The liability issue isn't so much them getting sued as the fact that these oils are used mainly by large industry and require a good bit of safety equipment, gas shielding, and monitoring. They don't want to sell them to small, hobby users who have no control over the flare-up and other potential problems in quench. Quenching one knife is so very different from industrial quenching that they don't really care to get into the supply end of it.
I think it is sort of like the reason I don't sell a knife to a kid who wants an automatic. I am not so much worried about being implicated in the use of the knife as I am just worried that some harm may come from the knife's use.
These oils are re-packaged by many knife and tool suppliers and available to the hobby users in gallon cans.
I agree that it seems strange when they won't sell to a large shop or a professional knifemaker who wants to use their product. I believe it may be a problem of how the order is placed. If you call like a hobbyist ,making statements and asking questions that raise red flags....You may not get any service.
If you call like a business that uses oil, and sound professional and knowledgeable, then you get a pallet. Calling to order a single pail will most likely get you no where. They just aren't set up for small orders. They may not even be set up for things like credit card orders. Many of the suppliers I deal with bill me, and don't want to deal with phone pre-payment.
Statements to avoid using when ordering from a manufacturer:
Uh, Hi,I,uh,am a knifemaker, and I want to know if you will sell me some of your oil.
Boy, I will sure be glad to quit using old motor oil....
HOW MUCH $$$$$$, Holy Sh!t, I ain't got that kind of money......
300 Gallons minimum order!!!...I only need two gallons....
Things to say:
This is Stacy Apelt, with Bamboo Forge, Sales, please ....( when the operator answers)
Hello,Mike ( always try and catch the speakers name), I would like to place an order for your XXXXXXX oil..... No, I am not a current customer, but would like to set up an account.
I am a knife manufacturer, not the biggest one, but growing.
I don't need a lot, a hundred gallons will do for now. Do you have a minimum order?
You get the point.
Stacy
