I gotta admit, I've been trying to keep a light humour about it all and make some jokes to get a cheerful attitude going amongst us all, but even I'm starting to feel a mite "ticked", to put it politely for the forum.

I even mailed Patti last week, concerning a possibility of getting an order done for Canadian military members, inquiring about the minimum number we'd have to order to get one shipped to us, and so forth. All I got was an automated message saying they'd get back to me on Monday; well, it's Friday, and I've seen no response from them. I wasn't looking for an immediate answer, but a message saying "we'll look into it and get back to you.", would've been nice.

I don't want to send a PM, because it seems more appropriate that it should be used by those that need an immediate response concerning warranty work, etc. I gotta say though, it's starting to wear on me too, guys.

I still love SYK knives, but this silence is really hard to take. My "Canadian patience" is being really put to the test.

Vic,

I have to concur on a lot of your sentiments.

The mystery, BS (and lack of "relevant" participation by "key" people) isn't really fun to me... here or the other Busse and kin forums. To me, it is annoying and frustrating. I don't like being toyed with and feeling like a puppet..........

I am in a financial bind right now. So, I don't even want anymore temptations in front of me right now. But, I know I am unique in my need to not spend money and that most dogs have been dying for something for way too long. But, I still like seeing my fellow dogs get excited about new things and at "least" having something new to talk about.

I don't remember the exact time frames, but it seems the production/releases for the Dogs has been abysmal for a long time.

In my mind, the last "True" release was the DFLE and that was a LONG time ago.

The Dumpster Mutt variations were overdone a little (could have been spread out with more variety in between <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> )and the last shipment of those was delayed beyond normally excepted time frames. I didn't have one on order, but I felt bad for those dogs who did.

The MPLE was only released at Blade...... so far. I thought I understood it was to be released online. I think it is a good knife. I am lucky I proxied for two. If I hadn't, I would be even more dissappointed for yet another delayed release. As it is, I feel for my brother dogs (again) for not getting scraps.


But, aside from actual production and releases, I think the worst part is apparent lack of participation and interest from our Lead Dog. I have to feel he has found something more important to do. I assume helping with INFI orders (????) or something (????)

Dan, I know you popped in here a few times recently, but you haven't given us much. And what you gave us was just "another" tease with an indication of more info to follow within a given time frame and then didn't bother to get back to the dogs.

I started being a regular on this forum more than the Swamp Rat forum "because" Dan was here in the early days and was actively discussing knife stuff with us. I like (liked) the interaction with the Lead Dog. Those days have long gone.

I guess Jerry has a formula that seems to (somehow) be working for him over on the Busse forum. Pop in, make a tease remark, let the hogs get worked up, then spring some treat on them - and post his signature...... "Let's Drink". Let me go on record to say that the constant referrances to getting "drunk" are getting old to me. I won't take this time to write a lot of my feelings about the apparent weaknesses (apparent inability to cope with reality and/or desire to avoid reality) associated with the mentallity of "Trying" to get drunk. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Jerry has a formula that has created a TON of mystique that has helped him sell a ton of knives. I assume there is some effort to duplicate that mystique here.

But, to be honest, I personally highly prefer good interaction and worthy information with the Lead Dog vs. riddles (red-herrings), teases and games. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

I like this forum because of the people and discussions here. But, understandably, we are bound to "some" degree to narrow the focus of what we "should" talk about. But, the knives and disucussions about SYKCO with the Lead Dog are not here enough. Conversations get redundant.
Mystique is only a small fraction of a working formula and will only carry so far. Gotta have something new (and "Real") to talk about or we fade away.

I like being able to communicate with Mike on Bark River's forum and his constant updating and providing info about constantly coming knives and answering questions. Mike actually releases more knives than I can handle. My backlogged wish list is getting deep for Barkies. I am not really so backed up on Scrap Yard knives. But, I feel for a lot of the new guys "Trying" to get started. I know it is likely frustrating to be wanting your first Scrap Yard or Swamp Rat knife and have to keep waiting.

I remember when I first found out about Swamp Rat and was DYING to get my hands on a Bog Dog and a Dog Skinner. I eventually scored a Bog Dog on the secondary market, but then as much as now, I didn't want to get gouged on the secondary market and would rather purchase from the maker. It can be a painful process around here.
I eventually scored a Dog Skinner as well, but I honestly didn't like the way the handle felt. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

In any event, unlike here, Jerry "usually" can and does follow up his teases with some sort of "News" with "something" newsworthy.

I thought the Swamp Rat releases were getting far and few between. I guess they might be releasing something every 4-6 months now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

.........But, as bad as that seems, Swamp Releases seems more common than Scrap Yard.

I have felt for a long time that the primary intent for Scrap Yard and Swamp Rat was more of a way to hook people into higher priced Busse knives.

But, I still see Busse knives as being way too expensive in most cases with the occassional design/price combination being hard to resist. That is why (IMO) many Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard knives sold well in the past. You "could" get a good knife at a more reasonable price.

However, regardless what I feel about pricing, Busse and high dollar INFI still seem to be selling best. And INFI obviously seems to be what is putting the most money into Jerry's bank account. So, I think the "Big Picture" still indicates Busse/INFI gets 1st Priority...... as indicated by the MANY releases of INFI compared to very little Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard releases.

Maybe the writing is on the wall.....


-------------

In all fairness to Dan, Dan and Jerry are usually very careful in their choice and use of words.

Dan has mentioned: ""


----------------

If you break down Dan's post, you will see that Dan said:

1) "I ensure you that ScrapYard will continue to lead the Performance to Price Ratio" - Good to hear..... But, clearly no mention of improvement on quatities of Scrap Yard knives increasing or release intervals increasing.

