Another Bad Experience With Britt Gudowski and Black Starr Knives

[Sam Wilson]

I really don't like to have to do this, but I want to warn other people out there, so they don't have to deal with this. I have never had to post negative feedback for a custom maker, or "assembler" before, but I have never had one deal with me this way, either. I probably would have kept this to myself, but with all the other people coming out of the woodwork, it sounds like people need to be warned. This isn't nearly as dramatic as some of the other threads, but I do think it is an example of very poor customer service.

Back in January, I placed an order with Britt for the Mission knife (Rambo II). He had just ended a promotional price that I missed, and when I asked about it, he generously offered to give me the promotional price, which was about $150 dollars off the cost of the knife, I believe. I had even offered to do a test video on the knife when I received it, as I was really excited about the knife. I went ahead and sent him 50% down, which I don't really care for, but had done with other makers before, and I had found no negative feedback on him on the internet at that time. He told me it would be ready in 90 days or less. No problem.

On March 30, I sent him an email, asking how it was going, and sent him a link to a video I had done. He told me then that the knife would be done in about 2 weeks. I had a lot going on, and I basically left it alone for awhile, knowing that knifemakers tend to go past their due dates. Around early September, around the time all the negative stuff started showing up about him and his company, I started to get a bad feeling about the whole thing. I sent him this email:
"Hey Britt,

I haven't heard from you in awhile, and I don't know what the status is on my knife. At this point, I would rather just be done with it. I know things get busy, and my order probably just got lost in the shuffle, but I would pretty much like for this to be over. When you get a chance, email me back so we can discuss how to resolve this, refunding the money, or whatever. Thanks for you time."

This was his reply: "Sorry for the delay. I was out of the country for 3 1/2 months. My best friend dies over seas, so I lfew out to help
his wife and 2 sons move back to the US and I stayed for the trial of the 7 men would murdered him.
Very sorry for not staying in touch. I'll have it done ASAP."

I'm not going to comment on what he said, other than to say that is very interesting. I told him I was sorry about the situation, but I would still rather have the money back. About a week or so goes by, and I don't hear from him, I send him another email, this time he says he will do the knife for the deposit only, and it will be ready within a few weeks. I thanked him, and said that was fine, I had no intentions of trashing him on the internet. More time passes, and I emailed him about the threads popping up on BF here, and he told me not to worry, he would take care of me.

 

[Sam Wilson]

***I had to split this into two posts***


Finally, on 10-22, I sent him an email telling him that I might be in LA in a couple of weeks, and I could just swing by and pick up the knife or have a friend come by in the event I didn't make it down. His replies started feeling fishy to me, so finally I told him I didn't want him to take a 50% loss on the knife, and I would just rather have my money. Then he told me their refund policy is on their website, and my refund would be minus material and labor. His policy actually reads this way:"There is a 50% deposit on all orders. By Check or US Postal money order or through pay-pal. That means your money is safe and refundable, minus material cost, if we have already started.
Buyer must pay the Pay-Pal fee."

He refused to tell me how much "labor" was in my knife at this point, or if it had even been started. To wrap this up, I sent him this email: "I don't see anything here about labor cost, so since my knife is obviously not complete, or possibly not even started, go ahead and stop working on it, if it has even been started, and refund my money. None of my requests have been unreasonable. On your site you talk about how untrue accusations have been made against you, here is a chance to prove it. Just do the right thing."

This was his response:"Wow...

So the real motive comes out, I knew it would. Should have been clear from the go.

Well, since we have started your refund would be 125.00

Prove it? I don't need to prove sxxt to you."

At this point, I had never had a maker jerk me around or speak to me like this for no reason, so I was done. I told him to send the money, and thank you. I received $125 dollars back via Paypal today, and I'm done with Britt, and Black Starr Knives. Like I said this wasn't real dramatic, but I believe this is an unacceptable way to treat your customers, and thought people should know how Britt dealt with me. I have the emails behind all of this, if it becomes relevant.

Sam Wilson

 

[91wm6]

Prove it? I don't need to prove shit to you."

