Advocates & Critics

All the above proves at least one thing.

Custom knives have now become a well established business with
everything that goes with it and everything that goes between the
many different people that are a part of it... The good and the bad...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
Les Robertson said:
Hi Kevin,

You know exactly what I am talking about. It appears that perhaps your "alliances" have switched. If you feel so inclined then expound and expand the topic or better yet start a new thread.

I too find it humorous when you make comments about others not derailing a thread.

How about putting this one back on track.
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No Les, my alliances have definitely not switched, however I disagree that many here know to what you refer. I agree with Paul in that your statement "creates suspicion by innuendo". However Steven has provided a very good summation that perhaps will eliminate any further discussion on this subject as I too believe there's nothing to be gained by opening this "can of worms" here.

I found your hesitance in taking this thread off topic humorous in that you may be the only one on this forum that is more guilty of "thread de-railment" than I. ;) :)
 
That Kevin and Les have both made some very good points, and that perhaps we can leave that as that.

I also think that having a good customer promote your work is very helpful....Dan Unger has done tireless work to promote E.R. Andrews, Kevin Jones has done tremendous work with both Jerry Fisk, and now Kyle Royer, Joss Delage never has a bad word for Don Fogg, and I'm not even sure that Walter Brend would be the highly sought after maker he is if not for a lot of early push by one Les Robertson.

With all that, it always comes back to the maker.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
That Kevin and Les have both made some very good points, and that perhaps we can leave that as that.

I also think that having a good customer promote your work is very helpful....Dan Unger has done tireless work to promote E.R. Andrews, Kevin Jones has done tremendous work with both Jerry Fisk, and now Kyle Royer, Joss Delage never has a bad word for Don Fogg, and I'm not even sure that Walter Brend would be the highly sought after maker he is if not for a lot of early push by one Les Robertson.

With all that, it always comes back to the maker.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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That's how I found out about him. I owe Danbo, like, a whole keg of beer. :)

Roger
 
Hi David,

I don't think a makers importance to another maker can be overstated when it comes to the technical issues related to making a knife.

The opposite side of that coin is when makers ask other makers for advice on pricing. Almost without exception the maker recommends a price that is too high.

Back in the early 90's I was at the Guild Show and I saw a maker (who's name I will not mention even though he is dead and yes most of you would know who he is) approached by a new maker seeking pricing guidance. The senior maker asked the junior maker the price and upon hearing it he told the junior maker he needed to raise his price at least $75 (on a $300) knife. The junior maker left with a big smile and immediately raised all the prices of his knives.

I remained at the Senior makers table looking at his knives. Within minutes a customer came to the table and asked about a knife and then the price. The maker responded...my knives are a value. See that maker down there (pointing at the junior maker) he has only been making knives 2 years and his prices are only $50 less than mine.

Point! The same maker you are asking advice from is your competition. Coke does not ask Pepsi how to price their products.

Oh, that junior maker...didn't sell a single knife at the show.


Are customers only relevant for knowing if a maker honors his word, or is there more a customer can do, or say for a maker?
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You see comments from collectors almost daily showing their newest purchase. This word of mouth advertising is the best free advertising there is.

On the opposite side of the coin, you have to look at the person doing the "critique" of the knife. Many have an agenda, many really don't know what they are looking at. Consequently, cannot make a fair comparison to the maker or their knife(s) to the rest of the market. Just because you own it doesn't make it the best in the category. No matter how "Amped" you are about the knife. :D

What are the best and worst comments you've ever heard from a maker or customer, regarding a makers knives? (how did it affect your purchase) .
I have seen some amazingly great and horrible things said about makers...to their face and behind their backs. I will refrain from mentioning the comments. As it appears some of my previous comments got phones ringing, emails and PM's being sent.
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Everything comes from the maker. Good, bad, everything gets its start at the maker. Quality, value, reputation, business practices, advertising, providing news worthy information to publications. It all has to fall into place. There may be some instances where outside influences are controlling but I can't think of any.

If a maker provides what he/she should to the market, in every regard, success will follow with support from customers, media and other makers. I believe jealousy is only detrimental to he who is jealous.

Don’t forget to thank those that help along the way, don’t cheat, lie or take yourself to seriously. If it is not fun find another job.

Daniel
 
DWinkler said:
If it is not fun find another job.

Daniel
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shit, ain't that the truth!:thumbup:

I watched some movie with John Depp in it, and I can't remember what it was, but there was a line in it I thought was pretty cool, if not totally arrogant. I'll paraphrase, (since I can't even remember which friggin movie it was:rolleyes:);

"my detractors are either jealous, or ignorant. There's nothing you can do about the jealous ones, so don't bother. But the ignorant only need to be educated"

or something to that effect.
 
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