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Post by PaxAddict on Mar 4, 2015 20:13:48 GMT
Hey, folks.
For those who haven't yet had the opportunity, let me introduce myself. I am Michael Spaulding, long time admirer of metalsmithing, and a long time reader into what makes the legendary wootz steel what it is. I recently got out of the Military, and I'm finally in a place where I can participate in studying the science behind Wootz. I just need a little help getting there.
if this is something you would like to help fund, then please do! I have multiple reward levels that are fair and engaging! But if you cannot find directly and would like to help, then I simply ask that you help me spread the word!
This is your opportunity to own a piece of Modern Wootz steel at a very respectable price.
Please consider helping to fund this project. I look forward to your feedback!
Michael
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Mar 4, 2015 20:54:45 GMT
Worthy project, when I have some spare cash I will donate some...
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Post by PaxAddict on Mar 4, 2015 21:41:51 GMT
Worthy project, when I have some spare cash I will donate some... Thanks Luka! As a special service for members of the forum, any cutlery set rewards will include customization at no extra charge! Have a say in what your knife and fork (and spoon, with stretch goals) ultimately Look like! These stretch goals don't cost much more than other high quality custom forged cutlery sets, and have the added bonus of being made of Modern wootz steel! Cheers!
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Post by chrisperoni on Mar 4, 2015 23:21:13 GMT
First off congratulations on the soon 5th arrive baby!
This is a cool idea - I've never used kickstarter before - can PayPal be used?
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Post by PaxAddict on Mar 4, 2015 23:47:03 GMT
Hey, Chris! We're very excited about the baby. It'll be a full house come autumn.
I've used kickstarter for awhile, as a backer. This is my first time creating a project. They seem to be pretty well set up. They don't appear to have an option for PayPal, which I find odd. Perhaps since nothing is deducted until the project is completed and fully funded, they have an issue with the delayed payment system.
I hope you'll support us, though, even if it's just a few dollars! Every contribution helps!
Cheers
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Post by PaxAddict on Mar 5, 2015 17:03:42 GMT
Big news!
We were chosen as a kickstarter Staff Pick! This means we're showing up on the "New and Noteworthy" page, which is very exciting for us!
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on Mar 5, 2015 18:30:59 GMT
Not trying to start anything but do you are anyone you are working with have the skills to forge the items you say. What is your time limit to get these products to your backers.
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Post by chrisperoni on Mar 5, 2015 18:42:02 GMT
Says he's been making armor for some time so I would figure that work can translate to making cutlery?
Edit/add- just noticed a pic of some cutlery on the kickstarter page- I figure it's a pic of past work of Paxs
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Post by william m on Mar 5, 2015 19:32:09 GMT
Can we see the things you have made out of regular steel?
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Post by PaxAddict on Mar 5, 2015 22:29:41 GMT
Hey, guys! Sorry for the confusion, let me take a moment and clear things up. First is our credentials. My decade of armor work is in chainmaille, specifically. I haven't lain hammer to metal in about four years, when I took a couple classes out in VA in metalworking. I have done a few wire sculptures which included some wires about as thick as these pieces of cutlery, in significantly more intricate designs. My role in this is as the lead scientific mind, and apprentice in the shop. My partners in this endeavor, however, have more experience working metal. One makes tactical and survival gear (knives and machetes mostly) out of 5160 barstock, with paracord grips. He stopped doing this about two years back when he moved into an apartment and lost the workspace. The other is currently in school and is taking... Less primitive metal working classes. His experience is in newer technology, forming steel and working on projects on a larger scale.
None of us have experience working a foundry, however, but all three of us come from a background focused on safety and persistence. We are all capable at what we do, and a lot of that will translate when it comes to actually making small, simple pieces.
And the cutlery pictured is used, with permission, as a guide for our design, but we've decided to offer the option to discuss with us working on custom ideas
Thank you for the dialogue! I hope I've answered your questions.
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Post by PaxAddict on Mar 5, 2015 22:57:46 GMT
Not trying to start anything but do you are anyone you are working with have the skills to forge the items you say. What is your time limit to get these products to your backers. Sorry, I was working mobile. It's my daughter's birthday and we were at the waterpark. To address your concerns specifically, Myself and the rest of Frigg Foundry have a few different skills to bring to this project. I have no doubts at all that together we can turn ingots into cutlery, and all three of us are perfectionists, so I guarantee, personally, that you wont be disappointed with what you receive. And if, when delivered, you are disappointed, I will personally refund you. And to answer your second question, I actually addressed this concern on the Kickstarter. I expect all keyrings to be delivered near the end of spring 2016, with all cutlery sets delivered summer/fall 2016, and my dissertation to be available to supporters near the end of fall, and made available to the entire metalworking community in early 2017. Any changes to this timeline will be expressed to my supporters the moment I know that a change is necessary. Additionally, in the challenges section of my kickstarter, you'll see that I'm expecting a second child this fall, and it's entirely possible this could have unforeseen challenges in keeping the proposed timeline, but I care about this project, and I will see this through to the end. As a chainmailler, I have a decade of experience with projects that require perseverance and dedication to see through to the end. And don't worry, Driggers. Even if you don't support the kickstarter, you wont miss your chance! I plan to make a few extra cutlery sets, and will have atleast a few up for sale here next summer.
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Post by PaxAddict on Mar 7, 2015 19:48:29 GMT
So, question: I'm considering adding additional rewards levels, and lowering the buy in for the keychain reward to $35, making the current $55 reward for two keychains, and adding a bottle opener keychain at $70.
Is there any additional rewards you can think of that are relatively simple to make that you, or people in general, would be interested in?
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Post by chrisperoni on Mar 7, 2015 19:55:48 GMT
Ingots stamped with initials? Could aslo do these backwards to make a wax seal stamp.
Various simple shapes for keychains? Twisted bar keychain?
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Post by PaxAddict on Mar 7, 2015 23:46:11 GMT
Wax seals is an interesting idea, but not something I want to promise out the gate without having practiced. As far as the keychains, variety is good, but I'm looking for more ideas in the "mid price range" from $50-$100
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Post by PaxAddict on Mar 8, 2015 16:34:48 GMT
I've added additional reward levels! Come check it out.
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Post by PaxAddict on Mar 13, 2015 18:11:05 GMT
It was a slow week for our kickstarter. We're nearing the second half of our campaign and we're 33% of the way to our goal. Please consider contributing, even if it's $5, it'll still take us closer to our goal!
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Post by Germanic on Mar 13, 2015 19:49:43 GMT
Just pledged $35
Good luck. I am interested in this subject.
I spend $10-$15 per day at Wawa, I figure it's worth it if I can contribute to help someone out in their endeavor!
EDIT: Not every day, maybe a couple times per week. haha
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Post by randomnobody on Mar 13, 2015 19:57:10 GMT
Oh yeah, I keep forgetting about this. Wanna pitch in, myself, but I'll have to see what my next paycheck looks like and compare it against all my bills and what not... Hopefully I can throw in $50 or so, just because.
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Post by Germanic on Mar 13, 2015 20:01:04 GMT
Oh yeah, I keep forgetting about this. Wanna pitch in, myself, but I'll have to see what my next paycheck looks like and compare it against all my bills and what not... Hopefully I can throw in $50 or so, just because. It's a good cause, IMO. My payday was today, so I could throw some cash at it.
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Post by PaxAddict on Mar 13, 2015 20:05:52 GMT
Thanks for the support, guys! Random, if you can't pitch in $50, just remember even $5 gets us closer to our goal. We'd appreciate anything you can send our way.
Cheers!
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