Ping Ian John

[9fingers]

Has anyone had any contact with Ian John ex Dragon saws who was a member here?

There was some talk of possibly setting up a saw blade business from the ashes of Dragon.

I've sent a PM at the end of July but it has not been picked up yet.

I'm going to need a blade or two soon and if Ian is starting up again, I'd liek to give him the business.

Any info would be useful.

Bob

 

[OPJ]

Bob, I'll send you a PM...

 

[SammyQ]

Olly, may I please second the original enquiry?

Sam

 

[Blister]

Bob, I'll send you a PM...

And me please

 

[9fingers]

Olly gave me Ian's personal email addy and I have had no reply.

I think we must assume the worst until proven otherwise, ie that there will not be a new Dragon saws in the near future if at all.

If I have more positive news I will let folks know.

Bob

 

[Ring]

I had a pm sitting in my outbox for 3 months and no reply.

Jim

 

[SammyQ]

Thanks folks.

Sam

 

[9fingers]

I have now had a reply from Ian who confirms that whilst there are still aspirations to get back into the old business by his boss one day, this is not happening yet.
In order to support his family Ian is working long and antisocial hours having grasped the offer of paid employment - a rare thing in the current climate. So he does not have much time for the forum etc which would explain the lack of replies.

Bob

 

[OPJ]

Thanks for clearing things up earlier, Bob. Apologies if I got anyone's hopes up! :shock:

Thanks also for letting us know Ian's 'okay', so to speak.

 

[stevebuk]

i have contact with ian john as we both enjoy photography. We write regularly to each other, but he is working split shifts at the moment so doesn't get much time.
The old dragon boss (Ron) is starting back up as soon as he gets the machines sorted.

 

[BradNaylor]

I'm afraid I never totally bought into the idea that there was anything radically different or special about the blades Dragon used to supply.

They offered a standard saw doctor service; one that is offered by dozens if not hundreds of other small companies around the country. As well as sharpening all manner of blades and cutters, bandsaw blade stock is bought in in a variety of types and blades welded up to order.

It appears that the level of service offered by Dragon was excellent; this did not however, prevent them from going bust. Plenty of other saw doctors remain in business, though. Logic would therefore suggest that they are doing an even better job than Dragon did!

Try Yellow Pages and find your local saw doctor. He will be able to supply you with exactly the bandsaw blades you require.

Cheers
Brad

 

[BradNaylor]

The old dragon boss (Ron) is starting back up as soon as he gets the machines sorted.

He's obviously new to all this. What he should have done is move all the Dragon machinery to a place of safe keeping before the liquidators arrived!

 

[matt]

The old dragon boss (Ron) is starting back up as soon as he gets the machines sorted.

He's obviously new to all this. What he should have done is move all the Dragon machinery to a place of safe keeping before the liquidators arrived!

You're assuming the liquidators are new to this too...

 

[OPJ]

Brad, you would need to look at this from the Hobbyists' point of view to understand...

Ian went out of his way to reach potential customers on the forum - and, not just on this site, either. Someone like yourself is used to dealing with saw doctors and the like. To a less-experienced hobbyist, with all the measurements and question marks over tooth pitch, this can be a daunting experience. Ian was always here and willing to help. You can't say that about many other companies (Axminster and Workshop Heaven are the only two which come to mind).

It wasn't so much for the quality of the blades (which certainly wasn't bad!) but for the comfortable customer service. And the prices, which were competitive, even when not buying in bulk.

My understanding is that they were hit hard and fast by the Recession in several ways (of which I am not prepared to openly discuss here).