I periodically call up Duncan to get the update on tops, and I just got off the phone with Mike Burke. He told me that he was just today looking at photos of the new samples that were run for the next batch of Rip Cord/Bearing Kings. They are shipping him the samples and he should have them this week. He has to do some testing on them to make sure they are using the right variety of polycarbonate (to avoid the breakage issues), and if he approves the plastic they will start manufacturing right away.
The new packaging (with my face on it) is at the printer now, so after they sell the last few remaining cases of Rip Cords in stock (order today if you need any cases) the new ones will have my smiling face looking at you. They will rotate out who is on the package, so the next batch might be Takeshi or Felix.
The new and improved Imperial has already been made and is in stock, but they are selling through old stock first. Mike is checking on how much of the old stock they have, and he will get back to me.
