Wait time for a Koster...

[Ranger1]

I have two of Dan's knives on order, but during the order process, I never thought to ask what the wait time was...

I know he is busy getting ready for Blade, so if anyone has an idea based on experience, let me know...

I ordered a O1 Nessie and a Pikal Parer...

Thank you

 

[jdhoward315]

I ordered mine january 4 (a bushcraft in 3v) and still waiting so 5-6 mo maybe.
John

 

[Daniel Koster]

Ranger1 - thanks for the thread...I really need to make a 'general update" post...so this isn't directed personally to you...but hopefully will answer your (and others') questions.

:thumbup:



Wait time is kind of a funny thing with me right now...I don't want to sound offish though......let me explain.


I work on things in batches...large batches usually. At least 10 at a time...sometimes up to 50+ at a time.

The more I can "group things together"...the more efficient I become (something very important to me).

Instead of raising prices....I have spent my efforts trying to find ways to improve efficiency to keep costs down. Things like leaving the flats "as-forged".....full tang knife designs instead of hidden tangs (slower)....keeping material choices to a minimum (bulk pricing)....designing knives to fit my tooling available...and so on.


Working on knives one-at-a-time is a thing of the past...I was sad at the time to let it go....but have found that I am much happier being able to work more efficiently. I can keep prices lower...turnaround time is quicker...material costs are lower (bulk purchasing).

So....while the Order Tracker does have folks listed in chronological order based on initial order date...I have found it very difficult (and inefficient) to go down the list checking them off one at a time.

I know this has certainly causing some strife...and I am very grateful to those who have been patient and understanding.



Here are some random thoughts to help explain how things move around on the Koster Timeline:

- any air-hardening steels (3V, D2, S30V, CPM154, A2, 13C26) have to be sent out for heat-treat (Paul Bos) which adds 4-6 weeks

- premium materials....damascus steel, ironwood and so on - I don't always have them in stock and may have to wait until I can get them in.

- sometimes knives/designs/ideas/projects/etc get put "on the backburner" because they are inefficient...they take too much time or are too far out of my daily scope and work habits.

- delays happen....I hate it as bad as you guys do. I work as hard as I can to knock orders out before the Blade Show...then suddenly it's here and I have to switch gears until the show's done. Adds to the wait time...4 weeks easily. And during those 4 weeks..I'll probably get 10-20 more orders....:foot:

- Sometimes...honestly, I just get a wild hair and have to get it out....meaning there's a knife in my head and now's the time to put it on paper and try it out. Or....I end up with a bunch of surplus of one particular steel and decide to cut a whole bunch of in one knife style...just for kicks...then have to get that started (depsite having only a few orders for it).

- New designs/projects/pass-arounds/etc. - all take time to develop.

- Keeping up with email, PMs, the forums, etc - again...I do my best...but it's either type or grind knives....one loses out to the other...and guess which one's losing right now... :foot:


- the nature of being a one-man-show...I do my own photography....I maintain my own website...run the forum...do my own CAD knife designs...keep the books...pack-up/ship knives out....run to the bank....and so on. For every 8 hrs....I average around 5-6 hrs doing actual knife work.


- down time......blech. Sometimes you gotta take time to clean up...order supplies...organize things...make improvements...expand some areas...close down others.

- goof off time....yes, Tom and I will get out our airguns now-n-then and do some target practice....for a while there, it was bows-n-arrows...I also helped Tom put a new front end in his Bug as well as a new front seat....have worked on my Jag too. Used to play Age-of-Mythology...haven't done that in Months!!...too busy lately.


- side project that are knife-related. K9 Knives for example....been working on that all morning trying to get this stuff out. My stuff is on the backburner until that gets done. If someone has something up for trade that I want or need soon...I'll move that project "up the list" to get it done. Not playing favorites....that person just "lucked out"....happens. Sometimes I'll make an extra knife or 2 and someone will call and get lucky that way too...



