New about Black Jack knives I could not talk about til now :)

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I moved this thread here. It appears as though we have an anon troll. I may be wrong but until this person reveals their identity I will consider them a troll. If it looks like a troll acts like a troll it is probably a troll.

Or it could just be a friend of Mike Stewart trying to protect him. That is fine too.

The IP is from Michigan... So is Mike Stewart. Is this enough evidence to convince me it is Mike Stewart making this post? Nope.

I will allow him to plead his case or defend Mike Stewart.

By the way... You can discuss this with me however you wish. I am easy to find and I am in the book. Also I will be at booth 81 at the Blade Show. Do you have a booth?

So Mr. NHB....

Please continue
smile.gif




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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW RIGHT NOW! YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!
www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/001202.html
 
NHB

Thank you for the kind words.I have always tried to deal fairly with people and when I give my word I stick to it.
On the trail guide, Yes, Mike Stewart drew the knife on a piece of paper and sent it to me. I produced this paper when I went to court, compete with notations and signed by mike, on his stationary. He, Mike, did say the knife was based on my 5 inch Arkansas camp knife, which it is. Take it up with Federal Judge Harry Barnes if you wish.
I do know know who you are and do not care. But when someone promises me something for my work then I expect them to live up to it. I'll not help him but good luck with your support of him.
This is my last word on the subject.
fisk
 
No Holds Barred,
You seems awfully upset that someone simply posted a NEWSPAPER article on BLADEFORUMS......did you complain to the editor of the EFFINGHAM DAILY-NEWS? Have you told the FBI that the surely have their facts all wrong and that this must be a mis-understanding?

You sound like a long time Stewart/BLACKJACK/MARBLES employee. Good for you. I was an employee of Mike Stewart's for a few years myself as a salesman on the road. Mike and his brother Mark did a good job of keeping the guys on the road away from the office. This way we had a hard time finding out the truth about what was going on. After a couple of years of lies, deceit, schemes, BOUNCED PAYCHECKS, and nonpayment of expenses and commission, I came to my own decision about Mike Stewart's lack of character and honor.

If anyone has any questions about Mike Stewart's past business practices, or wants a candid opinion on Mike Stewarts character, or lack thereof, feel free to contact any of the following:

Bob Cargill, Cripple Creek Knives

Chris Reeve, Chris Reeve Knives

Ethan Becker, Becker Knife and Tool

Jerry Fisk, Master Bladesmith and NATIONAL LIVING TREASURE

These are just a few of the good people in the knife industry that have had a 'less than satifactory business experience' with Mike Stewart. I will probally add more to the list after I have had a chance to contact them and to make sure they want to be included ,....there are many. Oh yeah, feel free to call me also.

I just can't believe it took me so long to wade through the lies to find the truth. I only hope you, No Holds Barred, don't loose as many thousands of dollars as the rest of us did before you wake up to the truth.


BTW, No Holds Barred, my name is Will Fennell, phone #803-328-9321,.....whats yours?
If you don't know who I am, just ask Mike, I'm sure that he'll tell you that I was the master mind behind all his problems. That seems to be what he said about everybody after they started asking too many questions.


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Stay Sharp!
Will Fennell
Camillus Cutlery


 
I've only had one interaction with Mr. Stewart and I was very impressed. He was an extreme gentleman dealing with me, an irate customer. We shared a couple emails and Mr. Stewart made me a new Marble knife, replacing one that had only slight scuffing on a leather handle. And he threw in a new sheath to boot.

I confess I know nothing of the things Mike has reported but if they are true, it's sad to hear. I hope Mr. Stewart didn't do these things and that Marble weathers this storm. Until the whole story comes out in court, I will try to remain objective about it. Supposedly people are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in this country and that's the spirit I want to maintain.

I don't think Mike did anything wrong here. He just reported the news that's now public. I think the anon poster just over reacted but even so, when I reread his post, it didn't seem that bad of a flame. I for one will take his advice and send Mr. Stewart an email telling him I appreciate his craftsmanship. Because I do.

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Hoodoo

No, I do not weep at the world--I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.
Zora Neale Hurston

Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.
Lao Tsu
 
Thanks Will,

I just emailed several people who are not on that list you gave. They will most certainly read this thread. They may not perhaps respond as for many the history is just that, history. Also their current position in their position in the companies they are with may make it difficult to chime in.

I am also sure that Mike never new a medium such as this would ever exist where people could come and express themselves.

Unfortunately a certain dentist may not have access to our site, but I am sure he would love to add a few words.

You see NHB the knife industry is a relatively small community. We all know each other and in some cases we try to protect one another. The post I made was meant to inform, not defame. You can argue that all you want, but this site is dedicated to the truth. There are good people here.

