I just picked up and handled a v-gar mannrikkigarrote for the first time today and then after examining it, I gave it to a friend to look
at. I mentioned the price, and then stood back as said friend
proceeded to go into a frenzy over my "over payment". He rattled off
a whole list of criticisms of the system and finished with the comment
that I had paid for basically a piece of metal with a cheesy plastic cord that was overpriced if it was sold at half the price listed.
I didn't say anything to my friend, who actually does practice in the
martial arts and should have some sort of knowledge of the weapon systems the v-gar represents.
I am reminded of the idea that opinions are like a$$holes in that people have them, and they often smell, and it didn't cost anything to have.
Sure I could point out to my friend that the metal in the ring and the teardrop handle is titanium. The cord is actually wrapped steel cable. Granted, cordura is relativly cheap and easy to find, but not in such specialized fittings. (plastic shelves and racks are plentiful, but go to any plastic shop and ask them to make you one that has different dimensions from the ones they have on display and watch them
pile on the costs like labour, machine time, etc)
I could say that one of the most endearing things about it is the way it does blend in and look incredibly innocuous. ( Why yes, it IS an ususual necklace isn't it) And last but definitely not least, I could point out that someone had to come up with the idea in the first place! After all, any hack can copy the Mona Lisa, but how many could imagine it in the first place?
I showed a machinist the credit card blade. He said he could do it for a fraction of what I had paid. I said to break down the costs.
I said to remember to charge me for the metal, the time for the sharpening of the edge, the punching of the index hole and the clip hole, the construction of the clip,rounding of all the edges, and the
parkerizing. Then he had to find me a cordura wallet, kydex to line it with, and take time to actually line it. Lastly, he had to make a profit on the whole thing to compensate for time, materials, and tool use. (After all, JSP is a business and how many people just happen to have a fully stocked machine shop in their basement that they only use for a weekend hobby) After all this, he agreed grudgingly that the
credit card blade was fairly priced.
Sure, JSP stuff is expensive. Is it overpriced? NO! I just wish people would learn that price is not value.
at. I mentioned the price, and then stood back as said friend
proceeded to go into a frenzy over my "over payment". He rattled off
a whole list of criticisms of the system and finished with the comment
that I had paid for basically a piece of metal with a cheesy plastic cord that was overpriced if it was sold at half the price listed.
I didn't say anything to my friend, who actually does practice in the
martial arts and should have some sort of knowledge of the weapon systems the v-gar represents.
I am reminded of the idea that opinions are like a$$holes in that people have them, and they often smell, and it didn't cost anything to have.
Sure I could point out to my friend that the metal in the ring and the teardrop handle is titanium. The cord is actually wrapped steel cable. Granted, cordura is relativly cheap and easy to find, but not in such specialized fittings. (plastic shelves and racks are plentiful, but go to any plastic shop and ask them to make you one that has different dimensions from the ones they have on display and watch them
pile on the costs like labour, machine time, etc)
I could say that one of the most endearing things about it is the way it does blend in and look incredibly innocuous. ( Why yes, it IS an ususual necklace isn't it) And last but definitely not least, I could point out that someone had to come up with the idea in the first place! After all, any hack can copy the Mona Lisa, but how many could imagine it in the first place?
I showed a machinist the credit card blade. He said he could do it for a fraction of what I had paid. I said to break down the costs.
I said to remember to charge me for the metal, the time for the sharpening of the edge, the punching of the index hole and the clip hole, the construction of the clip,rounding of all the edges, and the
parkerizing. Then he had to find me a cordura wallet, kydex to line it with, and take time to actually line it. Lastly, he had to make a profit on the whole thing to compensate for time, materials, and tool use. (After all, JSP is a business and how many people just happen to have a fully stocked machine shop in their basement that they only use for a weekend hobby) After all this, he agreed grudgingly that the
credit card blade was fairly priced.
Sure, JSP stuff is expensive. Is it overpriced? NO! I just wish people would learn that price is not value.
