M&F Group Buy update

[oldtrout]

Ken, we all appreciate the time and effort you are putting in to make this happen.

While you're at it, would you mind packing up some KC BBQ'ed ribs in dry ice and FEDEXing to everyone who expressed interest in the brush?


Edit: I'm #1 (how did this happen?)

 

[bmurphy777]

Nice work, Ken. Just remember - no good deed goes unpunished. ;^ )

Edit to add: oldtrout and I are in some sort of time warp apparently!

 

[ChiefBroom]

Dear all,

Understandably, I've received a number or queries via PM regarding status of the M&F Group Buy project. For what it's worth, the reason I haven't been posting updates is that given the level of interest already established in the Gauging Interest thread, it didn't seem best to continue stimulating demand we might not be able to fully satisfy. But I offered the first week of April as the target for launch, and since that's going to slip a bit, I should let everyone know where we are and what to expect.

Where we are:

I've continued to have frequent contact with Lee, who is extremely busy but has been generous with his time and remarkably cooperative. We frequently exchange brief emails (he strictly uses an iPhone and iPad) and talk at length by phone at least once per week. He knocked out a pair of prototypes with two different knot shapes last week and sent them off for me to me to try out and decide which to go with. I checked tracking today and they're now with USPS (1st class), so I hope to have them by Saturday or Monday. Once that last decision is made, Lee will knot and ship a final prototype in the handle material we selected last week. My plan has been to put up the launch post as soon as I have that prototype in hand and can take photos to include in the post. Lee could obviously provide photos and cut out another week of waiting, but I'd rather hold off until I actually have the thing myself. At least I'm going to preserve that option for now.

I think Lee has gathered most of the hair he needs, and the handle material is supposed to be en route to him from Italy. When we talked on Tuesday night, he was going to check and confirm status on that front today or tomorrow. Net/net, everything appears to be falling into place, and shipping time for prototypes from London to KS is the predominant rate-limiting factor in relation to launch at this point. Unfortunately, fast delivery from the UK is prohibitively expensive.

What to expect:

When I launch, it will be in a new thread titled M&F Group Buy Official Launch (or something like that) in this Forum. The launch post will contain detailed instructions.

As to when the launch post might go up, sometime next week is possible, but the week after is more likely. And a fact to remember in this regard is that considerably more patience will be required after launch. Getting orders processed, handles turned and polished, knots made and inserted, and brushes packed, shipped, and delivered is going to take some time. But I expect the result to be worth the wait.

Thanks again for your interest and your patience.

 

[.soap.]

Chief - I was the very first to commit to a brush in the other thread, so let me be the very first to say....

Thank you for all your hard work, you're awesome!!!

 

[brucered]

Awesome news Ken. Sounds like its all coming along nicely.

Looking forward to seeing this one come to market.

Thanks for the detailed update

 

[P Funk]

Thanks for the update Ken!
Looks like your (and Lee's) hard work is enabling everything to fall in place nicely. Can't wait to see pics of the final prototype.

 

[random-hero]

Hey Bruce, it looks like I may be out of the sabbatical if i could get my hands on this brush

 

[spaceboy2001]

Thank you so much Ken for this up-date. I really appreciate the time and hard work you have put into this project.

 

[NSmalls]

How do I sign up?

 

[ChiefThunder]

Thanks for the update and hard work!

 

[prophetic_joe]

You are doing a great job Chief it is appreciated. Thanks for the update.

 

[ChiefBroom]

Hey Bruce, it looks like I may be out of the sabbatical if i could get my hands on this brush

How about this? Buy it for me as a gift in token of appreciation for my service as a Steward. Acceptance on my part would have to be a violation Group Buy Guidelines, ToU, and probably a bunch of other B&B Sacred Stuff. Being the righteous dude that I am, I'd obviously reject the gift, which would effectively result in its reversion to you. I've carefully reviewed Sabbatical Rules all the way back to 2009, and I can offer assurance that you should be allowed to remain a Sabbaticalian in good standing. And if the Sabbaticalian Cult were bold enough to eject you, you could sue on diverse Constitutional grounds claiming damages for emotional distress, etc. That should net you either a settlement or judgment sufficient to support SBAD for the rest of your life.

 

[spacegoast]

Thanks for the update Chief. Sounds like Lee is extremely busy, yet still finding time to make it happen for us. I am eagerly awaiting to see the product. Do you have pics of the 2 prototypes he sent you?

 

[ChiefBroom]

Thanks for the update Chief. Sounds like Lee is extremely busy, yet still finding time to make it happen for us. I am eagerly awaiting to see the product. Do you have pics of the 2 prototypes he sent you?

Yes

 

[vpayne]

Lee, hang tough. You're doing a great job. To thine own self be true...
Vic

 

[PFP_Dad]

Thanks for the update, I'm assure you your hard work is well appreciated.

 

[skleice]

Any clue's as to the handle material?

 

[ChiefBroom]

Thanks sincerely for all the thanks. But for what it's worth, this is about the most fun thing I have to do right now. You all have been great. Lee has been a joy. The project is a kick! And it will be highly satisfying to get done. I appreciate B&B's allowing me to do it.

It may not be a B&B LE, but it's only available here.

 

[ayodh]

Thanks for the update and all the work! I would hate to miss out on this brush!

 

[acissa]

Very cool. Thanks for the hard work Ken. Looking forward to seeing what this brush is like!