I really hate to keep stirring this up, especially when it's calmed down, but I just have to add my 2 cents worth.When a custom maker goes to a show, he should have examples of his everyday work, not show pieces he has spent extra hours on to get customers. If his work appears to be outstanding, then that's what you should get when you order from him. With that said, you should never spend hundreds of dollars on a knife that you've seen, or held, unless you are perfectly satisfied with it. It may sound dumb, but I take a small mag-lite and magnifying glass with me to shows. The sellers have no room to gripe because they use them on my trades. If I find anything I don't like, I don't buy the knife. If the seller only vaguely answers my questions, I don't do business with him. If the guy tries to overwhelm me because he's the "artist" and I'm not, then I walk off. If you do buy what appears to be an outstanding knife and the thing starts falling apart in a short period of time, then you have every right to tell the world. Just because the maker is willing to correct it isn't good enough. It shouldn't have went out that way. I hope I've straddled the fence enough to not draw fire from either side. and I really like the style of that Small Apogee Damascus! Bruce