2) "I will make an announcement as well as share some of the plan before the week is out." - Well..... Dan didn't make his announcement "before the week was out". But, he did announce Renee and for all we know, that may have been "sharing" some of the "Plan" that Dan said he had been working on (????).

3) "address your needs" - carefully followed with "... at least at the blade level." - This is where we might just have to get subjective a little. "Needs" might be subject to interpretation. "Needs" in itself can't possibly imply "need" for knives. Knives are "wants". There are many of us here and no doubt have different "wants". But, from a from a business perspective, it is common to assume that a business "needs" to have a go to person. So, again, maybe Renee is the answer to having someone available to "Address our needs" for customer service type stuff.... (????)


4) Then finally, Dan mentioned: "I also sense a bowl in the Yard." - But, notice that part was carefully set aside from the paragraph mentioning "make an announcement" and "before the week is out". - So, "maybe" Dan intended to announce Renee last week and was delayed for some reason. And if Renee was in fact the announcement Dan was referring to, then there may not be any intended knife release for some time. The sensing of a "bowl" may NOT have been related to the "before the week is out" comment and may be a relative Busse time frame thing. Could be months for any "bowl" for all we know.


So, we probably can break down Dan's comments and give him (more or less) benefit of doubt for staying true to his word. Dan and Jerry both have a history of giving you just enough info worded in just a way where the forums "run with it" and twist it into all kinds of possibilities.


Kind of like opening a can or zip-lock bag in the "area" that the dogs get their treats that "sounds" a LOT like a can or bag that the dogs get excited about.... But, maybe not what the dog was hoping for or going to get. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> Nevertheless, the Dogs are going to go crazy doing "getting a treat" dances. Some people like to do this to their dogs just to watch them go crazy. Some people think it is fun. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />


In the end, it seems...., most of what is going on here is just a bunch of us sitting around our computers, talking about stuff, sometimes trying to make it about knife stuff, sometimes about Scrap Yard stuff, re-hash a LOT of conversations over and over,..... biding time and "hoping" for "something". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" />


I grow weary and can't help but question my use of time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />


-------------------------------






"I've got electric light.
And I've got second sight.
And amazing powers of observation.
And that is how I know
When I try to get through
On the telephone to you
There'll be nobody home."

---------

"Day after day, love turns grey
Like the skin of a dying man.
Night after night, we pretend its all right
But I have grown older and
You have grown colder and
Nothing is very much fun any more."

-------

"What shall we use
To fill the empty spaces
Where we used to talk?
How shall I fill
The final places?"

-------


"All alone, or in two's,
The ones who really love you
Walk up and down outside the wall.
Some hand in hand
And some gathered together in bands.
The bleeding hearts and artists
Make their stand.

And when they've given you their all
Some stagger and fall, after all it's not easy
Banging your heart against some mad bugger's wall."


--------


"Showing feelings of an almost human nature;
This will not do."

-------









I will try to refrain from quoting Goodbye Cruel World.... for now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />



.

KG,

Hey man, keep cool, the forum is friendly, guys here are very pleasant, there are lot of fun, good stories and nice tips and pics. Don't come here for knives as it seems that SY is more focussed on getting drunked than anything but all people here deserve the time you spent here. Keep on going here for the fun. There are so many place where you can find knives, but here you can find dreams and nice dreamers.

Cheers

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It's just as well Dan is only interested in large (huge?) military contracts.. Losing Vic and KG from this forum is going to make it little use (no knives to buy) and not very interesting; check out all the good reviews and long high quality posts.. It's almost all Vic and KG...

Dan, wake up! The Yard is going down...

AND IT'S A BLOODY SHAME!



S6 FOR EVER...

I saw where Vic posted that he canceled his NMBM order on BladeForums and wondered if more was going on. I now see that it is. After discussions earlier this year, I expected a bit of Glasnost by now, but admit to feeling as deeply in the dark as ever. However, I think the Yard is every bit as much a social place as a place to buy knives.

If Tom hadn't been so kind as to hook me up when he went to Blade, I'd have nothing since the initial release of DMDCs. Also, it's certainly frustrating when periodic crackdowns about discussing other knife brands and models occur when so little has been released to talk about otherwise. It's been a long, dry Summer, but I still hope that that things will turn around and that folks will hang around for it.

I don't know enough about what's going on behind the curtains, so I don't want to make any assumptions, but I do strongly agree with you guys. It isn't hard to jump on for a few minutes to answer some questions, but like I said, who knows what's going on behind "Dumpster Dan". He has a family and personal life, could be a family emergency? I don't know, but I agree that something needs to change, and now we have Renee. Everyone just hang on a little longer.

Good point Mrpink! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Tuesday should be the telling story! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Ill miss your pics and reviews vic.

Ill still buy swamprat and some busses and enjoy the top notch customer suppport of ranger knives and others, but how many times has Dan said he'd let us know something how many times now, least 5 or 6 times...

Even if Dan did have a multi release, the foul taste in my mouth tells me to let him keep his knives and spend my money where its appreciated and where im not jerked around and treated 3rd class.

Sorry missed the reference, what's going on on Tuesday?

Renee will be back from her holiday week-end, and SHOULD tell us something! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Tom, I REALLY HOPE SO.. This is my favourite forum by a number of miles.. I don't want to see it go down the pan any more than you do!

I don't blame Vic for his decision one bit. A reasonable person (which he always seemed like to me) can only take so much for so long. I hope he returns to the forum at least if not as a SYKCO customer, but really, why should he?

As for the moderators, I have to think they're in a tough spot here. Sure, it's just another internet forum, and these are luxury items we're constantly talking/complaining about, but I think they must feel like they are in no win situation.

Trying to keep up moral, and dispense discipline at the same time is never an easy job. Add to that all the "mystery" and you've got yourself one hell of a job.