D.Koster Bushcraft

Jeff H said:
Good point and I think it is important to toss an issue like this out to the group for consideration as opposed to just quietly going back to Dan. It's only appropriate the group kicks this around and effectively provides a consensus for Dan. Yes, individual knife-makers serve individual buyers but individual buyers are going to have their own picky preferences. The maker needs to know what "the masses" think in order to succeed. I appreciate that it was brought to everyone's attention because I cancelled two orders with Dan recently myself, without a complaint to Dan - because I felt like I was the only one and I wasn't going to bother him with my own "picky preferences." Everybody else seemed happy, why should I come in and try to change everything when I could just go buy a knife some place else? If I had brought it up for discussion, I might have realized that it was somethin worth bringing up to Dan that would help him be successful - which of course serves all our iwn selfich needs but, we all win that way anyway.

This has turned out to be a constrcutive and intelligent discussion and, reading through it, I have to say that I am proud to be associated with the prople who have contributed to this thread (and BF in general). I think that by the time Dan gets back and has a chance to read this he will be getting a fair shake and a helping hand. He's working his butt off trying to make us all happy. I think that this collective feedback is appropriate - feel out the rest of the group to see if you're just being picky or is the issue needs to be brought up.
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+ 1 all the way:thumbup:
 
Magnussen said:
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
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I agree with this. Its hard to let go of somethin you created. I think what hes tryin to say is, if its got his name on it its a representation of his quality, and his work. If you mod a knife, and it looks horrid, Then people will look at the maker, not you. I dont think he is bein anti-mod man, but rather sayin you might take into consideration the makers stand on this too. Kind of like a maker copyin another makers design.
 
I guess I would be a bit peeved by the substitution, just before shipping, of a man-made material sheath over the leftie version ordered. Of course, you did agree to the substitution. Why weren't you notified much earlier - or a LH leather sheath put back for you? I am reasonably certain you had at least paid a down payment on your order. I guess this rules out your getting a sheath-forming knife, too, as the excuse. Of course, the red liners were missing - and I'll bet they were extra, too. Dan most likely will rectify all of this - please keep us apprised.

Now, a silver lining in this less than perfect example - you used the knife! I buy shooters for revolvers and rifles. I buy users for knifes - or so I did. Some, like the bocote handled Bark River Boone I recently bought, are just too pretty. I'll take a lesser quality/suitable knife to the field, like my Dad's old KaBar or a Buck 119, rather than dirty up a keeper. Sure, I'll sit on my deck and whittle - like with my new Buck 005RW and 005GY when they arrived, but the lesser quality 005GY goes woods stomping - even dissected a clamshell packed Garmin GPS with it yesterday. Same with my Buck 192s a few years back - the regular 420HC bladed was/is the user - the AG 192 (S30V) is the looker. Stupid, I know. At least you didn't have to make that decision... see, a silver lining! Keep us informed!

Stainz
 
well order was placed in January and paid in full within a week of order being placed,yeah the Sheath issue was a disapointment to the degree that from January to present time one left handed sheath was not made but I agreed to the kydex not to delay shipment,Plus Dan offered to take the kydex back upon leather lefties available.which I will stay with the Kydex as I am building a PSK around this set-up.I do not know what happen to the red liners but again I will keep everybody informed to what is going on ,like I stated before; I like Dan's work and I have a Koster Survivor PIF as well and hope for it to be a great blade as I have seen Koster blade to be......
 
Tony, Id like to see that psk youre workin on when its done. That is a great knife to build one on!!
 
no problem,I think it is a great design...I mean I pulled it from the safe numerous times just to hold it and think of what kinda kit to build around it....fits Great in the hand...
 
ilbruche said:
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.
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Of course the grinds, heat tread and design are more importand
but for me it does matter how the blade looks when getting it.

You see al the nice pictures of the knives on the forum, you order one and have to wait about six months, very frequently checking the order tracker for progress.
You building up a lot of excitement waiting on the time of being able to hold your knife in your hand.
Then it shows really differend than anticipated.

A knifenut does have a different view on the knife than the maker.
If you make batches of knives several hours a day, several days in the week, the knife is just a tool and you know they all will perform perfectly whatever cosmetic issue.
For the knifenut the knife isn't just another tool, but its YOUR knife on witch you have been eagerly waiting.

I know Dan is working very very hard on getting the orders done, but I wouldn't mind waiting longer so Dan could find the perfect ballance in setting up his working shedule.
I also believe these two knives are unluky exceptions and surely doesn't reflect Dans' work but I'm glad you brought this up in a very civilised matter so this could lead to this very helpfull threat.
I think Dan would also appreciate this.

Dan DOES listen to his customers.
I realy appreciate he will grind the blade again as close to the guard as in the first series.
This is really a feature that is an fundamental part of the bushcraft design (woodworking/whittling)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5617918&postcount=18
 
Sorry you're not happy. The Bushcrafts, as I understand them were intentionally left rough on the flats. IIRC the members of the forum voted and decided to leave them that way. I think it looks great.

Its a lot better condition than the painted knives you've got. He could have painted them and covered that right up. I've got a Busse thats stripped at home, and that blade is pitted as hell.
 
