Is Rod Garcia (of Skookum Bush Tool) still in business?

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zlorf

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I bought a beautiful SBT directly from Rod several years ago. In 2011 I got in touch with him about ordering another one. We exchanged E-mails and the last thing he said was he'd get in touch when the knife was ready.

I've e-mailed him a few times, once in 2013 and a couple times this year but have heard no response.

Is he still going?
 
Plenty of other makers that can make an SBT clone. Sorry to hear that his backlog is so overwhelming... I actually wanted an SBT, but I have another similar one coming for $50 less than Mr. Garcia's.
 
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Your cloner had better have a SBT on hand if he is going to even begin approximating the wonderful handle shape the SBT is justifiably famous for.
 
Boats said:
Your cloner had better have a SBT on hand if he is going to even begin approximating the wonderful handle shape the SBT is justifiably famous for.
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Agreed. I've heard wonderful things about the feel of the SBT - but that wait time is just too much.
 
That wait time suggests Rod's gambling everything to become a knife maker paid off and it's time to look at hiring help.
 
I've heard the wait for the Ray Mears Woodlore can be pretty lengthy, too. I'm sure most knife makers would think that's a great problem to have, eh?
 
I don't mind waiting for the knife. I waited over 2 years for my first SBT. I just thought it was strange that he doesn't reply to his e-mails anymore (from me, anyway)
 
I'd like to own an SBT someday. wished I placed an order 2 years back. I'm not waiting 4 years for knives anymore. The last few I've waited for 4 years and up, the maker just took his own sweet time and became popular and less motivated to work on his old orders (presumably less money) and just make for shows and auctions and what not.
 
He's around. Just recvd an email from him the other day. He's a one man band who spends very little time on the computer from what I know. I've bought 2 of his knives, one in person and the other via email. It took a little while but he delivered on time and unlike many others I've read about here, he wouldn't take a dime from me in payment until the 2nd knife was done.

He's a trustworthy and honorable man.
 
Boats said:
Your cloner had better have a SBT on hand if he is going to even begin approximating the wonderful handle shape the SBT is justifiably famous for.
Click to expand...

Ah yep...

While I can appreciate the frustration in waiting, the real deal is worth it.
 
Just to let you know I got in touch with Rod and, as someone mentioned, he's clearly just a very busy man. Sounds like my knife will be done soon-ish. So stoked!
 
Boats said:
45 months? Seriously?
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Yes, it's true. I corresponded with him a few months ago. At the time, he stated his list was 45 months out.

Every time one of his knives shows up on the exchange it's gone within hours. This design is popular to the point that there seems to be a SBT clone cottage industry (minus the butt plate, because that would be too obvious).
 
I'm on that fourish year wait list myself. I don't mind though, because it means I'll (theoretically) get my SBT around my 40th birthday, and my father will have his. That's going to work out great.
 
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