I could just ban you and your IP and then you could never come here and speak your side, but I am interested in giving you the benefit of the doubt and listening to your story. You obviously know Mike so let's here what he has to say.

It would be in your best interest to reveal who you are as your credibility will always be questioned until then.

Do I know who you are? Hummm.... Let's se how much info I can dig up here.
You use a dial up account with up.net.

Baraga Telephone Company (UP3-DOM)
204 State St. POB 9
Baraga, MI 49908

A simple phone call reveals much about you. Remember you are now on MY server. Yes I own the server here as well as the site. You may have thought it was just a simple web site huh?

Do you know who June Parkila is? How about Bill Stark?

You also use:
Bresnan Communications (BRESNANLINK-DOM)
359 US Hwy 41 East
Negaunee, MI 49866
Do you know Lenny there too?

You see when you connect to the Internet several things happen. You can be tracked and I can even tell if you are on-line. I won't go into further detail but playing games with us using an anon will not work. I have been here since ARPANET my friend.

Now let's here your side and stop questioning my integrity or that of any of my members here. It is not my integrity or theirs in question here.

I simply reported a story. You opened the can of worms. You can leave us hanging if you want.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW RIGHT NOW! YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!
www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/001202.html
 
Geez Mike, can you tell what he had for dinner?
smile.gif


Richard

 
Arrrghh......I hate this stuff.
But,I suppose, it has to out.

Bloody good thing there is somewhere for it to happen.
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BrianWE

Believe me....being this old and having to live with all this experience is not the picnic I thought it was going to be.
 
Well...Will Fennell's post didn't do much to bolster my optimism. As I said earlier, I had only the one experience and don't know doodly squat about all of this.

But as a Marble knife fan, I'm wondering what the implications will be for the company if Mr. Stewart is forced to leave. I really feel Marble is doing a pretty fine job and will be disappointed if the quality of their knives goes down and the company goes belly up.

This looks like a lose-lose situation.

As I think about all the Marble posts that I have seen here over the past months, I remembered being somewhat puzzled by the lack of discussion about these knives. I'm wondering if there is some hostility towards Marble by insiders in the knife industry that caused this because of the apparently negative reputation of Mr. Stewart. Just curious.

Also, I think there are a lot of implications here. I've been a long-time fan of the UP. Great people up there and great country. I've often spent my entire summers working in the northwoods of the UP and they are some of the best times of my life and will continue to be. Marble, I think, has been a source of pride among the Yoopers. This is a region that is often terribly economically depressed but continues to bounce back. I keep pulling for 'em. So this is another reason why I support Marble. I love the history and tradition of the UP. It's an interesting place with a wonderful history of hunting and fishing, and a checkered past of logging and mining, shipwrecks, and immigrant successes and failures. If you've never had a Finnish pancake at Marie's deli in Houghton, you are missing something.

Oh well, I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. I just know I hate to see this crap unfold.

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Hoodoo

No, I do not weep at the world--I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.
Zora Neale Hurston

Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.
Lao Tsu

[This message has been edited by Hoodoo (edited 02-05-2000).]
 
I have to agree with concerns over Marbles. They have become my favorite fixed blade production company since the demise of Blackjack. My only dealings with Mr. Stewart were positive in every way. When Marbles resumed production in '98 I contacted Mr. Stewart about my grandfathers old first production Woodcraft (1915). This knife had seen alot of use resulting in 1/4" of tip broke off and general wear & tear. He said to send the knife in for restoration, which I did. Imagine my surprise when the knife was returned to me in under a week in pristine condition. The blade had been reground, sharpened, the leather buffed and the knife appeared new. As I will never part with this knife I was not concerned with keeping it original but more with preserving it. All of this with no charges! I do not have any knowledge of the events at Blackjack but am sorry nonetheless for the events that took place as they made a super knife for the buck. I can only hope that the same fate does not await Marbles as they too make a superb product with which I currently do not have enough of. I will leave the judgement of wrong doing to the courts and offer my sympathy to the innocents who were (or may be) effected by these events.
 
Mike T., glad to see this moved over to this forum instead of the general discussion.

As for who's right or wrong, I haven't a clue. My only problem was the way the orginal thread was posted when you said had more info that you couldn't say.

I live by the rule of saying what's on your mind once you jump into the fray. If the court case keeps someone from telling all, then it is probaly best left un-said from the get-go. In other words, post the news story and let the members take it for what it's worth without the teaser line of -I know something that I can't tell.

The commentary added a sinister plot to the whole thing, which it may well be. I don't know the details, but this could easily turn into one of those drawn out MadDog threads - and no one really wins any internet pissing contest.

Mike, what I'm saying is your credibility here is sound and I believe you to be a fair and honest person, so why cheapen that by getting involved in this mess....let the courts have it, and keep BladeForums above all this dirty laundry stuff.

