Spirit of Steel Knife Show: Memo To The Manufacturers

mckgreg

mckgreg

Joined
Nov 18, 2001
Messages
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It's this weekend for the first time in Knoxville. I think this show is just getting started back up again. From what I have seen it should be worth going to. Custom and Production stuff. .http://www.spiritofsteel.com/
Greg
 
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Representatives from the BIG TIME manufacturers are are gonna be there. Look into the link above. GEC seems to be our current pet in the forum so what do ya want me to tell them?? Or the other Reps. Fellas, I'm not bashful when it comes to talkin' with these guys. They're not any different than someone sellin' tires or golf clubs. That's why they have knife shows. So far I've got this:

Snakewood Sowbellies
No more underbladed knives
Pink Scales on the Cigar Pattern (as per Robucks request)
Don't make the blades hard to open for my little bitty fingers.
No blade etchings 'cause I don't like them. Sometimes.
Sharp blades out of the box (I promise not to sue anybody 'cause I cut my finger)
Blade tangs stamped in an arch rather than a straight line
Introduce a new shield shaped like a guitar or maybe a famous battleship
Everything FLUSH!! (even tho I'm not sure what that means)
Hire the Bose Guys ( let's not get too carried away here)
Square boxes instead of round tubes.
Bright Yellow Stag Scales.
What else do you guys want ?? I haven't any problem acting as "your" Ambassador for a day or two.

Greg
 
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Be nice but firm, Greg! We want them to look like the old knives, with as much craftsmanship as they can muster. God is in the details!!

You will usually find Ken, and/or Ryan.
Bill usually doesn't go to the shows, but he's been working with raw recruits to develop that factory. Young people who needed any job, and not dedicated cutlers.
Unlike Canal Street, who had a ready made crew of Pros!!
Bill has had his work cut out for him (no pun intended)!
 
Greg,

That was pink, otherwise known as "Bubba Gum" to us manly aficionados, on a corn knife. Thanks for checking on that.

I agree about those hard to open knives ruining my manicures.

images-2.jpg
 
I know them boys Charlie. Don't get me wrong. I am as respectful and business like as they are. But, they like to mix it up a little and have some fun at the shows as much as we do. They're people, not Gods. When I sit and talk with Reps, I project myself and not ANY INTERNET FORUM or aquaintices I may have. They really are interested in what a culmination of knife enthusiasts are interested in. That doesn't mean they're going to do it. My post is a gathering of what any manfacturer would see, and get a kick out of, in certain parts of our Forum. They are promoting their goods with their best foot forward and need to know what we think of their product and what we would like to see in the future. That's what knife shows are for. As an example, I had a hard time explaining to a very prominent Rep what some people consider Carbon Steel to be. What some folks consider Carbon Steel to be and what it actually is to a knife manufacturer is a world apart. When things like this are brought up in a casual conversation, it sticks, they get it. I hear a lot of: I want this and I want that and somebody should tell them this. Well, now's your chance.

Robuck.........................................................................................................................................I'm sure it hurts.
Greg
 
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Greg,

When you see Queen, please tell them about a MAJOR complaint is blunt blades
And how they are loosing sales becuase of this

Thanks
 
If you see anyone from Case, tell them to start making green and red bone like it is suppose to look. Not like the current offerings :barf:...

I know they can do it, they did it for years :D

While you have their attention, a nice 3 7/8 inch Cattleman/Stockman knife with a punch would be sweet too... CV of course
Can't hurt to ask

Be nice to the GEC boys though. I think they have had enough criticism recently from us knife nuts, to last a little while :D
 
I second that about the Green & Red Bone:thumbup:

Ask GEC to introduce a really nice Pen-Knife about the same as CASE in size but with some of their decent bone on it, an Old School winner!

Tell Queen to "Mind the gaps" as they used to say on old European railways:eek:

Have a good visit above all else!
 
willgoy said:
Ask GEC to introduce a really nice Pen-Knife about the same as CASE in size but with some of their decent bone on it, an Old School winner!
Click to expand...

Yeah, man! A GEC penknife would be awesome.

One other thing I've been curious about. With Camillus gone, I wonder if Moore Maker has ever approached GEC about manufacturing knives for them.

Also, tell GEC thanks for doing what they do. I don't want to fawn over them, but we should at least be mindful that that company is raising the bar for those of use who like traditional pocketknives.

-- Mark
 
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It's probably already in the works but I would be all over a #66 Serpentine Stockman.

I think the Sowbelly is a great suggestion too.
 
Well the other guys stole my thunder. I would really like a pen knife only I'm into the Acrylics. Nice little pen knife in some great colors would be awesome. OH Hey! I'd like to get a free one for the suggestion.........;)
 
GEC - I would like to see the current slim trapper they make with a pen instead of a spey. With the fancy grooved or rat-tailed bolster.

Would also like to see a slim serpentine muskrat with round bolsters and a single spring construction.

Thanks Greg.
 
GEC,Perhaps a jacknife ,with the secondary blade on the correct side,like the Case Bose Dog Leg.
-Vince
 
thawk said:
GEC - I would like to see the current slim trapper they make with a pen instead of a spey. With the fancy grooved or rat-tailed bolster.
Click to expand...

Combine Hal and Vince's posts. 3-7/8" trapper frame with pen in front of the clip main, both pulls on the mark side and Northfield fancy.

Not sure of the nomenclature (help me out here fellas), but the slot for the shorter blade should be filled in from the head bolster to just short of the tip.
 
GEC: What about bringing back some micarta handles (and more funky acrylics!)? Introduce some less-beffy patterns. What do you mean by under-bladed?

Queen: More 1095!!!!!! Some of us can't afford to buy diamond stones more expensive than our knives!!!!

Case: More CV! More CV! More CV!
 
wintermute said:
GEC: What about bringing back some micarta handles (and more funky acrylics!)? Introduce some less-beffy patterns. What do you mean by under-bladed?

Queen: More 1095!!!!!! Some of us can't afford to buy diamond stones more expensive than our knives!!!!

Case: More CV! More CV! More CV!
Click to expand...

yes! also what was mentioned about queen's dull knives! and more orange bone! and more whittlers!!! because if someone made a sowbelly whittler in orange bone in CV or 1095 (or even D2) I'd buy five!


james
 
Greg, I'd tell 'em to get it right the first time so the folks who buy their knives won't be saddled with the hassle of sending knives back and forth to work out the kinks.
It's good PR for their company and product on the forums and saves money in the long run. (I know this last part is debatable since they may feel that a significant segment may not be bothered to send a knife in.)

I'd also tell them (speaking from my own point of view) that many of us would be willing to pay a few dollars more if they would take the time to get it right. This means sharp blades, quality scales, good fit, finish and action.

If they want customer and brand loyalty, it needs to be earned by addressing these issues and building the best knife they can for the money...not with the least they can offer and still get away with.
 
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