View Full Version : Firesteel Blank Group buy
sparkplug
18-02-2008, 15:25
This Group Buy is now closed. Thanks to all involved and sorry to anyone who just missed out. :)
I started doing a web search to see if I could find a few firesteels to put my own ends on and the search pointed me back here to a group buy that Too Much Kit To Carry ran a year or so ago.
Having checked with him that he has no plans (or time!) to run another group buy I've foolishly decided to organise one myself if there is interest.
The firesteels would come from http://www.firesteel.co.uk and you can see the blanks here (http://www.firesteel.co.uk/firesteel%20blanks.htm)
The rods are 9mm diameter and 75mm long and must be pretty reasonable quality as Too Much Kit To Carry has said he'd want some from the group buy if I ran it :)
No connection to the company etc, just pinched the link from the previous group buy.
Pricing hasn't changed since last year, so I propose to keep it the same deal as before.
50 firesteels + 5 free cost £150 from the website.
To keep postage costs down and admin sensible, I'd stick with 5 firesteels per batch.
This works out a £13.75 for 5 firesteels PLUS P&P at cost and Pay Pal fees. I suggest that the P&P be charged at the same rate as www.firesteels.co.uk are charging which is £3.00 for 5 firesteels + 5% Pay Pal fees 84p making a total of £17.58
Payment
I would prefer payment by paypal to keep things simple, but I can accept bank transfers and cheques if required. Details will be sent to members via PM
Charity element
In the spirit of Too Much Kit To Carry's original group buy, the costs above should exceed the actual amount I spend and I'd like to give the surplus to charity. Being new to bushcraft I don't know if there are particular charities which people would be happiest to support - I know charity can be a thorny issue and I don't want it to become a bone of contention. I'm from the motorcycling community and personally support www.motorcycleoutreach.org but I'm not sure it's very relevant here. I'm open to suggestions on this one.
The list - first batch of 55
1) Seoras - 5 (50 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
2) reddave - 5 (45 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Thinks he's got them!
3) eskimotwenty - 5 (40 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
4) Mirius - 5 (35 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
5) gorilla - 5 (30 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
6) greg - 5 (25 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
7) mjk123 - 5 (20 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
8) bikething - 5 (15 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
9) fishy1 - 5 (10 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
10) jacko - 5 (5 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
11) Dace - 5 (That's all folks!) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
First batch complete - so who's up for more?
The list - second batch of 55
1) myheadsashed - 5 (50 remaining) Cheque received - thanks! Got them!
2) sparkplug - 10 (40 remaining) (I've already given my original 5 away!) Paid Got them!
3) basha - 5 (35 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
4) Too Much Kit To Carry - 10 (25 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
5) ganstey - 5 (20 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
6) Paullyfuzz - 5 (15 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
7) Celt_Ginger - 5 (10 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
8) elrond - 5 (5 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
9) Gwhtbushcraft - 5 (That's all folks!) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
Thanks to all in the first two completed batches!
The list - third and final batch of 55
1) bobstevenson - 5 (50 remaining) Payment received - thanks!] Got them!
2) g4ghb - 20 (30 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
3) nickg - 5 (25 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
4) The Cumbrian - 5 (20 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
5) Chem_Doc - 5 (15 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
6) rancid badger (at last :D ) - 5 (10 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
7) FTAG - 5 (5 remaining) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
8) flaky - 5 (That's all folks!) Payment received - thanks! Got them!
eskimotwenty
18-02-2008, 16:16
i'll take 5 please
5 for the ape in the corner please :)
and how about donating the surplus to BCUK? not a charity, but we all use it, and i'm sure any funds would come in handy
These are good steels. Slightly different in their 'burn' to the usual Swedish version but still good.
5 for the ape in the corner please :)
and how about donating the surplus to BCUK? not a charity, but we all use it, and i'm sure any funds would come in handy
Good idea Gorilla.
