Mr. Koster, I've never done business with you,so I don't have a dog in this fight.I think you've been around long enough to understand the purpose of this forum,and posting a response and opinion about a situation doesn't alway's constitute trolling.You've been a long standing member on this forum, and it's a shame you haven't learned from other knifemakers mistakes that have been discussed on this forum for years.A knifemaker can be the most talented and in demand person in the world,but once you get a track record for poor communication,excuses,dishonesty ,misleading people or hold deposits or payment(which you don't accept anymore) or don't deliver the product after years of promises,these are the common reasons many of knifemakers careers have gone into the toilet.You have seen this first hand being a member here, don't follow this pattern that so many talented knifemakers have chosen to follow.I really find it a shame to see such talent and a persons name be soiled in these situations.Please take a few moments to sit down and create a feasible game plan and communicate with these people as how you plan to rectify the issues without further delay.Best regards,Ralph
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Dan Koster for the bad.
- Thread starter naccibobacci
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Mr. Koster, I've never done business with you,so I don't have a dog in this fight.I think you've been around long enough to understand the purpose of this forum,and posting a response and opinion about a situation doesn't alway's constitute trolling.You've been a long standing member on this forum, and it's a shame you haven't learned from other knifemakers mistakes that have been discussed on this forum for years.A knifemaker can be the most talented and in demand person in the world,but once you get a track record for poor communication,excuses,dishonesty ,misleading people or hold deposits or payment(which you don't accept anymore) or don't deliver the product after years of promises,these are the common reasons many of knifemakers careers have gone into the toilet.You have seen this first hand being a member here, don't follow this pattern that so many talented knifemakers have chosen to follow.I really find it a shame to see such talent and a persons name be soiled in these situations.Please take a few moments to sit down and create a feasible game plan and communicate with these people as how you plan to rectify the issues without further delay.Best regards,Ralph
braillediver
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2007
- Messages
- 3,048
I’ll never Buy a Koster knife because of this Crap. The guy is tainted because of what he’s done and I won’t support him even on the used market.
If you ever think of buying (even a used Koster)- There was a guy trying to get a defective koster knife fixed and it took years.
This negatively effects the secondary market for the knives- they lose value immediately and languish in the For Sale Forums.
So what? There isn’t anyone behind the name to support the knives. If there’s a problem you’re screwed.
If you ever think of buying (even a used Koster)- There was a guy trying to get a defective koster knife fixed and it took years.
This negatively effects the secondary market for the knives- they lose value immediately and languish in the For Sale Forums.
Very sad to see this, but I understand the frustration. Ive only had one knife buying experience with Mr Koster regarding the MUCK knife. I did received the knife well over a year after the original delivery date. I had the same issues as already noted with delivery dates and the knife is in the mail thing. I don't think Dan understands how frustrating the knife is in the mail thing is to his customers. After you receive the knife, you cant help but recollect the negative experience you had buying it. Based on my experience, I would suggest buying a Koster from KSF or whoever else is stocking them.
On a side note- Ive had GREAT customer service from other makers on this forum. Ive bought 5 or so knives from Scott Gossman. His communication is perfect and delivery dates have been to the day or earlier. My hard earned dollars are going to makers that practice good business skills. The man behind the knife and your "experience" purchasing a custom knife makes you appreciate the piece or dislike it. IMHO
On a side note- Ive had GREAT customer service from other makers on this forum. Ive bought 5 or so knives from Scott Gossman. His communication is perfect and delivery dates have been to the day or earlier. My hard earned dollars are going to makers that practice good business skills. The man behind the knife and your "experience" purchasing a custom knife makes you appreciate the piece or dislike it. IMHO
on_the_edge
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2006
- Messages
- 11,711
Let's not kid ourselves here. A few years ago, I got in on a group order for a knife Dan was making. I was in very early on a list that was well over 100 people and paid Dan his required deposit. I waited and waited and waited (many months), hearing nothing from Dan. I contacted him and got some excuses, but also a promise to get the knife done in a particular timeframe. He offered up the timeframe; I did not press him to complete it in my own timeframe. Again, the deadline came and went, Dan being nowhere to be found. He was unresponsive to e-mails, so I decided to call him and ended up speaking with him by phone. He was apologetic and again stated a new timeframe. The conversation was polite and cordial, almost like two neighbors talking to each other. I waited and once again, the deadline passed and I had no knife nor even any word on its status. At that point, I decided to sell my spot on the list to someone else who had failed to make the list at all before it closed. The situation was leaving a very bad taste in my mouth and I decided I wanted no part of a Koster knife. The person to whom I sold my spot ended up going through the same thing as I did in terms of waiting for Dan to build the knife, and he too ended up selling the spot to someone else. My point is that patience and politeness did not get me anywhere with Dan, nor has it gotten others anywhere with him. The result is the same regardless.
