It's Now Available!! - "The World of Art Knives"

betzner

betzner

Joined
Jan 23, 2007
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I'm really surprised that I am the first one to post on the arrival of Dr David Darom's "The World of Art Knives" on the Blade Forums.

I just got an email that told me how to order from Tim Hancock - before it's official introduction at the Blade Show. I'm pretty sure I got the order in time to get one of those first serial numbered copies. I understand he spent the better part of a day unloading a couple tons of books!

If David is around, maybe he will post the entire book jacket to show everyone how fantastic it looks!

Congratulations, David!

Bob
 
Yep, I paypalled Tim the money and my #54 is on its way!!! I can hardly wait to get it in my hands.

Marcel
 
betzner said:
I'm really surprised that I am the first one to post on the arrival of Dr David Darom's "The World of Art Knives" on the Blade Forums.

I just got an email that told me how to order from Tim Hancock - before it's official introduction at the Blade Show. I'm pretty sure I got the order in time to get one of those first serial numbered copies. I understand he spent the better part of a day unloading a couple tons of books!

If David is around, maybe he will post the entire book jacket to show everyone how fantastic it looks!

Congratulations, David!

Bob
Click to expand...

I expected the books to land in the USA early in April but on April 1st?
This is great! The ship probably had some good winds behind it...

Well Bob, my friend, since you asked so nicely.... :)

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

Full-cover.jpg
 
If you need to contact Tim with questions, his email address for questions about the book is westernbladesmith@gmail.com and his phone number is 480-998-8849. This is the info that's in the advertising stuff I saw, so I know the contact info is correct.

Just figure that all of us who come to Blade Forums deserve getting this info ASAP!!

Best,

Bob Betzner

ps to Roger: Email done
 
This book is surely going to illuminate some of the greatest of knives, but I just had to include this shot of the rear back flap from David's new book - since it is kinda dear to my own heart - one by Curt Erickson.

standard.jpg
 
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Joss said:
Hmm It's not listed on Amazon, surprisingly.
Click to expand...

David self-published this one Joss....it is not surprising at all, actually.

The first four were published through Saviolo Edition.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Thanks Steven. One doesn't prevent the other. There are plenty of self-published books on Amazon. What you're saying is that he's self distributing, which is rare for books, but a very astute business move for such a niche product.
 
Joss said:
Thanks Steven. One doesn't prevent the other. There are plenty of self-published books on Amazon. What you're saying is that he's self distributing, which is rare for books, but a very astute business move for such a niche product.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I thought that was clear from the other posts.

Yes, Joss....not only is David self-publishing, but he is also self-distributing....Tim Hancock got some good experience distributing his own books, and agreed to take on the work for this book from David as well.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Joss said:
Thanks Steven. One doesn't prevent the other. There are plenty of self-published books on Amazon. What you're saying is that he's self distributing, which is rare for books, but a very astute business move for such a niche product.
Click to expand...

Kohai999 said:
Sorry, I thought that was clear from the other posts.

Yes, Joss....not only is David self-publishing, but he is also self-distributing....Tim Hancock got some good experience distributing his own books, and agreed to take on the work for this book from David as well.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Hello Joss and Steven,

Things are not as simple as they may seem. It is very difficult to
publish a very high quality book through an official publisher as
like in my case, even though I create the book from the first letter
to the last pixel, and have the book's files ready for press
a publisher who agrees to have his name on the book (Like "Saviolo") takes
all the proceedings for distributing the first printing...

I had a signed agreement that for second printings and translated editions
we share the net profit 50:50. In the case of my first 4 books they were
reprinted in English (as sold also on Amazon) as cheap reprints in China -
WITHOUT MY CONSENT!!! And translated also into 5 languages WITHOUT
NOTIFYING ME IN ADVANCE.
They sold these whole editions through pre-arrangements behind my back
and "forgot" that I am the holder of the copyrights to the book...

And to think that I trusted, believed in them and gave them a copy of the
original files of the books...

The story ends with a sad note as I was not paid one cent for the above
during 2006-2009 years, when these new editions were published, and now in
2009 they declared bankruptcy and there is nobody to talk to about $120,000
that was due to me....

All the books I have done since were self published private editions
and "The World of Art Knives" is an adventure I took upon myself for
the love of doing it. Most of my expenses were covered by participating
collectors and hopefully a part of what Tim Hancock will collect from
selling this book will cover the printing and shipping costs.
THAT IS ENOUGH FOR ME.

For me the adventure of creating these books is a kind of love affair.
Just doing them is a fulfillment of a dream so I am truly okay with
everything that happened and remain a happy man.

