Open Letter to Neil Ostroff

[wire edge]

I have never had anything but excellent experiences with Neil. Whether it be ordering a knife, or talking one on one at BLADE. I've always felt Neil is a true professional, and that's the side I'm taking.

 

[Architect]

rj martin, you bring up several points worth addressing.

...What I am not clear on is the assumed connection between the first conflict and the refusal to take the order for the William Henry knife. Do you know for a fact that William Henry even wanted/agreed to make the knife? I ask, because as a maker, when a customer requests a special order thru my dealers, they contact me and ask me if I will make it. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, the answer is "no". If this is the case, then Neil is not at fault. So, perhaps an email to William Henry knives might be in order. If he will make it for you, then, get it directly from him or buy it through another dealer. The object of the exercise is to get the knife you want, right???????.

Gee, I would like to get the knife I want...but it is never easy. Anyway, I saw a particular knife on the TNK site. It is a William Henry Quest with DLC coated blade on gold fittings. TNK is the only dealer offering it. I wanted one with gold fittings, but the standard ZDP blade. I called William Henry and spoke with their sales manager, Rick. Rick tells me that they do not do modifications on their basic designs for individuals, although they do so on occasion for dealers. I asked if there was another dealer besides TNK that they would do this for and he said no. Presumably, TNK was the first to request such a blade and Rick wants to keep it in their court. Thus, I contacted Neil to try and order such a knife, this is how this got started.

...Second, what, if any, is your previous history with Neil? Has he mistreated you in previous transactions (if any)? ...

If you read my original post, I have already stated that I had transactions with TNK that were very professional and that TNK provided excellent customer service.

...And, like many dealers, Neil lives to sell...If he's not selling something to someone, there must be a good reason....

I would like to think so, but if said dealer is unwilling to communicate that reason, even something simple like - "I don't want to" or "you are a jerk" would be fine with me, but when said dealer refuses to communicate any reason after what has transpired, well, one can only imagine.

...Just my 2 cents. Hate to see tempers flaring over soething that is supposed to be fun.....

Hey, my point exactly. The forum is for expressing opinions, amongst other things. I feel it is underhanded to work the "backside" of the issue in private when the opinions expressed are of a public nature. If the maker in question has desired to take on my opinons head on, that would have been fine too. The maker in question obviously does not feel threatened by my opinions or those of other forum members that posted.

 

[knifeman7]

Firstly, let me say that TNK is one of the finest knife sites on the internet. As to Neil Ostroff, he knows I am not a big Bob T. fan and yet is happy to sell to me but better yet he's only a phone call away when I need advice on shipping and/or insurance as well as any other question I might have. More than a few times he has gone out of his way to assist me without compensation. He's a true and honourable friend.

 

[RJ Martin]

Architect: So, my thinking is that, either WHK doesn't want to make the modifications you requested, or, Neil is concerned with being stuck with an "odd-ball" in the event you return the knife to him. Both valid reasons for a "No order".

Sometimes, a simple refusal is the polite (and professional) way out.

Have you considered buying the stock knife and having another knifemaker do the mods for you?