Never asked this, but just had this thought Ed. Say you could keep 5 from that collection. Which would they be? I know your #1 would be one, at least I think it would be. But the others, would they be because of sentimentality or would they be players?
They aren’t really making anything, just running through old stock, and all their (very limited) stock seems to be SB-2s and the like. See Tom Kuhn website / brand in decline?
Thanks for pointing me too that thread. Honestly I got used to that nonsense so long ago (website down etc.) that I just accepted it as how their business ran. I actually almost posted something last week about how there phone number was disconnected… I let them know by email, twice, no reply. Finally got in touch with Lisa and she got it changed to what seems to be… Brad’s cell. I have 3 SB-2’s on my desk now that are dated 2018 and that got me thinking they were still producing new throws just last year, maybe they just had blanks to engrave.
They are still kinda kicking. It’s just reeeeeeeal slow. The SB-2 and Pocket Rocket parts they have been sitting on since 1999. They just have them sent from the machine shop where they ordered them 20 years ago every so often, anodize them or engrave them and release a few each year. They haven’t made new No Jives onsite in a long time. Since Brad sold his yo-yo tooling they’ve had No Jives & new wood models (which have been few & far between) done at a mill and have occasionally released factory seconds or other old stock. They’re just kind of in a holding pattern and it’s not clear if they’ll get out of it.
When I was with them, I would see delays in shipment with no explanation to customers, messages/emails which would go unanswered, lack of clarity in terms of models which were scheduled to be released (including the ill-fated crowd-funded SB-4). That stuff - as opposed to the dwindling production - was what caused me to step away from them. Brad is a super nice guy. Just kind of doesn’t get (or doesn’t want to invest in) making the brand a player again. I dearly love Tom, and don’t like to see his name go through these kicks and sputters. But I also know he’s totally secure and happy regarding what he did with the company.
I would love to see a TK renaissance, but it’s hard to imagine how it would happen (short of someone buying them out).
Man this makes me sad. I never had a TK, and over the last month or two got real excited about fixie stuff. Now I go to fing a No-Jive and see that eBay price gouging is my only option. Huge bummer. If anyone has a beater they want to sell me for a reasonable price, let me know!
Edit: I don’t know what I searched on eBay last week, but I did find many No-Jives for retail price on eBay. Still looking for a beater though. Gotta gets me them deals, lol.
I see at least one in that collection I’d love to trade for
And I think at least one @edhaponik May still be looking for as well. Ever find the National Yoyo museum Ed? At least I thought that was on your “need” list.