So much for getting another FJN!

[Tonya]

Well, once again I'm unable to purchase the TB bag that I want. Mondays are usually insane days with work, and yesterday was no exception. I totally forgot about the release and the email is in my "promotions" folder in my personal email, so I didn't see it until this morning. I just went to Bihn (Tues, 6:15 am EST) and the FJNs are already gone. Well, except for Beaver Camo, but I already have two items in that fabric and don't want any more. I really wanted an Olive Cordura one. Like REALLY.

Thankfully, I already have one FJN so this would have just been a backup that I planned to keep in my car. Once again, TB can't keep things in stock long enough for many of us to get what we want. Sheesh. I'm VERY tired of this and ready to bow out of the TB madness for good.

I'm not going to "watch the product page" to wait on the possibility of an oddball return. I have a life lol. I'm not going to buy used at any sort of inflatable prices. I'm disappointed and pretty much done with this chaos. I hope TB considers offering more FJNs, but I don't know if I'll get one. I really just wanted that Olive Cordura one, but oh well.

Sorry for the rant, but it's early and I still haven't had a full cup of coffee. I just wanted to buy. a. bag. The end.

[eris]

Well, except for Beaver Camo, but I already have two items in that fabric and don't want any more.

I really wish TB would scrap that fabric and alllocate those capacities to other fabrics. It's probably just me, but I've never quite understood why anyone would want any civilian item in camouflage. Feels particularly wrong to me these days.

Oh and I didn't get a firewood carrier...

[Chicagoan]

I really wish TB would scrap that fabric and alllocate those capacities to other fabrics. It's probably just me, but I've never quite understood why anyone would want any civilian item in camouflage. Feels particularly wrong to me these days.

Oh and I didn't get a firewood carrier...

The only item I would be more surprised seeing made in Camo would be a Swift knitting bag (or maybe a Parental Unit).

[G42]

I totally get that it's frustrating to not be able to get the bag you want, without stress. Folks have been pretty clear that frantic buying is no fun and TB has agreed.
TB has posted about the issue several times; it led to (among other things) eventual upgrades to the ordering systems to allow semi automated pre-orders for instance... Even though that required a bunch of manual work at TB, it allowed people to order the fabric combo they especially wanted for some bags. Every once in a while they'd have to close a pre-order option early (like Swifts with Wasabi) because the fabric supply ran out, but they told people about that possibility ahead of time, and most of the time it was never an issue.

The thing about this FJN run is that it shouldn't even exist. The 3-ring mechanism was discontinued from their supplier years ago, so TB discontinued the FJN years ago.
TB found that there was a leftover box of the binders mechanisms in their secondary storage when they were doing cleaning/inventory so they decided to use them instead of disposing of them. There was therefore a very limited supply, which they communicated.
The Plum version ran out pretty quickly and the others sold out over the next several hours, with Beaver Camo remaining into today.

I think it's better for the leftover parts to be used, even if it means not everyone who wants one can get one, than to throw them out. It was the same thing with the dog beds & leashes and the Halcyon straps.

[G42]

The only item I would be more surprised seeing made in Camo would be a Swift knitting bag (or maybe a Parental Unit).

The FJN was "Designed originally for biologists and geologists working in the wilderness" (from the product page) so it doesn't surprise me that they used Beaver Camo for some of them.

[Ladyrixx]

I'd like to see them release a version without the rings, since so many people seem to not want to use the rings anyway.

[hedd]

Same bag layout, but to hold a marble composition notebook would be neat (a little bigger).

[Tonya]

I really wish TB would scrap that fabric and alllocate those capacities to other fabrics. It's probably just me, but I've never quite understood why anyone would want any civilian item in camouflage. Feels particularly wrong to me these days.

The FJN was "Designed originally for biologists and geologists working in the wilderness" (from the product page) so it doesn't surprise me that they used Beaver Camo for some of them.

I agree with G42 because I fit into the original FJN design description. (And hey Chicagoan a parental unit in camo might make sense hee-hee!)

I'm also very confused about why camo could feel "wrong"? Many civilians like me need it. A perfect example is here: https://www.tombihn.com/products/beaver-transport-bag

We live in a somewhat remote, rugged area where many grow and hunt for their own food and might not could afford to eat well otherwise, so camo is a common sighting around here. And although I'm not a fan of the bright orange Cordura, since we do live in an area with a lot of hunters and our fair share of possibly aggressive wildlife, I get it. (Good rule around wildlife higher on the food chain that you: Don't look like prey, aka wear bright colors.) Many urban dwellers (bike commuters, etc) need high visibility also, and hey, some may occasionally need camo.

