Doesnt a knife mean more to you when....

L

lifter4Him

Joined
Sep 30, 1999
Messages
4,229
you develop a friendship and relationship with the maker or dealer? To me knives are just objects which are tools and in extreme circumstances, weapons. But when I get to know the maker and develop a friendship with him the knife seems to take on more meaning and gives me a good feeling when I carry or use it.
I bought a tactical folder(LDC 107) made by David Broadwell from another collector. I did not buy directly from David or from Les Robertson. Yet when I contacted David he treated me as a friend and with respect. He refinished the knife for me and more importantly we have traded emails back and forth and developed a friendship. Les also answered my questions by email and has always treated me friendly while at shows even though I havent yet bought a knife directly from him. Now when I use this knife(which BTW is one of the best tactical folders I have seen and I have a few) I think of my 2 "friends" and it feels good.
I have more expensive knives made by some who are too busy or too important to talk to me if I'm not spending money at that moment whose knives are nothing more than investments or inanimate objects to me.
Do you guys feel this way too?
Another maker who I dont have any knives by yet but I will is Darrel Ralph. Whether at a show or online he has always taken the time to talk to me and answer any questions I have even though I wasnt spending money.
Let me know your thoughts on this and thanks for listening.

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Dave (Phil.4:13)
I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me
 
Got no problem with folks calling me a mush head for this, but I agree whole heartedly.
You have picked some of the finest when you talk about Darrel, David and Les. I know I enjoy knives made by or sold by people who I have relationships with that go beyond the knives that they make or sell.

The knives can be special to me, but the people behind them are more special.

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" I am continually reminded of the rewards of dealing with custom knife makers and the custom knife community." Jeff J.

[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 06-21-2000).]
 
Great thread. To often people get taken in by the knives and forget about their creators. I should be receiving my first custom folder next week (
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) and I have to tell you, I did alot of searching before choosing a maker. I hate to say it, but I chose to pass on a few knives that caught my eye, just because I was not overly impressed in my communications with makers. My loss? Maybe. But that personal, one on one communication was one of the things that attracted me to custom knives in the first place. If a maker was not going to help me along in the process and to help ensure my satisfaction, I will find someone who will. There are just too many fine knives and makers available for me to deal with less than satisfactory treatment in this regard. My order was placed prior to me discovering BladeForums. During the past six months I have become aware of a number of makers who make their presence known here, and look forward to owning many of their pieces in the future. Their friendly demeanor, knowldege and the fact that they so openly communicate with the members here says alot about their dedication to their craft and I know that they would do whatever was necessary to ensure a customer's satisfaction. You mentioned Darrel Ralph as someone with whom you plan on doing business with. I wholeheartedly agree. I placed my order yesterday
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!
 
Absolutely. Bob and Linda Dozier are the first(s) who come to mind. They are some of the nicest folks I' ve ever had the pleasure to meet and to get to know, knives or no knives. Bob' s work is a true reflection of himself. Knowledeable, hard working, no nonsense, no bells and whistles and down to earth. Nuff said!

L8r,
Nakano

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"To earn a million is easy, a real friend is not."
 
I agree about Bob and Linda Dozier Nakano. Always very helpful and friendly.
In my original post I forgot to mention 2 other makers that go out of their way to help a customer. Last year at the NY Custom Show I bought an ironwood handled Terzuola ATCF. Afterwards I must have followed Bob T around and asked 20 questions. He answered every one and never made me feel like I was a nuisance.
One of the nicest couples you could talk to about knives or anything else are Ed and Angela Fowler. I've spoken to them on the phone and by mail and they were unbeleivably nice. A couple of years ago I had to cancel an order with them due to personal problems and they were as gracious as could be about it. I even got a card in the mail from Mrs Fowler saying she understood and offering any help she could be in the future.
This is what it's all about for me, otherwise it's just a piece of steel with a handle.

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Dave (Phil.4:13)
I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me
 
Well said, Dave, Gus.

The friendships and relationships that develop with makers, collectors and purveyors are what makes this all very special.

When I go to the Blade Show, even though I know I'll buy something, the primary reason is to see the friends old and new that will be assembling there. You can't buy that.

Blues

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Live Free or Die

Some Knife Pix
 
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