I'll add more ideas as I think of 'em...I got other stuff naggin' me right now.

 

[Tom Krein]

The wait time for a "KOSTER" is actually 10 months, thats if Dan gets after it RIGHT NOW!

Most people think its 9 months, but the human gestation period is actually closer to 10 months (40 weeks).

:foot:

Tom

 

[Ranger1]

I am very much the capitalist, so whatever keeps your business operating efficiently and you not going insane is a good thing...

I appreciate the response... I guess I need to watch for something used if I want an outdoor knife for this year...

Thanks again.

 

[Tohatchi NM]

You might have as much luck getting something directly from Dan as from the exchange. I've seen him drop more "these three are ready to go" deals on this forum than used blades popping up on the exchange. You don't get any materials choice on the used market, so I imagine you'd be OK with whatever Dan cooks up. Honestly, he chooses good steels and good handle materials, so it's going to work regardless.

Another option is to find a friend who's going to Blade - not me, unfortunately.

 

[Daniel Koster]

email/PM me your first/last name and/or order numbers...I'm pretty sure nearly all orders that are on the Order Tracker now will be filled this year...no worries about that!

I plan on knocking out 10+ a week from now until the first part of January.

:thumbup:

Dan

 

[mapper66]

Dan, shot you an email yesterday with my order info asking about which ones I need to be ready to purchase at Blade. It would help me come up with the excuses for SWMBO ahead of time if you could let me know. Thanks! :thumbup:

email/PM me your first/last name and/or order numbers...I'm pretty sure nearly all orders that are on the Order Tracker now will be filled this year...no worries about that!

I plan on knocking out 10+ a week from now until the first part of January.

:thumbup:

Dan

 

[Ranger1]

You might have as much luck getting something directly from Dan as from the exchange. I've seen him drop more "these three are ready to go" deals on this forum than used blades popping up on the exchange. You don't get any materials choice on the used market, so I imagine you'd be OK with whatever Dan cooks up. Honestly, he chooses good steels and good handle materials, so it's going to work regardless.

Another option is to find a friend who's going to Blade - not me, unfortunately.

I appreciate that, but I have come to a time in this hobby that I will no longer compromise my wants, especially if I have intentions of keeping it for the long haul.
Come to think of it, that is probably why I am still blissfully single and able to buy these things...

Life is good...

 

[madborderman07]

Dan, the only thing I ask is that with your batches, if you can maintain the half the standard that you set with the bushcraft that would be awesome. I understand that you are involved with many projects(k-9 and blade and new house) I can feel your pain. WHen i was in Iraq I constantly checked this site with info on the bushcraft. I think you set a high mark for your self with that batch. Anyhow, I am your IMHO I am your biggest fan, and would wait a long time for your blades, i use either a nessie or my bushcraft daily, i make excuses to use them.

I am not tyring to come of negative, if so I apoligize, I just know I am a KOSTER fan for sure!!!! keep up the good work DAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Daniel Koster]

Yes. :thumbup:

 

[Ranger1]

email/PM me your first/last name and/or order numbers...I'm pretty sure nearly all orders that are on the Order Tracker now will be filled this year...no worries about that!

I plan on knocking out 10+ a week from now until the first part of January.

:thumbup:

Dan

I PM'd you yesterday...
Thank you

 

[teacher]

email/PM me your first/last name and/or order numbers...I'm pretty sure nearly all orders that are on the Order Tracker now will be filled this year...no worries about that!

I plan on knocking out 10+ a week from now until the first part of January.

:thumbup:

Dan

:thumbup:
Did this last week..... :thumbup:

Thank's for this thread...... it explains a few things. :thumbup:

 

[teacher]

Ranger1 - thanks for the thread...I really need to make a 'general update" post...so this isn't directed personally to you...but hopefully will answer your (and others') questions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Working on knives one-at-a-time is a thing of the past...I was sad at the time to let it go....but have found that I am much happier being able to work more efficiently. I can keep prices lower...turnaround time is quicker...material costs are lower (bulk purchasing).

