Veritas @ APTC?

[Paul Kierstead]

(just back from a day's filming of a reality TV show...)

Ok, have you finally done an episode of "How its made", or are you doing Dragon's Den?

 

[andrewm]

Meanwhile I see Rutlands was mentioned. They seem to be embracing the hand plane thing in a Big Way. Not my favourite store in the past, it has to be said, but recent additions have scratched a couple of plane itches I've had for a long time where other suppliers have failed. All credit to them.

With various threads recently mentioning Rutlands and some views that their customer service had improved I decided that it was worth getting hold of a catalogue. So ordered one from their website only to be greeted with a page thanking me for ordering the catalogue and telling me that it would be sent out in March :? Didn't say what year though.

Andrew

 

[Rob Lee]

(just back from a day's filming of a reality TV show...)

Ok, have you finally done an episode of "How its made", or are you doing Dragon's Den?

Nope - a new series... whittling a dozen "new" designers down to one (who gets a job with a high-end firm at the end)... I was the guest judge for one of the competitions. Will air in October.

Would like to do "how it's made" though... I watch that one often!

Cheers -

Rob

 

[Jasper Homminga]

just back from a day's filming of a reality TV show

Meet the Lees? :wink:

Celebrity toolmakers eh?

All the stars are out tonight. Here comes Anthony Hopkins with Michelle Pfeiffer wearing a lovely dress by Dolce and Gabana. Robin Williams and Samuel L. Jackson are here as well. Demi Moore looking stuning as ever. Oh and here comes Rob Lee. Yes all the stars are out tonight.

Jasper

 

[Paul Kierstead]

Nope - a new series... whittling a dozen "new" designers down to one (who gets a job with a high-end firm at the end)... I was the guest judge for one of the competitions. Will air in October.

Well now, that sounds far to cerebral to be termed "reality tv", I look forward to it. I figured they might have had you or your father as a guest judge on "Dragon's Den", it was filming in Ottawa the week or something like that. But designers review definitely work better then vul^H^H^Henture capitalists...

 

[Jarviser]

I think Axminster are tough business people. They drop top range goods at no notice if there is a better profit deal, or they can sell a far east copy (like the marking gauge). Think also of Sorby, DeWalt, Roberts & Lee. I know for a fact that R&L had no idea they were being dropped until I called them and asked where elso could I get a Dorchester because they were no longer available from Axminster. They were a tad dumb-struck to say the least, something like "say that again please..."

 

[ivan]

When Axminster sent out their glossy LN extravaganza and asked for comments, I emailed the main man to grumble about transatalantic markups, a sudden rush of American english in Axminster, and the noticeable lack of Veritas...

Interesting reply, paraphrased:
markups - everybody does it, ours are less than most (true)
Veritas - apparently there's been a lot of ill feeling between LN and LV in the USA. He didn't say if lawsuits or on line slanging match etc. However Axminster are now the official LN importers, so their future policy is clear, at least for the time being.

 

[Rob Lee]

(snip)

Veritas - apparently there's been a lot of ill feeling between LN and LV in the USA. He didn't say if lawsuits or on line slanging match etc. However Axminster are now the official LN importers, so their future policy is clear, at least for the time being.

Ivan -

I'd challenge that statement.

There isn't, nor has there been, any "slanging" or legal issues between us and LN. I suspect Tom LN would be one of the first person to tell you that too...

I'd be surprised if either Bernie or Ian would imply that - on or off the record.

Rob Lee
Lee Valley

 

[engineer one]

have to say from a personal point of view having met both tom and
rob at aptc last year, i found them both complimentary about
each other's products and way in which they go about business.

i do however think that within the USA, particularly on forums, there
are a lot of people who are even more partisan about products
than those over here, and i would say that is where any supposed
problems may come from.

and i say all this as a happy, and proud customer of both companies
products, who admires their attitude toward business in the modern world,
and the fact that they have taken on the big guys and become
"big" little fries.

keep the faith rob :lol:

all the best

paul :wink:

 

[Alf]

...apparently there's been a lot of ill feeling between LN and LV in the USA. He didn't say if lawsuits or on line slanging match etc.

I had three reactions to this last night, before Rob posted. Firstly, incredulity. Secondly, the conviction that there's been more than a little free translation twixt what may have been said way back down the line and what's ended up on here. Thirdly, I slipped easily into Tom & Jerry housekeeper mode (you know the one - African-American, no mean shot with a broom) and had to resist posting:

Robin! Thomas! You boys come here right now, ya hear? Now you play nice, d'ya hear me? [-X :lol:

Cheers, Alf

 

[Mittlefehldt]

Personally I think the only real animosity regarding the two companies is the polarised views of some users who consider it an afront everytime someone says that A is better than B, or even in some cases that they are buying A instead of B.

The manufacturers do play nice, it is the public at large that has isssues.

 

[deirdre]

i do however think that within the USA, particularly on forums, there are a lot of people who are even more partisan about products
than those over here, and i would say that is where any supposed problems may come from.

I'm partisan about LN, but for two reasons:

1) There's darn few tools being made in the USA, and that's important to me (I really hate seeing the decline of our manufacturing industry). My second choice is buying something made in Canada, UK, another European country, or Japan.

2) The local Woodcraft stores have LN planes and such, but not Veritas/Lee Valley's (though they do have other Veritas stuff I pick up, like the Mark II honing jig). If I want to hold it first, LN's the plane. I *can* go to Japan Woodworker to see many of the Veritas products (including planes), but it's an hour's drive and they're not open on Sunday. Plus, they have LN, some NOS Record, Clifton HNT Gordon, and some other brands, so it's easy to get distracted.

I do mail order with both companies and like their mail order equally well. Lee Valley has lots more stuff to buy.

 

[ivan]

Oh dear! I had absolutely no intention of upsetting anyone regarding any possible LN vs LV scenario. I'm glad there isn't one. If there had been one, I would have been sad. I originally emailed to Axminster because they appeared to be largely ignoring Veritas. I have re read their email reply, and the sense of it certainly appears to corespond to my earlier post.

For the record, I have a sister who has lived in the USA for 40 years, and who is kind enough to ensure I have products from both companies to bring home from a visit, in very heavy suitcases.