kit rae needs some carbon steel

[swordboy]

~X(is any one else here thinking that kit rae and united cutlery would do far better sales if they used carbon steel and made more swords that are suitable for cutting ???

I ask because I have spoken to some people on a few occasions :)] at both bud-k and united who feel the same and if I can raelly enough support;) they think that a limited run on some blades made to better standards would be possible ...... and if the trial run takes off well than a more permanit run could be do-able:Praying:

[Jason Moore]

Anything is possible, but kit rae is an artist. He gets paid for his designs, and the swords are for collection. I think any Kit Rae piece that would be functional would be for a ridiculous price... remember the Lord of the rings "functional swords"?

[swordboy]

yeah that was real crap ..... but a company called dark sword armoury makes a sword from lotr that is funtional for a desant price

[bobO]

I think he was referring to the prices, as I remember they where outrageous!

[swordboy]

yeah that was what I thought ...... and I thought that was crap:BS::horseplop:(the price thatis =) )


but the people I've spoken to think that a sub-$400 line would be possible

[illmade2]

The thing is UC doesn't need to change..they make their money on what they sell so why should they, in this market change is not a good thing...plus UC has recently came out with a line of functional kats ...and from what I've heard on other forums no one will buy them because they are UC and "all UC make is crap"

[Jason Moore]

Well UC actually went bankrupt and were bought by Budk some time ago. The only place UC stuff ever sold well was with budk so when they filed for bankruptcy, Budk snatched them up.

[illmade2]

Jason you're right, but bankruptcy often has more to do with "BUSINESS" than it has to do with business, when a company goes into voluntary bankruptcy it can have very little to do with it's share of the market.
UC didn't have a huge share of the historical sword market but it was one of the biggest knife whole sellers in the country.

[Jason Moore]

Well, I can tell you one thing, I am noticing less and less sellers carrying UC products and in fact, most of the top sellers no longer carry their stuff. Even their new functional line is not being picked up because budk (now the owner of that line) is selling them so cheap.

[swordboy]

the over all quality and Q.C. issues that plagued the company out of existance have improved greatly since the budk buy out ..... they aren't top of the line mind you but I own several budk/uc knives and there full tang line is amazing for the price ..... for example I bought a nine inch full tang boot knife for ten bucks and it is a really good knife you would be hard pressed to find better for under sixty bucks ..... so really when confronted with sales records from other companys and relatively low cost of upgrading to differant steel it makes no sence not to try getting a pice of the current market

[69NINJA]

Well, I can tell you one thing, I am noticing less and less sellers carrying UC products and in fact, most of the top sellers no longer carry their stuff. Even their new functional line is not being picked up because budk (now the owner of that line) is selling them so cheap.

The fuctional line, would that be Shinwa?

[Jason Moore]

I agree....but with budk's shinwa line, they are already tapping into the functional sword market.

Edit: I posted this before reading your post Ninja. UC has it's own functional line but I was not impressed when I held one. I will get them if demand becomes high, but I doubt it.

[Brian Brazier]

I am interested in seeing one of those Shinwa swords, I get their catolog and there are a couple that look nice, but I think they are probably like a Masahiro quality, anyone ever seen one or read a "real" review

[Jason Moore]

I had some customers call me and they all said they were not happy with them. Said they used substandard fittings and blades were not too sharp.

[Torawashi]

Jason; need you to start carrying Valiant Armoury's European line.......since Sonny Suttles took over there are big changes over there.......and the Gus Trim, Chris Fletcher designed line is really good.....course you probly already know this since you're an insider in the business, but I really really really need you to do this (bribe in the mail)......B-)

[Jason Moore]

Lol....

I already have an account there, so for the time being, if you need anything just tell me what.