I since have seen Dan at a show, standing ready with a table full of available knives to sell. Needless to say, I did not stop to see what he had nor did I care. I will not buy a knife from him ever, and I will never recommend him to anyone. YMMV.
"I'll end by saying his knives are excellent."
"So what? There isn’t anyone behind the name to support the knives. If there’s a problem you’re screwed.
If you ever think of buying (even a used Koster)- There was a guy trying to get a defective koster knife fixed and it took years.
This negatively effects the secondary market for the knives- they lose value immediately and languish in the For Sale Forums."
Brailledriver - I was simply stating my opinion on his knives since I had already stated my opinion on his business practices. I didn't want my post to be 100% negative. And for the record, I stopped buying from him 2 years ago and have a grand total of 1 excellent Dan Koster knife. I hope I don't have any warranty issues with it.
"So what? There isn’t anyone behind the name to support the knives. If there’s a problem you’re screwed.
If you ever think of buying (even a used Koster)- There was a guy trying to get a defective koster knife fixed and it took years.
This negatively effects the secondary market for the knives- they lose value immediately and languish in the For Sale Forums."
Brailledriver - I was simply stating my opinion on his knives since I had already stated my opinion on his business practices. I didn't want my post to be 100% negative. And for the record, I stopped buying from him 2 years ago and have a grand total of 1 excellent Dan Koster knife. I hope I don't have any warranty issues with it.
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I have seen this same thing many times at knife shows. The maker has a display of knives for sale while his other customers are waiting with their thumbs up their butts. I know a particular and very popular knife maker who has a 3 year backlog and commented on all the time (at least 3 month every year) he spends at knife shows. He replied that he has to go to drum up business. When I pointed out his backlog, he got a bit defensive. The truth is that he likes to party.
Dan, I like your knives but your reputation is in trouble. Here's a suggestion. Get yourself a part time secretary and start a sign up list like you do with new models but call it the Resolution Signup. Have people with gripes get in line---- and go down the list and rectify things to the best of your ability. I bet it would take a week or two or three of work. This would be time better spent than anything else you could do for your business. You'll feel better. Its never too late to turn things around. Good luck.
- Joined
- May 7, 2011
- Messages
- 205
popcorn , this thread needs popcorn w/ butter.
and a comfy chair ...
off topic ... I am thinking about one of JK Knives TRAPLINE knives with forward and rear lanyard tubes and got to decide what scales ...
as for Koster. .. if his "poor business practices" leave a customer feeling cheated... they were cheated. simple as that ...
customer is always right
and a comfy chair ...
off topic ... I am thinking about one of JK Knives TRAPLINE knives with forward and rear lanyard tubes and got to decide what scales ...
as for Koster. .. if his "poor business practices" leave a customer feeling cheated... they were cheated. simple as that ...
customer is always right
I think I will go cancel my CPM3V bushcrafter now. There are other makers on here that I will support over Dan. One big time is Jason Howards his work seems overlooked in the knifemakers forum but his delivery times are excellent, and if there is something you want done he can do it. Another is Jake Hoback, I ordered one of his Hunter Companions and he told me it would be roughly two months, well it was finished in a month.
- Joined
- Nov 17, 1999
- Messages
- 3,061
Gentleman, This is absolutely nothing new. Please refer to this thread - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/692267-Damaged-Custom-Repair-Replacement-timing?highlight=koster
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"As a Custom knife user I agree that things can go awry once in a great while with a knife, knowing that most Makers take so much care in crafting their knives I think the percentage of problems with Custom knives is extremely low.
