What has happened to Blade Forum?

V

Vendelcrow

Joined
Jan 31, 1999
Messages
16
A once great forum has degenerated to a place for promotion of production knives.
A commercial site with the same kind of promotion and hype, that you find in MLM spam emails. Im refering to the latest issue of The Blade Forum News.

I could not care less for the Busse knives.

What I want is a forum that is alive, where knife nuts and knifemakers can exchange ideas, information, tips and tricks etc..
Not a site where the main idea seems to be to sell as many knives as possible, and where a knifemaker/knifecompany can get fantastic free promotion, just by reducing the price.
If I buy a knife, its because I want it.
Not because it has the Blade Forum logo etched on the blade, not because of a reduction in price, and not because of a black coated blade.
A change in name for the The Blade Forum might be appropriate, and I have a suggestion, The Blade Forum Knife Mall (a forum for knife promotion).

Regards
Vendelcrow
 
Perhaps if you take a more active part in the forums by responding to threads that interest you and begin new threads yourself, you might find a bit more fun and enlightening. Because you are a member of this forum, you should not mind the occasional offer for a Bladeforums only knife special. I have ordered a SIFU and a Busse. The delete button works well for e-mails you don't like. Now if aluminum foil ball forums, a site I have never visited, sent me e-mails, I would consider it spam. You are a member here.

------------------
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
 
Dont forget... you can turn off the mail notification feature in your profile...

[This message has been edited by yoda4561 (edited 16 September 1999).]
 
Vendel, thanks for your comments.

In a perfect world, BladeForums.com wouldn't have to have banner ads, or sell unique knives, or tshirts, or anything and would be able to stay open.

Unfortunately, this isn't a perfect world, and since we're not charging anyone to use this site, and since *someone* has to pay the bills, we've got to somehow recoup everything that goes into making this site work.

I apologize for the email that you received, however, please change your profile so that in the future you do not receive similar mailings from us. I will talk to Mike about how we can avoid this kind of response in the future.

Any other comments or suggestions?

Spark

------------------
Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
I'm sometimes concerned that things are getting too commercial around here, but we are Mike's guests, and I haven't heard of anyone sending him money to help out with the expenses, so I guess we have to live with it. I'm not into some of the blades offered here, but plenty of other forumites are, and they consider these offers an opportunity.

If you go to your profile settings, you can take yourself off the mailing list.


------------------
LD
"Every Dog Has His Day"
BFC Member Since October 2 1998



[This message has been edited by Lucky Dog (edited 16 September 1999).]
 
As a wise man almost certainly once said sometime somewhere, "Perhaps it is you that has changed." Not likely. There have been a lot of changes here in the time I have been on, but on the web you're either growing or you are dying. Change is the only constant.
 
I was pissed off when I read that latest mail from BFC, too! I mean, how can one not be when they don't have the $%#@&! money to buy one of those knives! I am torn between a new briefcase and a Busse Basic 9. Gee...I wonder which one is more justifiable!
wink.gif
In all seriousness, I need another fixed blade knife like I need another hole in my head, but I was still interested in reading a little about the knives, as well as seeing the great price BFC is offering. When I got bored with the information I pressed "D" and I moved on to something else. That's the beauty of mail...you don't have to read it if you don't want to! Keep up the good works fellas.

------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath pagehttp://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/knifehome.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
 
You never know where sour grapes may be lurking in a bunch.

There are thousands that enjoy this forum and realize what makes the world go round. I happily bought two great knives (I mean "great" too, the SIFU and Busse. I'm with Dogman). Dang vendelcrow, why didn't you post more often? You sure can start a lively conversation!
smile.gif


jeff
 
It has already been stated but I will make it perfectly clear. I pay all the bills around here and it is not an easy task. In fact it costs about $1,000 a month to keep this site running and as it grows Spark and I find ourselves more tied up in the day to day running of this thing which costs even more money when you add in our time. So overall you are looking at a cost of about $2,000+ per month to keep this site running.

Now if you want I can really turn our BFC Store into a HUGE web site in about a day. I can make all banners point to it. I can charge for membership. I can send a weekly email blast of specials out to all the members.

Now if I do the above this site will deteriorate to nothing really fast.

So what we have to do is find a balance. One that keeps us running, keeps the dealers happy who sell here and advertise here and one that keeps the manufacturers actively invovled.

