Well I thought I would let every one know that I received a knife from Norfleet. It is not a beautifully finished work of art that several recent recipients have described but it is a functional blade. Even if it was,--because of the unpleasant circumstances surrounding this blade over the past 5 1/2 months, there would be no pride in ownership of this knife. I will not be keeping it.
Now that I have received something, I would like to remind folks that the reason I posted this thread was to inform those thinking of buying from Norfleet that they may have to wait months or longer for that blade they thought they were buying as completed and ready to ship (as was the case for me). I have no problems with those who feel Mr Norfleet's dishonesty and bad business practices were somehow justified for whatever reason. They can do business with him in the future.
NONE of this would have been necessary or posted had several people who bought knives not been repeatedly lied to about delivery dates and or nonexistent refunds. He did finally deliver a knife in November that was posted as ready to ship in May. Several people who received knives recently have expressed how it was worth the wait for them. I am happy for them. My knife was supposed to be finished when it was posted but it was Not finished. Many other people experienced the same problem after some of us had waited for months and new Norfleet sales threads were popping up. Thus this thread was born.
I have ordered many knives from makers in the past and have had some rough moments and delays which we all know can occur when waiting for a custom blade. HOWEVER, each time in the past if there was a delay, the maker told me the truth and reason for the delay and I was understanding. There was never a delay for a finished knife. It worked out each time and I love those blades and have great pride in owning the beautiful work of many of the fine makers here and other sites on the internet.
I will never buy from Norfleet again.
I appreciate all of the interest and support many of you have shown to me in this situation. I look forward to monitoring the forum exchange and picking up as many treasures as I can from the many responsible and honest makers here.
I will lock this thread down and let it fade into the archives.
Good luck in your collecting and best regards to all.
ksjumpmd