Can you put me down for five please!:)
I'd like 5 too. Since postage is a bit extra to europe, shall we round the cost up to 20 quid? 4 pound per steel is still good value for me.
cheers
bikething
18-02-2008, 19:43
I'll take 5 as I keep giving them away to friends :)
cheers
Steve
Cheers Sparkplug.
5 for me please.
George
Can you put me down for five as well please, before they are all gone!!
PM on way.
Cheers,
sparkplug
18-02-2008, 21:54
These seem to be going faster than I expected. If there's enough interest I'm more than happy to do a second batch so don't panic!
MJK123 - I think that sounds about right to me :
Thanks to Gorilla for suggesting BCUK as the recipient of surplus funds. Forgive me as I am a total newbie here, but how would that work?
Thanks also to Stew for feedback on the product - I've never seen it and have nothing really to compare it to so it's really useful input - thank you.
Could I take the last 5 please
Regards
Dace
myheadsashed
18-02-2008, 23:02
if your going for a 2nd batch I would be interested in 5
Thanks
Just for a little bit more feedback, I bought 3 of these firesteels a bit a go and was very happy with them!
hi Sparkplug,
can you include me for 5 firesteels too. Thanks for organising this.
I await your PM for Paypal payment details.
Thankyou.
Too Much Kit To Carry
19-02-2008, 09:03
Hey Sparkplug,
I see you've given you 5 away already :lmao: I remember doing that myslef last time!!!
Good luck with the group buy mate :cool:
And can I have 10 please from the second batch :lmao:
:You_Rock_ :You_Rock_ :You_Rock_ :You_Rock_ :You_Rock_ :You_Rock_
Cheers,
Phil.
I'll take 5 please. PM me your PayPal details.
G
sparkplug
19-02-2008, 09:11
Batch 1 is now ordered and should be with me around this time next week (25-26 Feb) Give me a day or so to get the envelopes addressed and posted and you should all have them fairly soon after that.
sparkplug
19-02-2008, 13:23
:o My apologies to Seoras who I forgot to include. I've moved you into the first batch list where you rightly deserved to be.
A simple oversight :sad6: now hopefully put right :beerchug:
Paullyfuzz
19-02-2008, 13:58
5 for me please if theres gonna be a second batch.
Ta
Celt_Ginger
19-02-2008, 16:44
5 for me please
:o My apologies to Seoras who I forgot to include. I've moved you into the first batch list where you rightly deserved to be.
A simple oversight :sad6: now hopefully put right :beerchug:
No apologies necessary mate. Just thankful to you for doing the group buy.
Cheers :)
George
sparkplug
19-02-2008, 17:39
No apologies necessary mate. Just thankful to you for doing the group buy.
Cheers :)
George
Thanks for understanding :)
5 for me please.
can you PM paypal details please
Gwhtbushcraft
19-02-2008, 17:54
Ill have 5 please
George
:)
bobstevenson
19-02-2008, 19:20
I'll have 5 as well please.
Thanks
Bob
sparkplug
19-02-2008, 21:24
The first two batches are all spoken for and I've ordered and paid for them today. I'd ask for outstanding payments to be made to me in the next few days please. (still can't quite believe I've just bought £300 worth of firesteels :) )
These seem to have gone fairly quickly so (what am I letting myself in for?) I'd be happy to do a third batch if there is sufficient interest. I think logistically that would be the last I'd manage comfortably at the moment.
So far bobstevenson is top of that potential list - would there be any other takers?
I'd also really appreciate some more feedback on the charity element - what would everyone feel happy to have contributed to?
I'd also really appreciate some more feedback on the charity element - what would everyone feel happy to have contributed to?
Mountain rescue? Or even the lifeboats.
I'd also really appreciate some more feedback on the charity element - what would everyone feel happy to have contributed to?
I'm happy with whatever charity you select. I tend to support charities like Cancer Research, but that's not really bushcrafty.
Cheers
G
Gwhtbushcraft
20-02-2008, 16:32
Survival International?
http://www.survival-international.org/
can you put me down for 10 please mate ;)
Payment and PM sent, thanks !!!!!
sparkplug
21-02-2008, 18:49
I've been thinking long and hard about the charity element of this group buy.
