Advice on a custom knife purchase

VCM3

VCM3

Dealer / Materials Provider
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I received a knife in the mail today.It was listed in a for sale ad,on the internet.The description,stated "mint condition".I examined the lockback,and immediatly noticed a small pin head size,deep scratch on one bolster.Upon further inspection,I noticed blade play,up and down,and side to side.This is mint condition???
 
Nope that is no where mint condition.Did you ask about the lock-up and the action at the time of purchase? Regardless,I would be sending it back for a refund.Sorry to hear this.
 
Stumpy,I did not think I needed to ask questions like that,about a knife made by a very well known maker,and MasterSmith,when the description stated "mint". I really wanted to hear from you guys,cause I kind of can't believe it.
 
I was turned off of E-Bay and giraffe bone on the same purchase. The seller, who mainly peddled custom knives on E-Bay, had a 100% positive feedback score, and pronounced the Arno Bernard fixed-blade knife I purchased 'mint'. When I received it, the finish on the handle looked like an elementary or middle-school student had messed up an art project. I was like you...I couldn't believe it. I think I can fix the problem, but sure wish he had put 'needs work'!!
 
Who knows, the blade play may have been there when the knife was purchased. That is not a good thing, but may not have anything to do with the person you purchased it from. The scratch is unacceptable in a knife categorized as mint. What does the person that sold it to you have to say?
 
canineforge-This was not ebay,it was a site in wich collectors can list thier pieces,I do not wish to name names,before the matter is attempted to be resolved.
Kieth-I realize the play may have been there,but to not disclose this information,did the seller think that I was not going to handle and or inspect the knife? If I turned around,and re-sold this knife,and accuratly described the condition,the words"mint condition",would not be found in the ad.He has not yet returned my e-mail,but it is only one day,I am not angry,I just cannot beieve that someone,who calls themself a collector,would not disclose the correct description,or neglect to be forward of the description,as if the buyer would not see it.It took all but a minute to see the flaws.
 
VCM3,
Very well known maker,MS.Mint condition.
Deep scratch on one bolster,Blade play up and down,side to side.:eek:

I would be using the telephone.Keep us posted.Hope you get the best possible outcome.

Doug :)
 
letherbird,I do not have a phone contact,or I would call.I went through the site,wich is for knives,and this was in thier classifieds,so if I do not get results,I can contact the site administation.The reason for my thread,was not to complain,but to reinforce my thoughts,as to the description of the knife,and the actual knife itself.If this guy would have said" the overall condition is excellent,but there is a tiny scratch that is pretty deep,and a bit of blade play,not too bad" I would have never purchased the knife.The asking price is not justified,if it were "mint" with no play,that'd be a different story.If you see me in the GB&U,then you will know that they did not attempt to correct this situation.Thanks everyone,though,I just wanted to know,that it was not me,being picky.I have other knives,made by the same maker,and they are rock solid,tight,so I really was surprised.
 
Mint condition doesn't mean that the knife was well made to start with. I think the seller doesn't have to bring up all the defects of the knife. He just have to be honest.

Quite a few well known makers have quality control issues, and the standards among makers vary.

Obviously the scratch means the knife isn't mint.
 
VCM3 said:
canineforge-This was not ebay,it was a site in wich collectors can list thier pieces.
Click to expand...
Too bad. In this case the venue has supplied a place for collectors to offer their wares, but as individuals and NOT a business, you run into the same problems that one may find on eBay. Overzealous descriptions.

The www.americanbladesmith.com site has the name and contact for all MS's. You might call or email the maker to find out his position on the current condition. You might be surprised. (At least I'd hope for a positive outcome.)

We all know this transaction had nothing to do with the maker, but this may be the best resource to get it resolved.

Coop
 
VCM3, Yeah that is not good.
Hopefully it was just an over zealous seller, who will do right by you. I agree with Coop & would contact maker, you said you have a few of the maker's knives I'm sure he would be happy to service it.
If you then don't want to keep it then, it's in a better condition to sell & the seller hasn't come to the party.

Hope the seller does right by you!!!
Let us know how it goes

Cheers
Mitch
 
I paid right about what the maker would charge,without the wait of a year.I thought for that price,I was getting the knife in a condition that I would expect from the maker,(and again,the description "mint",led me to beieve that).I do not feel,that I should have to pay more to have it refurbished.If the fellow does not want to refund the money,Then I will seek that option,but as of now,I am feeling misled,and let me say this,I sell knives in the Forum here,and list dead mint knives as excellent condition.Iguess I should have asked more questions,I'm learning a lot of lessons as I go.
I want to thank everyone for putting your two cents in,I appreciate all the advice,Vince
 
First of all I sympathsize with you all the way.Hate being in the position you are in.
But if you are not happy now,you never will be.
Send it back.
Randy
 
Randy,I am trying.I sent an e-mail immediatly,and have not heard back yet.It could be that the fellow is not available.I have no reason to suspect that he is avioding me,because this just happened this week.I have to give him a little time to reply.I hope I do not have a problem in the works,not really into blade play on a knife like this.I can handle it on a production slippy,but not on a custom lockback.Honestly,if there was no blade play,the small scratch does not bother me that bad,But it is no way,a "Mint Condition" knife. Thanks for moving my thread ,I'll keep you all up to speed on the outcome.If it does not pan out,I may need some help,contacting the administration of the site,in wich the knife was purchased through. Thanks,Vince
 
For anyone who is interested in the outcome of this,the seller of the knife contacted me & refunded my money.The knife has ben sent back.I have learned a valuable lesson,for custom knife purchases.Don't assume because one knife you own,from a particular maker,has the same fit and finish as another knife,and ,you may want to ask questions on the condition ,of a knife.Even though a person lists it as "Mint Cond.",there may be flaws that are overlooked,for one reason or another. Thanks,everyone,for any and all input and advice on this one,Vince.:)
 
It's good to see that the dealer took care of you. You might want to give us the dealer's name now that they have made things right.
 
Kieth, The knife was not bought from a dealer,as I said in the original post,it was purchased through an internet site,that has classified ads for custom knives. Vince
 
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