British Blades

Billy-o

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 19, 2018
2,039
1,027
Canada
There is also a few threads on there regarding BB, which may shed a little more light on the matter.

I don't know, obviously, but I'd doubt anyone from BB would have let on much about what had happened.

Be nice if it came back.
 

Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
6,863
3,287
W.Sussex
I don't know, obviously, but I'd doubt anyone from BB would have let on much about what had happened.

Be nice if it came back.

Simple fact is, we don’t know. Martyn got ill and pretty much disappeared and was out of contact for a long time. The mods did their best to run it to his rules, failed without the captain at the helm, Photobucket killed a lot of tutorial threads etc.

I’ve no idea if it’s server stored somewhere.
 
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Toddy

Mod
Mod
Jan 21, 2005
39,133
4,810
S. Lanarkshire
Simple fact is, we don’t know. Martyn got ill and pretty much disappeared and was out of contact for a long time. The mods did their best to run it to his rules, failed without the captain at the helm, Photobucket killed a lot of tutorial threads etc.

I’ve no idea if it’s server stored somewhere.

As I understand it, it was the tech that failed not the Mods. They didn't have the necessary Admin access to fix anything. Then the photobucket debacle shattered many forums too.
I admit I miss BB :)

M
 

Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
6,863
3,287
W.Sussex
As I understand it, it was the tech that failed not the Mods. They didn't have the necessary Admin access to fix anything. Then the photobucket debacle shattered many forums too.
I admit I miss BB :)

M

Lack of admin access was a problem, as was trying to contact the guy in charge. His health issues obviously came first, but it left us in a difficult position with decision making. Trying to run the place to a set of rules lead to huge, long discussions, when really Martyn would have made a quick judgement.

I’ve no idea how he is, none of us do, we really had little to no contact at all for several years. Sad really, I loved the place.
 

stevec

Full Member
Oct 30, 2003
552
149
Sheffield
Bb was good, but I'm happy to be on edge matters. What I think is a big shame is the loss of the tutorials
 

ANDYLASER

Nomad
Mar 27, 2004
260
74
SOUTHAMPTON
I don't know, obviously, but I'd doubt anyone from BB would have let on much about what had happened.

Be nice if it came back.

Its pretty much unlikely ever to come back.

As you are probably aware, Martyn had been suffering from illness for quite a while and was gradually spending less time on the forum. Unfortunately, he was the only person who had access to the servers and the only person the hosting company would deal with. When ever the site went down, we had to attempt to contact Martyn. Usually via test as he didn't answer his phone. It would often take a couple of days before he got in contact with the hosts and the server got rebooted.

When we had the issue with outdated V Bulletin software and a possible hack into the site, the database on the server needed to be interrogated and the rogue code removed. Again, Martyn was the only person with access and it took him a long time to get around to dealing with it. Many of us pleaded with him to grant access to another, or even just let the hosts recognize one of us, so we could contact them if there was a problem.

Martyn refused all these requests. He appeared to lose all interest in the site and keeping it running. There was little we could do as out hands were tied. We were quite literally watching 10 years of effort go down the shitter. Real Outdoors Forum was initially started as somewhere the mods could congregate when BB fell over to discuss plans and efforts to get it going again. Each time it fell over, it was obvious it was getting harder to restart and eventually it seemed that Martyn gave up with his efforts too.

We therefore made ROF public and others started EM as an alternative. After 10 years of modding and Admin on BB and dealing with quite frankly a lot of crap, it was good to step back into a more relaxed atmosphere of ROF. Its an alternative to BCUK and EM. It features knives, shooting and outdoors activities. However, it is a lot more adult in regard to its content. No naked ladies or anything like that, but if you act like a muppet, you will definitely get called on it. :)

I hope that clarifies things and if you want to say hello on ROF, you are more than welcome. :)

Andy
 

beachlover

Full Member
Aug 28, 2004
2,320
174
Isle of Wight
Hey Guys, I fell out of knifemaking for a while due to a massive change in personal circumstances. I'm back!!! and looking to pick up on "old" friends. I did try going to the BB website and saw it was kaput, such a shame. PM me to catch up. Parbajtor

Take a look at ROF

http://www.realoutdoorsforum.com/forum/index.php

A few of the old stalwarts are there, but also Edge Matters where a lot of BB members decamped after the fall.
 
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beachlover

Full Member
Aug 28, 2004
2,320
174
Isle of Wight
Thanks mate, howz tricks?

All good here and hopefully the same with you and yours. Glad to be away from all the grief that was BB toward the end and happily settled lurking on her and generally bantering on ROF, which is an extension of the social and adults only gentleman's club that BB once was. I've not bothered with EM for a host of reasons, but mainly the decreased interest in knives and the continuing spats that are a reminder and inevitability given some of it's membership.
Kev
 

Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
6,863
3,287
W.Sussex
Hey Guys, I fell out of knifemaking for a while due to a massive change in personal circumstances. I'm back!!! and looking to pick up on "old" friends. I did try going to the BB website and saw it was kaput, such a shame. PM me to catch up. Parbajtor

Hiya, was wondering the other day where you’d got to. Good to see you around. :)
 

Billy-o

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 19, 2018
2,039
1,027
Canada
Good to see you around again, Parbajtor :)

EM is there as an option. Not the same type of place as BB, though a lot of familiar names. Different tone and ambition, I think, and of course suffering greatly with the slings, arrows and general self-destructive silliness forums seem to be able to bring upon themselves.
 

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