I own 3 knives from CKF, A Sukhoi, a Deception-1 and a Konygin Maxi. I like the knives but have had nothing but problems with CKF unfortunately. Far too many knives come from them with damage, dings, ripped up knife pouches, etc. I've experienced a problem each time I've bought their products. I wrote them, very nicely, about these issues. At first Mikhail seemed concerned and willing to make things right. Ultimately, when I decided to try them one final time, I placed an order and the next day Mikhail (Mike, as he is also known) simply cancelled my order and refused it under the excuse that obviously it is dangerous and too costly to ship to me in California (for their $60 charge) as the problems must happen in shipping, blaming all on USPS or my post office, I guess. Funny, no damage to the outside of the shipment, only damage was to product inside of their packing materials. Nothing but lame, implausible excuses, problems, and turning the blame on the customer. I spent a lot of money on their products and only wrote them about real problems with the condition of the knives I received from them, not nit picky little things either. End result, rudeness from them and blaming the customer in words and refusing any more business FROM the customer wronged by THEM. Lunacy! They lost a repeat, high value customer with legitimate issues about their sloppiness, careless handling of their knives and their unprofessionalism. A really idiotic way for them to handle a once supportive customer. CKF buyers beware. Oh, by the way, on their $1070 Deception 1, they issue EVERY SINGLE COA with the number "1 of 300" on it. I mentioned how deceptive that was to a collector/buyer too. Got lame excuses, an admission of guilt, an obviously fake apology and then they cut off my ability (and certainly my desire) to ever order from them again. Too many great knives to buy elsewhere to put up with that kind of customer abuse, especially when taking a leap of faith, pre-paying them and trusting them to "deliver" like professional knife makers, all the way from Russia. Never again! Oh, they'll take the money for sure. Their economy is tanking BIG TIME. You'd think they value the American collector's business. There is huge anti-Americanism in Russia these days, and increasingly so. I have to wonder if they are not just laughing at us, adjusting upwards their prices (especially Shirogorovs and CKF's higher end mid techs & customs) for the American market. We send them our dollars...as they laugh all the way to the Ruble bank and send us often damaged goods. I wonder if the local, Russian clients (or other non-Americans) get the knives without imperfections on them. Look carefully at the condition of your knife from CKF. Is it perfect as a brand new knife should be from the maker, or dinged, or scratched or damaged in some way or worse. Hopefully you got a new knife in new condition. They are 0 for 3 with me. I am done with them. CKF, enough is enough. You don't appreciate my business, you LOSE my business. -- PS. Collectors, God forbid one of these knives ever requires repair. Think about it.
