Custom order group therapy thread

[RobCamlin]

Thanks Rob!!!

All of the customs I've ordered are lefties. IMO, there is no reason to spend more than 200 on a knife that is not made for me (which pretty much means lefty). I end up missing out on a lot of really nice knives and it even stops me from getting knives from some of my favorite custom makers as well. However, it does keep me from spending far too much money and ending up in serious debt...lol

Delivery is scheduled for tomorrow and I tell ya, it is much harder to wait when it is on its way!

Oh I'm sure haha I was obsessively checking the mailbox when I got my first Sebenza, now this is a game in a whole other league. I'd sleep in a tent by my mailbox until it arrives haha.

 

[RobCamlin]

Well I just contacted Jeremy about an El Patron in 3V with a flipper. Did anyone else use the contact form on his website, or do you think it's better to email him directly?

 

[issues]

Well I got the knife but it was not in a condition to where I could keep it...

There was blade play in every direction and the lock failed with just a little hand pressure. I notified Ira and he was more than willing to repair it and pay for shipping or give me a full refund plus shipping costs. He is a solid guy and I respect that he was willing to make it right no matter what I decided.

Unfortunately, I am sending it back for a refund. This in now way effects my feelings towards Southpaw Knives and I still hope to do business with him again in the future.

 

[RobCamlin]

Well I got the knife but it was not in a condition to where I could keep it...

There was blade play in every direction and the lock failed with just a little hand pressure. I notified Ira and he was more than willing to repair it and pay for shipping or give me a full refund plus shipping costs. He is a solid guy and I respect that he was willing to make it right no matter what I decided.

Unfortunately, I am sending it back for a refund. This in now way effects my feelings towards Southpaw Knives and I still hope to do business with him again in the future.

Ahh, I'm sorry that happened man, you must have been looking forward to it too. It's a shame that you got a dud, and not too great for Ira either, it looked like it was gonna be a sweet knife. I like how he was ready to make it right at no cost to you though, he seems like a good guy, probably one of those freak occurances.

 

[Zookie]

I need some seriously help. I just bought another custom, a Shirogorov Brother's Workshop Model 95 Framelock Flipper

 

[RobCamlin]

I need some seriously help. I just bought another custom, a Shirogorov Brother's Workshop Model 95 Framelock Flipper

Man, I don't blame you, those Shirogorov brothers make some nice knives. I'm not quite ready for a Shiro, but they're on my list. Congratulations.

 

[capid1]

Well I just contacted Jeremy about an El Patron in 3V with a flipper. Did anyone else use the contact form on his website, or do you think it's better to email him directly?

I emailed him directly and I received a response in 45mins one time and 12hrs (emailed him at night) the next time.

 

[issues]

Ahh, I'm sorry that happened man, you must have been looking forward to it too. It's a shame that you got a dud, and not too great for Ira either, it looked like it was gonna be a sweet knife. I like how he was ready to make it right at no cost to you though, he seems like a good guy, probably one of those freak occurrences.

Yeah it sucked, it would've been my first custom. I'll just chalk it up as bad luck.

I hope this isn't the start of a trend. This is the second blade in a row I have bought that I have had to return. The first was a Kershaw JYD that I ordered. I ordered a JYD 2.0 (the one with the 2 tone blade) and I got the 2.2 instead. The dealer didn't have the 2.0 like the one they had listed so I just had to get a refund.

 

[RobCamlin]

I emailed him directly and I received a response in 45mins one time and 12hrs (emailed him at night) the next time.

In approximately 2 months I should have an El Patron 3V flipper, with one additional custom request.
I don't know what's wrong with me, I promise this is the last one until the Solos.

Hmmm, what else can I sell between now and then...

 

[RobCamlin]

Yeah it sucked, it would've been my first custom. I'll just chalk it up as bad luck.

I hope this isn't the start of a trend. This is the second blade in a row I have bought that I have had to return. The first was a Kershaw JYD that I ordered. I ordered a JYD 2.0 (the one with the 2 tone blade) and I got the 2.2 instead. The dealer didn't have the 2.0 like the one they had listed so I just had to get a refund.

Maybe the universe is just setting you up with continuous disappointment so that when you finally get the customs that you've been waiting for it will be an experience like no other.

