What to do?

Sad to hear about the withdrawal on First Look Threads and even sadder to hear how petty some people can be with name-calling over a giveaway. I agree on the stance and can only hope to be a grateful recipient of a "drive-by giveaway" at some point. I appreciate, use and enjoy the knives produced by KAI and even though it has come to this, will still wait eagerly for the next run of offerings. Thanks for all you do on here Thomas, and keep up the good work!
 
Early notice of new models and giveaways are fun, but a place to talk about products already in our hands is better. This will still be a great forum.

Not to be a cynic or anything like that but I've given away stuff and never heard from the recipients -- not even to say the stuff arrived.

I sneezed a sneeze into the air,
It fell to Earth, I know not where,
But hard and cold were the looks of those
In whose vicinity I snoze!

-- Mad Magazine
 
Thomas W said:
That was a cool thread...:thumbup:
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It was definitely helpful. I've still got regular heat shrink on it for now, which seems to be working, but I'm going to try to pick up some heat shrink with adhesive soon for a more long term solution.
 
amnesia997 said:
I second this! Thomas, which blade is typically in your pocket?
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Rotate quite a bit. Always trying out the new stuff. Been messing with a lot of the imports (Tremor, Volt II, Drone) lately. Messed with the Echelon a bunch as well...liked it a lot.
 
How about a Kershaw Beanie giveaway. Its cold outside. Can't find one to buy online, who has them for sale?
 
Ok, I know I don't post in this section of the forum often but I thoroughly enjoy reading and getting news in here for upcoming knives and the answer to your problem has come to me in a stroke of genius so I figured I would share it.
You like the knives you sell too much, and want to share your excitement; this is completely understandable considering the company you work for and your position to learn about these knives as they are conceptualized and designed. The trouble is that the average consumer's patience is shorter than the time it takes to go from concept to production of a knife. Getting people hyped beforehand about a knife is awesome, it's just a matter of timing it to be for a month or two instead of five or six.
So what you really need as I see it, is a way to work out and share your excitement about new products with other people as soon as you hear about it, then you get to share and the majority of the people can hear about it a couple months before it comes out and get excited then at the optimal time for them.
My solution is very simple, in a self sacrificial move for the good of this community, I'll volunteer to let you tell me about each new product as it is being designed and through its production so you get to tell someone, and I wont share with anyone else so that there isn't the leak of information to design stealers or the frustrated customers from waiting "too long". I'm a very patient person and am willing to help out in this capacity because I sympathize with your cause.
You're welcome

As towards the giveaways, the new way you have of doing it seems much better in my eyes and I think almost everyone here would agree.
 
Thomas, I think the number of smiling, grateful Kershaw fans on this sub forum far outnumber the rude and ungrateful. Thanks for all you've done and do buddy!

.....That being said, I have seen elsewhere and here at BF how one or two bad apples can sour the mood of the whole community. It can do serious damage to the overall experience of everyone. I think the changes you have decided to make in order to stem the negativity are a good choice and will play a part in keeping things positive for all the Kershaw fans here.

It's been said before, but I'll reiterate it here. People often forget that a personal connection with a manufacturer such as the one we Kershaw lovers have here at the forum is extremely rare. When we forget that and take it as a given then we've gotten a bit spoiled I think. In most hobby/collector/enthusiast type markets such as high performance cars, motorcycles, firearms, watches, etc.........do you think the fans are getting this type of personal interaction with the source of their infatuation? Maybe, here and there...but it certainly isn't the norm. People should remember that. What we have here with this forum is something special, a privilege actually because people are willing to give of their time to do it.

Thomas isn't on the clock every minute of time he spends here on the forum sharing and helping. He does it because of his passion and because he understands our passion. Let's all try to remember that and keep this a great place to hang out and talk about all things Kershaw!:thumbup:
 
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RE: No more giveaways - There are always a few chuckle heads out there who are impossible to please and ruin a lot of cool stuff for everyone else. That's too bad, but while giveaways are cool, they aren't why I read everyday.

Re: Random giveaways to people you feel like giving them to - Probably even better than random selection contests. No muss, no fuss and you're rewarding those who contribute most.

Re: No more first looks - As cool as they are, it's almost a relief. Now I won't know what I'm missing until I can get it. Once again, while first looks are cool, they aren't why I read everyday.

I love the knives, the community and the interaction directly from Kershaw (Thomas).

And another thing: The coolest thing to ever happen to me on this board (or any board really) was Kershawguy sending me a red Skyline when I was in Hawaii for a month. Not only was I able to carry and use my favorite knife, I was able to pass it on to another guy in Hawaii. Thanks again Kershawguy. This is an awesome community. Proud to be a part of it. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
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Kershaw knives are part of the reason I started making knives! Their customer service, accessibility and quality are unmatched in my opinion.
The fact that they are constantly evolving, and setting trends in the knife marketplace is Icing on the cake.
I have a Kershaw in my pocket everywhere I go, 7 days a week. I can't afford to own most of the awesome blades posted on here, so it is very cool to be able
see and talk about all of the new models posted on here.
Keep up the fine work Thomas!!
 