So....while the Order Tracker does have folks listed in chronological order based on initial order date...I have found it very difficult (and inefficient) to go down the list checking them off one at a time.

I know this has certainly causing some strife...and I am very grateful to those who have been patient and understanding.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have read the above many, many times.... and I "think" I understand what it says....... but to be perfectly honest it leaves me with a few questions.

When did the time come that you had to "let go" the taking of custom orders ?
Cause by what you have said here you no longer take them... at least that is what I read.

And for those that placed a "Custom Order"....... as they seem to have been directed to.......... where does that leave them in the big scheme of things ?

I can understand your reasoning as you have written above......... no problem..... but where does that leave those that "Custom Ordered".... pre time of your decision to go "production"....... as it seems you have ?

As far as strife goes ........ I bet all it would take for most people is a simple answer to their emails or PM's........ probably even a group answer would work.

I myself have tried not to be a pain in the butt.... I really have... :thumbup:

I know the Survivors will be done when they are done......... no problem.
I know the Bush-Master will be avaiable whenever it becomes avaiable.... whether that be 1 month or 1 year or longer ........ That is why I placed an order for one on the ORDER TRACKER and Paid in Full in advance, so when it is, I could get one.

BUT, what I do not understand is why my order #07403 is not even on the ORDER TRACKER any more. It says completed ....... but never has been.

Over the last couple of months I have emailed about this, PM'd about this, and called about this..... nothing to date from you Dan.

Should you check it out...... I have added 2 more concerns at the bottom of Order #07403....... I shall not mention them here. This was all updated 8 May, as you requested.

I am not really mad or upset in any way.
I would just like some answers. I kinda even hate to even post this here.. but nothing else seems to be working....

Maybe I am the only one ......... but good straight forward communication would most likely put an end to whatever "strife" you refrenced above Dan.

I know you are probably worked to death..... I can respect that. :thumbup:
But please don't forget some of us are also.... we just don't have a forum so people know about it.

I think you make a great knife..... no question about it. I honestly hope your CS will catch up to the quality of your knives.

Sincerely,
C Pruitt

 

[Daniel Koster]

I have read the above many, many times.... and I "think" I understand what it says....... but to be perfectly honest it leaves me with a few questions.

No problem, Chuck - always happy to answer questions. :thumbup:

When did the time come that you had to "let go" the taking of custom orders ?
Cause by what you have said here you no longer take them... at least that is what I read.

Actually, I'm about to the point where I need to stop taking orders for a year or so...backlog only seems to be growing...causes grief for those waiting...and grief for me when I want to work on new models, etc.

When I work on things in batches....I only have to set up the tooling once for that batch...instead of once-per-knife. Believe me when I say....that doing that literally cuts the time in half that it takes for me to make a knife.

So...to work on one knife at a time....I'd have to go up in prices (since my equipment/skill/experience has gone up) in order to not lose money. Since I really, really, really don't want to do that....the solution (to me) is to increase efficiency by working in batches.

I'm at my most efficient when I work on batches of one knife design at a time (such as the 69 bushcrafts I'm working on right now). But I do combine patterns when needed to get numbers up over 10. When I work in less than 10...I get more immediate gratification....but I start wasting time.

And for those that placed a "Custom Order"....... as they seem to have been directed to.......... where does that leave them in the big scheme of things ?

I am still taking orders...and filling them too.

I'm just not taking custom orders...as in Joe Bob calls me and says "I need to get me a huntin' knife....make me one that looks like this...but longer....different handle...etc." = those are the orders I have stopped taking (mostly ).

I'm going through the Order Tracker right now cleaning out and if needed refunding any custom one-off, non-pattern-based orders that I don't anticipate being able to fill.

Those whose work I have already started...I WILL be completing those. And if you have an order number above 300....yours is not a "custom" order...and is in no danger of being dropped.