Also, this knife is priced incredibly low. The flats are left as they are so he can make that pricepoint. A custom knife by Dan Koster for that price is an amazing opportunity.

If you want one super nice, he's willing. I discussed one I'd like at Blade. After all the extra work it was up to 300 bucks. And worth every penny too.

You get what you pay for.
 
Fiddleback said:
You get what you pay for.
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I wonder if Dan agrees with that.

KosterBushie11.jpg
 
Andy, you brought up a good point,I was unaware of...but most of the pictures of the Bushcraft blades posted did not have the finish mine had ,they were better . Andy being your a Knife maker ,What is the Scratch from the Spine to the bevel,I know my pic is a bit fuzzy but it has some depth to it,lets call it a gouge or tooling mark,being O1 steel that can be a issue for rust down the road,That is what has me worried ,purchased new Bushcraft knife from an Excellent Craftsman with a flaw that may become a issue later on down the road,I take care of my blades ,clean and care for them properly but since this is below the surface of the blade corrosion or rust may not get cleaned out as well not being a flat surface .
Busse Yeah you can see the dimples in the paint...and every maker has minor flaws under the paint but Dan Bushcraft did not come painted,If painted this never would have been an issue....but every bushcraft blade I have seen no matter the steel version looked clean and uniformed.... I dunno ?
 
Martin Swinkels said:
I wonder if Dan agrees with that.

KosterBushie11.jpg
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I agree thats an ugly scratch/scar. I hope thats not a weld repair. Damn that would be crappy. If it is a weld repair, Dan's probably going to want to address that with his steel supplier.

He is a stand up guy, I'd just contact him and not worry about it.
 
If my blade would have looked like Martin's I would have return it,no matter what part of the world I lived in...That is bad....
 
texastonydobbs said:
Andy, you brought up a good point,I was unaware of...but most of the pictures of the Bushcraft blades posted did not have the finish mine had ,they were better . Andy being your a Knife maker ,What is the Scratch from the Spine to the bevel,I know my pic is a bit fuzzy but it has some depth to it,lets call it a gouge or tooling mark,being O1 steel that can be a issue for rust down the road,That is what has me worried ,purchased new Bushcraft knife from an Excellent Craftsman with a flaw that may become a issue later on down the road,I take care of my blades ,clean and care for them properly but since this is below the surface of the blade corrosion or rust may not get cleaned out as well not being a flat surface .
Busse Yeah you can see the dimples in the paint...and every maker has minor flaws under the paint but Dan Bushcraft did not come painted,If painted this never would have been an issue....but every bushcraft blade I have seen no matter the steel version looked clean and uniformed.... I dunno ?
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Well, the flats are definitely in as acquired condition. The scratch could come from a lot of sources. I don't think this is an errant grinder mark, because its just one scratch. What I think it came from, for whatever thats worth, is:

BushcraftBlanks-11.jpg


If a particle of sand got between any of the blades during shipping, etc, it would have made such scratches. The as forged finish is just that, no finishing. So he didn't remove the scratch.

As to rust, I just never worry about rust on my blades. What happens to a carbon steel blad that you scratch up during use? Are you forever worried about it rusting due to the scratches? You're a knife guy, and I imagine use them properly. Just keep it wiped down and ocasionally oil it and you'll be fine.
 
That is a weld. Not sure what the scratch came from though. Maybe a tired hand at the sander during stock removal? I think that blade needs to be returned for the maker to see first hand. I have 3 Kosters and the fit and finish are nearly perfect. You paid what I paid so yours should be on par with mine.
 
Thank you Andy for the information as I respect your input as well.......
Lordonlyknows can you post a picture of your Bushctaft?
 
Fiddleback said:
Are you forever worried about it rusting due to the scratches? You're a knife guy, and I imagine use them properly. Just keep it wiped down and ocasionally oil it and you'll be fine.
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Nope, I don't worry about rust too much.
Most of my carbon blades are either coated or polished.

I do worry about rust on CPM 3V in particular. It is a pitting kind of rust that can not be easily wiped away. Especially when it's on the bottom of a crevasse like that..
 
texastonydobbs said:
well it is a user blade....but from the pics I seen..everybody's bushcraft blade looked great....finish wise ..I love the design and it will be a great user blade just disapointed in the overall finish of it...I will use it this weekend for sure...
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I understand completely Tony. I like to start with a fresh blade and do my own scuffing if I've decided it's to be a user. That way the added "character" is all mine. :D
 
Martin Swinkels said:
Nope, I don't worry about rust too much.
Most of my carbon blades are either coated or polished.

I do worry about rust on CPM 3V in particular. It is a pitting kind of rust that can not be easily wiped away. Especially when it's on the bottom of a crevasse like that..
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You probably know more about 3V than I do. I've never made a knife in that steel.

I think your knife needs to be returned to Dan. That spot repair looks really bad, and I believe comes from the steel supplier. You can tell that the flats haven't been touched up in any way. It would have been easy enough to grind that stuff out. It would have shown too, because the flats wouldn't have looked as manufactured like that.

If either of you aren't happy, just return it to Dan. He'll make it right. While he's out of town, you can contact Tom Krein and he can assist you.
 
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