Gauging interest in a custom scuttle group buy

[WastedResources]

I have a friend who is a potter. His name is James Wolberg. He prefers to do art for museums and galleries, but a guy has to make a living too. Here are a few of his pieces: http://design.wlogix.com/james_wolberg_ceramics/

I would like to commission him to make a batch of scuttles. Would you like to get in on this?

Here's what I want you to know:

• The pieces will be made by hand, not poured into a mold.
• I will control the design of the piece, but James will glaze them as he sees fit.
• This will take a while. If we get the ball rolling now, we should have these before Christmas.
• We will have to pay for the materials up front. You'll have to pay the remainder to receive your scuttle.
• I am only gauging interest at this time. This is not an order form.
• I do not intend to become a pottery salesman, so this is your chance.

Here's what I want to know from you:

• Do you currently own a scuttle? If so, which one, and what do you like/dislike about it?
• Are you interested in a custom scuttle?
• These will be similar to the Georgetown Pottery scuttles (one piece). If you have any issues with them, now is your chance to tell me.
• Would you rather/also have a shaving bowl?

I need to know how many people are interested so that I can get a cost estimate per scuttle and a better timeframe for delivery. PM me if you need to.

-Adrian

 

[Zatx Woopyoax]

I'm nobody around here, so my opinion may not matter but, I'd take a pass on this.

Here are the reasons:

- Up front costs. I understand the reason, but its a deal breaker.
- It isn't being made my Julie at Dirty Bird Pottery.
- I dislike one piece scuttles.

Group buys are going to have to appeal to the biggest group of people to garner enough interest. I haven't been a member for long so I could (and probably am) completely wrong, but I'd say we were split into two groups, face latherer and bowl latherer. If you are going to do a group buy why not have the scuttle be a brush scuttle? The common denominator is the brush, just about everyone uses one.

Good luck on the idea!

 

[WastedResources]

Hey, if no one wants one, I'm cool with it. The money for materials would be laughable. We're talking about a handful of clay and a little glaze. Like I said, I'm not going into business here. I simply have a friend who makes some pretty nice pottery, who would design a one-piece scuttle to our specs. Like I said, he does installation artwork and custom sinks. He's not going to be selling these in a Web store.

If the deposit is what's scaring you off, just let me know. I really just want to know how many I should have him produce. If the answer is one, then it is one.

 

[dpmtherrien]

I would be interested. Would they all be the same color? Or could you request a color?

 

[WastedResources]

I would be interested. Would they all be the same color? Or could you request a color?

I don't see anything wrong with requesting a color.

 

[Gruder]

Just a quick FYI: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=142725

 

[WastedResources]

Just a quick FYI: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=142725

Already sent him a message. Thanks for the note.

 

[bradyarz]

so i understand the materials might not cost much...
but what kind of $$ are we looking at as far as his time/creativity/expertise?

i don't want to say yes to $15 in materials then find out i owe another $100 right before Christmas.

 

[johnniegold]

Already sent him a message. Thanks for the note.

Response sent.

 

[WastedResources]

i don't want to say yes to $15 in materials then find out i owe another $100 right before Christmas.

He knows that Dirty Bird and Georgetown sell theirs for around $50. I too do not want to spend $100 on a scuttle. I'll know the full cost before I place the order.

 

[ibrewbeer]

I too would be interested but I would have to know the final cost before even considering

 

[bradyarz]

He knows that Dirty Bird and Georgetown sell theirs for around $50. I too do not want to spend $100 on a scuttle. I'll know the full cost before I place the order.

does this mean that with a group buy we would be looking at sub-$50? if so, i would lean toward yes, but i'm not quite sold yet...

 

[Vlad]

I'm probably going to purchase my first scuttle after the summer, so I would be interested. That said, it would have to beat DB or the G5 (I'm leaning G5, mainly on aesthetics). I don't think I would be willing to put any money on it before I heard reviews from other B&Bers, preferable half a dozen guys who have used scuttles before.

Hard to give it real consideration in the abstract. Maybe if we saw a prototype of some kind.

 

[WastedResources]

Hard to give it real consideration in the abstract. Maybe if we saw a prototype of some kind.

I'd definitely have a prototype mocked up.

 

[fidjit]

I'd definitely have a prototype mocked up.

Adrian, don't know if this will assist but here's the "trials and tribulations" of creating the B&B GSL Panogana Scuttle

 

[Uncle Erik]

Interesting, for sure, but I'd like to see a prototype before committing to anything. Why don't you have a few worked up and then maybe circulate them through the community to see how people react to it? I get the feeling that a bit of R&D is needed in scuttle design.

Currently, I own a DB 1.5 and a large Moss. Both are excellent.

 

[dpm802]

I might be interested in joining this group buy, pending a look at the prototype(s).

Is James Wolberg himself a wet-shaver? If he is, I think it would make his final design that much better, since he will understand exactly what needs to go into it.

Although everyone seems to be pitching an under $50 clone of the DB or Gtown scuttles, let him take a look at the Schvarzweisskeramik line as well. If he could do something like that for around $65, I think it would sell extremely well.

The Col. Conk apothecary mug is a cool design, as well as their mug with the soap on top and a big scoop for the brush. Add a double wall to keep the water insulated, and you've got a real winner.

I forget who makes it, but there's a "square" scuttle out there, with the soap on top and drain holes for excess water ... it would be really easy to mass-produce, since its a slab design.

Ask him if he might like to try his hand at razor and brush stands, too.

How large of a batch order needs to be placed to make it worthwhile for the potter?

 

[shamus]

I currently don't have a scuttle.

I would be interested if the scuttle was heavy ceramic, had a large area for lather, could hold a nice amount of boiling water, the price was in sub $50 range and came in a variety of colors.

For nice hot lather, I currently use a Large Soup Mug that fits well into a heavy stainless steel bowl. But in the summer time I intend to face lather with creams and a badger brush for a change of pace.

I would like first to see the prototype before I made a commitment.

 

[fidjit]

Is James Wolberg himself a wet-shaver? If he is, I think it would make his final design that much better, since he will understand exactly what needs to go into it.

Agreed but not absolutely necessary.......

I first started corresponding with Bill from Panogana Pottery via email and phone. He was very enthusiastic, did a heap of research on DBs, Mosses etc. asked me heaps of questions..........

The first time I met him was after he'd finished his first prototype scuttle. When I went out to see him I took out a razor, some blades and a brush to PIF him. Guess what ? Turns out he runs a full beard

His enthusiasm and passion for his art certainly didn't stop us from coming up with a nice finished product.

He did mention he had his dad's straights tucked away so maybe one day I'll manage to "turn" him.

 

[rickboone1]

I'd be up for a shaving bowl too.

Heat retention it needs. Grooves are nice. Not too deep, not too shallow. That goes for bowl or scuttle. Two pieces are nice, but that's because that is what we know. A one piece may work.

If, say for group buy, with no knowledge of these products I wouldn't pay very much for it.

But, if a few are made and tested and reported well on the findings, I'd be willing to pay more. The potter may want to employ a handful of beta testers.