Izula info

I for one, will wait until the Izula becomes available. Why, you ask? Because RAT makes a top notch product with probably the best warranty in the business. In my opinion that is worth the wait!!!
 
No big deal. The Izula project is moving along. if we lost some customers because of the delays, then so be it. We have done our very, very best to keep customers informed and to involve them on some of the decision making processes with our products. For example, the only reason we have an orange handle knife is because we involved the customers in the process. The only reason we are offering the Izula as an option without all the extra items is because we asked the customers what they wanted as we developed it. I can name numerous other decisions and projects that RAT Cutlery has brought to market because of our interaction with the customers, thus announcing a product before it was ready to be shipped.We make ZERO apologies for interacting with our customers. We do apologize for unexpected delays, but that's life. There are a LOT of good knives out there similar to the Izula. If someone can't wait on the Izula, then buy another knife because we feel our competitors make just as good of a knife as we do.
 
As for MSRP, let me address that here also since I failed to do so in the last post. I can't just guess at what a knife is going to cost if the manufacturer of the knife and the manufacturer of the sheath has not told us yet what they are charging us. I think your bitching is a bit unfair to us since we have always bent over backwards to take care of our customers and keep them informed.
 
No worries.....I do not have a RAT knife, but I have read a lot of posts going back months. Seems to me that you have a great product and warrenty, I will be buying an Izula to test out your HT and edge retention for your 1095. Good/Great products (w/warrenties) are worth waiting for. The only reason I have not bought one of your knives as of yet is that I have enough knives in 1095....lots of options out there. Your sheathing system looks top tier, I would like to see CPM 154/etc. offered as well as 1095. Time will tell all, Robo
 
burddogg said:
I don't know about anybody else, but I've been eagerly waiting the arrival of this knife for awhile. It's even become a bad habit of mine to search for "izula" on a daily basis. Well, I'm done :mad:( I know, i'm quitting one week early.) Personally, the late product launch and the completely shrouded msrp has really turned me off. I don't like the idea of a company dangling their "carrot" over the heads of hundreds (if not thousands on BF) of prospective buyers without any inclination of a suggested price(other than $15k and a toe.) I will give RAT credit for building up some historic hype for this little necker; but in the wake of this product launch lies some revelation on how this company sells its products. So, to remedy this itch I've been scratching, I have had my own "izula-type" knife made. With a sharpened blank from Bryan Breeden, the handle drilling done by me, and some kydex by Jeff H.(pix to be posted as soon as the knife gets here in WSS.) I will have my own custom made necker next week (just in time for the dealers to receive their izulas!) all for under $100. So, to answer the question of how much the holy grail costs: since you can't find it, make your own; for about a texas penny. Thanks RAT for giving me the opportunity to make my own.

Note: This isn't a discourtesy to RAT, I know they do a lot of wonderful things for the WSS community, but it is a vociferation regarding the way businesses market and launch their products in today's marketplace. For everyone else's sake: Pray to the accounting gods they won't price skim it!!! Happy Holidays.
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Personally, I appreciate the openness that the RAT crew has shared through the production of their knives. You won't find that with most companies. Production delays are a way of life, Sh*t happens and that's the way it goes. As far as "Shrouded" MSRP's, what's the difference? You can't buy one until they come out anyway, and the MSRP has little to do with the what the dealer is willing to sell them for.

Your little rant has added nothing of value to this thread.
 
Mike Fitz said:
Personally, I appreciate the openness that the RAT crew has shared through the production of their knives. You won't find that with most companies. Production delays are a way of life, Sh*t happens and that's the way it goes. As far as "Shrouded" MSRP's, what's the difference? You can't buy one until they come out anyway, and the MSRP has little to do with the what the dealer is willing to sell them for.

Your little rant has added nothing of value to this thread.
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I agree.
 
R.A.T. said:
As for MSRP, let me address that here also since I failed to do so in the last post. I can't just guess at what a knife is going to cost if the manufacturer of the knife and the manufacturer of the sheath has not told us yet what they are charging us. I think your bitching is a bit unfair to us since we have always bent over backwards to take care of our customers and keep them informed.
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and if you did guess, and it was differant, the way you guys are you wouldnt jack up the price, and you might stand to lose a ton af money. Thats how RAT is, customer orientated.:thumbup: So, I totally understand. I know this isnt "marketing strategy" Its the way of the world, delays happen. Thanks for keeping us informed!!:thumbup:
 
The wait can be frustrating, but that is counterbalanced by the excitement of seeing the development process go through from design to implementation. The wait for the RC-6 was a long one, but in the end, produced a great product that I was happy about. Despite the long wait, and building expectations, the RC-6 was everything that I hoped it would be. Also, one thing that RC products aren't is overpriced. Great tools at a high price/performance ratio seems to be a trademark of RC.

