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Revolutionary said:
Progunner said:You just listed some of the reasons I do not try to pedal my sheath making skills Mike. I don't have the time to devote to all of that stuff yet. My hat is off to all the guys who do and get the job done despite all the poo pooing.
Let me tell the uninitiated (ie those who have never made a leather or kydex sheath) it takes hours and hours of work to do a high quality leather sheath. From design to pattern, to cutting, assembly, stitching, coloring, burnishing, weather proofing and what ever, you are talking hours and hours.
This one took me over 80 hours to finish until I was satisfied I had it right and it was worth what I charged the guy. I'll let him chime in to say whether or not it was worth it.
Now that is for a guy who does a sheath once ever couple of months for leather. Kydex I can do faster, but a quality job still takes at least 5 hours from start to finish for a quality job. Sure I have slapped some together for my own use that took me a half an hour, but I sure as hell wouldn't sell them to someone else. Now you take Oku, he has a second job training our service men and women. I think that is a worthy use of his time and I applaud him for even continuing with sheath making and raising a family to boot. Dwayne works his fingers to the bone and I know he is busier than a one legged guy at a butt kicking contest, if he weren't you wouldn't see so many of his sheaths clothing our knives. Mike Bartol is my leather mentor and he not only does great work, but he takes the time to teach a newbie like me, enough time that I can create things like the one above. Semper Paratus, top notch and fast as hell. I ordered a set of sheaths from Dan and had them in two weeks or less. (oh yeah, Oku makes the kydex inserts for Dan on top of doing his own line).
I think our modern age has us spoiled. It is all too common to expect results and responses in seconds. Look at how agitated some folks get if they have to use dial up when they are used to broad band or DSL. I am guilty of the same thing sometimes. Just remember these folks value your business, don't think for one freaking minute that they don't. But if you come on here and bad mouth them, I wouldn't be surprised if you get put on their second string list, but I doubt any of them would think of being vindictive about it. If we have patience in the small things in life, then we we also have it for the great things my friends.
David Brown said:Never recieve one e-mail from you sir.
I never ignore anyone, & am very good about getting back to people.
Let me know what you need or at least let get your e-mail.
Progunner; nothing nice to say about me ? :^(
thatmguy said:
Revolutionary said:
)
Progunner said:I was speaking more toward the amount of time each sheath takes out of their day multiplied by the number of sheaths each has in process at the time. I am sure I would rather one of the guys working on my sheath and get it to me before I expected rather than them getting to an email. I am not saying it is this way with all folks, just giving my opinion and another point of view to consider. You have your own expectations when transacing business, like ever one else does. If you don't get the level of service and quality in a product than you expect then, you should voice it. At the same time, don't be surprised if some other folks feel your level of expectations to either be to strict one way or too lax the other. All personal point of view. As for any of them hiring someone to answer emails, being a guy who has 10 employees him self, I say to hell with that! If you are a one man shop the last thing you need is the headache of employee taxes and the like for someone to answer emails. If I ever get out of my current business situation, I swear to the good Lord, I will never have another damned employee as long as I live. (Sorry, that is a sore spot for me
Revolutionary said:
David Brown said:Did you try the e-mail address in my;
Profile?
Signature?
Web site?
They are all the same?
azgunnut@earthlink.net
It has been the same for 4 years? I do get 20 to 30 e-mails a day, & manage to make some sheaths.
Like Mike said before you go trying to trash someones reputation & assume someone is ignoring you , you may want to check & see if they are receiving the e-mails in the first place.
I would rather discus all this in a e-mail with you but your profile has no e-mail?
I already have about 7 full time employees. I understand completely what having employees does to your bottom line. If someone was being paid to take orders wouldn't that free up the sheath makers time to make more sheaths and add even more customers to his business and increase his profits. We are not talking about skilled labor here.thatmguy said:What I am getting at is an additional salary, benefits and taxes pal.
Ok, so you're self employed, why don't you go price out the market for someone to handle e-mails and correspondence, and see how much of YOUR salary that would eat up.
Get back to us with what you find out.
safong said:
Emoticons can only help so much.
