Peter demmer of terrier blades buyer beware

[noob93]

So I couldn't find feedback the good the bad and the ugly so nonetheless this is a knife relates discussion. I had ordered a custom camp knife made of cpm 3v from Mr demmer late last year. Me and Mr demmer had many conversations about knives and philosophies although it always seemed to be a bit snobby on his behalf. Nonetheless he claims he's an ex engineer so I figured he knew what he was talking about. We agreed upon 475 with a 150 dollar deposit which was payed via etransfer. So throughout our dealing we had a few minor disagreements. First he wanted to ht the steel per msds right to the t. I had just read an article by Roman Landes about the lower tempering and sent it to him and requested he work from that if possible. He basically dismissed it but said he would add cryo so we met halfway. I received an email from him saying the blank had been cut. Now I had chosen ironwood for the handle and had kept seeing knives with ironwood+bolsters and just thought it was a great accent. I then asked him if he could do bolsters to which he said he wanted to scrap our project and would prefer our business concluded. I was disappointed and thought it was partially my fault for perhaps overstepping but keep in mind this was to be my first custom. Anyways he said no refund of payment but he would send me the blank. I refused that as I couldn't finish the knife with my skill level or lack of and could not find anyone else to touch it. Sorry this post has been so long I just wanted to get the details in order. So I emailed Mr demmer of terrier blades after 2 months and finally finding someone to finish the knife asking for the blank to which there was no reply.

 

[wensynch]

You read an article about another crafter's HTC, then basically demanded that the commissioned original crafter use that someone else's HT process? I say demand as you indicate that he would meet halfway inferring resistance/hesitation to the suggestion?

In more ordinary dealings with custom work of any nature, plans need to be ironed out first, prior to any work, unless said pieces can be fully completed in their own and separable from every part.

While this may been your first experience with custom crafters, it would seen that you were giving the guy kind of a hard time and interjecting a bit more than comfortable with the crafter. Likely without any additional offers of comp.

Get the terms in writing first including specs and end design, sign the agreement and wait patiently. Time overdue, approach crafter accordingly.

Good luck.

 

[palonej]

If I sell a job and begin work, I will NOT change anything........unless there are additional funds coming my way.
Also....
You hired a maker and then proceeded to tell him how to do the build??? Because you read an article??? I would have done exactly as the maker did.
Reminds me of a patient telling the doc how to treat him because Google said so.
Paragraphs brother!!
Joe

 

[benzy2]

You read an article about another crafter's HTC, then basically demanded that the commissioned original crafter use that someone else's HT process? I say demand as you indicate that he would meet halfway inferring resistance/hesitation to the suggestion?

In more ordinary dealings with custom work of any nature, plans need to be ironed out first, prior to any work, unless said pieces can be fully completed in their own and separable from every part.

While this may been your first experience with custom crafters, it would seen that you were giving the guy kind of a hard time and interjecting a bit more than comfortable with the crafter. Likely without any additional offers of comp.

Get the terms in writing first including specs and end design, sign the agreement and wait patiently. Time overdue, approach crafter accordingly.

Good luck.

That's BS. All a maker would need to say is "I've ordered/manufactured/created/worked that portion and it's too late. A customer has every right to ask for changes. Doesn't mean they need to be accommodated but to bash a paying customer for wanting a change is rediculous. It's a simple question that's answered with a simple, polite response. No guilt trip necessary.

I'd say if the maker canceled the order he owes you full refund or delivery of the last agreed final design completed for last agreed price. Because what's to stop him from saying things were done, then canceling an order he never started and keeping your deposit. If you refused to pay the balance, sure the deposit is his to keep. Not if he is too impatient to deal with a customer.

 

[true north]

It seems to me like Peter Demmer owes the man his $150 deposit back, since it was Demmer who cancelled the order and not the customer. To keep the deposit and cancel the order, leaving the man with nothing for his $150 is unethical at best in my book; at worst it's unlawful.

There are too many knife makers out there who do outstanding work and conduct their business in an ethical manner to put up with such nonsense.

I will not be spending any money with Demmer after reading this story.

 

[palonej]

Maker SHOULD refund, but remember one thing...,.we're only hearing one side of the story.
I'd love to hear the other side.
Joe

 

[noob93]

You read an article about another crafter's HTC, then basically demanded that the commissioned original crafter use that someone else's HT process? I say demand as you indicate that he would meet halfway inferring resistance/hesitation to the suggestion?

In more ordinary dealings with custom work of any nature, plans need to be ironed out first, prior to any work, unless said pieces can be fully completed in their own and separable from every part.

While this may been your first experience with custom crafters, it would seen that you were giving the guy kind of a hard time and interjecting a bit more than comfortable with the crafter. Likely without any additional offers of comp.

Get the terms in writing first including specs and end design, sign the agreement and wait patiently. Time overdue, approach crafter accordingly.

Good luck.

