An SAK modder to stay away from...

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marcangel

marcangel

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I stumbled across a pretty cool looking SAK mod about a month ago on eBay. I wound up purchasing 3 knives from the guy sight unseen (I know...my bad). Anyway, the guy does primariliy alox mods and creates FrankenSAK by mixing Vic and Wenger parts, black oxides tools, and uses custom scales. In the end it took a freaking month for him to deliver the eBay purchases. The knife I was primarily interested in has torx screws that arent flush and you have to open the main blade to get to the scissors. The "black oxide" comes off on your fingers, the back spacers don't sit right and overall is a darn mess. The guy spends more time updating his FB page about his work, when he cuts himself working and when he takes a stogie break to the point where you wonder WTF he's doing since he's 3 months behind. Anyway, my advice to all isSTAY AWAY!

He goes by mako.1 on eBay, and mikeylikey on Facebook. His user group is imodsak on Facebook. It might be tempting from the photos if you run across his work...DON'T DO IT!!
 
I have had past dealings with this gentleman. I will only say we disagreed on several points.

I would advise that if you are ordering custom work from any maker and they desire complete payment up front for work that hasn't even begun, it perhaps should be a red flag. But please, do your research and form your own opinions when doing business online with people sight unseen.
 
As someone who has been doing custom SAKs for many years now this is a sore spot for me. Ive been contacted by more than 10 of his customers so far to help repair bad customs. Most of the issues are using plastic spacers/liners that crack, bad tool alignment or snap, and poor fit/finish including inconsistent screw countersinking depth. The finish he puts on the tools/springs also causes them to move very poorly and rough.

Im in a tough spot since I dont want to bash the guy as it would appear Im just trying to make the competition look bad. But Im getting really tired of seeing people get ripped off, so I think enough is enough.

My Rules for buying custom SAKs.
-Don't pay in advance.
-If you do pay in advance dont let 45 days pass, so you cant do a paypal claim.
-Leave feedback, espeically if negative, to warn others.

If you're past the 45 day paypal claim period there probably isnt much that can be done. I have talked with others people who haven't left negative feedback yet since they are still owed customs and fear not getting them if they complain.

marcangel if you dont get any refund or help on this, shoot me an email and I can see what I can do to help fix the botched work.
 
marcangel said:
...He goes by mako.1 on eBay, and mikeylikey on Facebook. His user group is imodsak on Facebook. It might be tempting from the photos if you run across his work...DON'T DO IT!!
Click to expand...

Also by RickinFL on most of the forums. Why does one need so many different names? If you do good work you'd want your name/work to be easily recognizable, right?
 
I stumbled across a pretty cool looking SAK mod about a month ago on eBay. I wound up purchasing 3 knives from the guy sight unseen (I know...my bad). Anyway, the guy does primariliy alox mods and creates FrankenSAK by mixing Vic and Wenger parts, black oxides tools, and uses custom scales. In the end it took a freaking month for him to deliver the eBay purchases. The knife I was primarily interested in has torx screws that arent flush and you have to open the main blade to get to the scissors. The "black oxide" comes off on your fingers, the back spacers don't sit right and overall is a darn mess. The guy spends more time updating his FB page about his work, when he cuts himself working and when he takes a stogie break to the point where you wonder WTF he's doing since he's 3 months behind. Anyway, my advice to all is STAY AWAY!

He goes by mako.1 on eBay, and mikeylikey on Facebook. His user group is imodsak on Facebook. It might be tempting from the photos if you run across his work...DON'T DO IT!!

This is a repost from the multi-tool forum. Syph007, a trusted modder has seen the clusterducks this guy produces and concurs.
 
I sent him my Pioneer awhile back to have a pocket clip added, torx screws and the blade/tools stonewashed, and had zero issues with his work. in three weeks I had my SAK back in my hands and everything is exactly as I wanted.
 
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marcangel,

Thanks for the info. I plannned to get some SAK's modded next year and imodsak was on the list of possible workers. His pics and work did look a bit fishy to me.
 
nickpong said:
Also by RickinFL on most of the forums. Why does one need so many different names? If you do good work you'd want your name/work to be easily recognizable, right?
Click to expand...

If this is the same guy that uses the screen name RickinFL on another forum, then I will also confirm that he is a very shady person to deal with.

A little while ago I bought what was supposed to be a mint bnib special edition blue cadet with the leather slip pouch. When it arrived in the mail, the blade was covered in deep scratches and had some kind of gunk on it. It was obviously heavily used or abused. When I confronted him about it, he exchanged a number of nasty PMs with me arguing that I was trying to scam him somehow.

Eventually I found a photo of the same exact knife with the same exact scratches posted by another member on a different forum whom originally sold it to RickinFL. After confronting him with the photo, he finally stopped accusing me of trying to scam him, and only then did he agree to refund me the amount that he charged me for the cadet(it wasn't cheap). He also told me to never buy from him on the forums or on ebay ever again...LOL. What really put me off was his blatant lying, bullying, and accusatory attitude. I knew it would only be a matter of time before someone called him out on his BS. I'm sorry to hear his mod work is just as shoddy as his business ethics, although I'm certainly not surprised about it.

The real kicker is that he works for the video surveillance department of the Broward County police in South Florida, and he uses that as an excuse to appear trustworthy or not capable of being wrong.
 
