Creator: Justin K, Seattle, Washington
Date funded: 4/2/2012
# backers: 519
Amount: $80,346
Project was to build a single model of carbon fiber sunglasses, in the basic shape of RayBans. Attracting 519 backers at $150 – $200 each, the project was funded on April 1, 2012 – which might have been the first clue to the project’s path. After repeated “unexpected delays” and problem updates, in April of 2013 the project creator (Justin Knowles) posted an update that said he had essentially burned through ~95% of backer funds, was now out of money from the pledges, and could no longer move forward. Based on backer comments and threats of legal action, the creator re-evaluated his position, and committed to finishing the project, leaning back against the Kickstarter TOS. In the year since that update, the project creator has posted infrequent “sorry it’s taking so long – we’re still having problems” updates, and been relatively unresponsive in the comments section of his project page. At the same time, backers report his facebook activity remains high, he’s gotten married or engaged, been on vacations, and continued work at his primary job (ProductCreationStudio in Seattle). The Kickstarter project has been back-burnered for him, as well as for his suppliers, given his presumed inability to pay those suppliers to act with any real urgency. Backers are now concerned about the creator’s ability to finish the project at a level of quality expected – especially for a high-tech fashion accessory worn on one’s face. As with any Kickstarter fail, this project has been rife with missed promised deadlines, update posting delays, and a general projection of apathy from the creator. We are now 25 months post funding, the creator has over $80,000 from backers who have received no product, and the most recent update from the creator indicates that he is unable to reach his manufacturing partner.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/justinknowles
http://www.productcreationstudio.com
@Greenerkat
It looks like you were the “special kind of dumb-ass” after all!
This project was originally sold as if the product and process was already developed. By the way, Justin has officially given up on the project.
I was giving thought to a new project and the idea of Carbon Fiber Sunglasses came to mind. After a quick search I read about the Kolstom project on Kickstarter.
I’ve been working with carbon fiber for over 5 years now, producing a line of specialty carbon fiber bicycle components and other special projects. I know from a great deal of personal experience that Justin from Kolstom simply could not have known the extreme complexity of designing a functioning pair of Carbon Sunglasses. Carbon fiber is an extremely labor intensive material, and honestly to make sunglasses out of carbon that are reliable and beautiful will take a great deal of designing, trial and error.
I have started the early stages of designing and manufacturing true 100% carbon sunglasses. I’ve made some simple prototypes to start the design and development phase. Finished product will not be available until the middle of next year however since there are numerous obstacles to overcome.
@Nova
You sir are a special kind dumb-ass…
Have you never heard of a marketing or representative sample? His project was to develop a product and a process.
This project is very delayed, but still seems to have active progress.
I wonder If anyone has actually noticed that the kolstom “carbon fiber” sunglasses is a cheap pair of wayfarer sunglasses or oakley Holbrooks that is wrapped with a fake carbon fiber vinyl sticker!!
Zoom in on the picture..look at the overlaps of the vinyl sticker underneath the bridge.
Compression molding does not have a rough texture to its surface! When you really start to look closely you will see all the splices and defects in the vinyl wrap..
Besides…if those glasses that he has on his campaign are compression molded, why is it so hard to reproduce what he claims to have done!
“The world’s first compression molded carbon fiber sunglasses featuring 9-layer polarized optics and locking hinges. YEA! B.S. JACK-ASS!!
YEA JUSTIN, KUDOS TO YOU AND YOUR SCAM!! LOL! VERY CLEVER!! HAHAHA…
It is unfortunate because it places another black eye to the composite sector in Kickstarter..
Comments are closed.
7 Comments