Mike Obenauf To Stop Making Knives?

I'm rooting for Mike also, been rooting for him since he started sweeping out a friend of mine's shop. You couldn't start off on a better foot than Mike has. Still things can go wrong in life.

I've had my ups and downs in life, some involving Mike. I think it was Blade Show 2004 when I ordered a knife from Mike and gave him the stag I wanted used. I had to stall him for a bit because I was moving to Houston, and money was a little tight. After the move in 2005 things got even tighter and I had to explain to Mike that I just didn't have the money for him to finish the knife. He was a perfect gentleman and said he would make the knife when I was ready.

In 2006 I was back on my feet and ready for the knife. His work was great and I couldn't have been prouder of any knife. I lost my job in Feb of 2007, money got tight, my wife got sick and I needed to sell some knives to get through. One of them was my Obenauf Model #1 in Stag, it hurt to sell that knife.

Well I'm back to work, and I'll never be able to replace the knives I had to sell.
But, Mike if you're reading this if an old fart like me can bounce back so can you.
If you find yourself in a hole the first thing you've got to do is stop digging.
If you can fill existing orders do them as fast as you can. If you're not making knives then just keep in touch with the people you owe, to let them know you're not trying to duck them. Pay them $1 a week if you have to. Do the best you can.

I do wish you well my friend, you're a good guy.

Phil
 
If this, and dozens of other threads through the years have taught you guys nothing:

Never pre-pay for a knife.

A small deposit? Yes, but full payment? Never.
 
Senator said:
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
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Senator said:
Not a thing. :grumpy:




.
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to clarify, we are pretty much at the one year anniversary of you paying for knives that were supposed to ship immediately?
 
Don't know him , but if the man is broke because of the times, then take a dollar off the last sell of that 300.00 knife you sold and send it to him.
you'll have a buddy for life. and what goes around comes around.
vern
 
"but if the man is broke because of the times"

I believe he's been a crook for longer than whatever "times" you are refering to.


Mitch
 
v-6 said:
Don't know him , but if the man is broke because of the times, then take a dollar off the last sell of that 300.00 knife you sold and send it to him.
you'll have a buddy for life. and what goes around comes around.
vern
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were he a maker that simply fell on hard times, then perhaps your idea would be worthwile.

however, it is important to understand everything that has transpired. he didn not take requests for knives then fail to complete them.

he took money for a knife then failed to deliver the end product. he has the money, but the buyer has nothing to show for it.
 
v-6 said:
Don't know him , but if the man is broke because of the times, then take a dollar off the last sell of that 300.00 knife you sold and send it to him.
you'll have a buddy for life. and what goes around comes around.
vern
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This is crazy. This is 2008, not 1929. Unemployment is low, inflation is low, no one has any excuse to start defaulting on their obligation. "The times" might not be the 50's or 60's, but they are good.
 
Unless he's using the knife making equipment/tools of another knifemaker, no one is going to get their knife(ves). From what I hear. . . .he's sold most of his gear.

For those out money. . . . .have you thought of other methods of obtaining your money ?
 
v-6 said:
Don't know him , but if the man is broke because of the times, then take a dollar off the last sell of that 300.00 knife you sold and send it to him.
you'll have a buddy for life. and what goes around comes around.
vern
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I see what what your talking about, not in need but seems what he can take.
vern
 
Keith Montgomery said:
I know this is an old thread, but has anything been resolved with the folks that are owed by Mike?
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there is a guy on another forum that send mike some knives some time back for refurb. the guy cant contact mike and has not got his knives back. that is just blatant out right thievery in my book.
 
He promised he would pay everybody back. I hope he turns out to be a man of his words, and that he lives up to his obligations.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
It seems that Mike has dropped off the face of the earth. I haven't heard anything about for many months now.
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Anyone good friends with Kit Carson.....his father-in-law? Maybe he could shead some light on Mikes status concerning knife making.


Chris D. :D
 
Keith Montgomery said:
It seems that Mike has dropped off the face of the earth. I haven't heard anything about for many months now.
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Maybe he moved in with Artsig and they are both formulating a plan to pay back all the money they both took for knives that never shipped.

My opinion has changed, there has been more than enough time to at least pay back for those knives he said were finished and ready to ship that he knowingly and purposely never delivered. Now he has made it clear to me that his purpose was to deprive all permanently and this has been executed.

Go ahead and give Mike all the leeway that we all gave Art Sigmon after Art promised to pay back all after the land sale he had going was to take place in "days". Those days are now years and it looks like every year or so someone will bring back this thread to ask if there was any progress just like we do with Art Sigmon.

It's a shame that Mike has thrown his reputation in the gutter. Self-inflicted as his issues are it is still a shame.
 
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