Read it wrong Esav , apologies Mr Clifford . I guess it was the typos . I had a completely different interpretation of what went down. Like I said wouldn't be the first time I was wrong...
Well then, perhaps you will understand a clean, clear EDITED version of events ...?
FAIR WARNING to all the newbie makers, my advice to you is ...before you chime in remember what you post/say stays here in BF as record! We have enough "he said, she said" going in our society! We could use a little less of this mud slinging mentality! 320 million souls cruising in different directions, with different opinions. One of the main reason I stick to myself in this business is due to the way the negative customer likes to run rampant. I have met quite a few awesome people in this business over the years, but the BS like this makes a guy want ignore it all because no matter what you say in your own defense people make up their minds without considering the source.
I contacted Marty Gaston and he has not responded.
"
The actual sale date was September 6, 2015. ACTUAL purchase price, $661 (where he gets $844 ?? Have no clue). He says he got the knife September of 2014, didn't test it until Spring if 2015 !INCORRECT!---PayPal records, & his own cut & paste job, confirms the actual dates. As for eBay, I OWN this soonerboomer account. It was started as a central account for both my nephew & shop partner, Mike, & myself to use as a outlet to sell knives be it trades received, flee market/yard sale finds we occasionally run into or old knives from 3 collections, AS WELL AS to list knives FOR ME. My wife was diagnosed with HER 2 positive breast cancer, this can be easily searchable, states this on my website
www.andrewcliffordknkves.com During that time needless to say, the shop was upended, work came to a near halt. It did affect all transactions. I have spent 5 of the last 7 years backlogged. The cancer situation put me further behind after already having been behind. Currently I am back to the "one man shop" way of doing things. This situation, with all above added in, we made a few shipping mistakes. Wasn't our first, wont be my last.
Marty Gaston purchased a used ACK SLY II knife from my nephew via eBay from our resell account soonerboomer. He was offered the COA, but said he did not need it as the knife was a user. He was happy when he got it. I personally informed Mr.Gaston of the ACK SLY II that would be listed on eBay by my nephew when he wanted to do a trade deal with me directly. An ACK SLY II for some of his heavily altered custom knives which included two Randall #18's and a Vaughn Neely full tang with micarta finger grip handle. I will have to follow up on the other knife that was pictured, but there were 4 altogether. Right off Mr.Gaston didn't like my price, understandable, some others do not, either. But other makers are aware of what it takes to make these types of knives. I don't do CNC. I do mostly all my work by hand, lathe, grinders and some other power tools of course. I also make the sheaths, both kydex & leather by hand, again with some help of power tools.
Mr Gaston NEVER contacted me, or my nephew, in regards to this issue! I am easily searchable with a simple google search. I have two contact portals on my website, not one email came from Marty. I have a Facebook "like" page, an Instagram, and last I checked my email and phone number come up when you search my name. I no longer have an offsite shop. I built a shop out of my garage and storage area, moved the wash room, made on large ago so that I can be home near my wife.
As for the quality of the knife....they are ALL made the very same way, heat treated and tested the same AND NEVER, OUT OF ALL 137 made to date, have I ever received a complaint, nor have I EVER had one come back into my shop broken or in need of repair. Not one!! I'm not going have a nock down drag out fight in front of the BF community, but this buyer has not made ANY attempts to contact me directly!! He bashed a great guy, friend, Vaughn Neely, and from what I was told, bashed others for turning down his requests to alter/customize knives made by other makers. Is there truth to that? I have no clue? It seems to me he would want to contact ME before screaming fowl. Should we ask for pics from Mr. Gaston?! PROOF that my knife is under quality as he says! Should we ask whom is heavily altering his well known custom knives such as his Randalls, Vaughn Neely's etc! Funny, he says his Vaughn Neely knife was less than desirable yet he still owns it!! Says the ACK SLY II knife is less then desirable yet he still owns it, makes no attempts to rid himself of it, or ask for an exchange?!
Why my eBay account ( started by my wife for the guys to use) is under question is a riddle to me. If the majority of the listings are FOR me I would rather things be under our complete control of items being listed since the majority are mine.
I am very behind, I make sure to let everyone know it. I am not taking orders, haven't been able to in over a year. I took the time to respond here because two sides should be heard. I see several posters here whom were potential customers of mine, but decided against the price. The ACK SLY II was/has been priced at $749 since 2009. Once you weigh in costs of materials, time, resources to make, risings costs of it all, what competitors prices are a price raise was more than long overdo.
I enjoy making this knife, as all my knife designs. I love making the sheaths as well.
Mr Gaston, I suggest trying to communicate with the maker FIRST before you try to tarnish their reputation!! "
