Quick Update on Buckle
almost 7 years ago – Sat, May 20, 2017 at 12:31:05 AM

Hi everyone! 

As promised in the last update, we wanted to give you a quick update on the buckle we were expecting.

I've been wearing the buckle around for a few days to properly test it and report back. 

• This sample was made with a 10% thicker stainless steel which has added substantially to its robustness without adding bulk.
• Unfortunately, they did not color plate it, so we cannot confirm color plating quality with this sample. They assure us the plating sample is on its way.
• This version's securing teeth were not long enough to provide the cam-locking power we are comfortable with. It has worked perfectly fine for my everyday wear, but we have asked them to quickly retool it so that it is more secure. We have been told this new tooling is done and we will be getting the new sample soon.
• Everything else is on par. Exciting stuff! 

This latest version is VERY CLOSE to being a final version we are proud to stamp with our brand. Hopefully, this next sample we receive will have these final tweaks and we will go into production.

As always, thanks for everyone's patience! It SUCKS to have this one part hold up the entire process, but let's focus on the things that have gone smoothly because there's a lot! Below is a list of all the things that are assembled and on the shelves waiting to be sent out:

• Cache Belts (sans buckle)
• Packaging Bags
• Packaging Toppers
• Fishing Hooks
• Fishing Weights
• Safety Pins
• Needles
• Fishing Line
• Whistles
• Technora Cord
• Cable Ties
• F.A.T. Packs
• Duct Tape
• Ferrocerium Rods
• Bead Chains
• Water Containers
• Purification Tablets
• Water Pre-Filters
• Aluminum Foil
• Flashlights
• Compasses
• Signal Mirrors
• Brass Wire
• Saws

Most of these items are custom and we should highlight the MANY suppliers and hands that have done a good job, on time, done right!

~ Dustin

Why does this update have photos of a burned out office?
almost 7 years ago – Wed, May 10, 2017 at 12:42:23 AM

Not even 4 months after moving out of Nick's garage and into a spacious air conditioned office/warehouse, we had a bizarre fire burn through our offices...

We know what you're thinking, "Big woop, where's my Cache Belt?" Don't worry, there are updates at the bottom.

So, what does this fire have to do with your belt? A lot actually.

Many of you do not know Wazoo outside of this Cache Belt Kickstarter Project, which is unfortunate because we believe we are much more than another late Kickstarter.

We've been churning out innovative wearable survival kits for a few years, shipping tens of thousands of products to 95+ different countries, and along the way have had our fair share of hurdles and challenges. 

You took a chance with us and trusted us to bring you the Cache Belt and we want you to know that when faced with an unfortunate event, we don't wallow around in self-pity. We put on the gloves, get to cleaning up the mess, and get to work to figure out the next plan of attack.

And we like beer. We find it helps the process of healing and rebuilding.

 Yeah. Beer. It helps keep a sense of humor.

We wanted to use this example to point out how committed we are to making this project a success.

Something will always go wrong (like your buckle manufacturer will repeatedly screw up everything for one of the most important projects of your life). But problems don't open doors for excuses, they offer an opportunity to find solutions, test your team, and build character.

Please do not interpret our take-it-in-stride attitude as not taking this issue seriously. Words cannot begin to describe how being late on delivery of this project has hurt our bottom line, future opportunities, reputation, and more.

But we're here now. And all of our focus is to finish the race and get you your belt at the quality we're all proud of. You will get your Cache Belt, we promise!

...and no we didn't start the fire. It was a cheap Chinese camera charger that was left plugged in and apparently blew up in the night! Caveat Emptor Cheap Chinese Products, right?! More information on the fire in a blog post HERE.

*****************CACHE BELT UPDATES*****************

Custom Cobra Buckles are in! Next, we ship these to the cut and sew factory in Colorado to have them sewn into belts.

We're hoping Misty Mountain, famous for their USA-Made climbing harnesses, will also be able to do an extra final heavy-duty bartack on them. Waiting to hear back. 

We're still shooting for shipping next month, June, for the Cobra Buckle version. 

The standard Cache Belt with cam buckle is dependent on this new sample.

Our (bad) manufacturer is delivering us an updated version of the sample buckle tomorrow with our requested changes. We will report back how close it is to the final design immediately. If it is good to go, we can begin mass production.

If not, we will have to go with Plan B, C, or D. Yes, we do have backup plans. All bets aren't on this one horse, but if we are forced to dip into our backups, it will cost time. We will keep you posted with any new developments.

Here's to trial by fire! CHEERS FROM WAZOO!

 ==================================================================

IN OTHER NEWS:

If you haven't already, you gotta check out our friends at Emberlit's Cabuya. LIVE Kickstarter (Only 3 Days Left). Famous creator of the Emberlit Stove and Sprongs

 

Check out this new take on an old practice. The "Cabuya" Casting Handlines for fishing. Handline fishing is an ancient and extremely effective method of fishing. The Cabuya makes this method of fishing super convenient and easy by keeping one’s line neatly organized yet ready to cast at a moment’s notice. It fits in a pocket and is perfect for backpackers, pilots, paddlers, and survival fishing. Above all handline fishing is a fun and unique experience. This is the bare knuckle boxing of fishing.

 

 

BUCKLE UPDATE!
about 7 years ago – Thu, Apr 27, 2017 at 01:34:36 AM

As you are well aware the Cache Belt Project is being held up by one supplier, the buckle manufacturer. It is infuriating, to say the least. Especially considering that we have all the other parts sitting on the shelf and they continue to drag their feet in every way possible.

