Got my custom in the mail today -- but OH NO ...!

C

creek

Joined
Apr 9, 2000
Messages
17
I'd placed an order about a half year ago and finally, today, a custom fixed blade from one of my favorite makers, my first from him. I was absolutely overjoyed when the mailman came around with the package today, because I'd expected delivery was still a week or two off.

When I opened eagerly and in anticipation, though, I was stunned. Both the blade and handle shapes were not what I had ordered! I need to get a ruler, but I believe it's shorter, tooo....

What to do ?
It's very well made, with a superb forged damascus blade with blue and purple iridiscense, and I can tell that the maker put a lot of effort into it. I expect many would love it, treasure it.

For me, though, I'm afraid I don't like its appearance and it's not what I'd ordered....

Should I contact the maker and tell him so directly? Might he be pissed that a customer does not like what he's made with such care?
My preference would be to return this one, and have him make another one for me, in the design that I'd originally asked for...

Or should I just sell it? I'm certain that there would be eager buyers for it....

I'd be happy if you could offer me some advice...

Thanks!!



:yawn:
 
If its not what you ordered, I'd give him a call and tell him. Each knife is going to vary within a certain range ( hence handmade ), but if its drastically different than what you were expecting its not right. Who knows he may have sent you the wrong knife by mistake. Good luck -- Charles
 
Don't be afraid to talk to the maker. You have hired him to make your very special knife and waited along time for it. Absolutely tell the knife maker, politely and professionally, that there has been a mistake made somehow and the knife that you ordered was not the one sent to you.
 
send it back! I'm certainly not one to return things, especially when it is because of me (e.g. I changed my mind) but if it's not what you ordered then I think the answer is very clear...send it back!

RL
 
Your heart is in the right place,. That being said call the maker.
I am sure you will find him or her very anxious to satisfy you.
Let us know what you decide, Good luck
 
Originally posted by C. Marlowe
Who knows he may have sent you the wrong knife by mistake. Good luck -- Charles
Click to expand...

That never happens, does it?
gruebel.gif
 
for your kind and supportive responses.
I'm glad and comforted to know that I'm not off base in sending it back.

Since I'm not much of a good speaker or conversationalist, rather than fumbling for words on the phone, I decided to write and send (just did so) the maker a polite note that stating firstly how much I was impressed by the craftsmanship and quality of the knife, and then describing how it differed from the one that I'd asked for and asking whether he would be willing to take it back and create another one in exchange for it.

I hope that he reads it without upset!

Thanks again guys, I'll keep you posted once I hear back...!
 
No reply from the maker yet...

It's been 2 days, so guess I'll wait about a day or two more, and then call.

When I do, I hope he'll be receptive to the idea of a replacement that fits my original order. If not, hope one of you'll be interested in a damascus, forged fighter by an MS!
 
I had the same expirence with my first hand made. Thicker than I ordered, shorter, with a bigger handle. Called the maker, who admitted he got the orders confussed. No problem , he was reputable, and a real personable guy, told me to use it as if it ere mine in the coming hunting season ( in two days) and he would get to work on "mine" Checked occasionally over the following weeks, he had some health problems he could not anticipate, and died 30 days later.
I found this out on calling his home, and speaking with a daughter who said the funeral had been the day pripr. She ask me if her fater owed me a knife. " no, I said. We're even".
I still have the knife. It's a great ATS-34 drop point hunter,with a 4" blade, but it just doesn't fit me, sooo...it stays in the drawer.
Regards Ravenn
 
The knife should go back to the maker. If you are not satisfied because it's not what you ordered. It's that much different than what you ordered than he should know. Maybe he put the wrong knife in your box when shipping ? Who know's, he will be easy to talk to I am sure. If he has to take your knife back and send you what you ordered it should be no problem for him to sell the one that was wrong to someone else. He can always post oit here in the custom makers for sale forum and get more than his investment back from it. Good luck.....RDT
 
Guys,
Happy news...!
I received an e-mail from the maker saying that he will take the knife back and will make another for me that closer fits the one described in the original order!

Whew. I'm glad. The wait time will be another 6+ months, though, but I can wait
:)

Thanks again everyone for your kind comments and advice till now.

Creek
 
Incidents like the one you had are why I ONLY take written orders, have them all in an order book and send a drawing of the knife to the customer for approval before I begin...
 
I just had a similar experience with a beautiful cable damascus dirk. When it arrived the blade was the right length, but much narrower than I wanted and minus a fuller. The finish also looked like the maker had rushed - uneven grind lines, slight warp, etc. I sent it back and hopefully will receive a refund.
 
This is not all that uncommon! It happened to me too. I just spoke with the maker and sent the knife back. He had no problem putting it in his catalog and selling it to someone else. It was, after all, a beautiful knife, just not what I ordered.

A maker dying shortly after delivering the wrong knife is something else again. Definately a shame, but then the knife you own - whether it was exactly what you ordered or not - just doubled in value!
 
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