D.Koster Bushcraft

[tholiver]

I wonder if you ended up with the knife he uses to mold his sheaths around by mistake? Just a thought....

It's a standard model right? so you would have one laying on the bench to mold the kydex around. I might be wrong, but I would almost lay money on it....

Sounds likely to me as well.
If one is really really busy i can see that accidentally happening.

 

[tholiver]

Well, I don't know what happened to TTD's knife, but Dan made me one of my favorite knives... I definitely got the sense that he was busy (trying to keep all of us happy) when I bought my monster nessie from him. This knife is like an ice-cold beer, it puts a smile on my face every time I hold it (and I post a pic every chance I get!):

Man i never get tired of seeing that knife!
A modern classic and a beauty!
:thumbup:

 

[texastonydobbs]

Hey guys sorry been fishing all day and used the Bushcraft and worked flawless,Guys the main reason I posted was because all the pics I seen of the Bushcraft looked excellent and out standing ,I was just disappointed in the appearence of the blades finish that is all..I am not looking for a refund or a replacement..I love the design and like I have stated before I will buy more from Dan ...was just disappointed in the finish ,I wanted to wear the clean finish off of the blade.

 

[texastonydobbs]

I wonder if you ended up with the knife he uses to mold his sheaths around by mistake? Just a thought....

It's a standard model right? so you would have one laying on the bench to mold the kydex around. I might be wrong, but I would almost lay money on it....

Good point .....

 

[texastonydobbs]

Jeff H I agree with you 100%. I just wish all of this wasnt happening at the beginning of Dans 12 day trip. Building a consensus without his opinion seems to me unfair. Chickenplucker

I Agree 100% as well,when I started this thread I was unaware of the trip...I also agree that this thread has a great amount of input Thank to all...

 

[j williams]

Ill bet that koster does an awesome job for fishing tasks!! Tony, im glad you have been such a good sport with all of this. Some people wouldve just slammed daniel every which way from sunday. NO ONE has. Thats awesome. Very mature, respectfull bunch of guys round here:thumbup:

I love dans work, and like you will not let this sour my opinion of him, and will still order from him. I think a couple flukes got out of the HUGE run he did for blade, and he will be more than helpfull when he hears of this.

 

[Ottoshot]

I can understand. When you pay good money for something you expect it to show up mint. Im sure Dan will take care of you.

Don't worry mate. Mine's looking worse.

But that is one heck of a scar. surely that knife wasant sold for full price.

 

[texastonydobbs]

Ill bet that koster does an awesome job for fishing tasks!! Tony, im glad you have been such a good sport with all of this. Some people wouldve just slammed daniel every which way from sunday. NO ONE has. Thats awesome. Very mature, respectfull bunch of guys round here:thumbup:

I love dans work, and like you will not let this sour my opinion of him, and will still order from him. I think a couple flukes got out of the HUGE run he did for blade, and he will be more than helpfull when he hears of this.

:thumbupaniel Koster is a Great man and a great Craftsman...I will purchase more blades from him and this thread just shows true character of alot of folks on the W&SS...

 

[Rick Marchand]

It's a tribute to Dan's knives that folks are still saying they are worth every penny... after expressing disappointment with the finish. I'm not sure what an "as forged" finish is when it comes to Dan's knives... I belive they are all stock removal pieces. (I could be wrong) Even after heat treating they look much different than that. If these were not mistakes and Dan is putting these out as completed knives... I would think it good that he realizes people are not happy with this.

Even just an overnight vinegar soak would give a finish with character rather than damage.

I've seen a few threads where folks with good intentions have put a mustard patina on knives purchased from custom makers. I do not agree with this. when those knives left the makers hands he looked at it and said "this knife is done." they have put there mark on it and that knife will always represent their work. Would you buy a painting and touch it up when you got home?

As a maker, I would like to be contacted if someone was unhappy with a finish I put on.... especially if I put the time into polishing it.

My knives are definately a rough forged finish... you can't make'm look pretty, so I have no problems with people altering with gunblue or patinas and state that in the literature that accompanies them.

But some makers are VERY sensitive about having an altered piece with THEIR name on it.

With that said, Dan should be aware about finish issues... I would not leave it like that and would contact him. I realize its a damn fine user and those who know his work have no beefs... but this forum has a huge following and if someone does a search on Dan's blades, this thread if not read fully could damage his business.

Sorry for the long-winded, wandering, ramble.... lol.

Rick

 

[ilbruche]

I've seen a few threads where folks with good intentions have put a mustard patina on knives purchased from custom makers. I do not agree with this. when those knives left the makers hands he looked at it and said "this knife is done." they have put there mark on it and that knife will always represent their work. Would you buy a painting and touch it up when you got home?