I have no less of an expectation for the IZULA. I'm really looking forward to its release. I'd say that I can't wait for it...But I can wait, just knowing that the wait ensures a top notch product that will meet all of my expectations.
 
For all you folks who have a concern about paracord around the neck. All you have to do is make a break joint in the cord by cutting it and putting it back together with electricials shrink tubing. If ever hte neck cord is grabbed or caught up on something the cord will pull out of the tubing preventing any strangulation.

As to the delays and how RAT keeps folks in the loop. It always takes time to get a new product to market. The way you folks keep your customers in the loop is one of the reasons that I have begun purchasing your products. Thanks for the honesty, openness and the great quality products and service.
 
What a whiner. Doesnt seem like much of a loss of a customer. I'd rather have a properly tested and working product rather than some half finished sheath that sucks, and the first customers are used as guinea pigs.


I am getting one. I know that.
 
Even though I think the poster was a bit unfair to us with his comments, they are still welcome here. I can understand their frustration but they need to realize that this whole thing was not about marketing hype. We never intended for these projects to get bogged down as they have. New projects excite me and maybe I sometimes announce things before I should. I take the blame for that. We just appreciate all our customers hanging in their with us and enduring the delays that happen.
 
What is it about people who can not wait? Is our culture so skewed to instant gratification that people just can't wait anymore? I have read similar scenarios on other sites. Small companies making custom/semi-custom products that take TIME are getting slammed with whiners crying about having to wait.:jerkit::rolleyes:

I'm sure the folks at R.A.T. Cutlery are working as fast as they can to get product on the market. But poop happens. When working with third parties, problems/delays/FUs occur. I appreciate the honesty of not giving any false expectations.

I'm quite certain when the Izula is ready for distribution, they will be sent out as fast as possible.

In the mean time, got anymore pretty knife pics? :D
 
Those who are impatient about the price can probably be safe in assuming that it costs somewhere in the range of the other pieces...it's not rocket science! :D
 
Those who are impatient about the price will most likely be those who will think the price is too high regardless of what the price comes out to be.
 
"All good things to those who wait." :p Jeff I completely understand and agree with you. I work at a machine shop that specializes in hard to impossible jobs. Many times we are the last place potential customers contact because all the others either can't or won't take the job. It's a point of pride with us in some ways. But sometimes we get the customer who calls everyday asking how the part is coming along and when will it be shipped :yawn:. When you work with some of the metals we do it takes time to engineer the program out so we are making parts to print, especially when working with a tolerance range of .0004 of an inch. And that's working with 718 Inconel :barf:. Best to take what time you need and make sure you get it done properly and that a quality part is what we will be buying :thumbup:.
 
Ah, Jeff, impatience is only a compliment to your work, as we all are eagerly anticipating getting our hands on the Izula.
Some people need to plan financially for such a purchase and get in a twist when they cannot... I am sure it is not personal.
We are all just so darned excited about it!
:)
 
In one way I'm glad it's taking a while for the Izula to come out, it gives me time to save my pennies to get one!
 
All I can say is I haven't been this excited about a knife release ever! As much as you always say how much you appreciate our business, know too that we really appreciate all of the time and effort you guys put into your tools. I, for one, am grateful that rather than rushing to put out a product to meet a deadline you are taking it as slow as necessary to guarantee that you're putting out the best knife that you can.:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Man, did I p$#@ off some serious dudes, huh?! Don't poke me! Sweet. For our friends at RAT, what a testament to the loyalty of your customer base! It really speaks to how committed RAT fans are to their company. My comments were meant to address the issue of product development and release. Pros: Yes, RAT includes their customers in the idea process and encourages input in development. Certainly correct me if I am wrong, but that is why RAT became RAT: to better serve their needs and the needs of their customers. Cons: Yes, poo happens and time lines are missed or skewed and sometimes business goes elsewhere. Who cares right? Who am I to speak ill against a group of guys and gals who are some seriously tough folks who are committed to exceeding customer expectation? The bright side of all of this is that another knife nut has decided to get his hands dirty and try to make his own knife (with the help from some folks.) That is how companies like RAT get started. The RTAK was designed out of the need for something else, something that worked better for Mr Perrin and Randall. Their tours demanded products that weren't what they really wanted. When Ontario couldn't do what was needed, the RAT team decided to do it themselves. Now thousands of people benefit from RAT's exodus from the rules and guidelines of other companies. I say this bluntly: I am not comparing myself to the likes of the RAT folks except for in the regard that I too am willing to do something about getting what I need. Thanks to everyone who got worked up. It's good to see some passion.
 
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