I'll shut up now
smile.gif


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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com

 


Will, Mike speaks of you in the highest regard. He has always said that you were his best salesman. He has also told me that he wished he could have provided for you what he originally intended; a strong career that could bring you happiness and contentment. I'm sure that Mike will always feel some sort of loss in the fact that he has not been able to remain friends with you and was not able to provide you with the above mentioned things. He's never blamed you for a thing. That's the God's honest truth.

Mr. Fisk: I apologize profusely if I offended you in any way. Perhaps there was a bit of steam in my words that was mis-directed upon you. You truly are a living National Treasure, and you make incredible knives. I hope that I have the pleasure of meeting you someday.

On that same thought, perhaps I mis-directed some of my comments as I was just trying to defend a man's honor and got a little hot under the color doing it. It's just horendous to me to see how many people start to turn their backs when the chips begin to fall.

So to all of those I may have offended (except Mike Turber)I apologize for making any attacks upon personal character. Will, Anthony, Mr. Fisk, I'm sorry.

Mr. Turber, I have not given out the personal and gory details that I have found out about you, nor have I tried to get everyone in this community to harass you. Check your law books. I have. Some of what you suggest on this sight is libel. I think you know that you are the one indeed treading on thin ice.
Regardless of all of that, my IP addresses and where I may or may not dial up from has absolutley no relavence to the discussion at hand. All you're doing is proving to everyone that reads these postings that your ethics are indeed lacking.

In regards to the "dentist", if we're talking about the same man, and if that man has you convinced of things, you are definitely on the wrong side of the fence and hearing a hugely skewed version of the truth. I will no longer help to send readers or posters to your sight. It seems that there are more reputable discussion and posting sights out there.

I decided not to reveal my identity after all. When I see or meet the people that I apologized to, above, however, I will make it known and apologize in person. Not with electronic media; man to man.

I will not peruse this sight any longer, until the day that Mike Stewart is cleared of the charges. If for some reason that doesn't occur, I will know that I still hold the truth, and that a tragedy has occured.

Mr. Turber, one more thought to leave you with. Thirty years from now, when you're old and gray, and rambling senilities about what evils may or may not have been commited by people in the knife industry, I'll still have my youth and be in my prime. I may have the attention of the whole knife industry and I bet they'll listen, while all you'll have as an audience is your collection of knives.

With that, I bid you adieu.

NHB
 
Jason,
Mike Turber is just a few years older than you.....

Remember, this thread started becuase of a newspaper story, refering to an indictment from the FBI and Grand Jury. Mike Stewart hasn't had his day in court yet, but neither is this just 'rumors'. Unfortunately, Mike Stewart has left a long trail of people whose experiences with Mike S. predispose them NOT TO BELIEVE his claims of innocence. Lets just leave it at that for now.....

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Stay Sharp!
Will Fennell
Camillus Cutlery


 
After Will's last post, I realize I screwed up big time. My interaction with Marbles was not with Mike Stewart but with Jason Stewart. I apologize for my own idiocy.

Jason, if you are the anon poster, thanks for doing a fine job on my leather Sport99 and thanks for the new sheath. I hope there are sunnier days ahead for you, your family and Marbles.

And I hope the fish are biting at Little Bay De Noc.

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Hoodoo

No, I do not weep at the world--I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.
Zora Neale Hurston

Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.
Lao Tsu


[This message has been edited by Hoodoo (edited 02-05-2000).]
 
NHB,
Maybe you need to read this entire post over again. You will notice that I stated the message below BEFORE you came in here trolling.

I forgot to mention this.
A few of us in the industry know more to this story. Please do not post it. If it comes out in the court then fine but I do not want to have to delete a thread because somneone spilled more beans than was necessary.

I posted the above because it is news. BlackJack knives are often asked about, and what happened to them, and I have had to evade answering the question. Now that it is out in the open I have a bit more leeway.
Click to expand...

As you can see, I was actually, in a way, on your side trying to keep the unnecessary details out.

As far a libel, you claim to have consulted your law books? Are you claiming to be a lawyer now? From what I know of you you have no experience in matters of law.

"Libel" involves the publishing of a falsehood that harms someone. Slander is the same doctrine applied to the spoken word. Collectively, they are referred to as "defamation". Both are a matter of state laws, which usually (not always) require that the falsehood be intentional.

Many states have statutes that require a demand for retraction or apology to be made before a lawsuit for libel or slander can be filed. Most of these statutes are limited in their application to "media defendants," but courts have not yet decided whether web site publishers are part of the media. Florida's statute, section 770.01, Florida Statutes (1995), has been interpreted as protecting both media and non-media defendants.

