I think it is very easy to see both sides of this discussion. As a service provider, my reputation and experience of my clients help me generate repeat business and sales of my services. I have my own company and have provided repair/remodel services full time for many years.
BUT - my clients can see one another's work. They can talk to my previous client's about the quality of product I turn out as far as cabinets, finsihes and overall repairs are concerned. In fact, most of my clients will gladly let another go see their house if it is a larger remodel.
But when you buy a knife, how many knife makers do you actually get to interview, talk to personally, and then see and hold multiple examples of their work? How can you be sure that what you actually get is what you want, satisfying your vision? Local production would be a distinct asset there if someone could see multiple examples of your work. I think many knife owners look at the customs and drool, but on the other hand feel that several hundred dollars is way to much to be mailing off to someone that will "do their best" to get your knife out in a year or two. If things go well... And by the way, don't let the fact that he lives a few thousand miles away throw you off - RIGHT NOW, he has a good rep.
And I don't know how comfortable I would be buying a knife from someone that was a garage technician. - REMEMBER - professional woodworker here - not poking at the knifemakers - When I started making cabinets in '78, I actually did start making them in a garage. I found there were two types of non-fulltime craftspersons. One did enough to get by, and was simply doing it to add to their income. The other, sat and fiddled with every detail, spending way to much time on the project to get everything as perfect as possible.
If you got a knife from the second guy, you would have a home run, a knife that would probably last a couple of lifetimes. With the first guy, you pay your money and take your chances. And how do you resolve a dispute with someone that is 2000 miles away?
Explain yourself on a forum such as this, and if the guy has his own fan base (that doesn't know yet that the maker is a significantly better knifemaker than businessman!) and you will get shit hammered. I have seen it here. It is like watching someone that was robbed have to explain why it wasn't really their fault someone stuck a gun in their ribs. If someone does post a negative missive here, they cannot be the first.
Being self employed as long as I have been in my life, I understand that not every day is my best day, I don't handle every situation well, and sometimes I just screw up. Everyone is that way. But correcting errors over long distances can be time horribly time consuming.
And in the end, what if the product doesn't meet the original buyer's expectations? What if the bar was too high? What if the expectations were unrealistic, or simply a misunderstanding of the product was to be? Worse, what if it is that "undefinable" quality that is inherent in knives: "it didn't feel right in my hand" or "the steel doesn't hold its edge like I thought".
With a mass produced knife, you return it and you are through. Even the expensive knives are that way. Few knifemakers will take back a knife you custom ordered and returned, giving your money back at the end. (BTW - I don't blame them! I don't give back money on a custom cabinet either!)
On the other hand, perusing this forum has been a real eye opener. I had not idea semi custom knives made to top specs could be had a such great prices. Great designs, great materials, etc.; I have no idea how some of the knife makers here turn out such fine products at such low costs. I have my eye on one maker here that seems to be a pretty straight up guy that sells a great product at a very fair price. I am hoping that my money and his knife availability align at the same time of his next offering.
Again, as a fellow craftsperson.... $200 bucks for a custom knife with a sheath? You can't get anyone that works for me or with me to a job for that...
As always, YMMV. Just my 0.02.
Robert
