Good to know none of the rules of the forum apply here on this thread. I contacted a source in TN to look into this way back when I first posted on this. Its not like I can drop everything and run over there kick Larry in the butt to make him cough up a blade tempered with Chemo. The big difference here is I didn't give up on the man, I expect this situation to get fixed when Larry by himself or with the help of some friends can fix it; most likely spring 2011.
I have no dog in this fight, just a few thoughts that have occurred to me as I read through this.
First, I to have contacted Larry about some knives. It APPEARS he does excellent work and I wouldn't mind having one of his blades. That said, I do NOT order knives from makers I do not know who ask for money in advance. I will look for one of his knives on the secondary market, and not order directly through him.
Second, you state he is your friend, but then state above how you have "contacted a source in TN to look into this". If you are his friend why are you not contacting him directly? Even if he is not a friend and just a maker you have had contact with in the past and respect, as it is apparent you do, why are you not contacting him directly?
I talk to every knifemaker I but knives from directly, some in person and some on the phone. If I ran across a thread such as this about them, bet your ass I would be on the phone saying, "whats going on?" and I would direct them to the thread and the concerns I have about how they are ruining their reputation.
It takes 30 years to build a reputation as a good knifemaker, but only 3 or 4 complaints about getting screwed (which the people here HAVE been) to ruin that reputation.
He admitted it himself and you told us to go read it again, which I did. He very clearly states he kept taking money and orders on knives he is physically unable to make. That is theft. It has nothing to do with his health, it has everything to do with his integrity. The first day he took an order for the money, knowing he was unable to make the knife at that time he sold himself out. If he is such a great guy and you are such a great friend let me ask you this: When he took money for orders did he tell the people "I am taking your money, but have no idea when I can make your knives due to teh cancerz".
EVERY TIME I order a custom knife without exception one of my questions is "when do you expect the knife to be completed". And they give me a time frame. Sometimes it is 3-4 months, a few have been 1+ years, but they always give me a time frame. What did he tell these people when he took their money? He was riddled with cancer and took money for a service that depends on him being healthy. He then spent that money.
1) he may not have survived
2) he may not have recovered enough to continue making knives
3) it may have taken him years to recover enough to return to making them.
He is a crook, I don't care if he is a nice guy, he is plain and simple a crook. He took money knowing full well at the time he was not able at that time, and may not be able at a future date, be able to preform the service he had been paid for.
And he did this quite a lot it carried him through his illness.
I have no compassions for him.
Again, if he is your friend get off your ass and drop a dime. Tell him to make things right AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and in ANY WAY HE CAN. Sell his house, return money and knives owed, whatever he needs to do to make things right.