As far as strife goes ........ I bet all it would take for most people is a simple answer to their emails or PM's........ probably even a group answer would work.

I myself have tried not to be a pain in the butt.... I really have... :thumbup:

I do send out mass emails to the Order Tracker list....as well as the Mailing List....maybe the spam filter is catching yours?

I know the Survivors will be done when they are done......... no problem.
I know the Bush-Master will be avaiable whenever it becomes avaiable.... whether that be 1 month or 1 year or longer ........ That is why I placed an order for one on the ORDER TRACKER and Paid in Full in advance, so when it is, I could get one.

Survivor - yes, they are a pain right now...but progress is taking place - moreso after the Blade Show.

Bush-Master - going to happen soon...real soon....need to make sure all my ducks are in a row first....and I do have yours noted (Note for others reading...do not order...not available yet).

BUT, what I do not understand is why my order #07403 is not even on the ORDER TRACKER any more. It says completed ....... but never has been.

Over the last couple of months I have emailed about this, PM'd about this, and called about this..... nothing to date from you Dan.

Should you check it out...... I have added 2 more concerns at the bottom of Order #07403....... I shall not mention them here. This was all updated 8 May, as you requested.

It is posted as completed because I did complete it and ship it. I honestly can't understand why you didn't receive it, except that perhaps I shipped before you posted your new address. I've corrected it now...and will get yours going when I get back from the Blade Show.

I am not really mad or upset in any way.
I would just like some answers. I kinda even hate to even post this here.. but nothing else seems to be working....

I'm on record for saying I don't mind getting bugged about things....getting reminders, etc...and that is indeed still true.

One thing that helps is to only send me one thing at a time. When I get too large a list to work on, or too many orders to balance....in one email....I mark it as unread and "come back to it later"....meaning, it gets left behind.

Maybe I am the only one ......... but good straight forward communication would most likely put an end to whatever "strife" you refrenced above Dan.

Yours is a tough case for me because of the above noted items...multiple orders...pre-orders...several payments sent...definitely near the top of my most-complicated list.

I think you make a great knife..... no question about it. I honestly hope your CS will catch up to the quality of your knives.

Sincerely,
C Pruitt

Thanks, Chuck. Don't misread anything I posted above - I am VERY grateful for your orders. I just have several hundred customers on my Order Tracker and the order numbers are up over 600 now....it's an intense juggling act...and I'm doing my best to help each one of them feel as important as the next one.

Dan

 

[Daniel Koster]

I reactivated the order....it is now listed as a new order. :thumbup:

 

[Ranger1]

Dan,
You asked that I PM you. I have done so. Please answer when you can.
Thank you

 

[teacher]

No problem, Chuck - always happy to answer questions. :thumbup:

Thank you Dan ....

Actually, I'm about to the point where I need to stop taking orders for a year or so...backlog only seems to be growing...causes grief for those waiting...and grief for me when I want to work on new models, etc.

When I work on things in batches....I only have to set up the tooling once for that batch...instead of once-per-knife. Believe me when I say....that doing that literally cuts the time in half that it takes for me to make a knife.

So...to work on one knife at a time....I'd have to go up in prices (since my equipment/skill/experience has gone up) in order to not lose money. Since I really, really, really don't want to do that....the solution (to me) is to increase efficiency by working in batches.

I'm at my most efficient when I work on batches of one knife design at a time (such as the 69 bushcrafts I'm working on right now). But I do combine patterns when needed to get numbers up over 10. When I work in less than 10...I get more immediate gratification....but I start wasting time.

Dan, I can totally understand all of this. What you have said here makes perfect sense..... I never had a question about how you decide to make your knives.

I am still taking orders...and filling them too.

I'm just not taking custom orders...as in Joe Bob calls me and says "I need to get me a huntin' knife....make me one that looks like this...but longer....different handle...etc." = those are the orders I have stopped taking (mostly ).

