[Ansteorra] [Bryn-gwlad] Rattan purchasing 101

Tue Dec 9 12:36:28 PST 2008

Salut cozyns,

Well, Helena, you've now heard the three best available sources for rattan in the SCA: Ice Falcon, Franks Cane and Rush, and H. H. Perkins. I can tell you that all three have their detractors. I used to order from Franks regularly when I lived out in Idaho, but they have a less than stellar reputation with the SCA in recent years. SCAers are always trying to get a bargain, and I think they just got tired of dealing with us. With all three, your best value will be obtained with full length poles (9' or 10 ' depending on the vendor. The best prices I've seen in recent years were those Centurion Eleanor got from H. H. Perkins. The best quote I could get in 2007 were from Ice Falcon.

I would be happy to make a purchase again in the summer. For now, my back's just to messed up to deal with it.

My last dealings with Ice Falcon were satisfactory. We ordered multiple 10' lengths and a few fibreglas spear poles. If you catch him late Saturday or early Sunday at Gulf Wars, you might be able to get bargains on rattan, but he usually sells out of fibreglas early.

Here are a few rules of thumb I would recommend:

(1) If you need just a few sword blanks, try purchasing them from locals who still have them in stock. Sir Godwin is not far away, if he still has any. Instead of asking for input on a supplier, you might first ask if anyone has rattan they'd be willing to sell. 

(2) If you have enough interest to order rattan from a supplier, you can handle it two ways. I've used both methods.

  (a) Take orders and get the money up front. Don't order for anyone unless they hand you the money, but if you take money be sure you find out what size range each person will accept. To use this method, you'll need a solid outside estimate for shipping costs. Get a receipt book, and give everyone a receipt for cash received. Yes, we're all friends here, but this kind of care will ensure that we stay that way.

  (b) Make a large purchase on your own dime. This will run you a few hundred dollars. It's less complicated than purchasing for individuals, but you don't need to request sticks to suit everyone's individual preferences. The down side of this is that you might end up storing rattan poles in your garage (or someone's garage) for a year or more.

(3) Ask the suppliers about special purchases. Duke Eisfalcon charges extra for thicker poles, for example.

(4) If you're dealing with H. H. Perkins or Frank's, be sure to specify that this is for SCA combat and that you need the straightest sticks available.

(5) Resist the urge to purchase the sword-blank size. It's a bit short for many Ansteorran fighters, and it's usually a lousy deal, costwise.

(6) Find someone with access to a commercial shipping and receiving dock at their office. This, of course, will require that you have someone with a pickup truck or similar conveyance willing to make pickups for you. The shipping is much cheaper to a commercial address.

(7) This irritates a few folks, but calculate your per-foot costs (including estimated shipping) in order to make a small profit: no more than about 5% to 10%. This may sound mercenary to some, but in all likelihood, it will disappear. The shipping estimates are occasionally wrong, and some of your orders will fall through (people will swear they want the poles, but their finances will dry up, or they just won't be available for collections). You can always refund a little change if you make money. Beats scrounging for the difference if you underestimate the costs.

(8) No matter who you choose as your supplier, talk with them on the phone. Look at their Web sites, but talk to them directly. Don't be satisfied with just exchanging voice messages. These guys are often willing to make offers that aren't on their Web sites. 

(9) Duke (currently, His Royal Highness of the East) Andreas Eisfalcon comes across as gruff and all-business, but he's a pretty nice guy. I also found Frank to be reasonable on the phone (again, that was some years ago). 

(10) Before contacting H. H. Perkins, you might want to chat with Centurion Eleanor. I believe she has a contact there. Sir Ysfael (Ysfael at aol.com) can put you in contact with her. 

Franks Cane and Rush: http://www.franksupply.com/
Ice Falcon Arms: http://store.fastcommerce.com/home_icefalcon.html
H. H. Perkins: http://www.hhperkins.com/products/rattan_swords/

En Lyonel 
_________________________________ 
Impedimentum via est (The obstacle is the path)> Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 08:17:06 -0600> From: soldier.grrrl at gmail.com> To: bryn-gwlad at lists.ansteorra.org; ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org> Subject: [Bryn-gwlad] Rattan purchasing...> > Greetings, and please forgive me if you see this twice!> > I've looked about in the past emails, but can't seem to find an answer> to my question.> > Does anyone have a reliable, favorite rattan supplier? We're wanting> to get some new sword blanks, and I'm not having a lot of luck. My> google-fu is all borked up due to sinus medications.> > Thank you!> Helena> > -- > Blonde. It's not just a hair color; it's a way of life.> > http://soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com/> _______________________________________________> Bryn-gwlad mailing list> Bryn-gwlad at lists.ansteorra.org> http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/bryn-gwlad-ansteorra.org
_________________________________________________________________
Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass.
http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere_122008