Roman Landes is a metallurgist not a knife maker to the best of my knowledge and all I wanted was the cryo which he accepted although he said it wouldn't do any good. I simply asked him if he could do the bolsters and I certainly was willing to pay the extra for them. All he had to do was say no.

 

[Cobalt]

Roman Landes is a metallurgist not a knife maker to the best of my knowledge and all I wanted was the cryo which he accepted although he said it wouldn't do any good. I simply asked him if he could do the bolsters and I certainly was willing to pay the extra for them. All he had to do was say no.

You should have stipulated that before making any deal. Regardless, you are still owed your money not a knife blank. That is pretty ridiculous that any knife maker would send you the knife blank. you may want to send him a link to this thread so he can defend himself.

 

[wensynch]

Any special commissioned work once performance has begun or special orders are typically no refund. In almost all cases.

The guy ordered a part to begin making a knife that isn't wanted anymore. Irrelevant whether crafter is able to mitigate by finding another buyer at a later point.

All agreements should be in its entirety prior to performance and execution. In writing. That's proper business.

Bolsters it would seem would have been included if the sample or reference had Bolsters as well, or you indicated you wanted boltsters.

But again, look at the contract. Did you enter one? In writing? Well then, pretty much assed out, if your agreement is by just words, unless crafter wants to and you ask nicely for refund.

 

[Cobalt]

Any special commissioned work once performance has begun or special orders are typically no refund. In almost all cases.

The guy ordered a part to begin making a knife that isn't wanted anymore. Irrelevant whether crafter is able to mitigate by finding another buyer at a later point.

All agreements should be in its entirety prior to performance and execution. That's proper business

Bolsters it would seem would have been included if the sample or reference had Bolsters as well, or you indicated you wanted boltsters.

But again, look at the contract. Did you enter one? Well then, pretty much assess out, if your agreement is by just. words

Well, then the knife maker should have offered to make the knife as per agreed upon originally instead of canceling the order. OP can sell it afterwards.

 

[noob93]

You should have stipulated that before making any deal. Regardless, you are still owed your money not a knife blank. That is pretty ridiculous that any knife maker would send you the knife blank. you may want to send him a link to this thread so he can defend himself.

I would let him know but he has me blocked on fb and probably from his email list.

 

[wensynch]

I agree.

No writing though it would appear..

Just sounds to me maker got frustrated and didn't want to continue. Give the buyer the finished tang, get money for tang and part ways.

 

[Cobalt]

I agree.

No writing though..

Just sounds to me maker got frustrated and didn't want to continue. Give the buyer the finished tang, get money for tang and part ways.

I agree. I am sure that is what it was. The knife maker got tired of all the changes and a newbie telling him how to HT his knife and he told newbie off. He should have a little more patience in this. After all, when someone is plunking down $500 for a knife, they deserve some ear time

 

[noob93]

I agree. I am sure that is what it was. The knife maker got tired of all the changes and a newbie telling him how to HT his knife and he told newbie off. He should have a little more patience in this. After all, when someone is plunking down $500 for a knife, they deserve some ear time

I did not tell him anything I simply provided useful evidence that what I ASKED showed good results and he was fine with it. The bolsters Were the blowout

 

[Ratman79]

At least you got the word out about this individual. Maybe it will help someone else to not get ripped off. I know I would never buy anything from him now that I have read what you had to say.

 

[Revolverrodger]

I bought two custom knives from Terrier blades and everything has always been flawless

 

[Dangerously]

I have only read one side of this dispute and I have made up my mind.

 

[Revolverrodger]

Well before he is judged too harshly he made a grail knife for me that is a real workhorse

 

[FullMetalJackass]

I bought at least half a dozen of his production pieces. At first it was for me then I bought a bunch more as gifts, mostly the neck knives and econo hunter.

I had a custom order carving set done by him. Very special gift as it was the wedding present for my best buddy.

I have previously posted pics of this set and some of his neckie knives. Use the search button =)

Communication was great, and my buddy and his wife love the set.

To my eyes, he is a serious knifemaker and a good person to deal with.

I'd love to hear both sides of the story.

EDIT: Email sent to Peter Demmer with link to this thread.

 

[noob93]

I bought at least half a dozen of his production pieces. At first it was for me then I bought a bunch more as gifts, mostly the neck knives and econo hunter.

I had a custom order carving set done by him. Very special gift as it was the wedding present for my best buddy.

I have previously posted pics of this set and some of his neckie knives. Use the search button =)

Communication was great, and my buddy and his wife love the set.

To my eyes, he is a serious knifemaker and a good person to deal with.

I'd love to hear both sides of the story.

EDIT: Email sent to Peter Demmer with link to this thread.

Good I'm glad everything worked out for you. I have no doubt that he can't make a good knife or I would not have chose him as the maker. I just wanted people to see what kind of a business man he really is. I realize I probably annoyed him with the change but all I did was ask. If he's gonna do that to me I'm sure there will be more. Mr demmer if you are reading this you have my info do the right thing.