My experience with a rude South Afican knife maker.

Being rude or having a disagreeable manor/attitude/personality, is not unethical IMO. Not advisable or acceptable to many people, but not unethical. Poor communication and shoddy workmanship is done at their own peril. Word will spread and their reputation will suffer, but so long as they otherwise conduct themselves ethically, all one can do is relate their experience and "vote" with their dollars.
 
I'm not sure under what terms such behaviour would be classed under? , yip but basically relate your experience an create an awareness!!!
 
Just for clarification: A2 Knives is a collaboration of designs by Andre Thorburn and Andre van Heerden. (Not 'Hearding')

Neither of them have anything to do with Andre DeVilliers.

I don't think you can find a more ethical maker than Andre Thorburn. Top quality. He refers to the A2 series on his website through contacting Andre van Heerden. He is just the technician.

I wish this thread a better ending.
 
I did not mention Andre Devilliers in any of my post . Andre turborn himself confirmed to me that Andre Van heerding handles all the orders and payments. He makes the handles of the knifes and send them off to Andre truborn for assembly and blade work and it's then returne back to Andre Van Heerding for payment collection . This treat based on my experience with Andre Vanheerding specifically . I would not and have not questions the quality of the A2 knifes as they have proven them shelf . This treat is based on the interaction an experience I had with the maker in question .
 
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Jaklas said:
I'm not sure under what terms such behaviour would be classed under? , yip but basically relate your experience an create an awareness!!!
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I would classify it as "egotistical jerk". Not unethical per say, but also not good business practice.
 
There are so many good custom makers nowadays that I only buy more than one knife to the nicer ones. Can’t see a reason to continue buying knives to someone I don’t like.
 
Jaklas said:
Hi all.
I'm just a bit curious , has any one experienced unethical behaviour when ordering a knife from Andre Van Hearding from A2 knife out of South Africa. I had a personal horrific experience . I wish his customer skills were as good as his knifes.I've been told by many that he is not a pleasant person. This brings me back to a youtube video I watched recently by I think Dr frunky or epic snuggle bunnyon custom knifes .basically it outline my experience I had with this maker. Should we buy from makers that think they doing us a favour by making a knife for us with our hard earned money or move on an support maker that actually appreciates our business an treats their customers with respect .I.would love to here what you Guys think. REGARDS
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This is an interesting post. You have accused a very reputable knife maker of unethical behaviour based on the fact that you found his sales manner abrasive.............?

Did any money change hands? Did you receive a knife that has a fault which was not corrected? Apart from your butt-sore ego are you out one dime? We both know the answer to these questions are all NO.

Let me guess, you are the guy who e-mailed Andre repeatedly about when your knife was going to be ready even though he clearly told you that there was going to be a significant waiting time. Then after 7 weeks from placing the order you demanded he make your knife! What a reasonable and decent person you are! We all feel so sorry for your mistreatment.

Andre van Heerden (try and spell his name correctly) is one of the best knifemakers on the planet and you would be hard pressed to find a more honest and straight man. He does not however, suffer fools lightly, no doubt a category you fall into.

As Coop has already posted, Andre enjoys an absolutely sterling reputation as one of the best tactical knife makers on the planet. I assure you that your entitled rant will not change that.

My advice to makers who read this is to avoid the OP like the plague. Lest you also end up here for no valid reason.

Mods: I'll happily put you in touch with Andre should you require it and if he gives consent I am happy to forward his e-mail chain on this matter. After which I am sure that you will want to close this bogus thread.
Feel free to PM me.
 
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Then we had Bob:
"Why would anyone pay $3,000 for a hunting knife? They say, because my name is on it. I'm carrying an awfully big rep. If I were a gunfighter, I'd be hiding in a cave somewhere. But I wouldn't spend that much money for a knife if it were autographed by Jesus Christ himself!"
 
Steven, are you part of Andres circle that gets knifes with out waiting long periods? Do you have to exchange money with a maker to get proper communication with a maker? I clearly stated that I ordered a knife . I Did not receive a knife. Are you awair of the fact that I was told "don't call me again I'm very busy",clearly not. Before you try an protect and shield things you were not involved in get your facts strait. I am relating my personal experience with this maker an I stand by it. You might have had another experienced an that's good for you . I did not speek bad about his work, that's Not the issue here. Learn to respect other people's experiences before you jump in. We're you actually of the members that tried to meditate this dispute . 7 weeks? Are you tumsucking that? Emails were sent to request the status of my knife with no communication . So before you try an be peace keeper here with no konologue of the matter lay back and enjoy some popcorn . I don't need more of your negitive input here
 
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And Seven just one more thing I've noticed that every time a South Africa knife maker or institution is in question you are first to pop up and last to leave . This happend with the whole Gereth bull saga as well . We are about grown men here who should be accountable for their actions , they don't need spokes person or to be babyied.These bodies an people don't need your shielding and protection or you been their saviour. Or if you clearly find Andres conduct acceptable let me reply to you in Andre style " Steven I'm very busy to reply to this your comment".Inappropriate right.
 
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And I will continue posting my experiences on makers that I buy knifes from and my experience with them . I feel that this is a mechanism of keeping the knife community honest at its least . Please also note that their are other really pleasant makers in South african that will bend backwards to assist you. I've even had one offer to put a fancy pivot collor for me for free which I gladely accepted ,so this discussion does not relate to Every one. As well as other makers that I'm communicated with inquiring about their knifes awnsered all my questions promptly And with respect not I'm "to buy don't call again" . My experience with other makers had made me look past this an realize that the said maker in question is not the only maker of knifes.
 
SeppukuSamurai said:
Stepping out on a ledge here but given the OP's syntax and grammar, I'm betting that English is his second language.
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Yes, that's obvious. It's equally obvious that the OP doesn't actually understand the meaning of "unethical." He has explained that he was treated rudely by Andre van Heerden. He hasn't accused anyone else of anything more

SharpByCoop said:
Steven65 Steven65 Thank you for an enlightening post. :thumbsup:

The grammar and misspellings alone are enough to convince me of impropriety. I believe YOU.
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You're going to judge someone's integrity based upon their grammar? Shame on you, Coop. That's absolutely freaking outrageous.

Ever been paid to photograph a Thorburn?
 
My English might not be very good by my experience is based on facts . I Still have all My EmAils .
 
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