I apologize for not getting to the answers to some FAQ for our knives. My thanks to JBravo for putting them in an easy to negotiate format.
1)How are custom orders filled - by order number sequence or by batches of specific knife types?
Both. Due to the extremely busy nature of the shop, it is necessary to "tool up" for a specific knife type and do more than one at a time. This limits the amount of down time between knives. Once a group of knives are produced, orders for that specific knife type are filled by lowest invoice number.
2)What order # are you on now?
The invoices currently being filled are in the low 700's.
3)Why did the blade finish on customs - after being satin for a decade - change to bead blast just when EKC knives appeared with that finish?
Ernie has used a bead blast finish off and on for years. If you specified a satin finish when you ordered your knife, you should still be getting a satin finished knife. Some of the knives you see, such as the now infamous CQC-67, were pieces made for a specific show and were not any one customers knife that is being sold off. These knives are made to whatever specifications that Ernie has in mind at the time. Since these knives are on display at the time of purchase, the potential buyer has the opportunity to handle and inspect the knife at the time. He or she, of course, has the option to buy or not buy the knife at the time.
4)Why the secondary bevel on customs now, after 15 years of single bevel?
A similar answer to the previous question. ernie has made knives over the last 20 years with and without the secondary bevel. If you specified no secondary bevel, there should not be one. Again, the CQC-67's were not built to any one particular customers specifications so, Ernie made those knives as he saw fit at the time.
5)Who will be doing the "semi-custom"ization on the new knives - Ernie himself, or those working for him?
Hopefully by now, the answer to this question has been cleared up. These new offerings are not custom in the sense that Ernie is not making the knives. "Customizable" might be a better word for it. Buyers will be able to choose from options such as anodized liners and blade finish.
As an example, a customer orders through the website a Commander, no serrations, hard chrome blade, with green anodized liners. When the order is processed, an assembly person will take the spec sheet for the knife and grab a non-serrated, hard chromed blade, a set of green anodized titanium liners and assemble the knife. The net result is a production knife, set up to the buyers specifications as chosen from a predetermined group of options.
6)Why permit customization of production knives when customers can't get a CQC6 custom ordered (ie satin blade, right hand grind)?
Hopefully the last question clears this one up a bit. The parts for the custom/production knives will be mass produced and will not affect the custom schedule. Ernie role in the making of these knives essentially ends with the design of each knife.
That about does it for now. If any of this is unclear, please ask the question again. If this has created new questions, ask them also. I will try to set a certain amount of time ueach day to devote to the answering of your questions.
Take care,
Derek Russell
1)How are custom orders filled - by order number sequence or by batches of specific knife types?
Both. Due to the extremely busy nature of the shop, it is necessary to "tool up" for a specific knife type and do more than one at a time. This limits the amount of down time between knives. Once a group of knives are produced, orders for that specific knife type are filled by lowest invoice number.
2)What order # are you on now?
The invoices currently being filled are in the low 700's.
3)Why did the blade finish on customs - after being satin for a decade - change to bead blast just when EKC knives appeared with that finish?
Ernie has used a bead blast finish off and on for years. If you specified a satin finish when you ordered your knife, you should still be getting a satin finished knife. Some of the knives you see, such as the now infamous CQC-67, were pieces made for a specific show and were not any one customers knife that is being sold off. These knives are made to whatever specifications that Ernie has in mind at the time. Since these knives are on display at the time of purchase, the potential buyer has the opportunity to handle and inspect the knife at the time. He or she, of course, has the option to buy or not buy the knife at the time.
4)Why the secondary bevel on customs now, after 15 years of single bevel?
A similar answer to the previous question. ernie has made knives over the last 20 years with and without the secondary bevel. If you specified no secondary bevel, there should not be one. Again, the CQC-67's were not built to any one particular customers specifications so, Ernie made those knives as he saw fit at the time.
5)Who will be doing the "semi-custom"ization on the new knives - Ernie himself, or those working for him?
Hopefully by now, the answer to this question has been cleared up. These new offerings are not custom in the sense that Ernie is not making the knives. "Customizable" might be a better word for it. Buyers will be able to choose from options such as anodized liners and blade finish.
As an example, a customer orders through the website a Commander, no serrations, hard chrome blade, with green anodized liners. When the order is processed, an assembly person will take the spec sheet for the knife and grab a non-serrated, hard chromed blade, a set of green anodized titanium liners and assemble the knife. The net result is a production knife, set up to the buyers specifications as chosen from a predetermined group of options.
6)Why permit customization of production knives when customers can't get a CQC6 custom ordered (ie satin blade, right hand grind)?
Hopefully the last question clears this one up a bit. The parts for the custom/production knives will be mass produced and will not affect the custom schedule. Ernie role in the making of these knives essentially ends with the design of each knife.
That about does it for now. If any of this is unclear, please ask the question again. If this has created new questions, ask them also. I will try to set a certain amount of time ueach day to devote to the answering of your questions.
Take care,
Derek Russell