As 2010 comes to and end, I reflect back and consider just how blessed I am. Even with the economy not doing well, I still have a great customer base that allows me to do what I love. For that I sincerely thank you all!!
2011 will bring some changes to my personal life and Blackwood Knives in general. I’m still in a holding pattern with selling my home and relocating my workshop. As many of you know, I’ve kept the bare minimum equipment set up required to make my folders. I CANNOT wait to have enough space for all my equipment with room to move around in a new workshop! My goal is also to have guest quarters for visiting customers. Having guest quarters and space to teach classes is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Overall……… For the beginning of 2011 things will remain as they are now but ready to move at a moments notice. For this reason, I will continue to accept very limited orders and build knives to spec for immediate, direct sale, as time permits. More updates as things unfold.
I really enjoyed two very successful knives over the past year, the Pimpsqueak and the Mini Skirmish. Due to the slow market, the smaller, less complex folders seemed to be a hit. I’m going to continue one and ride out this trend into 2011. I might also add another small folder model later this year and possibly do a limited run of full size Skirmish’s in a slightly redesigned “Version 11.0”. There will also be the odd fixed blade that gets turned out from time to time.
Once again, thank you all for your support and enthusiasm for my knives. Have a safe and happy new year.
Neil
