I've been thinking about this one for quite awhile. Recent posts here and there have prompted me to do this now. I guess this is a philosophical post in a big way. WTF is going on Rick? WTF happened to the good old Turtle, Zapman?
It is about lots of things but mainly trust. I trusted a man, even though events in my past directed me not to trust, especially in AZ business related matters. The man trusted me back. Trust builds trust. This man is way smarter and more self disciplined than I am. I may also have some attributes that can help him. I sure hope so. So the trust grew and grew. I now have a real friend who also has a new real friend. No games. No hold backs of this or that for either of us in our relationship.
Because of that trust, I was given a choice, literally given to me on a silver platter. Keep doing what you are doing, idling along after ten years or make your product better. It CAN be made better. You CAN use other woods AND have very good consistent performance if we follow this through. It is your choice though. And believe me, I know how to say NO and I did several times.
The big choice was very easy because frankly it was made easy for me and was very logical and rational. I just said 'yes' and it happened with some learning curves along the way. I personally did not 'do' this but more enabled it to happen.........
We can all see the results of that very first trust. BTW, one reason the relationship grew is because we both are VERY opinionated and strong in our ways. We also both like to cuss alot, just for the heck of it. We are also both open minded in that appearances do not matter. The real heart of the soul is what matters.
Ennui, your CRZ is a very special one. I got a call awhile back with so much laughing going on that conversation was almost impossible. It was the very first of "Over The Barrel" line or whatever we call it. The idea and name had just clicked when a piece turned out as it did. Spontaneous as many of them are. That is the CRZ you now own, a very special one. As I recall, her performance was right on. We have several 'test benches' around and some are very handy when I am on the keyboard. I see you have confirmed her performance already.
Sure, we know some CRZs will have a problem, no matter what we do to insure they all produce the same. We will deal with that when it happens. So far we have seen much reported consistency with vaping air which is very sweet to hear.
ob, your observation of the big log we also noticed. I think after the CRZ has been on for a few hours, ALL the wood stabilizes in temperature. With thinner shelled, smaller CRZs that 'heated wood' effect is just about nothing. But with a big mass of wood heated, you get more 'support' for the insulated/isolated SS heated mass in the middle. That big old boy is also still warm to hold, right?
So here is the deal folks. We followed a rainbow and then turned it into a real rainbow for many people, especially the folks who get to use these gems. We think change is good if it is in the right direction. We are making a better product that squeezes even more goodness out of our precious medicine. The CRZ is the most efficient log vape we have seen yet in our opinion. The CRZ also offers basically unlimited wood and design choices. Just wait til our 'Signature' series comes out close to Christmas. You ain't seen nothin yet.
........and progress is a laughing matter? Not.
Oh yes, just in case anybody wondered, I follow fellow log vape competitor threads. I always thought they did the same but I guess I was wrong on that one. I know for sure Alan and his so very fine Toasty Top has helped me through some learning curves. Alans attitude is delicious. Dave, the Underdog with his beautiful, different shaped log vapes has also taught me some things. I think it is fun to peruse competitors threads. I only read other log vape threads due to time restrictions.
Speaking of time restrictions, if any of you think I can keep all the words in Emails and FC and pics and website stuff and shipping the right CRZ to the right person and have a life...............................AND turn these beauties, you are very much wrong. These beautiful creations are made from scraps and tools by another man. He is VERY creative as you can see with more tricks up his sleeve than you can imagine. Since this is scrap wood, we can cut it into blocks however we want. A change here and there makes for incredible wood art when the piece is turned.
One last thing about the USPS. Ennui was not the only customer we shipped on Thursday told by USPS their order would not arrive til Tuesday. I actually told another customer on Thursday I was smarter than the USPS, it would be there today, not Tuesday and I was right. Barcode tracking on everything shipped from one ounce up makes a difference to USPS. They do seem to treat those packages better.