My two bits.....

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Makael

Makael

Loving wife, kids and life.
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Take this or leave it but it's my two bits.

After reading SK's email today and looking back at BCCI take apart 112 that never came to be got me thinking about Bucks approach to the retail market. I'm sure special projects burn time and money before an actual knife is produced. That's why there are large commitments from vendors to get special projects off the ground. But, when I see the base Buck 110 with a leather sheath retailing at Walmart for 39.95 makes me want to puke. Spyderco PM2, Benchmade Griptillian and Buck 110 etc are all meat and potato product for each manufacturer. Only 1 is avail at Walmart in stock. USA made Buck 110 with a HUGE story behind it. That knife in all reality should be at least 79.95. Most other domestic makers start at 100.00 and go up. Don't get me wrong. I love a good deal but can Buck continue to sell their best seller at such low margins? If I were Buck I would push the 110 and 112 LT models at Walmart. Keep the 110 in sporting good specialty outlets or online ordering.
Other vendors Im sure hate seeing Walmart's price point. Special projects are easier to do with money coming in. That plant builds so many 110s, it's incredible.

BCCI seems to be dragging along at a snail's pace almost to the point of no return.

If needed hire some knife enthusiasts with fire in their belly.

Reduce the top end load, better margins on the 110, keep sprint runs coming thru proven retailer's. Abandon Chinese made knives, the profits are a bare minimum.
Get out to Blade show east and west. Shake hands and kiss some babies.

Enough said from some guy looking from the outside.
 
Agreed.
I've said on here before.
"How do they sell the 110 at that price point with a lifetime warranty and make money?"
With that business model and frivolous returns from the growing 'A.D.D.' population...... somethings got to give. You jeopardize the warranty, and or quality..... my thoughts are it is not sustainable.

Of course my thoughts were minimized here in the constant race to the bottom.

I refuse to buy any Chinese made Buck knife, or any knife for that matter. It bothers me that Buck even does it. There are lots of Chinese made knives to chose from, so why even compete in that market.

I liked that SK Blades built the forum knives.
There's an awesome group of buyers right here......
No reason someone at Buck cannot pick up that ball and run with it.
 
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I'm ancient. I remember buying a 50th Anniversary 110 at Wally's, for the then every day price of $28.95 plus "the Governor's share".

I think I was in Ohio when I "splurged" and got that 110, a 389 canoe (with laminated wood covers), and the barehead Stockman with black n' blue (not a bruise) G10 covers Wally had that year, during that visit. I may have gotten one of the 18 inch D-Lux 3 meat Italian Sub from the Deli, ("modified" with triple all three meats meat and cheese) a bag of salt n' vinegar Lay's chips, and six of seven two liters of gen-you-ine Mountain Dew. I might have gotten a (black) Zebra ink pen, and package of 3 pair boot socks, too.
It was on an pay-day. :)

The poltergeist that "lived" in the truck took that 371 to her home realm and left it there, a couple months after I got it. :(
However, I did manage to locate a identical 371 online, (at one of the BF supporting dealers, in fact. I don't recall which one it was though.) about three years later, after I was forced to retire. :)
The poltergeist, Jezebel Mae Hidey, stayed with the truck. :)
(Thank Goodness :) )

I still have that 110, the 389, and the replacement 371. :D
Sadly, the (black) Zebra ink pen, sub sandwich, chips, sodas, and socks are long gone. :(

Remember, y'all ... don't loan yor pen to anyone ... friend, foe, or co-driver/co-worker.
 
Problem is there real market competitor is Gerber , Case, crkt and Kershaw.
All who which have cheaper offerings and some nicer offerings.
Alot of your Benchmade fans will be quick to point out that the standard 110 metal is inferior.
Taking the 110 out of Wally world is not going to help Bucks cause.

The fact that Buck could not produce a screw together 112 for BCCI but yet just did one for Buck of the month sounds like we aren't getting the whole story there.

SK Blades has come out with some nice knives and done that with getting the forum involved. Which has been really appreciated and I sure hope he can offer some knives in the future.
Copper and Clad has also had some nice exclusives.
I think if Buck loses these dealers who are willing to do this it will be a huge mistake.
Personally I have said this before Buck's catalog has not got me too excited the last few years. I purchase a few knives a year now where before I was buying 10 or more.
They need these outside projects to boost there market. Either that or they have determined there market is not the knife nuts like us. It is the common man in Walmart.
I personally feel that there should be a market for both.
BTW I don't but Bucks at Wal-Mart always wanted the leather sheath and the box.
My humble opinion.
 
I agree with everything said but will play devils advocate. It's a tradeoff they are willing to make. Price for guaranteed volume sales. More post sales word of mouth (and social media) advertising from customers. Every Buck sold is one less sold by a competitor or foreign manufacturer. This is a working man's knife with a working man's income and this is where they shop. Every Buck sold is a future Buck nut in the making.
 