There have been suggestions about causes I had never heard of such as ghwtbuscraft's suggestion of survival international (thank you for raising my awareness of this) as well as some common themes such as cancer charities.
As I mentioned in my original post, I am all too aware that charity is a difficult subject to get a large number of people to agree on.
There have been a few suggestions that the money could be used to support the running costs of the BCUK website and much as it's not a charity it might be the one common link that we all share.
That said, there are people who have deliberately paid extra to support a good cause and I don't know how they would feel about it being used in that way.
The very last thing I want to do is to create tension or conflict over this but I must say that I'm leaning towards BCUK as a recipient.
How would people feel about that?
Please feel free to PM me if you don't want your opinions aired publically, I'm looking for the maximum consensus on this and will go with what you all think, so please do let me know.
Thanks
BCUK is fine with me! - it's how we all 'met' after all and my 2nd home :o (well perhaps my 3rd after the doghouse of course if you ask swmbo:D )
The Cumbrian
22-02-2008, 00:59
Five more please Compadre. PM sent.
Cheers, Michael.
BCUK is fine with me, as would any charity you may choose.
G
sparkplug
25-02-2008, 15:31
I'm hoping to receive these tomorrow (Tue 26 Feb) and have all the envelopes addressed and ready to post out.
I've sent a payment reminder PM to Greg and mjk123 but not had a reply. If anyone knows them personally, could I ask you to give them a gentle nudge for me?
Interest in the third batch seems to have have been slower than the first two but I'll leave it open for another couple of weeks. Maybe once people have had their February salary... :)
Sorry mate I've been sorting out my son's birthday and this slipped my mind, I have just sent you payment via Paypal!
Sparkplug,
I'm on the case. Payment should be with you by now.
Sorry for the delay,
Martin
sparkplug
26-02-2008, 12:27
Payments all now in - thanks. (No apologies needed guys :) )
Just waiting for the steels to arrive and will let you all know when they have been sent out.
sparkplug
27-02-2008, 13:27
Update: Wed 27 Feb
I've just had confirmation that the steels have been sent to me today. Firesteelcam has been a total star :You_Rock_ and has done all the hard work of bagging the steels in 5s so I should be posting these out to you all tomorrow (Thu 28)
sparkplug
28-02-2008, 17:16
Not had them yet - sorry :(
Hope to have them tomorrow :)
Also - I've not had a single person disagree with BCUK as the recipient of surplus funds. Unless I hear otherwise Tony will be getting a PM asking for his postal address and who to make the cheque payable to :)
sparkplug
29-02-2008, 11:22
:1244::1244::1244: :red: :1244::1244::1244:
They're here!
Will get them sent out today.
can you up my request to 15 please! :o :D (there may be some more soon as well:rolleyes: )
sparkplug
29-02-2008, 15:21
can you up my request to 15 please! :o :D (there may be some more soon as well:rolleyes: )
Consider it done!
rancid badger
29-02-2008, 15:26
okay sparky
I'll have 5:D
how do I pay please?
Cheers
R.B.
Cheers Sparkplug :You_Rock_
My 5 arrived just a short while ago.
Thanks for the letter. Nice touch.
I have seasoned some Hazel that has had Honeysuckle twsted around it to make up a couple of handles.
Cheers mate and thanks for a speedy group buy.
George
hi Sparkplug,
A big thankyou for getting this group buy for us all. My firesteels arrived this morning, Saturday 1st March.
Cheers.
Got mine today, cheers.
Me to,
many thanks for organising this
Too Much Kit To Carry
01-03-2008, 15:58
Mine arrived this morning also.
Thanks sparkplug - top job sir :You_Rock_
This means that I've now got to start shaping some mule deer and red deer antler and some walnut for the handles!
Cheers,
Phil.
