Thursday, August 22, 2013

New Run of WilkinsGRIP BMG X2 Grips

I've had quite a few emails lately from folks wanting more WilkinsGRIPs for their large Griptilian folders. I am working on a new run right now. Hopefully I will have these ready to sell by end of next week give or take.

The colors in the works are:

• Pale Green G11– these have been one of the most popular colors since I started
• Tan & Black Layered G10 – only a limited amount of G10 in this color on hand
• Toxic Lime Green & Black Layered – I'm changing how I mill these, the new ones will be black with Green highlights, light the Lava Flow grips in orange and black on my site
• Steel Grey & Black G10 – this is a NEW color for me!

I also plan a run in Titanium coming up as soon as I can manage to buy the titanium sheet.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Saturday Morning Report

I'm shipping the new WilkinsGRIP BMGmini Titanium grips. I still have some in stock, so have a look and drop me a line if you'd like a set. I am finishing these as ordered, rather than going ahead and doing some Fire Anodized and some Grey Ghost, etc. This way I don't end up with too many of one finish. It may mean that it takes me a day or two to finsih your grips and get the order out.

Also: I am including both black and stainless screws with all Titanium mini orders. Turns out it is easier to just shorten 4 screws instead of trying to keep track of who wants what. The first few orders went out with only the screws as requested, now everybody ordering gets both.

Looks like next up will be WilkinsGRIP D4 Titanium grips! Buyers of the D4 grips -- including one buyer associated with Spyderco -- have been very pleased with the way these grips transform the Delica4. I plan on the D4 grips becoming as much a part of my business as the BMGminis. As soon as I have time to get back to making the drawings and prototypes, I will finish the new WilkinsGRIP product for Spyderco's Endura series.

On another subject: Last year there was a lot of drama when real estate investors bought the commercial building complex where I been renting shop space for the last 9 years or so. Word was, they were kicking me and all the other tenants out to make way for luxury lofts. The new owner ended up delaying their plans for one year and extending my lease until the end of January 2014.

That year is almost up. I was able to finally speak with one of the managing directors of the investment company owners in June when he was touring the property with their architects and other partners. He told me straight out that I should expect no further extension of my lease and that they plan to convert the building to modernized office space and ... kick us all out. Evidently they plan to begin construction in the Spring.

I am doing everything possible to get exact information in writing from the managing company. So far without success. The real estate market in Berlin has gone insane and prices are insane. Not knowing what the immediate future will bring makes it impossible to plan. Should I invest in producing a new knife when I may not have a shop in which to finish the knives next year? I recently went ahead and bought a used Haas Mini Mill because I know I can resell it if I have to. But still, this shit is driving me crazy.

I am looking like mad for alternative locations for my shop, however there is a limit to what I can pay. It has become pretty obvious that it is practically impossible to find anything under €1000 per month. That is a lot of money for a small 100 square meter room and just about the limit I can even consider.

Light manufacturing is being destroyed in this city by real estate speculation. So many of the traditional commercial properties in Berlin that have housed light manufacturing have been converted to luxury lofts or to office space. Foreign investors are paying enormous prices. I cannot place my machinery in an apartment house or storefront, it must be commercial space suited for manufacturing. The other firms in my current complex -- most of whom have 4-8 employees -- are also under enormous pressure to find space where the rent will allow their businesses to survive.

So, wish me luck. Obviously this is also taking a lot of time. Time I could be better spending in the shop making products to sell. And of course, if anybody knows of some commercial space in Berlin ...

Friday, August 9, 2013

WilkinsGRIP BMGmini Titanium Grips are in Stock

I was able to obtain some very nice, brand new Grade 2 Titanium sheet with a fantastic orange peel texture. This run of BMGmini grips is available in three finish options. Choose from:

• Matte Grey Ghost – which is bead blasted and then tumble polished. This finish is very scratch forgiving for using knives
• Natural Titanium - these are machined and have the edges lightly polished, also making for a good user
• Fire Anodized Multi Color - these are natural titanium heated with a torch until the titanium takes on color, predominately blue. Each set will vary slightly as they are individually heated

And all three finish options come with your choice of either a Black hardcoat anodized Alu spacer or a Blood Red anodized Alu spacer. Buyers can also choose either black spacer screws (as shown in these pics) or stainless screws.

If you'd like a set, send me an email. It may take a few extra days to ship as I will be finishing these as they are ordered.

Price:
€178.50 for orders shipping inside the EU 
€150 for orders shipping outside the European Union
EU orders include 19% German Sales tax
Insured Shipping:
€7 to Germany, €10 to Most of the Rest of the World

Thanks to everyone for your patience and support!

Grey Ghost Titanium




Natural Titanium



Fire Anodized Multi Color


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

New Run of WilkinsGRIP D4 grips for Spyderco's Delica 4 Series

I finished up a batch of new WilkinsGRIP D4 grips machined from three different types of G10. These are in stock and ready to ship. All feature spacers machined from black G10 with a press fit steel cross pin and 7 slot head stainless screws.

About the screws: You will need to reuse the Pivot screw and washer included with your Delica when installing the D4 gripset. You may reuse the original button head Torx screws OR you may use the new screws supplied with the D4 kit for the three grip screws and lock bar screw. You must use the new screws when installing the pocket clip as the original screws are too short.

I am including a RECA Norm high quality slot screwdriver free with each order of D4 grips while screwdriver supplies last!

Each WilkinsGRIP D4 gripset shown here costs €113.05 for orders shipping inside the European Union (€95 for orders shipping outside the EU) Shipping is additional, €7 inside Germany, €10 to Most of the Rest of the World.

First up is Coarse Black Textured G10



Next up: Toxic Lime Green G10





And Military Olive Drab Green