I have no idear how Bucks business model works as far as what models and volume is needed to cover fixed costs, variable costs and such.

agree with ya Mak, but I got to assume Bucks low dollar 110 opens the door to maybe other purchases and maybe higher margins. also assuming its volume covers some fixed costs or they wouldnt do it. having said that I dont know the margins on any model or what they need to operate and generate profits.

that said I like the entry level price point of the 110. I would not like to see that go away. if it has to go up in price I'd like to see some quality improvements in it. such as a better base steel and less overall blade play. other than that cant ask for much more.

we are very lucky as it's a tremendous bargain currently. any other knife in brass frames and real wood scales made in usa at that price point, isnt out there really.
 
BuckShack said:
I agree with everything said but will play devils advocate. It's a tradeoff they are willing to make. Price for guaranteed volume sales. More post sales word of mouth (and social media) advertising from customers. Every Buck sold is one less sold by a competitor or foreign manufacturer. This is a working man's knife with a working man's income and this is where they shop. Every Buck sold is a future Buck nut in the making.
Click to expand...
They definitely created a Buck nut in me. I purchased my first 110 at our Canadian version of the "Tire" store. Everything about the knife is perfect and it looks like it came from a custom shop. All for under $60 CAD which is about the same as your Walmart price.
 
I think they would be much better off trying to stay in the traditional game and bring the Chinese made knives to the states. I also think they should throw in some variations to all their traditional models. Make more versions of the 301 and 500 series that you don't have to get directly from the custom shop. I hate to say it because Buck is my brand, but besides the Vantage their modern folders don't do a thing for me.

Also, I think they should make the 112 a priority to get in stores. They should be sold wherever the 110 is. I love the 110, but I could see how some people may think it's a bit big. I have some big paws myself and think it's a little overkill for edc sometimes. It looks like a hunting knife, where (in my opinion) the 112 comes off a little more as a daily carry blade.
 
forum. Public medium (such as a newspaper column) or place used for debates in which anyone can participate. In Roman times it meant a public place at the center of a market or town where open discussions on judicial, political, and other issues were held.
bertl said:
I'm sure Buck will appreciate all of these suggestions about how to run their business.
Click to expand...
 
Found this in Forbes,
In summary, all great and successful company leaders have a clear understanding of their customers. It is the basis of why a company exists. ... Customers, if we listen to them, will tell us all we need to know to develop the right products and services to grow a viable business
 
I think you're on to something Mak. Keep in mind I'm just talking about Buck's more traditional type patterns when I say that there is a HUGE opening in the USA made slip joint and lock back market. The only company that turns out good products is GEC (sorry Case, but you've sucked for a while), which I buy but don't carry for half the year due to the carbon steel. I wouldn't cry in my beer if Buck raised pricing but they should expand the niche product line at the same time.

I'm in for whatever will keep this company strong and firing on all cylinders.
 
Makael said:
Found this in Forbes,
In summary, all great and successful company leaders have a clear understanding of their customers. It is the basis of why a company exists. ... Customers, if we listen to them, will tell us all we need to know to develop the right products and services to grow a viable business
Click to expand...

Here is another quote from someone who knew a little about designing a product, manufacturing the product, and selling the product. It doesn't contradict the Forbes quote, but it does add a little. In relation to Buck, it suggests that collectors—probably less than the 5 percent mentioned—are not the group that keeps Buck in business.

"It is strange how, just as soon as an article becomes successful, somebody starts to think that it would be more successful if only it were different. There is a tendency to keep monkeying with styles and to spoil a good thing by changing it. The salesmen were insistent on increasing the line. They listened to the 5 percent, the special customers who could say what they wanted, and forgot all about the 95 percent, who just bought without making any fuss. No business can improve unless it pays the closest possible attention to complaints and suggestions. If there is any defect in service then that must be instantly and rigorously investigated, but when the suggestion is only as to style, one has to make sure whether it is not merely a personal whim that is being voiced."
 
This was only talking subject. not telling buck what to or not to do. i dont care to debate what is said it was just talk. Bertl, I work for a manufacturer who builds USA made products. As Territory manager I am responsible for 12 million in sales this year and currently ranked number 1 in the country. I do know something about manufacturing, selling and customer wants and needs. Im not coming from working for the sewer department of spokane valley.
 
I've heard several times from former employees that it only costs Buck like $8 to produce a 110. That price could be a little more now but that's still a hefty return at $40 per. I'm sure Jeff could shed some light if he's allowed to...

I've held off on many limited editions with upgraded steels because I couldn't justify paying 3-5 times more than that super low $40 price. Would that upgraded knife really last 3-5 times longer from a user standpoint?
 
My first Buck in 30 years was the 2018 Bladeforums knife. I bought that because it was a 2 backspring traditional with a nice upgraded steel. I hate any traditionals wider than 2 springs, just too chunky in my pocket. The knife impressed me for the price and if Buck would make more variations of it I’d buy them, especially a split spring whittler on the 301 frame. Fast forward to today, that knife has caused me to purchase four 112s in various steels and handle slabs, two 110 autos, ordered a custom 722 Spitfire from the custom shop and I’m contemplating a 112 slim pro. Customs and SFOs always attract buyers and usually start people down the rabbit hole with a brand. SFOs can easily be put in the run schedule if materials and labor force are present. And let’s face it, as JD Bear stated, Case has gone way down hill which pretty much leaves GEC the only real option for quality traditionals these days. And we know how fast most of their patterns sell out.
 
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