Knightgrip LED light grip for lineman's pliers on Kickstarter - photo

**Jon** · Aug 17, 2017, 01:09 PM

Another interesting Kickstarter for a homemade tool (don't worry, I have plenty more bookmarked

).

This one is a LED illuminated rubber grip for lineman's pliers. Invented by a retired Navy electrician. On Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...02/knightgrip/ . More: Knightgrip.com.

This one just launched a few days ago. 27 days remaining. $45 pledged of $30,000 goal. No idea what's up with the "guitar lesson" award for pledges. I'm going to email the inventor and maybe we can get some details.

Gimmick or gold?

Previously:

Scalpel Jones everyday carry titanium scalpel Kickstarter - video and photo
desktop waterjet kickstarter
Precision Stop Kickstarter for auto-positioning tool
Paint can perforator Kickstarter
Self-powered hydraulic floor jack Kickstarter
JM3 oil filter wrench Kickstarter
Archimedes aided digging device failed Kickstarter

**mklotz** · Aug 17, 2017, 02:52 PM

Useful but, as inventions go, unspectacular.

Why on earth do they need $30K? Patent lawyers are expensive but I doubt you can get a patent on attaching a flashlight to pliers.

**woodennicol** · Aug 17, 2017, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by mklotz

Useful but, as inventions go, unspectacular.

Why on earth do they need $30K? Patent lawyers are expensive but I doubt you can get a patent on attaching a flashlight to pliers.

There are many reasons to ask for certain amount like needed packaging design, finding a competent manufacturer to produce the product, advertising and the list goes on. Many of these kickstarter and other peer to peer ventures have been able to produce the original prototype but need more capital to go into full production; thus asking others to invest and receive the product for the donation or a greatly reduced price depending on the amount pledged.

I wish I had a product that I thought everyone in the world needed one of and I would be starting a Kickstarter pledge drive! Good luck to all who have the drive and passion to get their product to market!

**mklotz** · Aug 18, 2017, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by woodennicol

There are many reasons to ask for certain amount like needed packaging design, finding a competent manufacturer to produce the product, advertising and the list goes on. Many of these kickstarter and other peer to peer ventures have been able to produce the original prototype but need more capital to go into full production; thus asking others to invest and receive the product for the donation or a greatly reduced price depending on the amount pledged.

I wish I had a product that I thought everyone in the world needed one of and I would be starting a Kickstarter pledge drive! Good luck to all who have the drive and passion to get their product to market!

$30K still seems excessive given that this guy...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/s...2867#post97388

only wants 300 Euro to solve the world's energy problems. :-)

**Jon** · Aug 18, 2017, 11:35 AM

I think a lot of the Kickstarters actually started their invention a while ago, and are trying to collect some money for historical expenses. This is not an absurd practice when it's applied honestly, but it's something to keep in mind. And: they want to pay themselves a salary. Also not absurd, but also a potential for abuse. One of the things that they're not doing is budgeting for marketing. There are plenty of good ideas on Kickstarter, but they are so clumsily marketed that nobody finds out about them.

Anyway, here's an opposite style of funding strategy. Successfully funded with $452 of $10 goal: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...-modification/ . Note how he's adjusted his campaign wording to include: "Titanium Now Available!"