A libel or slander claim can be proven by showing:

1. Publication,
2. of and concerning the plaintiff,
3 that is defamatory,
4. that is substantially false,
5. that is published with fault,
a. if about a matter of public concern,
b. private plaintiff = negligence
c. public plaintiff = actual malice
6. and that caused damages.

The Communications Decency Act
47 U.S.C. § 230 (c)

(1) "No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider."

(2) "No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be held liable on account of (A) any action voluntarily taken in good faith to restrict access to or availability of material that the provider or user considers to be obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable, whether or not such material is constitutionally protected; or (B) any action taken to enable or make available to information content providers or others the technical means to restrict access to material described in paragraph (1)."


These provisions are designed primarily to help bulletin board services and will not limit the liability of the publishers of original content.

As you can see NHB I am versed in the subject and law at hand.

I am not the publisher of the original content message at the beginning of this thread. I will watch this thread and remove any claims that can not be back up or claims which are shown to be a falsehood. BladeForums is owned and operated by WOW-Distribution INC, a Florida corporation. Therefor I am governed by the laws of the state of Florida which I outlined above.

Should you wish to pursue this matter in a legal sense feel free to do so.

As far as Marbles is concerned, I have the upmost respect for the name. However I do have concerns about Mike Stewart and what the future is and will be for Marbles. I am also sure Mike Stewart is a great knife purveyor and maker/designer. I never questioned that fact.

Mr. Turber, I have not given out the personal and gory details that I have found out about you, nor have I tried to get everyone in this community to harass you.
Click to expand...

I would be amused and furthermore amazed at what personal and/or gory details you could possibly have on me. I lead a fairly public life as evidenced by my owning this site. I know I have made mistakes myself in business and in my personal life but I can not think of anything I may have done which would be "news worthy". People/trolls, like yourself, are easy to spot, as your continued predilection for irrelevancy clearly demonstrates.

You are welcome to post here but it would be in your best interest to stick with the facts.
No not a threat, and do I really have to remind you that I am not threatening you each time I make a similar statement?

The only implied threat that I will post is that I will ban you from my server should you express yourself in such a way that breaks any of my rules here. This particular forum is allowed a bit more leeway than others which is why this thread is here.

"No personal attacks" is my number one rule. That rule applies to everyone, myself included. However in a case, such as this, when the very business practices of a certain individual are in question, it would be easy to mistake some of the statements above as some sort of personal attack. This is not the case as I would also allow a post about anyone performing a scam on my members here.

In the posts above I do not see anyone attacking Mike Stewart for anything he did which was not business related. If you have seen this please advise me on where this occurs and I will take appropriate action.

Now you can continue your discussion, NHB
smile.gif


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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW RIGHT NOW! YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!
www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/001202.html

[This message has been edited by Mike Turber (edited 02-05-2000).]
 
Also let me help my friend Will Fennell here. His statements are not to be taken as statements from Camillus Cutlery, of which he is employed. The actions which he speaks of happened long before he was employed by Camillus Cutlery. He now works for Camillus and that shows in his sig file.

I just don't want anyone misunderstanding that this is a Camillus -vs- BJK/Mike Stewart battle.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW RIGHT NOW! YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!
www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/001202.html
 
Are Marbles knives made in the UP? I found my answer.

[This message has been edited by db (edited 02-05-2000).]
 
Jason
I take each man as he stands on his own feet. You personally are having a hard time dealing with all of this. Sometimes life is hard to face especially when we have to face things about people we care about. First instincts are always anger and defense but we must all overcome that and do what what must be done to learn and grow. Reguardless of what others do, even if it is those we care about, a man stands on his own merits and it is that persons own choice of how tall he chooses to stand. A man's measure is his given word and how he treats others.
 
Well, well, I go out of town on a well-deserved vacation and look who shows up.
Smoothie, and Smoothie-Jr., Mike and son Jason Stewart. (If those are your "real" names??)

Anyway Jason, Mike or whoever wrote your very dramatic reply, I would suggest not making bold statements you cannot back up-now or ever. This forum has a very interesting way of getting to the truth. You have already challenged Turber, I am sure he will be on the phone with the district attorney tomorrow getting the scoop.

For the record, I always thought "Mike Stewart" was/is an interesting guy who had a hand in making some excellent knives. He is an extremely charming fellow and in my opinion he is a very good marketer of knives. He is by all accounts a LOUSY businessman, however.

How many company bankruptcies have you been involved with Mike?? Not just Blackjack either.

But I still like you, even though I saw a lot of people get the shaft. Myself, Will, Steve and others included.

By the way, Mike at my last count you owe me a pile of money. You can take the MMC off my tab.

PS-The Van gets paid off this month.
Or do you want to buy it back?


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"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb
 
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