Amsterdam "gathering" - UK interest?

[Medium John]

Hullo Folks.
New boy here, but those of you from BB will recognise me, I'm also the organiser of the Leeds meet.
Seems to me, theres been a bit of a mix up. The UK meet was planned for march 5th, which is a sunday, but now it seems that that date coincedes with the Amsterdam meet.
It would be really nice to have Sal and the spyderco crew there, obviously, as we are admirers too, we are not trying to steal anyones dates.

Sal, on a side note, the reason we originally went for the 5th was because that was going to allow the greatest ammount of people to attend without taking time away from work.

MJ

[Chris_H]

I will take leave to cover both of these events if they're close enough together datewise.

YEE HAW!

[Gerard Breuker]

:o :o :o

It seems my previous post could be read as to imply less than honourable behaviour of some of our most esteemed British forumites for which I do apologize to all although it was unintentional. I am not used to being taken too seriously even in Dutch and it seems I made it worse by translating it to English in a inappropriate way. I rarely if ever post to offend anyone and I definitely wouldn't want to do it here.

I only meant to show I was surprised by the fact non of the Dutch forumites had posted yet while I had been looking forward to the next Amsterdam gathering since leaving the last (and my first) one and I thought the Dutch and others who would like to attend should show some enthusiasm for an opportunity to see and hold new :spyder: knives.

Let me finish by welcoming Medium John and saying that I hope there will be a Leeds gathering as well next year.

[Senate]

I'll try to spend the first week-end of march in A'dam! :D

what would I like to see?
anything shinny and new :)

[Ted]

Since I've had the pleasure of attending two of these gatherings - the best thing is hearing the stories behind the knives. But it's also great to be able to tell what you like and don't like about certain knives, and hear why certain things are done a certain way. It makes you appreciate the product more.

[Jurphaas]

Hi all - It is Murphey's law that always kicks in when you are away and unable to react to things going the wrong way. Sorry, Guys but March 5 is the date for the 3rd Amsterdam Spyderco Preview Show! The date has been set in accordance wth the travel itinerary of Sal. The location and conference room has been booked and confirmed. All information will be availble here very soon!
There will be no change possible. I have been asked by Sal to take care of the Amsterdam event and I was away from home for a couple of days. We believed that the British Blade forum showing would be possible on Friday March 3rd. Because of The Spyderco attendance at the IWA in Nürnberg, there is no other date possible.
Make it happen or be sorry. Some better behind the scene communications would have been of help.
Warmest Holiday greeting to all,
Jurphaas.

[UK KEN]

Jur

Thank you for clarifying the situation. Until now, Sal hadn't been able to let us know if or exactly when he would be able to visit the UK. It is pure coincidence that British Blades members had already planned a meeting of their own at the Royal Armouries on the 5th. I don't visit BB as often as I should and personally knew nothing of their plans.

I don't think that The General was aware that your arrangements had reached the stage they have or I'm sure he wouldn't have suggested a change of dates.

I have been working behind the scenes to try to make the :spyder: visit possible but until now wasn't aware of the exact date Sal had in mind. I spoke to some people at the Royal Armouries two months ago about the possibility of Sal's visit and have been offered a personal tour for the Spyderco team and guests. I have secured a meeting room in the centre of Leeds which, with everyone’s approval I will confirm as being needed on 3rd March.

I don't want to step on anyone's toes. I am prepared to do what ever it takes to make the UK meeting a successful one and apologise for any misunderstanding.

Regards, Ken

To save any further "conflict", the British Blades meet was never intended to include the Spyderco visit. It was only suggested yesterday by The General.
Ken

[sal]

My apologies for the confusion on the dates. Trying to coordinate the meets with the IWA show does complicate the situation.

As Jur mentioned, we had already planned the Amstermdam meet for the 5th of March because we have to head down to Nurberg around the 7th to set up the IWA show..

Since we can't be in two places at one time, we thought the 3rd might work out for Leeds. As Ken mentioned, there was some initial work done earlier in the year for a location. Spyderco would rent the location and provide what would be necessary, with a little organisational help from locals.

I'll get on BB as well to get input. I know the 3rd would be more difficult, but at this time, it is the best date. If it is not possible or there is insufficient interest, I guess we could postpone and make better plans for another date?

Current plans would be for Eric, Jur, Ed Schempp and myself to go into Leeds for the meet on the 3rd, fly to Amsterdam on the 4th, meet in Amsterdam on the 5th. I would meet with Distributors on the 2nd (UK) and 6th (Netherlands) so it's a tight schedule.

I would also appreciate any input on what to bring and what to discuss. Ed said he would do damascus chat. Eric and I would bring the concept models and prototypes of Spydercos and byrds going to IWA.

What else would be of interest?

sal

[The General]

Quite right, I had no idea that things were at the stage they were. I only suggested it would be great if the Spyderco visit crossed with the BB visit to the Leeds armoury.