I'm going through the Order Tracker right now cleaning out and if needed refunding any custom one-off, non-pattern-based orders that I don't anticipate being able to fill.

Those whose work I have already started...I WILL be completing those. And if you have an order number above 300....yours is not a "custom" order...and is in no danger of being dropped.

OK, I got it... makes perfect sense also ..........

I do send out mass emails to the Order Tracker list....as well as the Mailing List....maybe the spam filter is catching yours?

I don't think so, I got 2 email requests from Koster knives 8 May 2008 titled ...... Order Tracker-Updates Needed!!.
Prior to that the last email I received from Koster Knives was 28 January 2008.

Survivor - yes, they are a pain right now...but progress is taking place - moreso after the Blade Show.

Bush-Master - going to happen soon...real soon....need to make sure all my ducks are in a row first....and I do have yours noted (Note for others reading...do not order...not available yet).

I have no concern as to the delivery time of the Survivor ....... I realize it is a special project & I figure you will get it done when you can.

Also, I have no concern at all as to the Bush-Master delivery. I know it is not even offered yet and I am willing to wait untill it is......... whenever that is.
I just went ahead and PIF so you would know I was serious.

It is posted as completed because I did complete it and ship it. I honestly can't understand why you didn't receive it, except that perhaps I shipped before you posted your new address.

I think I have the answer here. It has been noted in emails, PM's, & the Order Tracker........ but here it is.

I got one because I was on the waiting list and there were over runs. I had already placed order #07403 prior to this time.

I called you and transfered all the accessories from #07403 ....except a #1 sheath.... to the "waiting list" shipment. I received this in very early February.

I told you I still wanted Order #07403 also. Which left a knife & a #1 sheath on the order #07403.

I will double check with the Post Office... but my mail is forwarded and nothing has come.

I've corrected it now...and will get yours going when I get back from the Blade Show.

Thank you sir and I appreciate it............

I'm on record for saying I don't mind getting bugged about things....getting reminders, etc...and that is indeed still true.

OK... I have tried to do this ...... without being a complete "ass" ... several times.

One thing that helps is to only send me one thing at a time. When I get too large a list to work on, or too many orders to balance....in one email....I mark it as unread and "come back to it later"....meaning, it gets left behind.

I am guilty as charged on this............

I have tried to cover the whole process in each email / PM.
The "one thing at a time" point is well taken........
AND, I might add I can understand completely.......

Yours is a tough case for me because of the above noted items...multiple orders...pre-orders...several payments sent...definitely near the top of my most-complicated list.

I can't argue with you here either..........
I got lost in the process somewhere.......... lost in the mail check... [that I was not aware of for almost 2 months], etc., etc.,...... that is one reason I just went ahead and PIF everything..... with extra on the last MO I sent you.

Thanks, Chuck. Don't misread anything I posted above - I am VERY grateful for your orders. I just have several hundred customers on my Order Tracker and the order numbers are up over 600 now....it's an intense juggling act...and I'm doing my best to help each one of them feel as important as the next one.

Dan

Dan, I have not misread anything negative into what you have said here. it was all straight forward and that I appreciate.

Please do not read anything "bad" into what I had to say either...... it is/was not meant that way at all.

However, I am glad we had this "talk"......... even if it was in front of the whole world....................

I have no desire to be treated in any "special" way either. I DO NOT consider myself any more important than the next guy. I do appreciate the response though..............

I have said in post before..... I don't see how you do all that you do and keep your sanity..........:

I don't blame you for streamlining whenever and however you can........ after all........ you are the one making them. Do it the way you best see fit.

I do appreciate the straight forward reply.

Thank you and sincerely,
C Pruitt

 

[teacher]

I reactivated the order....it is now listed as a new order. :thumbup:

Thank you sir.......... good luck at BLADE ............:thumbup:

 

[mckrob]

Dan, when you get a chance please respond to my various emails and messages about my order, a two word email "Deposit Received" will more than suffice !