As for the book on Amazon. It is not simple. They will take the book
but for less than it costs to print it as I insist on the highest quality which
does not come cheap. Then they will sell it at a reduced price.
They are in the business for the money - no sentiments are involved...
for me on the other hand it is all sentiments....

This is the first time that I opened up and am writing about some of the
issues surrounding the publishing of my custom knife books.

Thanks to everyone who supports what I am doing...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
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ddd said:
Hello Joss and Steven,

Things are not as simple as they may seem. It is very difficult to
publish a very high quality book through an official publisher as
like in my case, even though I create the book from the first letter
to the last pixel, and have the book's files ready for press
a publisher who agrees to have his name on the book (Like "Saviolo") takes
all the proceedings for distributing the first printing...

I had a signed agreement that for second printings and translated editions
we share the net profit 50:50. In the case of my first 4 books they were
reprinted in English (as sold also on Amazon) as cheap reprints in China -
WITHOUT MY CONSENT!!! And translated also into 5 languages WITHOUT
NOTIFYING ME IN ADVANCE.
They sold these whole editions through pre-arrangements behind my back
and "forgot" that I am the holder of the copyrights to the book...

And to think that I trusted and believed in them...

The story ends with a sad note as I was not paid one cent for the above
during 2006-2009 years, when these new editions were published, and now in
2009 they declared bankruptcy and there is nobody to talk to about $120,000
that was due to me....

All the books I have done since were self published private editions
and "The World of Art Knives" is an adventure I took upon myself for
the love of doing it. Most of my expenses were covered by participating
collectors and hopefully a part of what Tim Hancock will collect from
selling this book will cover the printing and shipping costs.
THAT IS ENOUGH FOR ME.

For me the adventure of creating these books is a kind of love affair.
Just doing them is a fulfillment of a dream so I am truly okay with
everything that happened and remain a happy man.

As for the book on Amazon. It is not simple. They will take the book
but for less than it costs to print it as I insist on the highest quality which
does not come cheap. Then they will sell it at a reduced price.
They are in the business for the money - no sentiments are involved...
for me on the other hand it is all sentiments....

This is the first time that I opened up and am writing about the issues
surrounding the publishing of my custom knife books.

Thanks to everyone who supports what I am doing...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
Click to expand...

This should be a sticky for anyone contemplating writing a book.
 
Thanks to Joss and Steven for opening the door for David to share this interesting and worthwhile information.
 
I meant nothing negative in what I said. I used to work for Amazon, and they extract extremely beneficial (to them) terms on self published titles. There is a way around it though which is to set a high list price. But in any case, I think you chose the most astute route here.
 
Hello All.....I for one can Preach to the world that what David says about being passionate when it comes to creating a book is all to TRUE....When we started our journey together back in the Fall of 2005 building The Art of The Integral Knife I would learn quickly the dedication and passion David had for all of his books....David is very precise about details and see's things in a different light than most and is not afraid to break the traditional mold, and because of this we are all seeing things in print that will stay with us for many years to come....I also feel it is a Tragedy that the Knife Industry has not begun to Recognize his Talents and Efforts that have benefitted so many of us.....It is said that great things do Not come from tiny Minds and David's mind is as big as the Planet Earth. Edmund.
 
I just received my copy of "The World of Art Knives" in the mail. First impressions really count! This is the highest quality knife publication I have ever seen. I can't wait to wade into the pages.

The dust cover is truly amazing, from a quality standpoint. Not only beautifully done but of such quality (and heavy gauge material!), that it looks like it will stand up to the worst one has to give it, use-wise.

Congratulations, David!

Best,

Bob Betzner
 
David, I didn't hear that back story and I must say that really sucks:thumbdn:
It's like your passion and enthusiasm made you an easy target for that shifty fellow, but I'm glad, (and not surprised) to hear that you have let that water flow beneath your bridge. Life is far too short to let that kind of thing take the wind from your sails.

I am super pleased with this book, it's one of my prized possessions and I spend more time with it than I do my knives:eek:

Another unforeseen, and positive aspect of having this book is that new inspiration has come to me and I've been feverishly turning out new knife designs. They may never get built, but that's not the point. A knife is an object of course, but the life that the thought of a knife leads in one's mind is a powerful one indeed. In fact, it is almost anti climactic when the imagined one meets the real thing. This is why these books are so fascinating and timeless. I will probably never see many of the knives in the book, in real life. And that's ok, this way, I'll never be disappointed!:D
 
A revealing and informative synopsis of the past, David. I wish you better this round. :)

Coop
 
Been waiting for this. :) And now I know why its not on Amazon, so how would I go about ordering it? Not saying I can yet, but it's defiantly a book I want.
 
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