I think a real problem is a lot of people might not be able to attend on a Friday. I am all for changing the date to the friday 3rd of March if people can make it? However I am not organising this event so it was only an idea.

I greatly regret the perception that we or the BB people tried to hijack this event. It is even more unfortunate that my home computer has been down the last few days and I have only just got it going again... though it is still unreliable. Thus I have been unable to do more than get quick glances at the various forums under my boss's watchful gaze. So I have been unable to put matters right till now.

[The General]

BTW I was responding to Kens comments in particular. I had not seen your post Sal till after posting.

[sal]

Hi General, I don't think there was any ill intended or any harm done.

The confusion was my fault.

Would later in the day on the 3rd be better?

sal

[The General]

Medium John is the origional organiser for the Leeds event, not me. That said Sal on BB Medium John has said that as the official organiser for the origional BB visit, he is... and I quote

"so we're going to change the dates, it's not like we haven't got the time.
If we make it March 3rd thats cool. Everyone thats interested, please sign on this thread so that I can work up a new list."

Now I would add that there is already a fair amount of interest and the thread is still young, I have no doubt people will make the time all things considered. After all, its suddenly got a lot more interesing in my opinion.

With all due respect to Medium John, I don't think he was expecting to organise what ever Sal and Co will need from the Leeds Armoury with regards to facilities etc. So, I guess someone needs to contact them and find out if there are facilites for the visit etc before we go getting exited...

Any takers?

[Chris_H]

For content...

It would be cool if you could bring some manufacturing "stuff" to show & demonstrate how our favorite tools are manufactured; some examples would be jigs, molds, etc. (whatever is small enough travel with & not be a hassle keeping track of).

How about bringing some of the other things that Spyderco does in creating a design/model -- concept art, CAD drawings, etc.? Also maybe some examples of the tests you perform -- some of the "broken" knives, paper from the CATRA machine, stuff like that.

[Jurphaas]

Hi guys - I am convinced that all confusion has been whipped out now and that we all have a clear understanding of Sal's schedule for early March. This schedule is the only reason why no change of dates is possible.
I am very sorry for those who can not be present on the gathering on Fryday March 3. This is really unfortunate and a completely unintended circumstance. I like to invite as many of you as possible to come over and grab the oportunity for this meet and greet and more.....
Still, I hope that the gesture made will find an enthousiastic Welcome with those able to come and show the strength of the Spyderco following in England.
Thank you all very much and we'll see each other in Leeds, on the 3rd of March, 2006.

Note: UK Ken - will you act as POC and coördinate things on your side? I'll get in touch with you soon to go thru all the datail.
Jurphaas.

[UK KEN]

Note: UK Ken - will you act as POC and coördinate things on your side? I'll get in touch with you soon to go thru all the datail.
Jurphaas.

II am happy to get more involved. The director of "concealed weapons" was waiting for me to get back to him with a definite date before we went further with possible plans. I will speak to Medium John on BB and see if I can be of some help.

The venue will depend on the size of the meeting so the sooner we know roughly how many people will attend the better.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Ken

[J D Wijbenga]

I would also appreciate any input on what to bring and what to discuss. Ed said he would do damascus chat. Eric and I would bring the concept models and prototypes of Spydercos and byrds going to IWA.

What else would be of interest?

sal

Hi Sal,

Thanks for another change of meting you and the Spyderco crew. If there is time and others are interested aswell, i would love to hear your, Eric' s and Ed's view on steel (e.g. big carbites and wear resistence vs. small carbited and hard edges, stainless vs. Carbon steel) and the finer points of sharpening.

Thanks,
JD

[Mr Blonde]

paper from the CATRA machine, stuff like that.

Chris, I can bring some paper from the CATRA machine, but it's for 'show' only, not for 'keeps'! :D

As for content...I'd love to learn more about how Eric achieves the incredible ergonomics in his designs. And lots of prototypes as in the previous shows would be very cool ofcourse.

I'm glad everything is resolved now.

Wouter

[Ted]

I would like to learn why certain things are done a certain way.

For example, on my 79mm Rescue, when I press the lock as far as it goes, the blade moves freely in and out.
On my 75mm Persian, it 'unlocks' when I press the lock, but not moves freely, but when I close the blade, the lock moves even further in the handle (more then I can press it).
And more 'why' like why where the kitchen knives discontinued - why is there no C86 clip-it? - What were FB06 & FB07 & FB11
Why do front-locks nearly always have a bit of vertical play?
Lot's of questions! :D

[sal]

Jur, we need to make arrangements for a paper flip chart or dry erase board. If I'm going to be explaining stuff like locks, I'll need to to draw pics.

sal

[Chris_H]

YEAH! Edge-ucation -- Dutch style...

Wouter -- of course, anything secured from :spyder: Mecca is to be hoarded! I completely understand.