Mike Obenauf To Stop Making Knives?

Wow, thats too bad. That means so far this year we lost Nihiser and Obenauf two really great makers. I wish them both the best in whatever they do. And I hope everyone gets their money back. This quote seems to fit.


“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
 
That is too bad. He made very nice knives. Hopefully, things will get back on track.
 
I wish I could say I'm suprised, but I'm not. He's had my money since July. I didn't pre-pay. He said he had a batch that he was finishing and that he would put my name on one of the Model 2's and ship it out in short order. Then the delays and excuses started piling up. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, but after so many excuses, I began to suspect I'd never see the knife. Still, for the last three weeks straight he's emailed my promising that I'd receive the knife "next week." And I'll be damned if I don't head to the mailbox every day hoping that this will be the day... :o

Maybe tomorrow will be the day. Insert laugh track here... :D
 
I think Mike will eventually make it right for all concerned. It's a sad day for me as I've been following Mike's work for quite some time now (trust me- I've got more Obie's than anyone!). He's definately very talented but the business side of knifemaking has caught up with him, not to mention personal issues as well. The situation definately sucks but at least he's out there "fessing up". Maybe one day he'll return and I hope (really hope) he does. In the meantime I hope he's able to get back on his feet and move forward.
 
The first step to getting himself back up is to admit his problems and not run away from them. Hes man enough to admit his mistakes, and Im sure he will be back up very soon.
 
Yeah, I read that too on another forum as well. That is a bummer. I hope he gets things worked out. I am praying for him.
 
People are amazingly tolerant of being abused. I am always surprised by people qualifying an admission of fraud of "honorable", as if it was a tiny step down from not defrauding, as opposed to a tiny step up from actually frauding.
 
maybe it's folks who've had enough crap in their lives they know you don't always see it coming, and you don't always properly estimate what you can do about it.

some avalanches ain't real defineable once you're in em.

you either admit you got snowed under and dig your way out, or you lie and hide. if you do that first one, you eventually get better or die. if you do that second one, you get worse or die. The first one sucks but it's liveable with, the second one ain't.

Lots of folks are honorable by default. Growing it back is a bit more work.. and takes longer. Some won't bother, the ones that do. . deserve encouragement. Success don't test you like failure.. or temper you. Throw a decade or two in the mix, some bad mistakes can make for very good habits later..

i don't know the guy but i've hit walls with my nose a time or two. might take a bit to work through the aftermath.. but encouragement might help, and cussing the guy don't usually. IMO.
 
It's one thing to hit a wall. It's another to steal your customer's wallet. People who cannot see the difference between one and the other have big problems.
 
I sure hope that everyone that paid for knives get their money back. For him to be able to come back he's going to have make things right. I sure hope everything works out for all those involved.
 
What has he stolen? We don't have a detailed story on this thread. If he's fallen behind, lost control of the business, and failed to get knives out on time, he's alienated customers.

But if he has acknowledged the problem and is working on making good on the money, then he hasn't defrauded anyone - yet.

Edit: I just read the link. In his own words: "To the people I OWE: I do not intend to cheat anyone, and am not going to disappear. My contact info will remain the same. I fully intend to reimburse everything in full as soon as I have the means."

There's a big difference between that and someone who disconnects his phone, ignores his email, and pretends he's still in business. Please lets not bury the man while he's still alive.
 
Joss,
I understand what you are saying, but I have ordered from Mike in the past and believe he will honor his agreements as he is capable.


Ed T
 
I haven't read the link yet but it's too bad, Mike makes one hell of a knife. He's one of those guys selling knives for less than what they are worth IMHO and should have raised prices a bit if it would have helped out. I know the couple of Model 3's I have are some of my favorite knives.:thumbup:
 
Joss said:
People are amazingly tolerant of being abused. I am always surprised by people qualifying an admission of fraud of "honorable", as if it was a tiny step down from not defrauding, as opposed to a tiny step up from actually frauding.
Click to expand...


While I am sympathetic to your point, running a business frequently involves creditors. Once you have made a committment to making a go at it, it is very hard to decide that your business will fail, since you almost always believe you will prevail.

In this case, some of his creditors are individual knife buyers. The potential losses, while they may feel significant are likely small amounts of money. Anyone buying a $350 knife shouldn't be spending their food money on that kind of knife anyway. I have to assume that he has other creditors that he owes much more significant amounts to. To keep this in perspective, it is not stealing when you can't pay your deposits back, it is part of the risk of crediting someone for something for which you have nothing to show.

In the case of folks that made payment for allegedly completed work, well, I would say that really is going down the wrong path.

Good luck to Mike on righting the ship.
 
Architect said:
To keep this in perspective, it is not stealing when you can't pay your deposits back, it is part of the risk of crediting someone for something for which you have nothing to show.
Click to expand...

I disagree with you 100%, but this is an ethics discussion and we probably have to agree to disagree and leave it at that. What you tell me helps me understand why all the politicians are pandering to the people who are defaulting on their mortgages. Sad state of affairs as far as I'm concerned.
 
It's very unfortunate to lose another maker. I'm afraid we will see more and more of this as it seems the industry is moving towards more makers and fewer collectors.
 
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