at a sensible price. We are built on that concept and we intend to stick with it. The result, is less availability. Perhaps once we have been around as long as CRK we won't have these issues anymore. For now, we are doing what we can to produce as many knives as possible while staying true to our founding principles.
 
chiral.grolim said:
*Ahem* The Seiferds (wow, that was kind of neat to type!) are doing their best and agree that they need to find a competent addition to the S!K family, or so Ellie has said. I think she wants demand for their knives to slacken-off so she can enjoy more of her new husband's attention.

I would totally sell you my new GSO-5.1 ... but I really like it :o I'll have an ESEE-6 up for sale soon, but I guess you already have one ... Yeah, it's like the Hog-Trough. Wouldn't it be something if Ellie started posting a "GO" thread like they do over there? :)


I read what you're typing, we all do, even Ellie and Guy.
Click to expand...

Chiral, You almost killed me. I thought, for a fleeting moment, that you really would sell me your new 5.1. A man can dream right?

Ditto on the "GO" but not when 95% of the population is at work. :D
 
SURVIVE! Ellie said:
We have tried hiring people and none of them have worked out. The payroll taxes alone are a good chunk of a production run. Part of the problem is that we grew too much, too soon. We should never have reached out to dealers, we should not have been in certain review videos, we should not have hired a bunch of marketing people. It's in the past and we don't do any advertising at all anymore.

There are also a lot of things that don't see the light of day because they don't pass our standards (for example: the entire run of GSO-4.1 Scandi knives). I know most people will tell us we need to raise prices to compensate for those things. But, we don't believe that the customer should be burdened by production inefficiencies. SURVIVE! doesn't exist because Guy wanted to create a huge company or to become a billionaire. He just wanted a quality knife at a sensible price. We are built on that concept and we intend to stick with it. The result, is less availability. Perhaps once we have been around as long as CRK we won't have these issues anymore. For now, we are doing what we can to produce as many knives as possible while staying true to our founding principles.
Click to expand...

Thank you Ellie, for the response. I guess the overall theme of my post was that YOUR customers are the ones suffering. Isn't THAT what is important to you and Guy. What good is the Guy Seiferd philosophy of building a quality knife at an affordable price if there are more customers WITHOUT one than WITH one? You get my point. Ironically, that may be the most profound thing I've said in a long time.

Quality knife that is affordable. Yet most people can't buy one. I hope that one thought sinks in for a lot of people.

Thanks for your time and congrats again to you and Guy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top