Attention Q and A re: the BF Spring Street Barlow!! Read carefully!

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Good. ness. I couldn't get through the last few pages... I go to bed and wake up with 10 new pages of graciousness, bitterness, and everything in between.
Since y'all have already contributed $14.66 I'll add my own 2¢

My first BF knife was the spectacular 2019 86. At the time I did not qualify (I was mostly a lurker), but I was lucky to get a waiver from an admin which was available then. Since then I have been a much more regular participant and enjoy the camaraderie that is fostered here even if my wallet is a little thinner. Anyway, the for me the BF knife was a gateway to more participation, but I get there is limited availability and flippers be damned. So anyway, where was I going...?
 
One issue with a Case forum knife, other than minimum quantity, is we would need a Case authorized dealer who is a BF supporting member to volunteer to set up the whole deal and handle all the headaches. After reading 37 pages of this topic, I doubt anyone of sound mind would raise their hand for that job. ;)
 
r8shell said:
Even if we messed up and didn't enter our bladeforums name in the comment section? (hypothetically speaking, that is, because it would be so embarrassing for me to admit I did that, having come from a long line of lawyers, English teachers, and proofreaders)
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Thanks for asking that question Rachel, not that I ACTUALLY did that either, 🙄 but you know…for “my friend” that did. 😉😊
 
Rookie82 said:
One issue with a Case forum knife, other than minimum quantity, is we would need a Case authorized dealer who is a BF supporting member to volunteer to set up the whole deal and handle all the headaches. After reading 37 pages of this topic, I doubt anyone of sound mind would raise their hand for that job. ;)
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Mike is a Case dealer but I wouldn't blame him for not wanting to touch this process again - he's more than paid his dues in that regard, two years in a row.
 
r8shell said:
Even if we messed up and didn't enter our bladeforums name in the comment section? (hypothetically speaking, that is, because it would be so embarrassing for me to admit I did that, having come from a long line of lawyers, English teachers, and proofreaders)
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Ajack60 said:
So, what happens when you forget to put your BF name in the special instructions box and make the purchase through pp and you’ve got an order number and pp receipt. How can it be fixed ?
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We'll deal with it. Don't worry.

~ Barry

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“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”​


― Epictetus

There will be time to reflect on the process this year and what could have been done or not done to improve it--that's part of the process every year. There's certainly disappointment every year, as well as a lot of thankfulness and generosity. I'm going to add my name to the list of other forum members who are willing to contribute their to another who was qualified to make the purchase but found himself or herself unable to make the purchase when the "drop" happened. If you were on the initial ordering list thread and find yourself without a knife when everything has settled, just let me know (this is assuming my order goes through, of course!).

There are more joys to be had in investing in people than in possessions, and that's what a forum knife is at the end of the day, just a possession (however special). But getting to enjoy people who share common interests is far more rewarding, and it usually isn't something you know you "want" until it is gone.

Porch regulars--however disheartening it is to watch folks who aren't here for the Porch jump in and buy up knives long-time Porch members have poured a lot of time and effort into making happen, remember that this is part of the cost, just as is the time, labor, and arguments that many don't enjoy, but which also become something to laugh about or tell a good story about later. Remember that every time a flipper gets a knife and sells it for 3 or 4 times it's cost (or more) that he isn't really gaining much, after all, and he's forfeiting the really rewarding wealth that you get to experience because you care more about enjoying people than accumulating possessions.

New guys--however exciting it is to participate (whether throughout the process, or at the last minute) in acquiring this well-made and desirable possession, don't forget that it isn't as important as the people who also helped to make it happen, and have been (many of them) for the past decade (and more). Remember that good things like a forum knife don't happen just because people want it and ask for it, but because people who enjoy one another are willing to put forth the extra effort to do something good for one another. You don't cultivate that sort of yield by only coming to the field at harvest time. If you make an effort to be a part of the community, you'll find yourself welcomed and wanted. If not, you can still get a cool knife, but at least recognize and show respect for regulars, since what you are getting wouldn't be here if it weren't for folks here who aren't around just to get a cool knife once a year.
 
I think Case's minimum sfo order is in the neighborhood of 1500 knives, and that is the main reason the forum knife has never been a Case. Somebody has to pay for the 1500 knives and then hope he can sell them all. Scary proposition for sure.

I've been involved with Charlie in the process as a distributor four times now, and most of us old timers have been through this before. There really isn't an American knife manufacturer that will do what Bill Howard at GEC has done for us, so there's that. Charlie's leadership on the years he has been involved have always produced a fantastic knife for us, so major kudos to him. Buck did the knife one time and they don't ever want to do anything like that again. RR? I'm out.
 
Pàdruig said:
Mike is a Case dealer but I wouldn't blame him for not wanting to touch this process again - he's more than paid his dues in that regard, two years in a row.
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Is there a way for regular members to help shoulder the weight? If so as long as I’m not underway I would be willing to fill whatever committee position available.
 
jakemex said:
I didn’t miss out on anything. I had no intention of buying any knife this year. I reiterate: Every year it’s the same. Last one I bought was the 2013. Nevermore.
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I never said you missed out. Try reading what I wrote. Instead, I said that I have missed out in the past. And it wasn't unethical then, either.

However, your post is pointless unless you are aggrieved that **SOMEONE** missed out. If you believe that everyone who should have gotten the opportunity to purchase a knife did, then what was the point of your post?

