I wish you guys would learn to express yourselves a little better. Dont keep things bottled in, tell us what you really think.
Ok, my 2 cents on Phil. Phil, is responsible for the chisel ground tanto market in the US today. So we have to give him credit for that. Phil started the path, which as all of us path starters know, its much easier to follow the path then to start it.
I bought my first Hartsfield knife 12 years ago. I got one of his Strong Boys for $250.00 an exceptional bargain as the catalog price was $550.00 (the price is now $850). For those of you who go back this far, this is when the Tanto, mostly due to Bob Lum was one of the hottest knives in the US.
It took me 2 1/2 years to resell that knife.
In all that time I only had two offers on that knife. True, I wasnt the dealer I am today, but I did shows, advertised and sent out a list.
Because of my involvement in Martial Arts. I was always asked how come you dont carry the Japanese type knives. My answer was always, I cant find a knife that is worth the money being asked for it. Then at the 1994 Guild Show I ran into RJ Martin. He had an exact copy of the strong boy, except is was better finished. I asked the price he told me it was an incredible $450.00. I bought that knife and 3 others and have been ordering them 10 at a time since.
RJ Martins work has a superior fit and finish. He has a Sami and silk cord wrapped handle, not a shoe string and epoxy handle like Phil's. Personally, I think that RJ's are sharper as well. I dropped one on my kitchen table one day, it slid sideways. The blade shaved the lacquer off but did not hurt the wood (wife still doesnt know).
I understand why collectors want Phil's work.
The great thing about knife collecting is that you can buy what you want. But dont buy just because of hype.
Two other points, some years back Jim Piorek called me and asked me about being his dealer. I agreed, however once we met face to face, I declined his offer. The details are not important. The fact is simply I chose not to do business with him. Much like collecting knives, I chose who I want to work with.
The other point, is that RJ Martin and I have become very good friends over the last four years. Friendship does not cloud my judgement on the quality of a knife or knvies. Those of you who doubt this call RJ and ask him.
Another maker to watch in the Japanese Tactical market is Don Polzien. He has been working with RJ, via the phone and email. I think you will be impressed with his tacticals. His first ones are due out this week. Ill let you know what I think. Not trying to Steal Dexter's Thunder, but he cant look at all of them, can he?
This is not a anti-Hartsfield thread. So those of you who have had positive experience s with Phil's work please chime in!
Les