That speaks volumes about this douche bag "knife maker". What a POSer...

 

[Sam Wilson]

Prove it? I don't need to prove sxxt to you."

That speaks volumes about this douche bag "knife maker". What a POSer...

I am telling you man, when he sent that, even taking the $125 loss paled into comparison. I had never had a "knifemaker" deal that way with me. I don't think I'm special, but that is not how you treat customers, or anybody else for that matter.

 

[Sam Wilson]

I don't think it's clear in the OP, but I sent him $250, and he only refunded me $125. He stated that was for materials and labor in the knife. He refused to show me the "partially built" knife, or whatever he had done with it. So he got $125 for a few emails and allegedly working on a knife which is a regular model for him.

 

[sideways]

So 10 months wait, hostile customer service, and $125 (50%) short on the refund.

Quite the character. Thank you for sharing.

 

[SENGVIN]

I just hate to see people keep on getting scamed by this guy! This is why we need to let as many people to know as possible ! What a guy. I wonder why is he such a ah ?

 

[philllll]

I'm sure he will be here to spew some invective at you shortly.

 

[RevDevil]

Let me say this again, because it really is that important. Do your homework on a knife maker BEFORE you send money. Asking questions, checking for previous reviews or feedback is NOT OPTIONAL! It should be 100% mandatory before the initial contact is made. This is sounding like a scratched record already.
One other thing, keep the language family friendly in here. This is NOT Whine and Cheese.

Some people already need to do some editing before I start handing out infractions for language

I just hate to see people keep on getting scamed by this guy! This is why we need to let as many people to know as possible ! What a guy. I wonder why is he such a ah ?

Start a Facebook page if you are so inclined.

I'm sure he will be here to spew some invective at you shortly.

No, if there is anything but prompt and courteous discussion the thread and some accounts will be locked.

 

[mquez]

I wonder how hard it would have been to let people/ Customers know he was going to be out of town for a while?

 

[Sam Wilson]

I just hate to see people keep on getting scamed by this guy! This is why we need to let as many people to know as possible ! What a guy. I wonder why is he such a ah ?

Warning other people is exactly why I started the thread, I agree with you on that 100%.

Let me say this again, because it really is that important. Do your homework on a knife maker BEFORE you send money. Asking questions, checking for previous reviews or feedback is NOT OPTIONAL! It should be 100% mandatory before the initial contact is made. This is sounding like a scratched record already.

I agree. Ten months ago, when this all started, I searched extensively, and found nothing negative at all. It appears things started snowballing in the last month or two. By then it was too late.

 

[RevDevil]

Warning other people is exactly why I started the thread, I agree with you on that 100%.



I agree. Ten months ago, when this all started, I searched extensively, and found nothing negative at all. It appears things started snowballing in the last month or two. By then it was too late.

You still have a slim margin to edit the language in your post, or I can issue chiclets. Your choice, last call. Some people don't want to read vulgarities.

 

[Sam Wilson]

You still have a slim margin to edit the language in your post, or I can issue chiclets. Your choice, last call. Some people don't want to read vulgarities.

I didn't even pay attention to that part. I'll take care of it now.

 

[Sam Wilson]

Also, what are chiclets? I can only guess that means infractions?

 

[thedemonbeast]

Well for starters, how Out Of Country statement is complete BS!! That guy Britt doesn't even own a home. From what I know he rents a room out of someone's house. So how the HELL can he even afford the big money to go out of the country, help a friend's family or friends, and even stay there for a trial?? Those trips cost big money.

So that is a farce right there!! And I very much agree with you Carbon1, customers should Never be treated like this! He and his BSK company is a complete JOKE! I have done saw pics of several very lackluster First Blood and Rambo 2 knives that he rushed to customers who Demanded their money back, along with many hateful and threatening emails to them as well. He even did one of our knife club members the same way. They paid total of $800 for a First Blood knife to be handmade by him. Like you Carbon1, and many others these days, our member kept getting excuxe after excuse, from being sent the wrong beads for the bead blasting on the knife to God knows what all excuses.

