"people have already formed their opinions" of Newt Livesay based on the facts and his history as a dishonest knife maker.
I agree whole heartedly.
a followup post from someone that sent Newt $$$ for a custom knife Bow Hunting Buddy in D2 ... IMHO Newt Livesay is one of the worst businessman in the knife business and at the same time one of the best knife maker in the business.
it took me 8 years .. no typo eight years to get my custom Bow Hunting Buddy in D2 .. but Newt come through with a custom D2 blade/multiple kydex shealths with world class workmanship that IMHO another custom maker of same caliber would not have touched for less than $500+.
I paid Newt $65 for that blade .. the point is NO one can stay in business making custom blades that much below costs. I purchased several Woo's from Newt for $20 with micarta Woo's with kydex shealths for $35. ti woo's for $45 .. etc. etc.
many years later ... now that Newt is no longer producing any volume, if at all. Newt's blades are selling for actual market values. plain woo's are selling for $90 range .. micarta woo's about $125 .. ti woo about $175, larger Newt blades are selling for 4x+ more that he originally sold them for.
without question Newt was one of the worst businessman and pissed off a butt load of folks. but he made some of the finest blades anywhere! can't speak for anyone else, but he more than made good with me.
when I finally tracked him down at a gunshow .. he made things more than right by passing on to me a one off Jimmy Lile knife that was given to him by Jimmy Lile (both are Ark blade smiths from same era). then about 6 months later my custom Bow Hunting Buddy in D2 arrived in the mail .. yes 8 years later.
