Dr. Frantisek Halka - Book?

SharpByCoop

SharpByCoop

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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A couple of years ago, I spent a LOT of time compiling and sending hi-res files of all my art dagger shots to this fellow from Czechoslovakia (?). He was going to make a book on daggers exclusively.

I know of many other makers who also contributed to his need with images.

I have repeatedly sent emails to his old contact, and nothing is ever returned.

Anyone know anything more than me? From what I can figure out, this guy made a lot of work for others and myself on his whim to create a book. :grumpy:

I'd love to be proven wrong....

Coop
 
Jim . . . yes, I also devoted many hours of photography and post-processing to this gentleman on behalf of local art dagger makers. All communication has evaporated. Either he has dropped the idea (without getting back to those who supported him), or he has published and not backed up his word. Poor form regardless. It's just made me hesitant to offer work to others.
 
Coop, the first email I got from him looked like the makings for an overseas skam...

But after a couple more I figured he was for real. However, I still felt kind of "off" about the whole deal. I never did send him anything, and he sent me a few more follow up emails, again trying to get me to send him images of daggers.

I never did.

I sure would like to see this book if there's any chance it will ever actually exist!
 
Thanks Hilton, thanks Nick. What I suspected.

We'll see. Hey, maybe he's been ill. Who knows?

Coop
 
I too was contacted by this gentleman.

I would have sent him pictures, but somehow I couldn't dig up high-res images of my daggers. All I've got is what's on my site, and the knives are long gone.
 
Hallo all, It is I , Dr. Halka. Sorry to be long in writing. My cousin , the Prince of Prussia, has had some problems with legal matters. This has slowed my book making. If you please send all knives from the pictures to me for bailing out my cousin I will send you all autograph copy of my book. No really! :o
 
There is a temptation to dismiss requests from, let's call them . . . "non English speaking" . . . countries, for assistance, input, etc. Of course some folks might feel that the USA qualifies as a non-English speaking country, but that can be the topic of a different thread!

I am always aware that knifemaking is an international business, and that non-English speaking makers have as much difficulty communicating with me as I do with them. During the past 20 years of my involvement in knifemaking I have made time to provide people from Germany, France, Israel, Italy, Thailand, as well as Australia, New Zealand and the USA, with information, articles, and photos for publication. I have only ever received payment (in cash or kind) from two, Germany and Israel. More importantly, I have never given out the information with the express intent of receiving something in return. I have always viewed any return as a pleasant bonus. Having said that, there sadly are folks out there who are takers, and every now and then we get taken in by them.

I do however believe if one only gives in order to get, then one's life is poorer for it. Giving is a long-term investment. I have always found the knifemaking community to be more giving than taking, it is one of its strongest points. Do not fall into the trap of dismissing people because they do not speak your home language. Remember the really slick ones probably speak your language fluently. Weigh up what they are asking, against what you can offer, and base your decision on that.
 
This person may have had every intention of writing a book and getting it published, but once involved found it to be a far more daunting task than first envisioned.
 
Well put Hilton! I have many over seas customers. Sorry if you guys got taken for a ride. It happens! What Keith says is very likely. Mike
 
Hilton,

Great sentiments and they echo mine. That's why I was so willing and forthright to spend the necessary time. Nicely put!

All of the images will look great this year or in ten years. Daggers are timeless.

There is always an outside chance this project may surface. :confused:

Coop
 
Hey folks, I realize this thread is 3 years old, but its about the only thing I can find relating to Frantisek Halka.

I recieved an email from this fellow today and was somewhat suspicious due to all of the scamming thats been going on. The english was pretty poor, and I wasn't quite sure exactly what he was asking for (for me to make him a mosaic dagger, if he wanted to buy my mosaic fighter that Coop just shot, or something else). I didn't want to jump to conclusions, since I realize that a lot can be "lost in translation" and he might be legitimate. Here's a copy of his email. You can see why I was a bit suspicious/confused at first:

Dear Sir,

I am interested in the Mosaic Damascus Dagger Blade length 200 mm
for my Art Dagger. Can I make this Mosaic Damascus Dagger Blade?
If it is not possible, please let me know. Thank you for your reply.
Sincerely,
MUDr. Frantisek Hálka
Click to expand...

Before I responded to seek clarification on just what he's after, I thought I'd do some searching to see if I could find out if this fellow was one of those scammers or not. And in the process of searching, I came across this thread.

Didn't know if anyone had heard from him since this thread was last active or not, and if anything became of his book/s. Maybe he's just now getting back to it? I don't know? I thought I'd ask the advice of those who have had previous dealings with this fellow, to see if its worth responding to him or not.

Thanks
 
Graham Fredeen said:
Hey folks, I realize this thread is 3 years old, but its about the only thing I can find relating to Frantisek Halka.

I recieved an email from this fellow today and was somewhat suspicious due to all of the scamming thats been going on. The english was pretty poor, and I wasn't quite sure exactly what he was asking for (for me to make him a mosaic dagger, if he wanted to buy my mosaic fighter that Coop just shot, or something else). I didn't want to jump to conclusions, since I realize that a lot can be "lost in translation" and he might be legitimate. Here's a copy of his email. You can see why I was a bit suspicious/confused at first:



Before I responded to seek clarification on just what he's after, I thought I'd do some searching to see if I could find out if this fellow was one of those scammers or not. And in the process of searching, I came across this thread.

Didn't know if anyone had heard from him since this thread was last active or not, and if anything became of his book/s. Maybe he's just now getting back to it? I don't know? I thought I'd ask the advice of those who have had previous dealings with this fellow, to see if its worth responding to him or not.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I have had some contact with him during this year and he have ordered a dagger from me and he have ordered a dagger from Johan Gustafsson.

I also got the request of pictures for his book in the past, but other then that I don´t know much about him.

He still claims his book will be made.

I see no reason not responding to him. Money up front and few things can go wrong.

//André
 
Thanks for the responses Turtle and Andre.

I did end up responding to his email. Turns out he wanted both pictures of my knife, and to order a dagger. I sent him the picture, since there's no harm in that, and we're still discussing the details of the dagger.

I was just a little leery about things since I've heard all the "horror" stories about folks getting scammed and such, so I thought I'd do some research first. I try to give folks the benefit of the doubt usually, but sometimes its better to protect your own interests first and foremost. I didn't come across anything "bad" about him, so I'm guessing he's legitimate to work with and will proceed as so. I never send out a blade without payment, so there's not too much bad that can go wrong.

Thanks again folks.
 
Dear Sir

I know it Dr.Halka,I prepared it for him one Art dagger,I meet him one knife show,I am never have problem with him .


Stefan
 
Thanks Stefan. That is great to hear. I'm currently in the process of working out the details of the dagger for Dr. Halka, and we'll see what comes of it.

Its a shame that there are a few individuals out there who would try to steal and take advantage of folks, and that makes everyone suspicious of anyone from a different country, especially when they are probably completly legitimate and good folks. But anymore it seems like you can't tell and have to be cautious.
 
I am glad how I may help,but you're absolutely right ,very much the swindler,the caution is very good

Stefan
 
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