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marcangel said:
I stumbled across a pretty cool looking SAK mod about a month ago on eBay. I wound up purchasing 3 knives from the guy sight unseen (I know...my bad). Anyway, the guy does primariliy alox mods and creates FrankenSAK by mixing Vic and Wenger parts, black oxides tools, and uses custom scales. In the end it took a freaking month for him to deliver the eBay purchases. The knife I was primarily interested in has torx screws that arent flush and you have to open the main blade to get to the scissors. The "black oxide" comes off on your fingers, the back spacers don't sit right and overall is a darn mess. The guy spends more time updating his FB page about his work, when he cuts himself working and when he takes a stogie break to the point where you wonder WTF he's doing since he's 3 months behind. Anyway, my advice to all is STAY AWAY!

He goes by mako.1 on eBay, and mikeylikey on Facebook. His user group is imodsak on Facebook. It might be tempting from the photos if you run across his work...DON'T DO IT!!

This is a repost from the multi-tool forum. Syph007, a trusted modder has seen the clusterducks this guy produces and concurs.
Click to expand...

WOW. I really wish you would TRY to contact me with your concerns before You go spreading untruths. It's really a shame that you cannot simply come onto my facebook page and spread your wisdom there. I am still confused. You agreed to wait for all three knives to be shipped together. Now you are complaining? Interesting. The stated wait time on my page is also three months. Getting yours done in 1 month was a rather lager favor.

Over 200 mods done and 2 complaints seems like a rather fantastic average.

Pictures support claims...

I won't be visiting this thread anymore though so all I can do is MOD ON...

Enjoy and sorry you were unhappy.
 
By the way, breaks for stogies and photos of cutting myself, yes, I am human afterall and not a factory worker. People appreciate realism and human interaction.

SAKS don't have backspacers, the have liners. The liners on the majority of the knives I sent you are stock from victorinox? Kind of hard to get wrong.

If the black oxide comes off with your fingers, You must have sandpaper for fingers. I left a set outside in the rain for 3 weeks now. No rust, no anything.

By the way, I owe you a refund for your fourth knife.
 
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Syph,

It's funny to see you and joe on the same thread here.

I do remember Joe sending me an electrician mod you did that ended up have 0 snap. Seems the wrong electrician blade was forced in there. Simply using the right blade I was able to repair it. I would not start throwing rocks. Seems the one mod I bought from another forum also had springs that were not flush. Rather than complaining I shut my mouth and once again, repaired it for myself. Joe, you are still a gentleman in my book though. I did enjoy our lengthy messages on all sorts of topics.

Updating facebook page with your work is somewhat important to the buyer. They like to see progress of work. Sorry if you disagree. Customers complain if I don't do it and now you complain if I do?? Interesting.

What I use is G10, not plastic. I've used them on "a few" mods. No problems.

One thing I don't have is time to complaiin or talk behind other's backs. Thats just not right. If someone has a compalint, they should always contact the person before spreaading crap.

Burnside, WRONG DEPARTMENT. WRONG ASSIGNMENT. Nice try though. Maybe a little more research before running mouth.

Joe, I don't overcharge for my mods like some do. After buying the oarts for a mod, 2 pioneers, a clip, torx pivots and screws, I am out 80.00. Couple that with drill bit that is 90.00. Scissors and the spring another 25.00. I charge 135.00 for this mod. I kind of need the upfront cash in order to pay for the parts. Knowing how people are I am sure plenty of people run out on paying and with a few charging twice as much as I do, I know they can afford that. I simply can't I know not everyone understands that this is a HOBBY for me and that it needs to pay for itself. I would never see SYPH as a competitor but rather as my mentor. I must say that having him speak in the manner about me is rather disheartening. I think any true professional would atleast advise the other that people are complaining. Well, only a true pro does that.
 
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Here is a wonderful quote from RevDevil, I think we need to try our best to follow this format:

"You know what, we aren't going to do this here. I'm sorry, but no more of this. We are not going to become the National Clearinghouse for all knife deals that have gone wrong. This is just wrong on so many levels. Also, for this kind of issue to become Facebook drama fodder once again is unacceptable. If a deal occurs over Facebook, Instagram, or anyforumUSA.com it needs to be resolved there. We aren't going to wage battles that we are not even a part of. (Insert name here) isn't a paid member of the forums here, he is a registered user and the deal was not something initiated within the Exchange. I'm pulling this weed out by the roots, once and for all."
 
I am rickinFL on ALL forums. Since this is a HOBBY and I don't go using logos and since the knife I am modding is not made by me, little reason for name recognition.

I do put in a paragraph on my ebay sales pointing you to the right place to find me on facebook. That is in case you would like to leave feedback, mention how happy you are or otherwise. I don't link bladeforums so confused why feedback would have been placed here? I don't sell here. A bit like shopping at macy's and trying to return at kmart.

I'd love to keep on the witchhunt that these always become but for now there is a refund to give.

A message from Steven on 12/15

Hi Rich,
The pack arrived today. Unfortunately, there is a problem. You only sent 2 knives. Got the green Apocalypse and the Damascus pioneer. No black Alox pioneer in the box. Item 271674349286 on eBay, sold on 11/18. Let me know how you want to deal with this, refund or delayed shipment.

No mention of any problems. I did provide 2 tracking numbers. I guess maybe you were in such a hurry perhaps that other set of numbers went unseen....

Message back to you


no.

i gave you 2 tracking numbers.

The third knife should be well on its way

Message from you to me..

Sorry, my mistake.

Me to you

no sir no problem here to help

In all that exchange no mention of anything. No problems. An obvious expert like you should have contacted me upon inspection.

By the way, no biggie but the name is RICK. Once you complain you were sure to get it right.
 
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