Koster knives

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knife chop

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I just found Koster knives a few days ago and I've been reading a lot of feedback and reviews regarding the maker. While most are positive and the negatives were just pretty much impatient customers I can't help but to over analyze things. I mean forget the communication part as I think it's common for some knife makers not to answer all the customers demands. The thing that stood out the most was on one of the threads I read we're this individual was asking for his refund because it was taking forever and the maker stated that he'd make his knife right away and that he would travel 30 or 50 miles to his buddy's shop to HEAT TREAT a knife/knives. I find that dubious because the maker claims that he sends his blades to peter's and now he states that he goes to his "buddy's" shop to heat treat some knives. How many knives are actually being heat treated by peter's? As much as I love his work, can I trust this maker?
 
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I have several Koster knives. I believe you can trust him.I would have no problem taking him on his word. That's more than enough for me. I know you will get an excellent, high performing no nonsense knife from him when it comes. If he is pulling a knife out of his regular shipment to Peters just to get it done quicker say thanks instead of complaining. He has been around a while and is well known. If he was into scamming people we would have known years ago.

Somebody must have burned you in the past to make you so distrustful. As far as the computer thing , that isn't uncommon with guys that work in shops by themselves. He is very, very good on a grinder but I seriously doubt he has as many years experience on computers.

If you have a problem take it up with him. If you want to complain go to the feedback section of Blade Forums.

Joe
 
Koster knives' is a one man show. He tries to accommodate the needs of everyone the best he can as fast as he can. His product is first rate as he knows his reputation rides on every blade. I highly recommend him.
 
Dan can take a while sometimes but he has never not delivered or burned anyone. If you don't want to wait check out knives ship free, one of our sponsoring dealers, for some Koster knives without the wait. There are other dealers that carry his stuff too.
 
The Mastiff said:
I have several Koster knives. I believe you can trust him.I would have no problem taking him on his word. That's more than enough for me. I know you will get an excellent, high performing no nonsense knife from him when it comes. If he is pulling a knife out of his regular shipment to Peters just to get it done quicker say thanks instead of complaining. He has been around a while and is well known. If he was into scamming people we would have known years ago.

Somebody must have burned you in the past to make you so distrustful. As far as the computer thing , that isn't uncommon with guys that work in shops by themselves. He is very, very good on a grinder but I seriously doubt he has as many years experience on computers.

If you have a problem take it up with him. If you want to complain go to the feedback section of Blade Forums.

Joe
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I'm not complaining. I'm sure Dan knows his steel and HT. As a consumer, i think people are entitled to know if that particular knife or batch is HT'd by him personally or Peter's.
 
I haven't read the thread you're talking about, but it doesn't sound dubious to me. It sounds like he offered to personally heat treat a knife to streamline the delivery. I don't see why he would heat treat some himself when sending them to peters would be cheaper and more than likely faster. I've never had any dealings with Dan, but just being around the forums I know he's well liked, and as you can see from this thread you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
 
It sounds like in an effort to expedite an order he personally drove to a local shop for heat treat rather than waiting for Peters.

If you are in a hurry to get a knife I would look else where. When you get on his list he gives you a rough completion date. You can add several months or even double that time. That is just the way it is, unforeseen things happen but he always comes through. Dans product is top notch and the long wait seems to raise my level of appreciation.
For me, there is something special about a knife that took a year to receive.

Get on his list, sit back and forget about it until that package shows up at your door.
 
I have used and tested Dan's knife over the years, going back to his first bushcraft designs.

Everyone has been very well made and showed excellent edge geometry and retention.

Dan was the first maker I know that started using CPM 3V, the performance of his blades is what made him so popular/busy as a knifemaker; this has given him a bit of a cult following, much like the success of Andy Roy's Fiddleback Forge.


While most are positive and the negatives were just pretty much impatient customers I can't help but to over analyze things.
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Everybody gets some bad press on the internet, sounds like you realize the majority opinion rings true in this case.




Big Mike
 
Been following Dan since he was re handling and regrinding other's knives. Primarily Himalayan Imports Khukris and some smaller knives on the side.
It started as a hobby and has moved on from there. Last I heard knifemaking was his 2nd job, his primary job is Graphic Design or something much like it, hence his online tracking system and his tech savvy ability to design 3d models of his knives.

He runs a small, but productive, shop. And works in batches.
It saves him time to make 50-75 of one type of knife at a time, then change designs to something else.
If you order one design, and it isn't the one he is currently working on, then it could take awhile for you to see the knife.

If you have an agreement for him to expedite the order, don't know how that works, but he's a stand up guy and I can see him going to another maker's shop to have something heat treated so he can finish it up.

I have one of his knives, and it really is impressive. Great design, grinds, and steel.
If you like his designs, it is totally worth the price and the wait (as with most makers).
 
I will not ever do business with him again. I personally was not burned, but lack of communication, asking me for more than what was agreed, and the long history of bad dealings with customers has led me to look elsewhere. I have no problem with the blades I purchased, but can not further support the man after a long history of the same things over and over. Good luck in your future dealings. Be sure to read more than one or two threads on the matter would be my suggestion.
 
mr_badexample said:
Dan can take a while sometimes but he has never not delivered or burned anyone. If you don't want to wait check out knives ship free, one of our sponsoring dealers, for some Koster knives without the wait. There are other dealers that carry his stuff too.
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"Never burned anyone"? A quick internet search will give you an idea of how many customers Dan's has taken money from and never delivered.
 
JKC88 said:
"Never burned anyone"? A quick internet search will give you an idea of how many customers Dan's has taken money from and never delivered.
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At the time that comment was accurate. Good luck with your future angry comments. Oh yeah, I received all the knives I ordered including my Bushcraft folder
 
mr_badexample said:
At the time that comment was accurate. Good luck with your future angry comments. Oh yeah, I received all the knives I ordered including my Bushcraft folder
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I'm very happy for you. Unfortunately, many of us have received bupkis.
 
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trevitrace said:
I'm very happy for you. Unfortunately, many of us have received bupkis.
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Personally I would not do business with him again. As many before me I had to relentlessly hound him. When the knife was finally completed (1.5 years late!) I had just lost my job and he worked with me on the final payment.
Shame because he makes a helluva knife. And his Scandi grinds are the sh!t. Back then it looked like he was making knives em mass to sell to dealers and letting the individual custom orders sit. I have not looked at this page in years so I have no idea what’s happening now. Caveat Emptor
 
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