NEW LINE??? Am i missing something?

I actually like the was Busse operates, I just wish the Hogs would stop buying 27 *cough* highly sought after knives in a single day. It's a bit unfair. Not a fault of Busse, though.

SRKW, however, i feel could use a lot of refinement. Not bashing them, just constructive critisism.
 
Willieboy said:
Eric, please be assured, I am not upset and I'm glad you're good too. It certainly seems there is a controversy of sorts when there are so many posts/threads by so many different posters, all with the same observations. You've participated in these threads and you must realize something is amiss. Instead of becoming defensive and sniping at the messengers, maybe you could communicate with Jerry and let him know what's going on. Maybe he would rethink his business practices, maybe not.

It is his way of doing business that frustrates so many people. I have read, and I'm sure you have too, that many BladeForum members would not buy anything from Lynn Thompson (Cold Steel) because of his boastful advertising. I'll bet he has lost a lot of potential customers becasue he acts like a goof. It seems many people believe, as I do, that Jerry is manipulating the market by restricting supply to drive prices up. It doesn't matter if that's true or not because it's the perception that gives people a bad taste in their mouth and, I suspect sends buyers like me to the competition.

Rat Finklestein, in his always spirited, energetic, and usually and testy defense of the Busse companies, has pointed out that the Busse operation is small and manfacturing resources limited. I'll bet the operations of Bud Nealy, Al Polkowski, Bob Dozier, and Ken Brock, who is a part-time maker, are small too. However, there is no anger or frustration when dealing with them. These guys are talented, well respected knifemakers. They all have a fixed product line from which a customer can order and they will make a custom piece as well. I waited at least 13 months for my first Polkowski because Al had hurt his back and couldn't stand for the long periods of time necessary to make a knife. Al's operation must be small. For my Doziers and my single Brock knife, I waited four months or so. No big deal. Everyone knows these are small operations and waiting is part of the price we willingly pay for one of these maker's knives. With Busse knives however, they are unwilling to even let their customers know what their production schedule is. I believe they want to keep their customers in the dark and hungry. You know, keep them wondering and waiting and when we finally make a knife available, they'll be willing to pay more for the piece. I cannot respect these business practices.

I have called the Busse shop, store, whatever, with sincere interest in placing an order, and asked about what was available and what would be available and, I swear to God, the lady I spoke with said she didn't know what the production schedule was. When I asked how an interested buyer could determine whether Busse had any knives of interest, and again, I swear this is true, she said I would just have to keep visiting the website. Have these folks no concept of competition and customer goodwill? This is no way to run a railroad!!! Someone here was delusional and it wasn't me. In retrospect, I should have asked which of the many non-functional websites I should visit.

I am sure that Jerry Busse is a fine fellow and I'm sure he is a great knifemaker. I know he has a great following of supporters. (How do you spell cult?) But, you knew there was a "but" coming, I like many others are turned off by what appears to be some pretty goofy business practices.

Regarding the "controversy" Eric, if it walks, talks and quacks like a duck, and please believe me when I tell you this, it aint a hog or a rat!
Click to expand...

Dude, go order a Randall Made before you start crying about having to wait a couple of months for a Busse/Swamprat. BRING ON THE M7!!!!
 
Maquahuitl said:
Dude, go order a Randall Made before you start crying about having to wait a couple of months for a Busse/Swamprat. BRING ON THE M7!!!!
Click to expand...

If you order a Randall, they will tell you how long it will be. SRKW won't say. I ordered a Battle Rat a few years ago, and 8 weeks later, I still hadn't recieved word about anything, not even that they got my order. I sent an e-mail to check and the reply was basically, "We recieved your order. We don't know when it will ship." I didn't care how long the wait was, but if they couldn't even give me an approximate date, I figured I didn't need the knife that badly. I cancelled my order and bought a Ranger. I am not bashing SRKW, but this was my experience and I wasn't pleased. I also bought a Busse from their company store and couldn't be happer and have a FBM on order (mind you, I knew about the wait before I ordered).

I think SRKW is definently on the right track with the company store, and if they would be able to offer the whole line at once, they would be able to totally destory their competition. They produce a great product, and I would just like to see other aspects of their bussiness reach the same level. :thumbup:
 
Let me start by saying I don't have any doubts that RATS and HOGS are the best all round performing knives there are period.However I do feel that a lot are sold due to the hype.Everytime somebody asks for help choosing a knife on this forum certain people jump in straight away saying HOGS or RATS and brainwash people into getting them.I personally do not like the shape of blade they turn out and much prefer say those made by Scott Grossman of Razorback knives,however even I feel I must be missing out and should get a RAT/HOG just because of what people keep saying......this is the brainwashing!!!Anyway to stop my ramblings I'll just say.....yes the steels are probably the best but there are many nicer designs out there that will more than live up to the abuse we will give out !
 
you'll never go back. :eek:

Look into the light...
hypnotized.gif
hypnotized.gif
hypnotized.gif
hypnotized.gif


:D :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top