BUT... I agree that if you have a significant issue with a knife that the Maker has acknowledged could be due to the craftsmanship of the knife then a New or Repaired knife should be forthcoming fairly quickly. While I think 30 days is rather Fast (kudos those Makers who try to keep that timeframe) in the Custom knife world I would be happy to get the knife back within 45 - 60 days.
Now, let me address something else that goes along with this thread. Since the OP has named Dan Koster as the Maker.
Dan has for a long time on this forum had issues with;
- Requiring Deposits on Knives and Material yet not Delivering on time
- Accepting full Payments for knives and not Delivering on time
- Accepting knives for Refurb or Repaired - not returning them in a timely manner
It is also very evident that he rarely answers comm's for any reason.
Here are a few threads simply from the past few months;
First is the notorious Material Group Buy - folks still waiting on the Material or a Refund -- no updates or response -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=656656
A situation like the OP - knife returned for some reason - no response -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=685315
Slow delivery on a knife Paid in full -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691274
Refund owed but not sent -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=675290
No reply to customer who is awaiting info on order -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=683207
Recent Customer, knife paid for but not delivered -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=705847
SO here are my questions - Has no one else noticed this trend? Why are folks still sending in Deposits and full payments? Why hasn't Dan acknowledged that he has some major issues and stopped accepting Deposits and Pre-payments until he has taken care of ALL his past Customer issues? Why has only one Member started a thread in the GB&U to bring this kind of stuff to others attention?
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...ghlight=koster
One of the Super Mods here gave Dan some advice over a year ago when the above Thread was started - "This should be a wakeup call for Dan, that the system is overloading, and he needs to cut back on his backlog -- work it off, cancel/refund where necessary -- and decide where to focus. It's unfair to customers and unfair to himself to fall that far behind."
To the OP - I can certainly understand your feelings, but you are not alone."
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"As a Custom knife user I agree that things can go awry once in a great while with a knife, knowing that most Makers take so much care in crafting their knives I think the percentage of problems with Custom knives is extremely low.
BUT... I agree that if you have a significant issue with a knife that the Maker has acknowledged could be due to the craftsmanship of the knife then a New or Repaired knife should be forthcoming fairly quickly. While I think 30 days is rather Fast (kudos those Makers who try to keep that timeframe) in the Custom knife world I would be happy to get the knife back within 45 - 60 days.
Now, let me address something else that goes along with this thread. Since the OP has named Dan Koster as the Maker.
Dan has for a long time on this forum had issues with;
- Requiring Deposits on Knives and Material yet not Delivering on time
- Accepting full Payments for knives and not Delivering on time
- Accepting knives for Refurb or Repaired - not returning them in a timely manner
It is also very evident that he rarely answers comm's for any reason.
Here are a few threads simply from the past few months;
First is the notorious Material Group Buy - folks still waiting on the Material or a Refund -- no updates or response -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=656656
A situation like the OP - knife returned for some reason - no response -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=685315
Slow delivery on a knife Paid in full -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691274
Refund owed but not sent -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=675290
No reply to customer who is awaiting info on order -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=683207
Recent Customer, knife paid for but not delivered -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=705847
SO here are my questions - Has no one else noticed this trend? Why are folks still sending in Deposits and full payments? Why hasn't Dan acknowledged that he has some major issues and stopped accepting Deposits and Pre-payments until he has taken care of ALL his past Customer issues? Why has only one Member started a thread in the GB&U to bring this kind of stuff to others attention?
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...ghlight=koster
One of the Super Mods here gave Dan some advice over a year ago when the above Thread was started - "This should be a wakeup call for Dan, that the system is overloading, and he needs to cut back on his backlog -- work it off, cancel/refund where necessary -- and decide where to focus. It's unfair to customers and unfair to himself to fall that far behind."
To the OP - I can certainly understand your feelings, but you are not alone."
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- Joined
- May 7, 2011
- Messages
- 205
Then , why with this much "history" is he allowed to occupy the same space as
some of the most respected knife makers in the country ?
honestly...