See, this guy is what I'm talking about! Forget the chuckleheads! (Was that a Jay and Silent Bob refrence bobpoptart?:D) This guy embodies the hear of the Kershaw forum. Dave sends him a knife in Hawaii and rather than bring it home he gives it away before coming home. I love that stuff and it's one of the reasons I'm here!

bobpoptart said:
RE: No more giveaways - There are always a few chuckle heads out there who are impossible to please and ruin a lot of cool stuff for everyone else. That's too bad, but while giveaways are cool, they aren't why I read everyday.

Re: Random giveaways to people you feel like giving them to - Probably even better than random selection contests. No muss, no fuss and you're rewarding those who contribute most.

Re: No more first looks - As cool as they are, it's almost a relief. Now I won't know what I'm missing until I can get it. Once again, while first looks are cool, they aren't why I read everyday.

I love the knifes, the community and the interaction directly from Kershaw (Thomas).

And another thing: The coolest thing to ever happen to me on this board (or any board really) was Kershawguy sending me a red Skyline when I was in Hawaii for a month. Not only was I able to carry and use my favorite knife, I was able to pass it on to another guy in Hawaii. Thanks again Kershawguy. This is an awesome community. Proud to be a part of it. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
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LOL, I knew you and I got along so good for a reason Ben! On another forum there was a thread the other day asking knife makers what they carry every day. I posted a pic of my own fixed blade and a Kershaw folder. I have some great customs, but I can't get enough of my Kershaws!! Nine times out of ten you will find one in my pocket.

BenR.T. said:
Kershaw knives are part of the reason I started making knives! Their customer service, accessibility and quality are unmatched in my opinion.
The fact that they are constantly evolving, and setting trends in the knife marketplace is Icing on the cake.
I have a Kershaw in my pocket everywhere I go, 7 days a week. I can't afford to own most of the awesome blades posted on here, so it is very cool to be able
see and talk about all of the new models posted on here.
Keep up the fine work Thomas!!
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Isn't stopping the free give away's falling into the Tail Wagging The Dog mentality? Don't give us on the rest of us for a few ungrateful ones. I would piss on myself if you sent me a free knife. You and Kershaw/ZT are a first class act, for all those who have not acknowledged your kindness and generousity I'll step in and send my thank you.
 
Thomas, this looks to me a good move, I'm sure that this decision was formulated based on loads of data over 2011 and not just on 1 or 2 people with bad experiences. I hope to see that this decision will benefit KAI cutlery a boatload and I'm sure it will.

Sure some people just plain cannot wait, but I feel, and please don't flame me over this guys, that when you announce something very early, say almost a year before it comes out that it really widens the margin for a hangup and just adding more straw to the camels back if you know what I mean. It's obviously nothing to boycott Kershaw/ZT/Shun over, since people will always pay for quality when they see quality, but morale gets low and some people who consider a knife a tool out of necessity and not a hobby may end up buying something else and miss out in the long run.

I've never spoken to a Kershaw rep until the other day, and consider me impressed. Not only can you show that the company is grateful for having loyal customers Thomas, but when searching for constructive criticism.. you can really dig deep and retrieve it amongst the sea of fans their overwhelmingly positive input. It's hard to look past the stuff we want to hear to find the stuff to make us better at what we do, but you pulled it off!

Again Kershaw is in my top 3 knives in terms of quality and function, with ZT being right up there with Chris Reeve and Strider... I have no idea how you guys pulled it off, but the 0300's could pass for another mid-tech production custom.
 
Seems most folks these days would bitch if you hung 'em with a new rope. I like your knives and how ever you want to handle your business is your business. At the end of the day there's still more likely than not a Kershaw or ZT knife in my pocket.
 
Hi Thomas. I may be new around here, but I have been lurking long enough to see that kershaw as a company is simply outstanding. I don't think there is any other industry where the manufacturers are so in touch with their consumers. You know how it is, haters gunna hate. Personally, I love your knives, and hope to collect even more in the future. Keep up the great work you guys are doing over there and know that you will always have a loyal fan in me. Wish you and the rest of the kershaw team Happy Holidays.
 
Thomas W said:
So...here we are, just over a week before Christmas.

This week I posted about wannabe manufacturers copying our award winning designs, and coming to market prior to ours.

Customers have additionally been upset at what they consider long lead times with new products.

Due to these two situations, we've opted on not allowing First Look threads, and only showing products when we're ready to ship.

Thomas speaking for myself i have no problem with the wait. But if you are going to get copied and it impacts on your business then you need to protect your intellectual property until you can bring the product to market. I will miss your new designs at Blade but you must protect the company.

You all may have noticed that we used to have a bunch of giveaways, but it has been some time since we have put up any new threads sharing our products with our valued customers.

Mostly this is due to winner reactions once they receive their giveaway. More than once there were complaints about the product itself, or the time it took to receive their free knife. I was called names[WHAT! Are you kidding me!], and even had people claim to not buy our products again because of a giveaway. Its just got me to the point of not having them anymore.

I've opted to give random knives out to folks I simply feel like giving them to. So far it's worked well.Once again you must do what is best for you. Receiving abuse because you want to give knives away is unbelievable to me......A shame that the vast majority must suffer because of a few selfish, disgraceful people. However you do not need that crap in your life.
Thank you for all that you do here. Our community would be much reduced without you ...........Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and all at Kershaw/ZT

What's with all this fallout from good intentions turning bad? Are we reacting in a right manner with our decisions in theses cases?
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