I guess that would depend on if you want your knife to be a tool or art. If my tool doesn't suit me I'll modify it until it does. The purpose of a knife is to cut IMHO not look pretty. I think most makers would be happy knowing their knives are getting used rather than sitting in a drawer somewhere.

This would be like saying the proof of a house is in the paint job. I'm more interested in the foundation, even grinds, good heat treat and comfortable design. A knife ultimately should be well constructed and solid. I could care less how the blade looks.

 

[Rick Marchand]

I guess that would depend on if you want your knife to be a tool or art. If my tool doesn't suit me I'll modify it until it does. The purpose of a knife is to cut IMHO not look pretty. I think most makers would be happy knowing their knives are getting used rather than sitting in a drawer somewhere.

I agree with that. Perhaps its just me... but I would want to contact Fiddleback, Dan, etc... before reprofiling or refinishing one of his blades... unless he openly says he's cool with it. (I suppose even if he said NO, I would still do what I needed to do... lol) It is different for factory knives where there is no direct, personal interaction with a "maker".

This would be like saying the proof of a house is in the paint job. I'm more interested in the foundation, even grinds, good heat treat and comfortable design. A knife ultimately should be well constructed and solid. I could care less how the blade looks.

Lol.... I agree with that, too, bro! Natural patinas are going to happen with use as is wear... but if I spent hours hand polishing a blade to a mirror finish because the owner wanted it.... and a month later I see a tutorial thread of him putting a mustard patina on it... I would be a little put off.... I would understand that it is ultimately his choice... but without even a courtesy email, I would be miffed. If he does a crappy job and posts it on a public forum, people see MY name on it and it reflects my work.

Its tough, cause I can't disagree with you either.... like I said, this wouldn't be an issue for my knives but I suspect it could be for some makers.

Rick

 

[Martin Swinkels]

This is not a painting or a piece of art, but a tool.
I don't care about the looks at all.

This isn't about looks.
This scratch is so deep that rust will find easy ground to root, and it will be very hard, if not impossible, to remove.
And what about the strange 'welding-like' spot.. what's that?

Before I posted this here I informed Dan about the scratch, not knowing he was away. Let's wait what Dan's got to say about this.

One thing is sure, this is not a kydex-mark. No way.

 

[texastonydobbs]

I to posted in Dan' sforum unaware he was on a trip.....but I do agree with natural patina and leaving it to help protect the blade in the future....I to am more concerned with the scratch or tooling mark that could pose issue in years to come...

 

[kgd]

I agree with that. Perhaps its just me... but I would want to contact Fiddleback, Dan, etc... before reprofiling or refinishing one of his blades... unless he openly says he's cool with it. (I suppose even if he said NO, I would still do what I needed to do... lol) It is different for factory knives where there is no direct, personal interaction with a "maker".

When a maker sells his knife - his knife is sold. The new owner is the new owner. Sorry to be whiney about this, but maker's can't be all controlling as to their products after they shake hands and sell it and the deal is done.

If they love their creation and do not want it altered, then their best bet is to keep it and not sell it. If they do want to sell it, one thing they can do is take photographs of it and create their own gallery of their works as finished by them. This way if they want to contest an alteration by one of their knife owners they can post a reply and say - 'this is how the knife was originally created, that is in an interesting alteration you did there, but here are my thoughts on why I originally finished it that way'.

Alteration of knives is not only common, it is a 2nd buisness for many. Think about all the custom handle makers, sheath makers ect. that are ultimately change knives from their original state. This is healthy for the industry and buisness. I don't think it is an exception only reserved for factory knives - the maker is a buisness man too.

 

[Rick Marchand]

Just my opinion, man... stemming from the opinions of several other reputable makers that I have worked or chatted with. In their eyes, it is just a matter of courtesy not a rule of thumb... no one I know would ever call out a customer for it. But it IS a reality of human nature to feel an attachment.... It is not just selling someone a hunk of metal, its a piece of you that goes out with that knife, whether you subscribe to that concept is up to you.

You are looking from a consumer's perspective which is often times very different than the maker's. And I don't consider that whining on your part.

We are just on different pages.

Rick

 

[kgd]

I understand that a maker puts a lot of heart and soul into their creations. They should be proud of their work and broadcast their achievements. I can also see the point and disappointment somebody would feel if they viewed what they think is a non-logical or non-attractive alteration of their work and all the while having their maker's mark featured prominately in a not-so attractive photograph. I would imagine an architect feels something similar when they look at their buildings ten years later in complete disrepair.

From the user's point of view I think that alterations should be indicated when publishing a picture of the knife on-line. From the maker's standpoint they can provide their commentary on the knife and its modifications when they see their product. It is certainly nice to see the makers on this forum being active and engaging with knife users on a regular basis. I think this provides valuable feedback to both parties.