Right now I don't see a problem but I do understand your concern and I have just taken measures to ensure this site stays up and we do not become too commercial in nature.

I have a saying that I use quite a bit.
"Don't bring me a problem without some sort of possible solution".

We will have to generate income to the tune of about $2,500 a month and that will increase about $500 every 3-6 months.

How would you suggest we do that?

------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 
With 3425 members there is no way to please everyone. One may "care less" for a particular knife or even subject. Many other do "Care" though. I beleive they have as much right as I do to discuss these subjects within the boundries of the forum. I have seen many topics that I frankly thought were goofy, but I think those people should be able to post replies. Without new information we could never learn. The Bladeforum news I received was fine, plus it discussed a subject prevalent to a majority of members. I don't have that many posts either, BUT I do check the site 4 to 5 times daily. MY suggestion to Spark & Mike is to "Keep up the good work." I know one thing for sure, "the price is right."
smile.gif
I'll keep reading the threads, daily.
 
I understand that its not a perfect world, and that you must pay the bills.
What I am against is the hyped promotion in the newsletter for an individual maker. I belive that there is 100 of makers out there, who gladly would give discounts to Blade Forum members, if they would get a promotional email like the one I am refering to.
Why not just make a list of the knifemakers who offer discount to BF members. If you are interested in a particular knife from a specific maker, you sign up for the knife on his list.
The knifemakers in the *list* can be promoted as Blade Forum supporters in the newsletter (without the need of promotion for individual makers).
It would be nice to hear if there is any knifemakers out there, who would give a general discount to BF members.
If there is, I know what knives I would sign up for.

Regards
Vendelcrow

PS. Sorry about the harsh words in my first posting, but I easily get carried away. Now I have calmed down, and I must admit that the discussions in BF, are still the best.
 
Every once in a while I buy a knife from an unknown maker just to offer a little encouragment. Keeping this place up and running has without a doubt been an expensive proposition. I deal occasionally and therefore can get knives from distributors and even a few manufacturers. I think it is ok to take steps that offset the cost of this site and the growth that we have seen since it's inception this is a big site. I need another factory knife like I need another dog or a hole in my head, but I like the idea of supporting this site and the 440v Native is pretty sweet.

[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 16 September 1999).]
 
That's a good idea, Vendel, however, it still doesn't address how BladeForums.com becomes self sufficient. I'm sure lots of manufacturers would be happy to offer a discount to BladeForums.com makers, but that doesn't solve the problem of keeping this site open. After all, we can't expect to flood the members with knife offers and have them empty every cent into someones coffers. That's not fair, is it?

So, we try to offer something fairly unique, every few months or so. Yes, I agree, the way it was done this time was not the best method, and it won't be happening again. Call it a lesson learned.

Now you see what kind of tightrope we walk. If you have any more suggestions though, we'll be happy to hear them.

Spark

------------------
Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
Spark and Mike,

As an activite participant in Bladeforums, I want to say that I am very, very happy with it. As I have said before, both of you do a fantastic job and both of you obviously spend A LOT of time and effort doing it. Bladeforums is the best source of information of knives, period.

Don
 
I and many others have said it numerous times Mike & Spark - You're doing a helluva good job and have provided a great place in BladeForums. I think the balancing act is understood by everyone who spends much time on the forums. You've got knife people posting here sharing knowledge it would be extremely hard to find anywhere else in the same depth and breadth.

You've been giving away knives as have many of the knife companies from their forums here as have many of the dealers who advertise here. I don't know about anyone else, but considering the possibility of winning some of these cools knives is a real perk for me.

God bless and full steam ahead!

Wow - while I typed the above post, a half dozen post were made! Boy, Vendlecrow you sure got some attention going on this one.
smile.gif


[This message has been edited by Bob Irons (edited 16 September 1999).]
 
You mean we're not required to buy one of everything at the BF store? Doh!
wink.gif
 
OK The email was my fault. I did it, my bad. I just went back a reread it and man did I use every marketing lesson I have ever learned!

Sorry.

I just got so excited when Jerry made the deal that I felt I needed to get the word out ASAP. I told Jerry that I would need extra for dealers to so they can share in this exclusive deal and even have the same price.