However, today we got our hands on the sample from the new mold!!!

We are waiting on a response from the manufacturer and to be as transparent as possible, we'll tell you our first impressions.

GOOD

When tested, the sample is non-magnetic which means they did indeed use a proper stainless steel this time (don't ask). The carbon steel buckle shouldn't be a problem as it is easier to produce.

The buckle incorporates all of the major improvements we have requested and is, for every practical sense, a fully-functioning buckle. It opens. It closes. And almost more importantly, it opens beverages.

BAD

3 dimensions need to be addressed. 

• 1) The main cam teeth could be longer to provide more of a bite on the webbing.
• 2) The back adjuster cam teeth could be longer to also provide more bite, also.
• 3) The main hinge could use adjustment to eliminate side-to-side slop.

Keep in mind, all of these things are already addressed in the 3D model and they are working towards tool validation and hopefully, it'll be minor tweaks, not a major overhaul. 

UGLY

This sample is not an FAI (First Article Inspection), which is what we will require before we can go full on mass production. It has yet to be plated and is still in its raw form. It is ugly. We are working to confirm the quality of plating as wells as color with factory while they are working out the last few bugs.

Thank you all for all your support! We know that you have been patiently waiting for your Cache Belt and we couldn't be more appreciative. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to call or email.

~ Dustin & The Wazoo Crew

(281) 846-4633

[email protected]

Quick Update!
about 7 years ago – Fri, Apr 14, 2017 at 11:25:44 PM

"Short and sweet, lots of heat, and full of meat" 

...a coach used to say to me and this is how we'll keep this update.

BUCKLE

This is the part we are all waiting on... TOOLING is done! We are currently waiting on the first samples fresh off the new mold for approval! Once approved we will give the thumbs up for MASS PRODUCTION which is estimated to take about 2 weeks and then go to PLATING which is estimated at 1 week.

EXTRAS

Yes, there will be surprises! We've taken this time waiting for buckles to improve designs and include new parts and pieces! Here's a sneak peak...

WHISTLES

As you know, we've had time to design the coolest little whistle for you guys.  Small, sleek and packs a punch!  They are all finished machining and going through the plating process as we speak. 

Time is flying!
about 7 years ago – Fri, Mar 24, 2017 at 07:03:47 PM

I can't believe it has almost been a month since our last update, so it's time to catch you up again! 

THE BELTS

Belts are now folded but still waiting for their other half (the buckles). We're prepping everything we can so it's all ready to ship as soon as the buckles arrive.

THE BUCKLES

Though the manufacturers have yet to meet a single deadline they have ever had (read previous updates if you aren't caught up fully with this saga), we are keeping the pressure on them to stick to the most recent timeline they've given us. It requires daily micromanaging and feels more like we're dealing with children than an American engineering company, but we're doing everything we can to get you a buckle that you'll be proud to wear. To hold them more accountable to deadlines, we are now insisting on a late penalty clause for liquidated damages every day they are late going forward to be added to the contract. If you, or someone you know, is a contract lawyer who wants to weigh in on this pro-bono, please get in contact!

For those of you that opted for the Cache Belt with Cobra buckle:

While these buckle setbacks do not directly affect your belt, the Cache Belts with Cobra Buckles will likely ready to ship in June, which is later than anticipated. This is due to the fact that the buckle manufacturer AustriAplin needed to build our buckle custom and they only do a few bulk shipments to their North American distributor per year. The first shipment of the year happens to be all the way in May, so we have to wait until we get them so that we can sew them into our belts. We do not anticipate any issues with this belt or any of the manufacturers, it's simply late because it unfortunately falls in an awkward supply time for AustriAlpin. By the way, these belts are going to turn out really cool!

THE WHISTLES

As you saw in the last update, we have done more with testing compressible fluid dynamics than we ever thought we would as a survival gear company... it's not supposed to be rocket science, but we got pretty darn close. The Frankenstein plastic prototypes turned into a drawing, and now the drawing turned into an aluminum production sample. Another custom product that we've developed for you in the time we've been waiting on buckles. 

THE PACKAGING

We put a lot of time and effort in everything we do, even if it's just the hang tag and packaging that comes along with the product. It may not feel like much is happening from your end because you don't have the belts yet (sorry) but everything is coming together to be an even better product than originally expected.  This extra time has allowed us to fine tune and tweak every aspect of the design.

THE CONTENT

We've been so busy making sure we keep the 40+ individual components moving through the production process that we haven't had much time to tell you about the content! Unlike most companies that would throw in a "how to survive" manual, we're creating a whole series of YouTube videos that will highlight each component individually and multiple uses of each. They'll be designed to get your gears turning, offer ideas, tips, and encourage you to get out and test the gear you may have to rely on some day. 

THE WEBSITE

If you haven't figured it out yet, we are gluttons for punishment. We don't understand the concept of downtime, and we're always pushing to be the best. Another push that's happening behind the scenes here is a whole new web page!  Just as our products are evolving, adapting, and improving, so too should our web page.  Newer, cleaner, and more use-friendly than ever.

================================================[\\\]

Trailhead Adventure Pant - Packable, Durable, & Stain proof

 

Our friends over at Coalatree are at it again. This time with the amazing Trailhead adventure pants. They funded in just 8 hours and are on track to be the most funded pants in Kickstarter history. Made from nylon ripstop they are virtually waterproof and stain proof. Get yours now!