Our member finally had to get our club president involved. He emailed Britt and was told the same thing, that the knife is going to be sent out in a couple of days. yet even 2 weeks passed, and still no knife. Our club member Finally got his knife after lawsuit threats against Britt. But he was sent a terribly poorly made First Blood knife that was no better made than the Chinese Cheapies!! It had rust all over it as well. So for $800 our member got the run-around, hate and threat emails from Britt, and a ripoff very lackluster First Blood knife that even the wall hanging Chinese Cheapo mass produced ones can bet as far as quality and looks.

You were soo right Carbon1, when you told him that with you, was his chance to prove all of the true accusations against him wrong, and his very negative, hateful reply to you just proves what everyone already knows...That all of the accusations are right and are true from the beginning.

I have my own very negative personal experience with that jerkoff Britt. Immediate after that, I placed him on my Never Speak To Again List, and that list is right where he will stay...right along with the bogus sheath maker that he uses!!! But that is another story, LOL! And that story is permanelty shelved, LOL Take Care!

 

[SENGVIN]

This is message from BSK site by Britt. (As we all know he keeps on changing and editing his stories on his blog so it is pointless to leave link but I will still do It.)
http://myramboknives.blogspot.com/p/reply-to-blade-forum.html

Then you have these -Sengvin ( Jan Vasicek a total loser. )- Rxgremlin ( don't know this guy- why not give your name and prove your claims???)

Jan Vasicek: You are a LAIR... You never got a knife from us with "dent" tip.. To prove that ; You had the knife you got from us as the cover picture on your facebook page, and everyone one on your friends list saw it and can confirm it... Just as we saw it too....Show us a picture Jan, prove it...
You sold it? Who buys a knife with a dent tip?? What's the buyers name? Of course you know that we know you're a lair and cant prove anything you have said.

of course it's easy to post lies on a forum while not contacting us at all....Or not leaving your real name. and not providing any proof of your claims.. Perry is a liar and so is Jan and John.
Why complain to a forum and not to us personally???

Proclamation without verification is only proclamation in the absence of verification.

Hi again
So first of All I'm not a lair you are ! And there is reason why you are on wall of shame !!!
Second let me clarify few things for you !
I did get a knife with bend tip from you ( I should have take picture of it but... well I didn't) The tip was bend due to the tip being too thin. I did bend it back and back than I told you that it is alright (also Back than I have decide to resell it for low price on Ebay) I have the guy user name on Ebay and probably can get his name if it gets to that point ! So I did take a picture of your knife after I fixed the tip what's the big deal ? The point is the tip was too weak !!! And if I could bend it back than there is something wrong with it don't u think so? I feel bad for the guy who bought it but he got it for low price .
I don't appreciate that you calling me names and stuff but it is probably just because you are Idiot.
The problems I did and didn't have :
- I paid for the knife and you did deliver.
-The tip was bend ( I told u it was ok with me(but that doesn't mean other people don't mind it)) but I was done buying your knives and got rid of the one I got from you!
I did what everybody does I was going for your cheaper knives undermining people like V.Neeley, G. Hibben and I'm ashamed of that. From now on I will only buy from the real Knife makers even at higher price. People do make mistakes.
-What I don't like about your knives is that you calling them exact copies and u are compering them to V Neeley knives ( They are simply not !) And that's ok but why keep on lying about it?
-You have right to copy Rambo 1-2 knives (According to you ( I don't know maybe you do)) The one who can copy LILE knives is V Neeley and he has LILE stamp on every one he make! Why don't you ??? (his knives are tribute knives NOT yours !!!) And that's ok but why do you lie about it ? Don't call your knives tribute if u don't know what it means.
-You don't have rights to copy Hibben or Crain knives. Whatever opinion you have on that is simply irrelevant . You don't copy famous knife makers without their consent you just don't ! Change the design name or whatever to make it yours. But of course you know that ! You just can't come up with something on your own so you are capitalizing on famous knife makers !
-Why are you asking about my name ? It is all over the internet you yourself have it on your blog lol What is wrong with you, are u slow ?

