Will We Rebuild, Or Will We Fade Away?

I am one sad squirrel. Feels like Jerry and Dan created a community here, and then yanked the rug out from under us

I know everyone has different seasons in their lives. But it wouldn't take that much to keep the Yard going. Not everyone can afford Busse Combat blades--especially at current prices. Seeing the Swamp disappear made me sad. Watching this place slowly die is also a real shame.

Jerry and Dan did a LOT of work to get their blades out there. They established a SOLID brand. They built a reputation of getting quality blades at different price points so everyone could afford a high-quality blade. They developed one of the most rabidly loyal customer bases I've ever seen. Why let it die?

They have by now trained up numerous blade smiths. They built a great supply chain. If Jerry and Dan want to move on, or into other endeavors, I completely understand. They have done solid work and deserve to do whatever they want at this point.

It just seems a shame to do this to customers that have stood by the company through thick and thin. Almost feels like a slap in the face. Pretty much all of my fixed blade knife budget for more than a decade has been spent on these knives. Lots of people have spent far more for far longer supporting this brand and company.

I don't want Jerry or Dan to keep doing something they don't want to, but why let the company--one of the best knife companies ever--slowly fade into obscurity and oblivion? Why not train up replacements?

I have to believe that the people working there like making knives. Seems like they have people who'd be willing to take this on. Remember Eric at the Swamp? I don't know the whole story and don't want to, but if there are people willing to help and wanting to keep building the company up and manage customer relations, why not let them?

If and when Jerry and Dan want to retire, hopefully they'd stay on as creative advisors and guarantors of Busse quality. But why alienate the hundreds or thousands of dedicated customers?

Do they, understand the magnitude of what they created here? It really has been something special. I have never come across anything else remotely close to this place.

The community here has buoyed me up over countless challenges. We came for the knives. We stayed for the people, united by our love of steel, outdoors, community, friendship, the company of good people, and the connection we've found with each other. This was more than a company. The owners would chat with us. They connected with us. It became a home.

I had to stop buying knives regularly--kids growing up need funding, knife pricess rising beyond that which I could afford, etc--but I still came here. I still introduced friends to these knives and encouraged them to own them.

Then things stopped. Knives stopped. Company employees and owners stopped dropping by. Communication stopped. And so, many of us simply stopped coming here so often too. It's hard to remain loyal if you are neglected

Not my company, but I tend to think that was a mistake. The Yard succeeded because of that loyalty. That loyalty existed because we felt connected to the company in a personal way. Remove that, and we go from loyal community to a transactional business. Raise the prices too much, and without the personal loyalty that might have swayed people to buy these knives sales suffer. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the Yard is still going great guns. Maybe Busse is making up for lost sales from the Yard and Swamp with increased sales of Busse Combat. I don't know. If it is, fantastic. If this was just the unprofitable stepchild, I can understand. If its a business decision, OK. The wheels of capitalism keep rolling and making this country great. I'll get over it.

I do know I miss the Yard and the Swamp. I think we COULD return to the community we had, but it would take commitment. I know Dan has A LOT going on. Put someone over the day-to-day. Someone with the authority to make decisions. Someone we know 1) is in charge; 2) cares; 3) will talk with us regularly. We need to know what's going on. We need reasons to be excited, and draw people here on a regular basis. The more people are here, the better this place becomes.

I don't want Dan to leave. I hope he is healthy. I hope he comes here often. I'd love to see him oversee a "relaunch" to build this forum and brand back up. But if that's not on his cards right now, I get it. Maybe designate someone to run this forum and brand in his stead, or under his supervision.

It seems a shame to let what's happening to the company happen to the company...

That's one squirrel's opinion anyway...

Well said.

Problem is, I think, what Eric ran into; the company name is Busse, and they keep tight control. I don't think anyone other than a Busse will be in charge of one of their companies.

Yes, I feel like the rug was pulled out from under us as well.

I agree with Ray DT. THIS is how WE ALL feel.

I like ALL my Busse kin blades. BUT the ones that will forever have a special place in me heart are those that were gifted to me. NOT because they were free to me, but because strangers that have became like brothers gave up THEIR money for someone they have never actually met.

LONG live the Brotherhood of the yard!

Since nothing has came out in a while I have been forced to spend my hard earned money (Ok, I'm retired, YOUR money) on a Keurig mini Patty bought me and pods to go with it. But in al fairness I have to say that Patty is also enjoying it. She's buying the hot chocolate pods.

Hey at least I've progressed from instant coffee.

Well, that IS a big step for you Randy!

I get that they want control the name and brand... But at some point maybe think about selling it off and our retiring. There has to be a succession plan. Unless the plan is what we are seeing now...

I figure they are both to young to retire. Planning for it sure, but actually retiring, a long way off.

I believe Dan is 61 and Jerry is 59, but they probably would like to retire early. I thought that perhaps Dan's son Mike would eventually fill in the gaps.

Don't fade sway! Business, travel and family has kept me away. Not to mention some scrambled passwords for all my logins.

I couldn't login and just gave up for a long while. I then did some digging in the old backup files and decided to Maya visit. The store was empty and the forum was down for me. I decided to wait a few days... same thing. And then the sane thing again.

I come back and some familiar avatars are posting still. I felt a wave of nostalgia.

What ever happens, please accept my thanks for being what I can call great people to chat with.

... Duplicate

We're all hoping that we can keep this gathering place of like-minded souls. Although it sure would be nice if they could get some of the glitches corrected!

AMEN to both Tom and adnj!

And that is the sermon for today.

