OK, I have had a reply from Mike, at WSSI, and he said to post his reply if I wish. Since there is no need to make a big rant and argument out of this, I am posting his reply and locking the thread. Anyone who wishes to discuss it further with any of the participants can email them.
Here is Mike's reply. The only editing is two things that don't deal with the main topic:
Hello Stacy,
WOW... Where do I start........... I will address some of the
post and you may use what I write in anyway.
There is no perfect "stabilizing" for any and all woods or material.
PeterB is entitle to his opinion as is Larry S.
I do feel I do more than an "adequate job" of stabilizing material though.
Stabilizing wood is a give and take when it comes to the "formula" I
choose to use and continue to use my "formula" because of the elasticity
it has. I could make it a touch denser which will create a little higher
sheen but there is a fine line that can't be crossed in the density before
it becomes brittle and easily breaks or cracks when pinning or working
with it. I've seen competitors wood dropped on concrete floor and break,
that's to dense. My processed wood will not break but it will dent.
I have hundreds of customers that DON'T use a "finish" on their material
after sanded and buffed, I also have a customers that go as far as using
an air brush and spraying a finish on, talked to one the other day still
using super glue to finish his handles out. I personally wouldn't but heck
it's his choice.
WSSI and K&G were never part of the same company. They got started or came
from the same person which has passed on to a better place. The old WSSI
stood for Wood Stabilizing Specialists Inc. never Waterloo something
something as Larry Davis suggest. I changed the name to Wood Stabilizing
Specialists Intl. because the original 800 phone line is 800-301 WSSI. I
am an LLC and didn't want Inc. at the end of our new name. Nor as Larry D.
suggest did they go under or out of business or failed in anyway. At the
time WSSI was housed in a small portion of a large industrial building
with oil and wax impregnated wood bearings and cnc molding machines, the
previous owners of WSSI took it as far as they wanted and it didn't fit
into the direction they wanted to go and it was offered to me and I
jumped. It has been one of the best and hardest decisions I have made to
date. Larry D. suggest that Larry S. should get his facts straight, well I
suggest that Larry D. get his facts straight as their was never any
lawsuit or threat of one from K&G. There was never royalties paid on a
process and never a patented process. It is my understanding the problem
was with what industries each was serving and that line got crossed, which
in the end worked out fine because we (I) am serving the knife industry
and happy to be. I don't appreciate being called a liar. Mr. Davis you
should get your facts correct before going on a public forum flapping your
jaw. You or anyone can call me @ 800-301-9774(wssi) or email me at
mike@stabilizedwood.com anytime to get the facts. I get along just fine
with Ken McFall and K&G. I can't say that for sure about the previous
owners of my WSSI.
I have had numerous emails about this new WSSI Wood Stabilization
Solutions Intl. It seems that they have jumped on my coat tails using my
initials and a similar web address. They are not doing anything illegal
but in my opinion a bit unethical. I had a phone call from one of their
customers the other day not happy and wanting to get their formula better.
I guess one way I've looked at it as many knife makers must feel at one
time in their career when one of their designs get copied it is flattery
that your thought of highly enough that they can't be original and come up
with their own identity. I have many customers that we process for that
ask if they can say "processed or stabilized by WSSI" because it helps
sell their product. It doesn't matter if it's a knife or just stabilized
wood.
In conclusion one should use which ever / whom ever stabilizing service
they are happy with.
I hold no harsh feeling's toward PeterB, he's entitle to his opinion. I
also thank Larry S. for holding us in such high regard.
Mike Ludemann
WSSI