I made the mistake of ordering one of his knives by the "picture" of the knife
and not the picture the different threads and posts paints of the man.
my mistake and it took months to correct.
too many good men out there making knives , so little time.
some of the most respected knife makers in the country ?
honestly...
I made the mistake of ordering one of his knives by the "picture" of the knife
and not the picture the different threads and posts paints of the man.
my mistake and it took months to correct.
too many good men out there making knives , so little time.
wolfmann601
Gone, but not forgotton. RIP Ira.
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2001
- Messages
- 7,385
Because he has not scammed anyone. Being a piss poor businessman is not a bannable offense. It is simply a warning to anyone with a brain that the knife they buy from Dan Koster will be delivered well after it's promised, they will be told over and over it has just "been glued" and almost ready to ship when its not even close to ready to ship, will not get a refund when requested but will get a refund when Dan gets money up front from another customer, will pay up front for a knife so Dan can buy the materials to make said knife, and will probably end up with a nothing special knife that 100 reliable makers could have provided for them without the lies and BS.................
Indeed so.....
My own purchasing experience with Dan was less than stellar and when I received my knife I immediately sold it.
I had also pre-paid for a second knife which I immediately cancelled and I have to say that I received my refund from Dan in full with an additional amount to offset a mistake he had made on my initial order.
I cannot complain about his business ethics but I will not purchase from him ever again.
He is not a scammer or a con artist, just a poor businessman who has not realized the value of good customer satisfaction.
There seems to be a lot of knifemakers who do it as a part time job. I don't think anyone deliberately refuses to answer emails, etc...I think it's more of a time issue for them (Dan Koster in this case)
I too have emailed Mr.Koster quite a few months ago in reference to a knife, he replied 3 months later. Obviously I was all set by that time, I had gone and hired a different maker to make me a similar knife (big nessmuk) because Mr.Koster was impossible to get a hold of.
Eventually, makers who make knives part time, lose their customer base when issues come up, and have to make a decision whether they want to be a knifemaker or whatever else they're doing.
Communication is part of doing business. You can be the best maker in the world, if your communication skills lack, you're not going to last. Most people who want a knife want it now...some are willing to wait a bit, so unless a knifemaker is able to answer to his fan base who want a knife ASAP, he will lose them one by one until he has no fan base.
I've seen this same discussion on multiple forums, in the car or bike parts industry, in the gun industry, etc...you can be the best at what you do, if you don't have communication skills you will fail.
I know I was ready to buy at least a couple knives from Mr.Koster, but he didn't need the business (or so it seemed), I wonder how many on this forum and others, like me...who have gone a different route, only because they never got a reply by email.
To the original poster, i hope you get your issues resolved and if you want a specific knife made, there are plenty other makers who will help you out. Chris @ Moss knives helped me out with a nessmuk design similar to Dan Kosters' Monster Nessie...and i am very happy with the result, and he keeps communications open throughout the progress, pics and all.
I too have emailed Mr.Koster quite a few months ago in reference to a knife, he replied 3 months later. Obviously I was all set by that time, I had gone and hired a different maker to make me a similar knife (big nessmuk) because Mr.Koster was impossible to get a hold of.
Eventually, makers who make knives part time, lose their customer base when issues come up, and have to make a decision whether they want to be a knifemaker or whatever else they're doing.
Communication is part of doing business. You can be the best maker in the world, if your communication skills lack, you're not going to last. Most people who want a knife want it now...some are willing to wait a bit, so unless a knifemaker is able to answer to his fan base who want a knife ASAP, he will lose them one by one until he has no fan base.
I've seen this same discussion on multiple forums, in the car or bike parts industry, in the gun industry, etc...you can be the best at what you do, if you don't have communication skills you will fail.
I know I was ready to buy at least a couple knives from Mr.Koster, but he didn't need the business (or so it seemed), I wonder how many on this forum and others, like me...who have gone a different route, only because they never got a reply by email.