 

[mneedham]

Rick - I think, in general, I agree with you.. I assume that most craftsmen are proud of their work and that they want people to respect and appreciate that they put a little of themselves into each piece. Buying a blade or sheath from someone is more than a financial transaction to me, my blades are pretty dear to me and I respect the idea that someone made something for me that will be used by me and my son for a long time to come (probably why I don't sell much...)

I think the patina is slightly different though, in a way it protects the piece.. When Ilbruche modded my RD7, he advised me to put a patina on the blade as 5160 oxidizes so easily. I did and I wished I had done the same Koster nessie in the pics above, it has a couple of rust spots on it that aren't just a surface phenomena. Just my .02, I could see situations where I would consider more mods, but I definitely respect what you are saying......

 

[Rick Marchand]

True, brother.... well said...

And...... It would be arrogant of me to think that any of my designs could not be improved upon or altered to suit the needs of the user. I guess you just go with what feels right to you.


Sorry if I steered this thread in a different direction for a bit..... Ma bad... lol.

 

[cmdr249]

I thinks this has been a great thread as well.

I've read and seen enough of TTD's post to know he wasn't bashing on the maker or blade but just sharing his results and expressing his opinion. No one ever jumps up to call anything "foul" when someone posts "I got a really good _____". That's the easy post and response.

To express disappointment without loss of confidence is a sign of integrity from TexasTonyDobbs and it makes me look at Koster blades for something of interest, being new into customs.

I have two custom blades, one from Bill Siegel and one from G.L. Drew and I have been more than impressed with those ventures.

As to modifying someone's custom, I see both sides of the coin. It's very similar to feelings attached to a car or some other item you have personal investment in. If you have a car that you have spent time in and memories created and then sell it, you can't complain if someone changes it to suit their needs and it may not be what you intended. Your intended useage stopped when it was sold.

I could see where someone (a maker) could and should be upset if someone went and took one of their blades and abused it and then complained about it and its "quality" - a different issue by far.

You just have to look at if you bought it as a piece of art (then no need to modify the painting) or as a user or tool (then you may want/need to personalize). Art to one is user to another and vice-versa. If one wants to keep something "as is", then one should keep it for themself and not sell.

I was just recently explaining the same type of thing to one of my young padawan shooters. He has an heirloom Winchester '97 that was his dad's and his grandfather's before that. He was talking about parkerizing it and refinishing the stock to suit his tastes. I asked him if he wanted it for a personal user (probably not) or if he wanted the heritage involved with it: each nick and scratch and the patina that had formed over time had some meaning. I didn't tell him which way to go, just to consider and then decide. Ultimately it is his, regardless.

It is a good free-market system when something goes for sale.

As to the rest, the integrity or intention of TTD shouldn't be questioned.

 

[texastonydobbs]

I thinks this has been a great thread as well.

I've read and seen enough of TTD's post to know he wasn't bashing on the maker or blade but just sharing his results and expressing his opinion. No one ever jumps up to call anything "foul" when someone posts "I got a really good _____". That's the easy post and response.

To express disappointment without loss of confidence is a sign of integrity from TexasTonyDobbs and it makes me look at Koster blades for something of interest, being new into customs.

I have two custom blades, one from Bill Siegel and one from G.L. Drew and I have been more than impressed with those ventures.

As to modifying someone's custom, I see both sides of the coin. It's very similar to feelings attached to a car or some other item you have personal investment in. If you have a car that you have spent time in and memories created and then sell it, you can't complain if someone changes it to suit their needs and it may not be what you intended. Your intended useage stopped when it was sold.

I could see where someone (a maker) could and should be upset if someone went and took one of their blades and abused it and then complained about it and its "quality" - a different issue by far.

You just have to look at if you bought it as a piece of art (then no need to modify the painting) or as a user or tool (then you may want/need to personalize). Art to one is user to another and vice-versa. If one wants to keep something "as is", then one should keep it for themself and not sell.

I was just recently explaining the same type of thing to one of my young padawan shooters. He has an heirloom Winchester '97 that was his dad's and his grandfather's before that. He was talking about parkerizing it and refinishing the stock to suit his tastes. I asked him if he wanted it for a personal user (probably not) or if he wanted the heritage involved with it: each nick and scratch and the patina that had formed over time had some meaning. I didn't tell him which way to go, just to consider and then decide. Ultimately it is his, regardless.

It is a good free-market system when something goes for sale.

As to the rest, the integrity or intention of TTD shouldn't be questioned.

thanks bro ! I will also give a fair observation on the Koster Survivor and my pair of Nwa blades "necker & chopper"