Koster Knives... :(

cmroberts1

cmroberts1

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To all interested in placing an order with Koster Knives...don't!!!! He requires a down payment on orders and give you a timeline on delivery that will not be met. Wait times for some are exceeding 2 years with no communication. I placed a down payment of $85.00 on February 12, 2014. I was told it would be 6 to 12 months and I am still waiting (17 months).

I also placed my name on the pre-order list for his folding bushcrafter on 2/6/2014 with confirmation. I happened to go on his forum page and looked at his pre-order list and I was not listed, but he emailed some of the pre-orders to notify of seven open slots. I never received an email. I emailed him about being passed over and got a song and dance story.

I can offer copies of my communications to anyone questioning my interactions with this poor business.

My recommendation is to never do business with him and if you do, do not give a down payment. You will have a horrible experience.

Martin
 
Daniel Koster's track record of broken promises and never ending excuses are well documented here. To be honest I'm tired of product/service providers like him. There are a lot of knifemakers here that delivers in a timely very acceptable manner. I respect Dan's work and skills but his business practice I don't.
 
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Well, that is all too bad. I hope something good comes of this...

My experience with him is no down payments, and I've had to back out on him once and he was totally cool with it and has still maintained contact with me over future projects.

I've owned a few of his knives (different models), and enjoyed them all.

I currently own a MUCK, which I think might be my favorite all around knife for camp/hiking... ever?

I'm about to score a folder from him, psyched!

And as far as makers go... many have "issues" with making deadlines.. I think this is totally understandable considering they are usually a one man production with a family. Life happens, knives are.. well.. not important to me when something comes up. Sure, "your word" means a lot, and earning and keeping respect can be difficult.

And seriously, don't put money up front. And if you aren't prepared to wait and possibly have to wait longer than told- go to your favorite knife site and buy a knife ready to be delivered. And hope that goes well :)


I'd say, email or PM Daniel and I bet things will be ok. Unless you are withholding something :)

Cheers!
 
Given the issues, I'd say if you want one of his knives just buy one at Knives Ship Free.
 
Dan has always conducted business this way

and he is still in business

Must be doing some things right......................................
 
Sad that things are still going this way. I dropped him as a maker after his history of issues here, and the fact that he tried to charge me more than agreed price. Too many issues, and no, I can't respect the man's business because he uses single maker. He has had long enough to get a handle on his business, but chooses not to, because enough demand outweighs his crap business, but I really don't know why?

It's sad to read this, I hadn't noticed a thread about him in a while, thought maybe he had turned things around.
 
He has some help now in his shop so lets hope the time can be cut down. I know we had to wait to get our knives as well.

Having seen and played with his folder, I hope he can get production time down because it's a great feeling knife for its intended use.
 
Considering how popular his knives are, I wonder why he needs to demand money up front? It's not like he couldn't just sell the knife to someone else. :confused:
 
wolfmann601 said:
Dan has always conducted business this way

and he is still in business

Must be doing some things right......................................
Click to expand...

Boggles my mind. I really like his knife designs, he's actually really the first custom or semi custom maker that I wanted to buy a knife from. I'd still love to have a few. But everything I've seen about his business practices, and even some of his own posts, make me wonder how he is able to run a successful business. But hey, it's cool he is able to. Maybe one day I'll buy one from KSF or something, though I don't ever really use them either.
 
Bob W said:
Considering how popular his knives are, I wonder why he needs to demand money up front? It's not like he couldn't just sell the knife to someone else. :confused:
Click to expand...

While he is holding the money, it can be earning him interest, not the buyer.
 
I stopped taking deposits in late 2014 and haven't asked for any since then.

I was a part time maker for a long time before going full time a few years ago. It's true that I made mistakes - I think anyone that starts a business would knows that mistakes can happen. Part of my business model is customer feedback and it is always appreciated. I've made adjustments to how I do things to better benefit the customer. My goal for 2015 (now pushed back to 2016) is to have a 3-month maximum wait on any knife ordered. I don't like having long waiting lists for this very reason - I think customers get worn out waiting so long. So, in an effort to make things easier on everyone involved (including myself and my own sanity) I stopped taking orders on 01/01/15 and will transition to this new way of doing things as soon as I can. In the meantime I am doing my best to catch up on all old orders, many of which stretch back to 2013.

Thanks for understanding.
Dan
 
Daniel Koster said:
I stopped taking deposits in late 2014 and haven't asked for any since then.

I was a part time maker for a long time before going full time a few years ago. It's true that I made mistakes - I think anyone that starts a business would knows that mistakes can happen. Part of my business model is customer feedback and it is always appreciated. I've made adjustments to how I do things to better benefit the customer. My goal for 2015 (now pushed back to 2016) is to have a 3-month maximum wait on any knife ordered. I don't like having long waiting lists for this very reason - I think customers get worn out waiting so long. So, in an effort to make things easier on everyone involved (including myself and my own sanity) I stopped taking orders on 01/01/15 and will transition to this new way of doing things as soon as I can. In the meantime I am doing my best to catch up on all old orders, many of which stretch back to 2013.

Thanks for understanding.
Dan
Click to expand...

Stuff happens Dan.
Sometimes we just think we've got everything under control and can things handle ourselves, it's human nature.
Glad you have taken a step back to assess things and have us- the customer's best interest in mind.
I think you make some of the best bushcraft knives in the business, and will win back your customer base.
 
Dan, what's happening on your grinds lately? i saw a few bushmasters at DLT and the base of the edges are literally kissing up on the plunge. Mind you those knives has a sharpening choil. is the quality being sacrificed in order for you to make those demands? I have never seen that type of workmanship from you until i saw those grinds.
 
Daniel Koster said:
I stopped taking deposits in late 2014 and haven't asked for any since then.

I was a part time maker for a long time before going full time a few years ago. It's true that I made mistakes - I think anyone that starts a business would knows that mistakes can happen. Part of my business model is customer feedback and it is always appreciated. I've made adjustments to how I do things to better benefit the customer. My goal for 2015 (now pushed back to 2016) is to have a 3-month maximum wait on any knife ordered. I don't like having long waiting lists for this very reason - I think customers get worn out waiting so long. So, in an effort to make things easier on everyone involved (including myself and my own sanity) I stopped taking orders on 01/01/15 and will transition to this new way of doing things as soon as I can. In the meantime I am doing my best to catch up on all old orders, many of which stretch back to 2013.

Thanks for understanding.
Dan
Click to expand...

Yeah, right Dan. You stopped taking deposits but you also have not delivered the knives to those who did pay up front. Now you've just moved on the selling through Kickstarter where customers have to pay full price up front for a promised delivery years later. Seems like you just found a new way to steal people's money.
 
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