Well Dan has his teaching gig also maybe Garth would take over the business, jerry might be a "part owner". He seems the most ready to do so. Also I love O2W but it has slowed down over at BF not just here...

MM

I don't see anyone but a Busse running the show. Garth can have a new title with more money, but it will still be controlled by a Busse.

Well said DT, hopefully it won't fade away, but it doesn't look good. I don't know why just a few months back Dan asked us to vote for our favorite scrapyard knives and tell us soon they would have the top four knives on sale at all times on here. But maybe something happened to that idea. You would think if things changed he would have let us know, but everything is top secret in busse land.

We need a "mole" in Wauseon!

I think we need devine intervention.

Hi Ian!

Divine intervention would certainly help!!!

I doubt that could even happen. The busse compound's security is tighter than fort knox.

True.

Well, they could hire me. I need a job and will be homeless next month unless something dramatic happens. I grew up in Toledo, so not to unfamiliar with the area and enjoy posting on forums. I know nothing about making knives though, except for what I learned on Forged with Fire.

Well Ted, that's a start.

Ted, YOU could run their I T division!

Good idea!

The Swamp forum is located at Bladeforums and is slowly but surely gaining momentum. I hope the Yard gets all situated at Bladeforums as well, and we can get back to being Scrap Yard.

The Swamp forum is located at Bladeforums and is slowly but surely gaining momentum. I hope the Yard gets all situated at Bladeforums as well, and we can get back to being Scrap Yard.

I haven't stopped by in a very, very long time. I was active in BF for a few years but life and a 3 year old have taken me away from online endeavors (a very good thing)

I'm sad to see this site disappearing, but I have to share that I've gradually turned my back on Bussey and Kin over the last 12 months. The blades are entirely too expensive and the availability is atrocious. I know I'm not alone in that assessment.

I want to wish all of you fine people the best in all that you do. Take care and God bless.

Thank you D/F. However, even if you're not buying knives we still enjoy the kinship of our fellow Dogs, so please don't just disappear on us. We're always glad to talk with each other.

Well here goes another try. HOPEFULLY it will work this time.

Now if it would just start working correctly.

Well, even though the forum still goofy it's still nice to hear from folks again.

Back again!

I agree with that. Now if we could just get all the old regular SYKCO dogs posting it would be a Wonderful Day In the Neighborhood.

You tell em' Mister Rogers!

I decided to stop by but fully expected to find the site permanently offline.

I remember when Andy the Aussie quit this forum. He showed his true nature (a pedantic and arrogant prick) by basically accusing everyone left here of expecting "special attention" from the Busse family. Well, good riddens to Andy the A******.

In my not so humble opinion, the Swamp and this forum helped the Busse brothers (and wife or whatever Amy is) build a brand and sell products.

If they are planning on retiring ... GOOD FOR THEM! I don't blame them one bit as I fully plan on retiring WELL before I turn 65. HOWEVER, I do feel like they've ignored their core customer base (that was instrumental in growing their brand).

I will never buy another Busse product (especially at their current prices and goofy BUD-K looking designs).

My recommendation is we find another forum.

I'm getting error messages and it says my posts aren't getting through. Obviously they are.

Tom ... disregard my IM.

Gary, I'm glad that you got through!

About 10 days ago Dan Busse called me and we had a nice long discussion. Seems that you can't just fire one forum host and switch to another quickly...technical "Geek" stuff. He pointed out that the Swamp is operating over at Bladeforums, and eventually the Yard will too. I myself have been posting at the Swamp, so I know that it's working. In time the Yard shoulod be at Bladeforums as well, listed under the "Manufacturers'Forums" .

As far as some other members goes, it pays to have a "thick skin". Most of us can get heated at one time or another.

Tom,
I've been banned from two forums for "telling it like I see it". I can't fault Andy for doing the same, but I did disagree with this position and felt it was a personal attack on us (more than a general perception of the situation).

Yep, we all get hot in life and online.

Brother, do I know THAT! It has taken me a lot of years to cool down.

I'm a little disappointed there because, well, you can.

Switching hosts takes some technical work but is straight forward. Speaking from extensive experience here.

A case a beer, a credit card, and a decent day of work would see it done... That is part of what makes me sad here. An easily resolved problem that has stretched many months now.

I guess the one caveat would be an extremely bad contract with one location. Although worst case I'd expect to be paying for two hosts for a bit which I think would be less damaging than the loss of clients this forum is likely causing.

I'm not really computer savvy, so I don't know. It's too easy to second guess the situation without knowing all the facts. I'm still trusting the Busses to get it squared away, keeping in mind that their first line of business is making and selling knives. I have NO idea of the expense of hosting forums or what all is involved.

When my company had to switch our hosting over it took 4 hours. My in-house IT guy coordinated the activity and was posting new content the same day.

If its a priority it is a one day operation.

Very interesting.

Very interesting.

Very interesting.

^^^ Posting error.

I find it best to strip down to my skivvies and sit in front of a fan when I get overheated

But yes, I generally agree with Gary...

Good morning Yard.

If a business site goes down it should be up by the end of the day or at the very latest the next day.

MM

..... annnndddddddd ..... thank you for THAT mental image.

HHmmm....

^^^Good one!!!!

I couldn't help but picture you thoughtfully stroking your chin while posting that... hehe

I KNOW I'm hot. Patty tells me that every day!

Aaaaarg. When I saw the 19th date here I thought, OH BOY, we're back in business. Alas, nope! still gotta post, get an error page, click "Back" then go to the forums main page and back to the thread. Oh well, at least I can post again.

I think we ALL have to do the same thing to post. I sure will be glad when they get this forum back up to snuff!