Meanwhile, I did ask a question. You didn't answer. I don't think it was right for you to say that Charlie, Barry, or anyone else involved in this process did something unethical - especially since you seem unwilling to explain what was unethical.
 
Jon0385 said:
Is there a way for regular members to help shoulder the weight? If so as long as I’m not underway I would be willing to fill whatever committee position available.
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I was talking to my wife about this last night - she was asking who I was arguing with on the internet this time (I must have had that look on my face). I wasn't arguing (I don't think) but I must have been pretty intent on something. Anyway, the long and short of it is - most of us here don't have established rapport with manufacturers so it generally falls on a dealer of sorts or the few outliers like Charlie and such to get the pot percolating.

Personally, I don't have the capital to front several thousands of dollars and even if we did a pre-pay arrangement, you still get stuck with the hassle of arranging returns, refunds, dealing with shipping mishaps, etc. Never mind the sheer trust and risk involved in holding everyone's money... Dealers are equipped for a lot of this in some respect or another so it makes sense to have them lead the charge.

In the future, if we are running slim on ready and willing dealers, if may take a few of us putting our heads and resources together to give birth to another forum knife. I don't know how that would even pan out but it very well may be a bridge that has to be crossed at some point down the line.
 
gunstockjack said:
I think Case's minimum sfo order is in the neighborhood of 1500 knives, and that is the main reason the forum knife has never been a Case. Somebody has to pay for the 1500 knives and then hope he can sell them all. Scary proposition for sure.

I've been involved with Charlie in the process as a distributor four times now, and most of us old timers have been through this before. There really isn't an American knife manufacturer that will do what Bill Howard at GEC has done for us, so there's that. Charlie's leadership on the years he has been involved have always produced a fantastic knife for us, so major kudos to him. Buck did the knife one time and they don't ever want to do anything like that again. RR? I'm out.
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I thought I had remembered that Case had a pretty high minimum limit. Even if the limit was 500 knives, we'd be very hard pressed to find buyers for that many.

Is it Buck that has no interest in doing a project like that for us or was it SK (the dealer who facilitated it in 2018)? If Buck isn't interested, that is surely disappointing - if it was SK, it's completely understandable and I just learned today that he has since shuttered his business.
 
Pàdruig said:
I was talking to my wife about this last night - she was asking who I was arguing with on the internet this time (I must have had that look on my face). I wasn't arguing (I don't think) but I must have been pretty intent on something. Anyway, the long and short of it is - most of us here don't have established rapport with manufacturers so it generally falls on a dealer of sorts or the few outliers like Charlie and such to get the pot percolating.

Personally, I don't have the capital to front several thousands of dollars and even if we did a pre-pay arrangement, you still get stuck with the hassle of arranging returns, refunds, dealing with shipping mishaps, etc. Never mind the sheer trust and risk involved in holding everyone's money... Dealers are equipped for a lot of this in some respect or another so it makes sense to have them lead the charge.

In the future, if we are running slim on ready and willing dealers, if may take a few of us putting our heads and resources together to give birth to another forum knife. I don't know how that would even pan out but it very well may be a bridge that has to be crossed at some point down the line.
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For the heavy lifting that would fall on a dealer for sure. However there can be responsibility divided up for some of the smaller and maybe time consuming tasks that could make the process smoother or less stressful. I’ve been a committee member on initiation processes that encompass several months and a large (to me) scale event. I, like many others, have opinions and those can be leveraged. I guess I’m trying to offer up possible solutions so that the “forum” knife doesn’t stop at 2021. I don’t think it is too much to ask for people who want them to put in some of the work too.
 
Pàdruig said:
I was talking to my wife about this last night - she was asking who I was arguing with on the internet this time (I must have had that look on my face). I wasn't arguing (I don't think) but I must have been pretty intent on something. Anyway, the long and short of it is - most of us here don't have established rapport with manufacturers so it generally falls on a dealer of sorts or the few outliers like Charlie and such to get the pot percolating.

Personally, I don't have the capital to front several thousands of dollars and even if we did a pre-pay arrangement, you still get stuck with the hassle of arranging returns, refunds, dealing with shipping mishaps, etc. Never mind the sheer trust and risk involved in holding everyone's money... Dealers are equipped for a lot of this in some respect or another so it makes sense to have them lead the charge.

In the future, if we are running slim on ready and willing dealers, if may take a few of us putting our heads and resources together to give birth to another forum knife. I don't know how that would even pan out but it very well may be a bridge that has to be crossed at some point down the line.
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I was thinking about this some as well. How did the knife clubs who have done GEC SFOs manage to get theirs SFOs ordered, paid for, and distributed?
 
Viper84 said:
I would say no to a Case forum knife solely due to their QC issues. Look at this quality!

My first ever Case knife:
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Case quality has been debated many times. I would ask if it was case or nothing for next year would you buy one? I would.
 
Pàdruig said:
Is it Buck that has no interest in doing a project like that for us or was it SK (the dealer who facilitated it in 2018)? If Buck isn't interested, that is surely disappointing - if it was SK, it's completely understandable and I just learned today that he has since shuttered his business.
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Dylan, Buck has said they are not doing any SFO...don't know if this is forever...they are still doing their Buck Of The Month knife.
 
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