How long would you, or have you waited for a custom knife you ordered?

L

Lynn Grififth Knives

Joined
Jul 30, 1999
Messages
724
What is an acceptible delivery time for a custom knife? I am finding that I am getting more orders each month, than I can make in a month. This means, I will have to increase my delivery times. I do not want to lose orders do to this though. Or upset any one. If you have a knife ordered from me, you will get your knife by the due date. Future orders due dates will need to be strecthed out. How long have you waited for knives that you have ordered? How long would you wait for a custom knife? I really appreciate all the advise you can give me on this.

Thanks,

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Lynn Griffith-Tactical Knifemaker
Winner of "Best Tactical Knife" at 1999 PKA show
My website
See my award winning "Spec Ops Tanto" in Gallery 3 of my website
GriffithKN@aol.com
Discounts to Police and Active Duty Military


 
I have been waiting for a Scagel for over 55 years now and I can't seem to get in touch with him either.
Bob
 
Lynn,

I personally believe that the key is an accurate and honest estimate when you take the order.

I don't mind waiting a year or more if it is clear when I order the knife that it will take that long.

I would also recommend that you try to keep in touch with customers on some regular basis to let them know that you have not forgotten about them. Maybe an Email or a Postcard documenting the order, the promised delivery date and whether or not you are currently on schedule with your orders. This touch in particular would go a long way to maximize my patience level.
 
I don't think the actual time is what concerns most. The problems most often talked about are promised times missed not a long backlog. I think the most important thing is as Sdouglas noted to give realistic due dates and if at all possible send out updates as soon as a delay looks probable or when work starts etc. .

-Cliff
 
You guys have hit the nail on the head. If the time estimate is realistic, that's the most important thing to me. I would wait more than a year or even two or three for the right knife by the right maker, if I was sure noone was queue-jumping and the price upside was also reasonable. Heck, I've been waiting two years for custom made boots, and I have longer yet to go. But what I hate are promises that are unrealistic when made so that the knife I wanted to take on this or that wilderness trip isn't there when I expected it. Besides, it's just natural to be angry when you're disappointed. If I know the score up front, fair enough.
 
Longest I've waited is 6 months. I would not want to wait any longer.

There's no way in the world I am going to order a knife from someone who says it will take 2 years.

I believe custom knifemakers should maintain an inventory. I like what Ricky Fowler told me recently: He said that he is always making knives, and that if you order one from him that he doesn't have in stock, he will stop making knives for inventory, until he has made yours. By thinking ahead, he can now state that his waiting period is 1 week! Now that's service. He makes excellent blades at good prices, too.
 
I probably wouldn't wait more than a year but I have to agree that a realistic delivery estimate and an occasional update (if the wait is over 90 days or the estimated delivery time is at hand and there will be a delay) would go a very long way towards customer satisfaction in my book.
 
I agree with the pack. If the delivery date given by the maker is honest and up-front, then it's up to me if I want to order that particular knife. If I do, then I will have known what I've gotten myself into. If, however, that date comes and goes with no knife, I have a real problem. It's hard enough to wait when you know the duration, the unknown just makes me angry! However, even the most organized among us runs into snags, so I say that should something occur to delay the shipment of a knife, make the buyer aware of this as quickly as possible. It will go a long way to ease the pain of waiting. Besides, the more communication between buyer and seller, the more confident each is regarding their part of the transaction.
 
PT,
Don't worry about your order you have with me. You will get by the due date, and probably early.


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Lynn Griffith-Tactical Knifemaker
Winner of "Best Tactical Knife" at 1999 PKA show
My website
See my award winning "Spec Ops Tanto" in Gallery 3 of my website
GriffithKN@aol.com
Discounts to Police and Active Duty Military


 
Hansen,
Having knives in stock is great. However, that is hard to do, when you have more people wanting your knives than what you can make. Beleive me, I try to keep popular models in stock. I do have a few knives available for immediate delivery, but I have more than ten times as many on order from customers. Customer service is very important to me. I feel that it is better customer service to give a longer delivery time and keep it, instead of a short unrealistic goal. I refuse to cut quality, in the interest of speed.
(I am in no way saying anything derogatory about Ricky Fowler. Please do not take anything I have said in that way.)

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Lynn Griffith-Tactical Knifemaker
Winner of "Best Tactical Knife" at 1999 PKA show
My website
See my award winning "Spec Ops Tanto" in Gallery 3 of my website
GriffithKN@aol.com
Discounts to Police and Active Duty Military


 
Communication is key the time interval is not a big issue.

I would like to add that the invoicing need to be fair to protect both parties. 100% prepayment on an order that will be delivered in many months would probably be the best way to kill your business. But, a reasonable deposite for a truely custom item should be a part of the transaction.
 
I think I would be a little antsy with waiting more than a year on a knife I had a significantly high deposit on. When I order a knife, I would be happy to see it in six months, especially if I was asking for custom specifications to get what I really want. As long as I am kept informed of any problems or delays, I see no rush. The point of custom ordering is to get what you want. We have a saying in Showbiz; Fast, cheap or right. Pick two.

Oh, and Lynn, the check is in the mail
wink.gif

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James
San Francisco, CA



[This message has been edited by stjames (edited 05 October 1999).]
 
James,
Thanks. I will let you know when it gets here.

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Lynn Griffith-Tactical Knifemaker
Winner of "Best Tactical Knife" at 1999 PKA show
My website
See my award winning "Spec Ops Tanto" in Gallery 3 of my website
GriffithKN@aol.com
Discounts to Police and Active Duty Military


 
I waited about six months, but the maker was up front about the time and not bothered by my occasional emails of inquiry. Of course, I might wait longer in the right set of circumstances, but six months or so is my "comfort" level. But it is worth noting that I don't buy wall hangers beset with jewels and gold, so simpler models usually don't take as long when your place in line comes to the fore.
 
LMAO, STRIDER!!!! Thats gotta be a record! I just read about a maker, who's name has slipped my mind, that has a 10 year backorder. That sure is a double edged situation!On one hand, it must be nice knowing you have knives sold for the next ten years. On the other hand, it would drive me crazy thinking I had to play catchup for ten years. I'm doing good to make 30-40 a year right now.Take care! Michael

P.S. I sure wish someone could start a folder making instructional thread.

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
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