Alan Blade?

My knife is having "final touches" and should be in my hand soon...
 
Here's a SHORT version of the story for you.

Allen is a very talented maker, but not so good at business skills. He ran into some troubles, and was banned from bladeforums.com until he makes things right. He did owe me a knife, and I did get it. Allen is now in California, and has recently began posting on www.knifeforums.com
 
I recently got a New Model Combat 'Hawk from Allen Blade. Fit and finish are first rate and the price point is hard to beat.

As a part time maker now and, a one man shop, he is subject to the trials and tribulations of his personal life impacting his knife making. It's a fact, one man can't be at two place at the same time doing two different things. He has also had some personal issues that consumed portions of his potential work time which in turn cut the quantity of work turned out for any given period of time.

If you are a very demanding customer, you should go elsewhere but, if you are really flexible, you will have hard time finding a better knife at his price points. All the knives I have received of his have been first rate in terms of constructions. Grinds where great, symetrical in all planes, great sheath work and, a price point below lesser quality production knives.
 
I have bought two knives from in the past with no problems, but there is no argument that others have had difficulties. I would agree with Sid's comments on their quality.

-Cliff
 
Allen Blade is a very touchy subject. He has great talent, but in my opinion lacks more than business skills. His ethics need a bit of tuning up as well. He still owes knives to people that have paid him in full going on a couple of years ago. He does not seem to think that these people are very important since he continues to make knives for people that have ordered them well after the ones he owes. Why" Because these new people are paying him now and heck, he already has these other peoples money so what's the rush.

Don't ever send Allen one red cent before your knife is ready to go. He used to send people emails saying that their knife just needs a couple of small touchups and it will be ready to go, so please send the money and by the time it gets here the knife will be completed. Some of these people are still waiting for knives and that message came months ago.

Maybe things are better with him now and he is getting his act together. I don't know, but until I have heard that he has supplied Joe Chen with the knives he owes him I will not think very kindly of Allen Blade.
 
I searched Knifeforums under the name Allen Blade and came up with nothing. Crayola, could you please provide a link to one of his posts there? It would be greatly appreciated. I would love to see what Allen has to say these days.
 
I just saw a post from him today, asking about making tomahawks. he said he had some other stuff to finish before he started these. too bad he wasted such talent on a lack of being able to close the deal. thanks for all the comments, good & bad (or true?)
 
Sorry keith, I think I confused knifeforums.com and knifeforum! I don't know how I got to knifeforum now... This internet thing still surprises me sometimes!
 
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