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Titanium Ruler + Knife Angle Finder

Created by Ben Banters

6 inch ruler with cutouts to find knife grind angles before sharpening. 2 mm thiiiick Titanium. Simple and useful.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

One Week Left! Progress Update.
over 3 years ago – Sat, Dec 12, 2020 at 10:34:25 PM

351 backers! That's more than double my high school graduating class. You see, I'm from a small town in rural Utah-- total population 7,700 the year I graduated. I never would have dreamed that I'd be able to make a product that hundreds of people in 24 different countries would want to own. Thank you all. What a thrill.

I took a prototype ruler with me on a recent desert wander in Southern Utah. I was hoping to do some sketching and ideation, but I chased the kids around instead. #dadLife ;)

Here's the latest on the Titanium Ruler + Angle Finder:


Packaging! 

Do you ever invest money in ways that terrify you? I do. Yesterday, I dropped $2,400 on a cutting die and print plate for the ruler packaging-- that's a heap of money for a small business like Knafs! And some might argue that was a stupid way to spend. Perhaps. But here's how I see this Kickstarter: I'm not putting this stuff out there to make bank and buy a dirt bike or a new pair of skis. I see this entire project as an investment in my business. I've created a USA made corrugated box that fits the Titanium Ruler and will function as a general product box well into the future-- a long-term investment. This Kickstarter has given me confidence to invest in Knafs infrastructure. I'll be able to use the same cutting die and print plate to make inexpensive, easily recyclable corrugated boxes for 10-15 years. Thanks for trusting me with your hard-earned cash. Here's the final prototype of the box:

Fulfillment

I spent part of last week preparing BackerKit to fulfill all your pledges. The coolest thing about that platform is that you'll be able to add other Knafs products to your reward. I'm particularly excited about this for Internationals that live in places we typically don't ship Knafs products. This is a great chance to pick up our poster, shop mat, or wallet. Additionally, if you want more Ti rulers, you'll be able to add more products to your reward at the end of the campaign.

Stretch Goals

One of my mentors suggested I do some stretch goals on this project. The thought was a good one. But I realized something about myself: I value simplicity. I'd rather do two products well than 4 products not-so-well. So, there aren't any stretch goals on this project to preserve simplicity and save my sanity. We're just rockin' the ruler and flight tag keychain-- keepin' it super simple over here. 


Friends to Follow

Lastly, this project has been inspired and mentored by several incredible creators in the Kickstarter community. And it just happened that two of those friends launched a new Mini Click Pen this week. If you love quality goods made by really fantastic humans, check out the Mini Click Pen from Chadwick and Joe of Big Idea Design. I backed the project, and I'm stoked to get a new Titanium pen... or do I pick Copper? Choices are hard... check out their latest.

Whaattt?!! Funded + Halfway There
over 3 years ago – Thu, Dec 03, 2020 at 10:28:10 PM

First: you all blew my mind. This project was 200% funded in 24 hours! Phenomenal. This is my first Kickstarter project, and I had no idea what to expect. But I surely wasn't expecting that. Thank you. I'm grateful for every single one of you jumping on to support a weird Titanium Ruler. It's happening! There are 16 days left in the campaign, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Here's the latest:


Production

The first batch of rulers is rolling off the line in Taiwan. I heard from my supplier Jill yesterday, and she let me know everything is looking good. As for delivery time, it appears we may even be able to start shipping these to you before our previously promised April 8. No guarantees there, but we'll keep you in the loop.

Packaging

I'm the kid who always liked to read the backs of cereal boxes during breakfast, and I've applied that same philosophy to my packaging design: there are things to read and Easter eggs to find. Here's the die line:

It's worth mentioning that this Kickstarter project has been a huge learning experience for me in many different areas, including packaging. For the curious: this is a roll end, front tuck box in a corrugated F flute printed on kraft. They're making the cutting die line and print plate now. Sound like Greek? It was to me too. I'm grateful you all supported my idea so I can learn this stuff. Your contribution gave me reasons to stretch and learn.


Fulfillment

We're going to fulfill orders using BackerKit. The cool thing about that is you'll be able to add any of our Knafs products to your order as you're checking out. So, if you've had your eye on our Strop Wallet, but you live Internationally, you'll have the chance at the end of the campaign to buy one and have it ship with your backer reward. 


Lastly

I heard from a follower on Instagram yesterday that this is the first time they've used Kickstarter, and they only did it to support my work. That stuff warms my heart. To all the friends -- new and old -- supporting my crazy ideas: thank you. The shares, encouragement, atta' boys, and good vibes all mean the world to me.