So here at the close of 016 PK is going on a PKDL tour of sorts. He is going to visit a few countries in Asia to have a little fun and do a little work specifically PKDL related.
For clarity this is not a post to drum up business. I hope after reading this post others will agree it is a mere attempt to add to the unfolding story of a fledgling company owned by a man who has brought us numerous benchmark innovations for a couple of decades now. An archive for the future so-to-speak.
As I've said before, PK Design Lab is a side project for the famous inventor. He works about 275-300 days a year, often 25-30 in a row designing products for the folks involved with those Icon lights of long ago. He literally uses lunch breaks and after hours times to come up with those items featured in this thread here. I'm kinda Hollywood-izing the story here for effect. Basically to show how progress at PKDL is not going to move fast like at other light makers. It is a side project afterall with very little glamour, and lots of waiting.
Yet when we do see innovations you can be assured they were tested thoroughly and approved by the man himself.
Case in point: the Kickstand for the PL2's. What began as a humorous quip one day was conceived to a 3D drawing. Then a manufacturer was lined up and a prototype built. All was going well until the first batch arrived at his desk.
The idea in motion.
Porsche-like sleek styling.
And a bunch in stock.
However...
THIS WILL NOT DO!!!
The finish on them was not durable at all.
So it's not back to the drawing board per-sae, but certainly a better finish is in order. Trouble is it's a matter of coming up with a durable finish at a low cost. So yeah a ceramic coating or other options are possible, but the idea is to build these little dual function clips to be affordable. Same goes for some other ideas he's kicking around, like an upcoming double A light, an 18650, and a bike light.
It has been my pleasure to talk about the goings on at PKDL as a fan in the past, but now as part of the loop. PK is a very humble man who is very reserved when time to discuss his accomplishments. Me? I can talk about it with ease. It's why these updates come from yours truely instead of the man himself. Occasionally I get an email saying "please pass this on". The clips thing was one of those times. I just hope I'm able to accurately portray what he wants stated.
The PRX has been unveiled and PK is going to visit a few places where it has been requested in numbers. He is also slated to visit the facility where the lights thus far are manufactured. It is quite likely he will make an appearance in Vegas at the SHOT event and perhaps take in some hog hunting in Texas early next year. In the meantime I'm glad to know he won't be sitting at his desk on Christmas Day. And there is no telling what hijinx will take place on New Years Day while he lets off some steam.
But I can say for certain, PK thanks everybody for their support and their patience here at CPF and everywhere else.
