For the last 25 years, my wife Patti and I have been making and producing this buckle. Some of you know that I invented it in 1998 and have been making our living with this one product for 25 years now. Covid and the supply chain have had a big effect on my small business. Most of the events that we sold at were canceled for 2 years. The timing of supplies is impossible to anticipate. The stainless steel I use is harder to come by. The laser I used is now unavailable because the company went out of business. The guy that does my welding is now pulling weeds around the neighborhood because I have nothing for him to weld. And because I'm turning 70 next year and my hands are wearing out, along with the situation these days, we are deciding to call it quits. We will continue to supply replacement knives and do any repairs, but we will be selling out of holsters this Xmas. Lots of designs are already sold out including plain. Patti and I want to thank all who supported us at sporting expos, rodeos, fishing tournaments, etc., and for the last 20 years of mostly motorcycle rallies and runs across the nation. A party every week. What a great time we had. Thanks for all the support. I hope we live long enough to remember the good times.
We posted this notice last week and sold out 4 months of stock in six days. We officially retired. Thanks again to all who have supported us for the last quarter century. Over 100,000 (heirlooms now) were produced out of our shop at our home...Who would have thunk? What memories you all have left us with. What a ride!!!
We wish it weren't so… But… The company that made our blade has gone out of business and has closed its doors. They returned our money and told us last month. No more knives. Covid really affected everything about our business even though we manufactured our buckle right at our home with our friends working here and selling at craft fairs, sportsman expos, rodeos, and motorcycle events all around the United States, plus lots of overseas sales from around the world. The specific type of stainless steel I used became almost impossible to receive with any regularity. Our magnet company went out of business. It really destroyed lots of businesses worldwide. I'm sure everyone feels it somewhere.
The good news for Patti and me… We were ready to retire anyway -Twenty-five good years in a row. I made you all a promise when I sold you my buckle. I guaranteed that my buckle would last till the earth stopped spinning and if you could break it, prove it. That guarantee still stands. If you break anything (except the tip of the blade) I'll still be here to do any repairs…Just no more replacement knives. So from now on, for any repair work, send it to us.
UNLIKE MOST, PO Box 124, Wilseyville, CA 95257.
Be sure to include your return address, name and phone number. Again… Thanks for all the support and great times.