To the original poster, i hope you get your issues resolved and if you want a specific knife made, there are plenty other makers who will help you out. Chris @ Moss knives helped me out with a nessmuk design similar to Dan Kosters' Monster Nessie...and i am very happy with the result, and he keeps communications open throughout the progress, pics and all.
slightly off topic
When I wanted a small nessmuk skinner and a medium nessmuk bushy, Koster didn't answer my emails
I went to JK knives and got what i wanted in just a couple weeks, (in fact, i got exactly what i wanted, my own design of the blade and scales):
When Mr.Koster didn't reply my emails asking about the Monster nessie, I went to Chris at Moss and got exactly what I asked for, quick too (2 weeks !!!):
so here was a total of about $750 spent elsewhere that Dan Koster missed out on, plenty other makers willing to make a knife for you, don't get stuck on one that will string you along
When I wanted a small nessmuk skinner and a medium nessmuk bushy, Koster didn't answer my emails
I went to JK knives and got what i wanted in just a couple weeks, (in fact, i got exactly what i wanted, my own design of the blade and scales):
When Mr.Koster didn't reply my emails asking about the Monster nessie, I went to Chris at Moss and got exactly what I asked for, quick too (2 weeks !!!):
so here was a total of about $750 spent elsewhere that Dan Koster missed out on, plenty other makers willing to make a knife for you, don't get stuck on one that will string you along
I dont usually post negative about people, but Koster, is the ONLY member here on BF that has never returned my phone calls or PM's in regards to BUYING a knife from him. I winded up buying a Bushcrafter model from another member and sold it because of this. That was along time ago, so I thought Id try him again, same thing. I gave up. No more Kosters for me. Good luck with everyone getting there money back.
Off topic: Robino, Those nessies are fantastic and I love the speer 38 cases. With a two week turnaround that really is hard to beat.
ON TOPIC, Ive only received one of Dans knives and that was because I bought someones spot who was bailing out of a deal due to the horrific wait. Ive jumped off of one list for a monster nessie and am now on another list for a 3v nessie. Dans wait times are long and what makes them worse is him stating an unrealistic completion date. He seems to be learning though and the list im on now has no completion date. I think people would be fine if we knew up front that the wait times are four times longer than posted. He is certainly not a crook by any means, he just reminds me of my old inexperienced contractor self. I used to quote clients the exact completion time of a project and when things went long, i would have to deal with the flack. Now any quote I give is doubled or has a least a week buffer so nobody has any unrealistic expectations. Dans knives are quite nice and Im a rare person who can wait. By reading multiple post of people jumping off wait list for Dan, I soon figured out that his lead time was a minimum of double his stated time, (for some of his more exotic smaller runs it can get near 3x).
I really like his 3v work and have figured out Im waiting probably 20months for it but when I first jumped on one of his list and he went way past completion date I was pissed. Now I know what im in for so im not worried, (I cant state enough how nice it would have been to know this from the start though). Im sure many of you think this attitude is stupid but im just sharing my experience and how ive come to terms with Kosters methods.
ON TOPIC, Ive only received one of Dans knives and that was because I bought someones spot who was bailing out of a deal due to the horrific wait. Ive jumped off of one list for a monster nessie and am now on another list for a 3v nessie. Dans wait times are long and what makes them worse is him stating an unrealistic completion date. He seems to be learning though and the list im on now has no completion date. I think people would be fine if we knew up front that the wait times are four times longer than posted. He is certainly not a crook by any means, he just reminds me of my old inexperienced contractor self. I used to quote clients the exact completion time of a project and when things went long, i would have to deal with the flack. Now any quote I give is doubled or has a least a week buffer so nobody has any unrealistic expectations. Dans knives are quite nice and Im a rare person who can wait. By reading multiple post of people jumping off wait list for Dan, I soon figured out that his lead time was a minimum of double his stated time, (for some of his more exotic smaller runs it can get near 3x).
I really like his 3v work and have figured out Im waiting probably 20months for it but when I first jumped on one of his list and he went way past completion date I was pissed. Now I know what im in for so im not worried, (I cant state enough how nice it would have been to know this from the start though). Im sure many of you think this attitude is stupid but im just sharing my experience and how ive come to terms with Kosters methods.
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