How do you pic a maker

[Burningcort]

if you want a custom sword how do "you" go about finding a smith/maker

I am curious to what you personally look for

and also a good place to find a list of custom sword makers...

 

[Qeth]

I looked through the knifemakers' subforum and see what the makers have for sale. The posts tend to be pic heavy, so one can see their styles. I also checked out the different galleries, they tend to have some good ones as well.

 

[Triton]

Don't hire a knife maker to make a sword. They typically think a sword is a big knife. It isn't.

The maker I choose depends on what sort of sword I'm looking for. If I were looking for a katana I would choose a maker that specializes in such. If it is a European sword I would choose a maker that specializes in that. Within those categories things can be broken down still further. I wouldn't choose the same guy to build a baskethilt that I would to build a rapier. If I want an L6 katana I choose a different guy then one that builds them out of cable. How do I know which one to choose? Experience, and watching the market for years. If you want to short circuit that process, you have to tell people what you are looking for and they can then give you recommendations.

 

[wnease]

If you are looking for tough, lots of cutting ability, strangely cheap, and non-traditional, I know a guy...

 

[gregorio]

for european I like arms and armor in mpls, they are a good outfit. what are you looking for?

General rule of thumb I use with custom work is to assume it will take months to years and to get agreements in writing about how long it will take and about getting your money back if they can not deliver by a certain date.

Started asking for my money back from a particular maker after I was more than two years into a order they said would take three months; funny how they suddenly managed to get it done.

 

[SShepherd]

1 way.

if you're going to spend the money on a good sword, you have to handle it or similar ones from that maker.

 

[wnease]

1 way.

if you're going to spend the money on a good sword, you have to handle it or similar ones from that maker.

That is ideal... I can build 'em to a set of specs, including balance and weight and handle circumference, and provide video cutting tests, but it's always better to feel them in person.

 

[horseclover]

Here is an ongoing list posted elsewhere. I have to go out of my way here to mention that I cannot endorse or black ball any of them aside from what their histories have provided. The thread starts out with what are really retail and some no longer active.

http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=29375

It is disturbing at times when the deadlines some project fall by the wayside and the maker then gets a pat on the back by a community for their lack of communication and at times, outright lies. Offer them anything and then baffle them with BS. At the first sign of that from a maker, it may be best to back away as quickly (and graciously) as you can.

Most reputable makers will clearly describe a deposit and payment guideline. There are very, very few I know I would be willing to pay all up front. I do see others doing that at times but it seems wrong to me on both sides of the equation. Pay all up front and what recourse are you then left with in recovering lost goods or services, let alone waiting for promises something will be completed.

One classic and I offer it humorously to those that know the story (I still regard the maker with respect...but). The order book got chewed up by the dog and all information regarding swords and knives in process went on hold indefinitely. Many will turn around their problems into golden halos in time but it is important to research the histories of any. Understand and respect a maker's deposit/payment schedule while keeping their own track record in mind. There are a few I would never approach except regarding an available and completed sword. Even then there have been cases of memory lapses.

Good and truthful information in communication and not failing promises/deadlines time and again. These are things any should remember and keep in mind. Why on earth some do promise the world and then baffle with bs while continuing to post deadlines is either really greedy to begin with, or not at all concerned when they continually insert foot in mouth.

I have probably pissed off a good many smiths and makers whose work is held in high regard but some of these same people are individuals I might still consider with much less than an ironclad contract.

My favorite shops and cutlers died a couple of hundred years ago, so I shop the available pages.

Cheers

GC

 

[Qeth]

Don't hire a knife maker to make a sword. They typically think a sword is a big knife. It isn't..

Didn't know that knife making greatly differs from sword making. You learn something new everyday