A dealer you can trust

Patrick M.

Patrick M.

Joined
Oct 31, 2005
Messages
436
I'd like to share with you my latest experience with Michael Donato of www.knifepurveyor.com. I just get this knife from him, and it is quite an unusual transaction :

asprey_engraved_hunter_open_L.jpg


asprey_engraved_hunter_sheath_L.jpg


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Here's the story. It's been a while that I'm looking for an affordable integral knife by Hillknives (Frans & Albert Van den Heuvel, from Nederland). A few weeks ago I noticed this one on Michael's website, with a low price ($400). But the description didn't say anything but "Asprey" about the maker. That is indeed the word engraved in gold on the blade. I knew that Hillknives used to make some knives for this luxury store in London. Moreover the overall lines of the knife looked familiar to me. I sent Michael a message, asking a few question and telling him this is probably a Hillknives... which is worth a lot more than the listed price. After some e-mails I decided to take the knife. Everything was ok. We just had to fix the details for the transaction. Michael was leaving for the New York show. He put the knife "on hold", telling me that we would send details after the show.

Here's the message he sent me during the show :
"The knife is indeed a Hill knife and is so under priced that you are getting a great deal. The price of this knife should be around $3,000. I have been offered more money for the knife from another buyer but I am honoring the asking price of $400 to you".

$3000 is probably overestimated, but I guess $1500 to $2000 would not be so wrong...

Meanwhile I had sent a message to Hillknives. Here's the answer :

"100 % this knife is a Hillknives. We have made only 3 pieces for the firm Asprey. The knife model is 9140 half integral. Made from damaststeel of Mr Fritz Schneider from Karlsbad DE. Hardness 57 RC. The name Asprey is engraved in gold by mr Edouard Vos Belgium. Also the screws are engraved by mr Vos. The handle material is Rosewood Burgundy Micarta from Pakkawood USA. Screws are stainless steel. The Sheath is handmade by mr Hendrik Nijhof NL. This beautiful knife was made in 1991 / 1992 and delivered to Asprey 28-02-1992 In this time we engraved our name under the handle material. What did you pay for it?"


Well, I'm lucky on that deal. Lucky that I did recognize a valuable knife when the dealer did not (ok, knifemaker is european). And lucky because Michael Donato could have changed his mind when he realized his mistake. He just didn't.

Here's the website : www.knifepurveyor.com. You can trust the man behind.
 
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I have dealt with Michael a few times and it was always a pleasant experience. I am on his email list and frequently visit his site.

Congrats on a great score and very classy to share positive feedback for Michael. I would suggest posting a copy of this to the "good and bad" forum in the Exchange.

Matt
 
I too have dealt more than once with Michael Donato.

Dealings with a knife purveyor from 8,000 miles away could have
been a problem. Not with Michael. He made everything seem so
easy and straightforward. He made me feel as if we were doing
business across the table...

It was a pleasure working with Michael Donato!

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
Great story and even better score. I went by Asprey in 2005 and the manager of the gun room, who happened to be a knife knut, was bemoaning the fact that management wouldn't allow him to stock any knives other than "house brand" marked Bokers and such that were marked up at least 2 times over normal full retail prices for the same knife without the Asprey stamp. Purdey basically had the same knives marked up even more!!!!!:eek:
Edit. I checked out Michael's website. He's got some serious iron for sale!!!!
 
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Not only iron, Joe, his serious stuff is made of other materials.... :)

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
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I have never had the pleasure of dealing directly with Michael, however have never heard anything but GOOD from my friends who have.
However we are fortunate in that this is the case with most if not all of the dealers in our community. :thumbup: :)
 
I too have had a few dealings with Michael and all have been great. Michael stands behind what he says. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
THAT is a great story!! That is also an really beautiful knife. I LOVE it. I haven't done business with Michael either, but I have heard nothing but good things about him.
 
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Michael sounds like a good business man because this story could have been the beginning of the end for him if he would have sold it out from under you. Instead it will bring him much more sales in the future. Good score for you too.
 
I am a bit of a Tom Ferry fan and I saw one of his blaldes on www.knifepurveyor.com
that I wanted. I call Mike and spoke for a bit about the knife.
He said no sweat let me get in your hands.
About 5 days later the blade showed up in my offce in Denver.
Sent to a man he has never met.
No payment, no deposit. Just the knife.
Well I was impressed and clearly I wanted the blade and wrote the check and sent it to him.
I believe in honor, honesty, and integrity in business and Michael Donato has all of those attributes.
 
you are a lucky person, patrick, great knife!

i bought a knife from michael earlier this year. i wasn't too happy with it (not michael's fault), but after a couple of e-mails and phone calls we found a solution that satisfied all involved. michael is an excellent businessman and a gentlemen. highly recommended!

hans
 
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Patrick..nice knife. I have one of their 25th anniversary knives and the fit and finish is great.

As for Michael Donato, he is one of the good guys as are Daniel O'Malley, Dave Harvey and Paul Shindler (in no particular order).

Marcel
 
I have not done business with Mike yet but he is always an amazing guy. When the right knife and time comes around, i'd gladly go for it. Good guy to chat with and always friendly.
 
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