Originally posted by Les Robertson:
Floyd,
It is interesting that you bring up the point about service after the sale. I had two different customers tell me the same thing. THey had purchased Phil's knives in the aftermarket and Phil would not work on them.
This is the first maker I have ever heard of that will not service a knife that he/she made.
The only reason for this can be, he is punishing people for not buying the knife directly from him.
The two individual's that told me their stories have since gotten rid of every Hartsifeld they own and will never buy another one.
So now you can add to a long list of why you should not buy a Hartsfield the fact he does not stand behind his work. Again, I found that absolutely amazing.
With this in mind, I will now be inclined to never buy or take a Hartsfield in trade. I will also have to inform all those who are interested in his work, his "unique" policy of not standing behind his work.
Phil if youre out there, you need to address this issue. Surely, these 3 people misunderstood what your policy is.
Can you really be the only custom knife maker in the US that does not stand behind their work???
To my knowledge RJ Martin cares not who you purchased your knife from. His name is on the blade, he stands behind it 100%.
Why would a knife maker want a bad example of their work for others to see.
I know several knife makers who try and buy their old knives and then throw them away.
So to wrap up, Hartsfield knives, poor craftsmanship, over priced, poor materials for both handle and sheath, virutally impossible to get your most of your money back on a knife in the after market. Now we find out if you do buy a knife on the aftermarket, Phil will not honor his work and clean up the knife.
So who started this thread about wanting to buy a Hartsfield. I hope you have your answer.
Les
I know this is an old topic but I just recently became a member.
I own two Hartsfield knives and have another on order. The first Hartsfield was purchased from a cutlery store in my area. I was so curious about the chisel grind on the 1/4" thick knife I thought I would try and duplicate, improve on it or whatever but all I managed to do was scratch the hell out of it on a 80 grit stone. I was not sure what I was going to do since I certainly don't have money to throw around. So I went to Phill's shop and asked what he would suggest I do to restore the finish. He simply took the knife from me without saying a word and went to his buffing wheel and began to work on the blade, when he returned with the like new knife, I said, "I did not expect you to do that, I just wanted to know what I could do myself" and he quitely said "I know that, thats why I did it." So, as for Phill not servicing certain blades maybe it's your attitude or how the question was asked. I perceive Phill's gaurantee to be for the "customer and his blade." He gaurantees that his blades "will not fail" for any reason. If it does he will repair or replace it. That also includes a one time replacement on an intentionally damaged or broken blade. Phill has only had one blade break and that was hit by a bullet while on the back of a soldier in a South American jungle.
As for getting your money back! You may not have any luck in selling his blades, but a friend of mine had a Kozuka around his neck for two years which he used for everything, a gentleman asked to see it and then offered to buy it. My friend sold it to him for exactly what he paid for it. That money went towards the Hartsfield sword he picks up this month.
Phill is not a salesman, he is a blademaker. He makes blades to be used, people collect them because they want to. He began making blades a long time ago, blades made for longshoreman, powerline workers and factory workers who needed a blade that would cut with little effort. Those blades did not even have a makers mark. As for the finish; since they are designed to be used and abused the finish is not affected as if it were mirror polished.
His sheaths are simple and effective. The knife can be drawn with very little sound.
As for RJ Martin, its pretty obvious to the reader that you retail his knives for him (as you stated ONLY he sells more of his knives than you do).
To Mr. Martin: I was glad to see that you did not jump on the bandwagon to bash the other makers. I have seen very little of your knives, but they do look good. As for performance I know.
Mr. Robertson: I certainly don't need any more reasons to ever buy a knife, by any maker, for any price from you!
Thats just my opinion.