Cheers Sparkplug, mine also arrived yesterday morning.:You_Rock_
G
Celt_Ginger
03-03-2008, 21:59
Got my 5 today. Thanks Sparkplug for sorting everything out. I appreciate all your hard work.
bikething
04-03-2008, 11:35
My 5 arrived yesterday while I was out of the office :You_Rock_
Newbie woodworm
04-03-2008, 19:45
:banghead: have I missed the boat or have you 5 that i can buy?
sparkplug
05-03-2008, 08:16
:banghead: have I missed the boat or have you 5 that i can buy?
You haven't missed the boat - I'm running a third batch and have added your name to the list. Will let you have payment details when we know it's definitely a goer - but at the moment there's only 10 left to be spoken for so it's looking good :)
Newbie woodworm
05-03-2008, 19:59
Cheers Sparkplug:You_Rock_
Got mine today. many thanks
Can I add further to my order please Spark?:o (told you there may be more.......:sulkoff: )
Unless someone else wants a batch i'll close up the order if you like :D
:eek: - just realsied that will be 25! - thats ok though - 10 are already spoken for :D
cheers mate
are there any left, or am i too late?
thanks
sparkplug
06-03-2008, 08:24
are there any left, or am i too late?
thanks
Hi FTAG, from g4ghb's post above "Unless someone else wants a batch i'll close up the order if you like" it seems there may still be a chance at 5.
Could you decide among yourselves who has what and let me know please?
Apologies to anyone else who may have wanted these, but that's the end of this Group buy.
thats cool :D - '5' each is fine by me ;)
sparkplug
06-03-2008, 11:07
thats cool :D - '5' each is fine by me ;)
Brilliant news!
PM's sent regarding payments.
sparkplug
14-03-2008, 14:04
Firesteels have arrived today. Thanks again to firesteelcam for his help in packaging and for generally being a great person to deal with.
I've sent reminders via PM regarding outstanding payments and will wait until Tuesday 18th to receive them. If no payment is received by then (or other arrangements made) I will offer the unpaid items up to other members.
I'm sorry if that sounds harsh - but I don't want to end up making several trips to the post office and it seems unfair to those who have already paid to make them wait for those who haven't. I also don't really want to spend time and effort chasing up payment.
*edit* I've not had any reply from Newbie woodworm despite several PMs - I'm really sorry NW but I need to close this group buy and move on so I'm offering the firesteels up for sale. I hope you understand it's nothing personal - I just don't have time to chase around. Of course if anyone knows NW personally and can call him/her for me that would be great...
sparkplug
19-03-2008, 08:50
All posted out yesterday apart from FTAG's which will be sent today.
rancid badger
19-03-2008, 14:43
Waiting for me this afternoon when I got in from work.
Thanks very much, Sparky- brilliant effort;)
regards
R.B.
The Cumbrian
21-03-2008, 10:32
Arrived safely, thanks very much.
Cheers, Michael.
Mine arrived too - sorry for the delay in notifiying you - I have been away for the weekend...
Thanks again for your efforts in this group buy mate! - I know the work it can be! :You_Rock_
chem_doc
26-03-2008, 01:59
My fiesteels showed up today. I tested a few sparks, and these badboys are the real deal. Thanks for organizing this, Sparkplug!
sparkplug
01-04-2008, 02:42
Well that's the last of them sent off yesterday.
I'd like to thank all of you for your support and encouragement on this group buy. You all made it so easy that I might well run another this time next year...
A special thank you to Newbie Woodworm who was kind enough to get in touch and was very understanding about having missed out. You'll be top of the list on the next group buy.
My apologies to those who have missed out - there's not quite enough interest to run a fourth batch. Sorry!
And finally - now that all the costs are in I can tell you that the fundraising total came to:
£77.55
As agreed these funds will go back into the Bushcraftuk.com community and a cheque is on its way to Tony today.
Thanks again to all involved - and happy sparking. :)
sparkplug
07-04-2008, 09:02
Just had confirmation from Tony that the cheque arrived with him safely - thanks again to all involved.
Cheers