I'm glad that TB thinks outside of the box and caters to a wide people group with various lifestyles and interests. I think that's what makes a company great. I love the Beaver Camo and have several pieces in it. It's rugged, good looking fabric! I just really wanted something different for the FJN.

I'm slowly getting over my loss and agree that it's better for Bihn to offer limited runs than tossing materials. I just wish Bihn could have tossed an Olive Cordura FJN my way. (Sounding like a broken record now, I'm sure!)

Edited to add: I actually checked in early yesterday morning when I got up, but the FJNs weren't for sale yet. I'm on EST so PST folks were still snoozing. By the time Bihn opened up the orders, I was knee deep in work and really busy and totally forgot about it. My job doesn't always allow me to push work aside to buy a bag, and I'm sure that's the same for many of you. Even if I had been attentive when the orders opened, I'm not sure I could have hovered over the buy button in time. And really, that's just not the way I like to shop. I've always hated auctions and those type of things. Anyway, totally a personal preference of mine so if getting in on a highly limited, fast purchase gets your juices flowing, more power to you! I actually admire those who have the constitution to rise to the challenge in panic mode. PM me and I'll pay you to purchase my next bag.

[Chicagoan]

Oh, for sure! It's all personal preference.

I defer to stuff that tends to be dirt-colored (see also "Ursa") because if the bag isn't brown to begin with, my hiking hobby will turn it brown.

I actually like bright colors for small, accessory items because it keeps me from leaving them behind in a hotel room and makes it easy for my wife to grab something out of my bag ("it's in the bright yellow pouch!"), etc.

Most folks have a good reason for choosing the colors they do, even if it's so simple as that's their favorite color, and it makes them happy.

I'm at wit's end with the internet resellers poaching limited quantity items - someone today listed a Night Walk Halcyon Side Kick and Co-Pilot, both new with the tags still attached. Like, this person could very easily mail them back to Bihn for ten bucks, and get a full refund, but they persist in selling them at markup for profit. Annoying in general, but especially irritating when I jump on these forums and read about some nice people who weren't able to buy the items they wanted in time, while people buying them for the sole purpose of turning them for profit are sitting on multiples. If nothing else, glad they started placing limits on the number people can buy at one time.

And honestly, it's just a tough game to play. I was only so lucky getting 2 FJNs because that's literally all I gave time for myself to purchase. Grab the FJNS. Check out. Chase the other stuff that wasn't as popular later. Even then, it doesn't always work - back when they used to tease the list of limited quantity items ahead of time, I REALLY wanted an Ursa Guide's Edition SN22. And I did what I just described. And someone still beat me to it.

So I get how frustrating it is, too. And that's why I always return things instead of reselling them - I'd rather they find a home with someone who truly wants an item.

Maybe one pops back up in inventory. You'd be surprised how often items like that get sent back, and even sent back again - I guess if someone returns toward the end of their 60 days, someone else gets it, and they return the item - you can sometimes randomly find rare items MONTHS after they go out of stock.

[m_cycle]

I'm grateful to the TB crew for making these last FJNs available for us who thought we'd never have a chance to get one straight from the source. Please know that you've made some of us (with no previous hope) very happy indeed.

BTW, would also love it if you'd do another run of the pen/pencil insert. That would be gravy on top.

[drs0043]

This is frustrating. I will say, though, I've been pleasantly surprised with the new ownership. It's true things are always changing, and some of us weren't sure if TB would still be a bag company for bag people. A few positives I've noticed: much faster shipping times, faster replenishment of their core products (sadly, FJN isn't one anymore), and a welcome willingness to add things customers are asking for, even if it falls out of the preferred design aesthetic (looking at you, mesh water bottle pocket). I'm also pleased with the new 630 Ballistic compared to the 525 (not so much the Cerylon, but hey, didn't really like the 210 Ballistic, either). Just throwing this out there in case some of these things have been missed. I've been following TB for a while, and I'm looking forward to what else they come up with next. I did buy a Black FJN and if I don't absolutely love it, I'll post here to see if you might be interested.

[Tonya]

Oh, for sure! It's all personal preference.
I defer to stuff that tends to be dirt-colored (see also "Ursa") because if the bag isn't brown to begin with, my hiking hobby will turn it brown.

I actually like bright colors for small, accessory items because it keeps me from leaving them behind in a hotel room and makes it easy for my wife to grab something out of my bag ("it's in the bright yellow pouch!"), etc.