 

[issues]

Maybe the universe is just setting you up with continuous disappointment so that when you finally get the customs that you've been waiting for it will be an experience like no other.

Geez I hope you're right!!!

I went ahead and got on another list today. I ordered a Doc Shiffer flipper in a style he hasn't tried before. I don't know how I am going to pay for it but hopefully when it comes time, I will have scrounged up the funds!

 

[capid1]

Maybe the universe is just setting you up with continuous disappointment so that when you finally get the customs that you've been waiting for it will be an experience like no other.

My first two customs were not a great experience. If anything they made me gun shy for a long time. I got over it though as I've learned to trust other people's reviews.

 

[RobCamlin]

My first two customs were not a great experience. If anything they made me gun shy for a long time. I got over it though as I've learned to trust other people's reviews.

Yeah, when you're spending that kind of money I'd say that extensive research is imperative. "Custom" doesn't have to automatically mean "perfect".

 

[issues]

Yeah, when you're spending that kind of money I'd say that extensive research is imperative. "Custom" doesn't have to automatically mean "perfect".

While custom doesn't mean perfect, you do expect a certain level of fit and finish when there is only one person involved in building your knife. Sure makers have different skill levels so maybe a grind is slightly off or the scales aren't perfect but the functionality should be. Most custom folders start around 300 and go up into the thousands so you have to expect a certain level of quality and if it isn't up to that standard, you should expect that maker to either fix it or refund your money without question no matter who it is.

Having said that, a maker's reputation is very important when choosing a person to build your knife. However the bigger the reputation, the longer the wait times are. I have been told as long as 3 years wait before the maker could even begin on my build. Some have closed their books altogether. There is definitely a balancing act between getting in on the ground floor and still getting something that is worth the money. Out of the people that I have chosen to build my knives, only one is new to folders and I trust he will do a great job and if not, he will make it right.

 

[Aerian17]

Man, custom knives sure are addicting that is for sure. Here are the ones i have on order.

Direware SOLO-V2 (http://direware.com/solo/slides/solo7.jpg) (expect to arrive sometime in September)

DC Slicer by OZARK TRADITION (http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/capid1/DSC_0914.jpg) (around November)

Super chopper by Jack Hoback (http://www.jakehobackknives.com/photos/Knives-finished/IMG_2085.JPG ) (around October)

I cant wait but i need to stop looking at custom makers. This list has almost doubled many times but i was able to calm myself down. lol : )

 

[Charlie Mike]

I'm waiting on a William Woods Titan folder. Should be here within a month.

 

[Steel130]

I am waiting for an Ozark Traditional Knifeworks DC Slicer in M390. I am quite excited for that! I just recently got a Tom Krein Ultimate Caper in CPM154 that I have been enjoying quite a bit. Nothing else on order as far as customs go. I have about a three month wait.

 

[86 power]

I'm waiting on an Andrew Demko AD10. Hopefully will be ready sometime in November/December

 

[issues]

Man, custom knives sure are addicting that is for sure. Here are the ones i have on order.

Direware SOLO-V2 (http://direware.com/solo/slides/solo7.jpg) (expect to arrive sometime in September)

DC Slicer by OZARK TRADITION (http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/capid1/DSC_0914.jpg) (around November)

Super chopper by Jack Hoback (http://www.jakehobackknives.com/photos/Knives-finished/IMG_2085.JPG ) (around October)

I cant wait but i need to stop looking at custom makers. This list has almost doubled many times but i was able to calm myself down. lol : )

Boy you're telling me!!!

I have stopped sending emails myself but when you start to see more and more custom makers closing their books and going into either mid-techs or small production runs instead of full customs you want to get on their lists before it is too late. It is a vicious and very expensive cycle.

 

[RobCamlin]

I'm just afraid that I'll never be able to buy a regular production knife again haha. Now that I've reached the stage of contacting makers and having them create a piece, by themselves, from nothing, specifically for me, I don't think standard knives will ever quite live up to what I've come to expect from my collection. I suppose it's that way with just about anything though... If I started buying custom tailored suits, I don't think I'd ever feel the same about suits I can buy off the hangers at a department store. They may be nice, some may be just as nice, but they're not "mine".