PS: I don't know if you can but if u can why don't you register and argue here so we have you on the record u little snake
Hey and one more think I'm definitely not gremlin ! Maybe you will realize that one day standing next to me :thumbup:

PS 2 : Why are you calling yourself (WE) We know you are one man army assembler! Does it make you feel more important or is it so you can blame somebody else for your mistakes ?

 

[SaintlyBrees]

How this guy responds to customers is all that I need to know to understand exactly who and what he is. These types of "poor businessmen" (to be polite and family friendly) never seem to realize that any intelligent consumer understands that when a business gets a lot of complaints it isn't conspiracy, it is because where there is smoke there is fire. That concept is then backed up with the way the "businessman" responds publicly and privately.

It really isn't rocket science. I just wish more of the consuming public would take the time to research these types of people before they do business with them. A little research is something that I do in every aspect of my consuming of goods. This guy - a very, very easy decision.

Thanks, Sam (and others) for helping to spread the word and saving folks like myself from having to deal with those same issues. And thanks to BF & their Mods for making this sub-forum available for that purpose. :thumbup:

 

[Sam Wilson]

How this guy responds to customers is all that I need to know to understand exactly who and what he is. These types of "poor businessmen" (to be polite and family friendly) never seem to realize that any intelligent consumer understands that when a business gets a lot of complaints it isn't conspiracy, it is because where there is smoke there is fire. That concept is then backed up with the way the "businessman" responds publicly and privately.

It really isn't rocket science. I just wish more of the consuming public would take the time to research these types of people before they do business with them. A little research is something that I do in every aspect of my consuming of goods. This guy - a very, very easy decision.

Thanks, Sam (and others) for helping to spread the word and saving folks like myself from having to deal with those same issues. And thanks to BF & their Mods for making this sub-forum available for that purpose. :thumbup:

No problem. That's the main reason I put it up here. If this information had been available when I was researching them, it would have prevented a lot of wasted time and money for me, so I thought others would feel the same way. If this many people have come forward, I would imagine there are other situations out there, too.

Sam :thumbup:

 

[SENGVIN]

Message for Britt Gudowski :

-Yes the tip was no good
-yes I liked the knife when I first got the knife even if the tip was no good
-so I took some pictures of it , what's the big deal? ( I was exited there for a moment)
-I don't like it anymore because the way it was build and I don't like the way u running your business.
-exposing private messages especially if they don't proof anything is really low.

 

[thedemonbeast]

Hello,

I received word today that britt at BSK, in his infinite wisdom, referred to be on his page with some pretty harsh names and vulgar words. It's funny how he claims that he went to Malaysia to bury his Christian pastor in one breath, and then uses such vulgar and nasty words in another! But I learned a long time ago to pick your battles. I am not even a customer of his...past prsent or future, and he nasty- talks about me! I tell you, I honestly do not know what to make of this guy!

It's been reported that Britt has a serious mental problem and is severely bi-polar, but is in denial about it and refuses medical attention. I don't know if this is actually true or not, but just going by his actions, I think we can all tell that Something is wrong there with him. All I am going to say is that I will pray for him, and pray that he seeks the mental medical attention he needs. And that is all I am going to say about the Britt fake knife maker subject.

Now, on to bigger and better things. I am really looking forward to all of the new handmade knives that I am getting. Looks like all but one of them will roll on in to be in January, either at the same time or back to back even. And then one in February. It is going to be one great month of new handmade knives for me.

I will also be getting my new handmade sheath for my Parker Buckmaster style knife soon too, probably in january. It is going to be beautiful too. Now I don't know if any of you know this or not but the Parker Buck Master style knife is very underrated. That knife has one if the best blades I have ever seen and used ona knife. It is strong and also has superb edge retention. O have batoned wood with that knife so far, chopped wood, cut rope and cardboard, and even cut up meat with that awesome knife, and the blade on it is still hair shaving sharp! So, many Kudos to Parker Knives, whom is the maker of such a great and useful knife. It works just as good if not better than handmade knives have. LOL I am sure there's some exaggeration in there a bit. LOL But truthfully, my Parker knife does have an amazing quality blade, and also a high end hollow handle to boot!