I guess I am just slap out of ideas on how to keep this site a float without selling knives. T-Shirts don't work and now we have to give them away. Mouse pads may bring in a few bucks but not much and certainly not enough to keep us running.

Also there is a hidden factor here you guys are not considering that I may need to let you know about. In fact I need your suggestions here as we do listen.

There are several reasons for the success of this site overall. The inside secrets I will share with a select few as I do not want a new forum site popping up using my marketing techniques. Yes I said marketing techniques. To make this site work we must *Sell* it. I mean it must appeal to a wide audience and therefor I must push your button, so to speak.

How do I do that?

Well I must offer fresh content, which in this format is a given. I must surround myself with good people who you all can relate to and you all like. Our moderators are a testament to that. This site can not have a hidden agenda, meaning that it can not be a front for a business. You guys would be able to see right through that so we must be fair to everyone.

The main balance which really is a tight rope, like Spark mentioned, is to be able to offer products to you guys without hurting the very dealers which visit here. So this is why we must keep it to a minimum. I came up with the Blade Of The Month idea to do just that. Hopefully that will be the answer and with only a few knives offered here and there we should be able to maintain the balance.

I had no idea when I started this thing how much traffic we would generate. And likewise I had no idea that the traffic would directly relate to increased cost. At first I thought this site would be self sufficient in that we would just talk knives. Well when I get a bill for $8,500 for bandwidth I freaked! So then I bought a server to help control costs. This has been a big help but as this site grows we must find ways to fund it.

I am open to any other ideas you guys have and I would like to test a raffle here in the next few weeks.

Let me know.....

PS to Ewok. Yes you must buy one of everthing in the store. You have 24 hours to comply
smile.gif


------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 
Vendelcrow,

It's generally not my style to take public exception to others' opinions, but you are SO off-base here I'll make an exception. Much of what I have to say has been covered already, so I hope folks will forgive me if I don't cite each of their posts.

First, you equate BF's recent e-mail to "MLM spam emails" yet, as has been said, you have always had the option to turn off e-mail notifications so what is the problem? You also stated that, "What I want is a forum that is alive, where knife nuts and knifemakers can exchange ideas, information, tips and tricks etc.." I can't help myself here but where TF have you been? It takes involvement to make a lively forum. No offense, but an "exchange" of ideas is a two-way street. You've been a member since January and have only 14 posts. As a self-professed knifemaker, it's surprising that you have not had more to offer.

I agree that a certain amount of commercialism does appear here from time to time. Where is there not? IMO, most folks -- including Mike -- are very discreet about self-promotion. In the time since I have been a member -- also January -- I have made new friends, greatly expanded my knowledge, have had a great time, and have hopefully given something back to other forumites -- all thanks to Mike's efforts & generosity.

On a personal note, I have designed & hosted several not-for-profit Web sites on my own company's server. While I don't expect daily accolades, I know I would be very ticked off if my guests offered nothing but negative criticism. The level tone of both Mike's & Spark's responses is evidence of the class act at work here. I suggest you might want to take a lesson from them.

Stepping off my soapbox... for any new members or lurkers who may be reading this thread, this is not typical of the exchanges that generally take place around here. It really is a great & friendly place to be; however, like any public forum, it is what we make of it.
smile.gif



------------------
Cheers,

--+Brian+--




[This message has been edited by bcaffrey (edited 16 September 1999).]
 
Spark, your latest reply made me start to think (instead of just being a pissed off person who has calmed down, and regained his common sense).
What Im getting at, is why not ask all the other members in BF, if they have any ideas-suggestions how to cope with the costs.
I have an idea, but I want to here the opinion from other members, and if it can be added to BF.
Im interested in website software, and I have signed up for information on that subject with postmasterdirect.com
I checked through their various lists for knives/knife related topics, and ONE list came up (with 723 members, not much).
If BF can put up a form for such an opt-in list (with return email comfirmation, to make it real safe), I belive a lot of members/visitors would sign up.
Then Postmasterdirect can use the list for their advertisers. I belive that they pay about 50% of the advertising fee back to the list owner.
I would gladly sign up on a list like that, when it benefits BF.
The signup form does not have to be tacky. Just a small box where you sign your email address, if you are interested in additional kniferelated information from various sources.
Does that sound like something that could be done, to get some more money coming in.

Regards
Vendelcrow
 
Thanks for the idea Vendelcrow I will look into it further.

------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top