AndyP said:
Cheers for the imput and feedback Paul...
I'll get in touch with the references in the PM's tomorrow.. Do you think they would consider a group buy if they only had to deal with one person...?
Going back to the ones mentioned on Ebay.. They are the same design/profile as the Martindale Golok, however in their title no mention of 'martindale'.. Therfore this says to me they be copies..?
Once again, thanks Paul...
If you are interested in organising a Group Buy (Which I think would be a good idea), my suggestion would be to post a heads up in the Group Buy forum to sound out interest, before contacting a distributor, and stating that you know an impeccable source of supply of the real thing. It might also be a good idea to post the same over at British Blades with a link back to the Group Buy thread here at BCUK.
I imagine this would swell the numbers in respect to a potential order with one of the distributors. I think that a distributor is more likely to take kindly to a proposition for a number of pieces rather than a number of individuals requesting their own machetes, as it would take less time/hassle for the distributor to administer a single large-ish order than lots of individual ones re: postage/billing/payment and so forth.
Dont forget, if there is interest in a Group Buy, to specify with the distributor that you are interested in the new production Martindale Golok No2 GLK2-02, this has something stamped on the opposite side of the blade that has the Martindale crocodile on it, that shows it is military issue (Ill PM you with the details). This might be of interest particularly to members of BB.
Even though I have placed an order for a No2 with a army surplus supplier, I have no idea which version it will be, GLK2-01 or GLK2-02, so Id definitely be interested in one from one from an official distributors.
On the matter of eBay, its difficult to draw any definite conclusions about the reasons for omission of the manufacturers name, though I understand how it would cause you to be suspicious, it would cause me to think the worst too.
That said, I have noticed a number of reputable online retailers, not on eBay, of bushcrafty stuff who omit the manufactures name from the products they sell. Why they do this I dont know. Whether it is because they think that the buyer isnt interested, or they themselves dont think that detail about kit is important, who knows?
But as they say in the legal profession 'Buyer Beware'!
Best regards,
Paul.