Hi everyone,
Just in case you folks didn't know. The folks at K&M have gotten their act together and joined the rest of us in the 21st century.
That's right kiddies, you can now purchase these folks high quality matchsafes online now. I love it, I can now make impulse purchases and wait for the LBTOJ to arrive.

Here is the site: http://kmmatchcase.safeshopper.com/

Everybody stay safe and dry out there,
Cheers,
Mike <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

That's good to know.

It's also good to see that Schwert is still involved, at least as far as returns go. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Mike.

Well the 21st century is a challenge for both Keith and me. I put this site together for Keith and am trying my best to hold it together for him. Any processing issues are all mine....In about 2-3 weeks I will be putting up a link in the ETS MarketPlace for this....hopefully with some new colors in the lineup.

Sweeeeeet!
I'm looking forward to it!

I can vouch for K&M's new on-line system. I placed an internet order for 3 REI-sized match-safes on Sunday night, June 18; K&M shipped them on June 20; and I had the match-safes a few days later. They make excellent match-safes, of course, and they now have a place in my Mountainsmith Lumbar Day Pack, but the truth is I bought them because I love industrial art.

I love my matchcase. I got the long version from Schwert and made a mini-kit with it. It fits a bundle of matches with a striker tab, Ironraven's fishing module and line, 2 Tinderquik, a tiny roll of duct tape, a single MP-1 tablet, and some needles, safety pins, and thread. I could probably fit a bit more if I mess with the loading configuration.

The matchcase fits on my keychain and is now part of my minimum carry. One of the best purchases I've made in a while.

I order one three weeks ago and still have not received it and I have not received any responses to my email inquires

I find that surprising. I just ordered one. Enquired by email about delivery delay. Had a very prompt and courtious reply. Apparently they have run out of some of the more popular items. Keith is, even as we speak, chained to his milling machine. Please appreciate that we are talking about a bespoke, quality item that demand for, will always outstrip production. I am content to wait for the best. Be patient please.

Tom,

I have your order and Keith is working on stock as I type. We had a rather large set of orders come in due to this thread which we did not expect.

You are not the only customer I feel I have let down. I am seriously considering shutting down the website (and I have stopped taking order on it) as web businesses do not really accommodate cottage industries all that well.

Thanks Leigh for your support....your order is also in the same state as Tom's.

All outstanding orders will go out just as soon as stock in available.

Randy

I ordered the long one on the original run. Haven't dealt with the web site yet.
A previously noted; It is a high quality product worth the wait.
I'm glad to see they are available on the web site. I may order another.

Jon Davis

Sometimes when you start up a new enterprise it takes some time and shake down effort to get everything working smoothly. I hope you don't give it up without giving some thought along those lines.

When I received my long case it seemed that it could almost contain a complete mini survival kit. I am hoping for more good ideas and products.
You have a good product at a good price. I hope you can stick around.

Jon

Sorry Randy,
My fault I guess, it seems that I not only tossed you in the water with the sharks, but then poured a bucket of blood in after.
Keep at it and don't give up, the vast majority of people are plenty willing to wait for a high quality product. That's why you need a pre-production order (wait 6 weeks) statement on the site. It would smooth some things out for you. I also like the "wish list" function, it helps for planning if you ever catch up.
Cheers and work harder, or it's the lash!
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Mike

Tom,

Schwert has been around on these forums for a while. I should say years. Three weeks isn't that long for a custom, hand made item. Be assured you will receive your order. I just wish I would have ordered some.

If you start accepting orders, please let us know. I would like some also...

Sorry if my question offended anyone. But I was not aware that they were custom made. I just placed an order on a web site and had not received or heard anything in 3 weeks. I though that this was not normal and posted a question asking if anyone had had similar experiences.

Posiblily the site should mention that they are custom made and that there is a wait.

Another post in the pile. I know how ordering on the internet can be sometimes, but rest assured that if Schwert is involved everything will be allright. These things take time and Keith will get all the orders shipped.

And I don't think anyone was offended at all. You have a right to ask, I just hope the responses put you at ease regarding your purchase. In the end, I think you will find it was well worth the wait.

Here is the latest from Keith.....

Randy;
Perhaps a few words of explanation that you may even want to put on the site will help customers to understand our situation.

AN EXPLANATION AND APOLOGY
First of all, customers need to understand that our business is literally a Mom and Pop operation. Marge and I do everything without outside help and sometimes get covered up with matchcase orders in addition to the other products we make. There are also slack times during which we try to anticipate the next "hot" item and build inventory, but we rarely guess 100% correctly.
Secondly, we have no control over the flow of raw materials to us - brass, aluminum, compasses (our biggest headache!), o-rings, anodizing, etc., and are at the mercy of our suppliers for timely delivery. Even after 15 years we find that our best efforts to anticipate demand are about as accurate as the weather forecast.
Thirdly, internet marketing is a brand new endeavor for us and the volume of sales caught us off guard. Our previous sales experience was primarily through large volume catalog retailers (L.L. Bean and Cabela's) who usually (but not always) gave us long lead times. As we become more proficient with internet marketing we should be able to work the bugs out. Rest assured that WE WILL CATCH UP AND EVERYONE WILL GET THEIR PRODUCTS!!!
Meanwhile we'll continue to offer what we believe to be the best matchcase/compass combination on the market in the belief that discriminating outdoorspeople will understand our situation and be willing to wait for what will hopefully always be short interruptions in supply.
If it's any comfort know that when you do receive a K&M matchcase it will be as dependable and functional as if it were personally made for one of our grandkids, little people we're quite fond of.
With sincere apologies and the hope that this short explanation will ease your concerns we beg your understanding.
Thank you,
Keith and Marge

You got my understanding... I don't even know the price, but I'm already sold based on comments here and the website. Looks like a quality unit and I'll be ordering as soon as you catch up. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Folks,
I think just about everyone here is willing to wait if it means purchasing a quality, American made product once. Meaning that these are something we'll be able to pass off to our children, so it's worth the wait. Why not purchase quality, especially if it never goes bad, barring the usual Murphy'isms as we know, S!@t happens.
I'm content to wait, if it means quality, I love the one I have, and will continue to buy these for gifts for additions to the E&E kits for my buddies in the sand box.

Cheers,
Mike