Yes me too! Our active outdoor life turns things dirt colored pretty quickly, but I also need abrasion resistant. Plus, even if a fabric isn't camo, I like camo colors (browns, greens, etc) because I prefer to fly under the radar for the most part. I'm not comfortable carrying and wearing things that call attention to myself (like bright colors), although dang I admire those who can rock purple hair and flashy clothing. My auburn hair is bold enough, thank you.

But small black and brown accessories... those get left in the woods all the time! My husband finally bought me a bright orange Case knife because I was forever losing knives. It has certainly helped as I haven't lost this one yet!

[Chicagoan]

Yes me too! Our active outdoor life turns things dirt colored pretty quickly, but I also need abrasion resistant. Plus, even if a fabric isn't camo, I like camo colors (browns, greens, etc) because I prefer to fly under the radar for the most part. I'm not comfortable carrying and wearing things that call attention to myself (like bright colors), although dang I admire those who can rock purple hair and flashy clothing. My auburn hair is bold enough, thank you.

But small black and brown accessories... those get left in the woods all the time! My husband finally bought me a bright orange Case knife because I was forever losing knives. It has certainly helped as I haven't lost this one yet!

My teeny, tiny, backpacking Swiss Army Knife is yellow for that exact reason!

I still maintain one of the most difficult parts of backpacking is trying not to leave your stuff behind and lose it.

And I do miss how abrasion-resistant Cordura was. One of the more popular state parks by me is a series of sandstone canyons along a river, and I used to carry a Linen Cordura DLBP on those trails. Despite all the unintentional abuse it got simply from being used for hiking, it actually still looked almost as good as new when I eventually sold it.

So I'm actually super glad they FJN reissue was also made with Cordura, because it's going to take a little bit of a beating once I start taking it out with me to wet, dirty construction sites.

[marbenais]

I'm at wit's end with the internet resellers poaching limited quantity items - someone today listed a Night Walk Halcyon Side Kick and Co-Pilot, both new with the tags still attached. Like, this person could very easily mail them back to Bihn for ten bucks, and get a full refund, but they persist in selling them at markup for profit. Annoying in general, but especially irritating when I jump on these forums and read about some nice people who weren't able to buy the items they wanted in time, while people buying them for the sole purpose of turning them for profit are sitting on multiples. If nothing else, glad they started placing limits on the number people can buy at one time.

It's just SO frustrating because there are a few eBay sellers who clearly buy as many limited-run (either colors or design) Tom Bihn items as possible, and then list them as soon as they're out of stock here. It's not someone who buys them, decides they don't work, and then resells instead of returning them for a refund. It's a way to make money. It's deliberate.
As I mentioned before, it's similar to people who buy as many tickets as they are allowed to for sports or concerts, then immediately list those seats for the Ticketmaster-sponsored resale. When I am on a mid-level of pre-order for sports tickets (so, well before a public sale!), and see hundreds of those pink resale tickets in every area, it's not people who buy tickets then have to resell them because of a change of plans (like when I got sick the week of the NWSL championship in October - several months after buying the tickets), it's people who set out to buy the maximum number of tickets and flip them for the most profit they can make. There's no other way that so many resale tickets are available before the public sale is even open. And there's no motivation to stop this scheme, because Ticketmaster gets a cut of the resale, too, so they're fine with reselling tickets because they keep making more money.

Some people genuinely don't care about other people. They see the limited availability of bags and tickets as a way they can make easy money for themselves, because they believe that making money and benefitting themselves is the most important thing and that other people exist to get money from. I don't want to get into sociology or politics for fear of getting banned, but my point is that some of us operate on social contracts and some people do not, and there's no way to force people to care about other people.

And there are very few things that can be done about the bags. Limiting quantities of high-demand colors/designs is a great start! But someone who wants to buy bags to resell them is going to purchase items in multiple orders with different cards/names/emails/delivery addresses, and that's really hard to prevent - these are not the people who make accounts and have that kind of information on file. Any kind of review of orders to check for suspicious purchases would cause delays for processing all of the legitimate orders and create massive customer service problems. At least limiting the quantities makes the multiple-purchases take longer - minutes instead of seconds - which hopefully gives regular purchasers the opportunity to buy something.

[SC54HI]

Managed to get a red FJ notebook this time and I like it much more than I though I would. Never had one before but I can see a number of ways to include it as part of my EDC or travel bags. I have no use for the 3-ring binder mechanism but I appreciate that I can remove it easily to configure the FJN for my needs. I would also definitely get another FJN if they were offered -- perhaps this time they could be a pre-order? Additionally, would it be a big deal WRT to design to make a FJN with no ring binder? Doesn't seem like it to me but then I don't sew, much less design bags!

Re: camo fabric. Meh. Never saw the attraction myself but obviously many like it so it's in stock.