Purchasing a custom slipjoint and Guild Membership

[ken erickson]

I would like to post this poll concerning membership or non-membership in the Knife Makers Guild and how it may or may not influence your decision to purchase a custom made slip-joint. I think the results will be of interest to all and of course maybe my decision to apply for membership in the future.

Thanks all for taking the poll or responding to this thread.

Ken Erickson

 

[Blues]

I voted for the first option but would like to clarify by adding:

While I could care less whether a person is affiliated with a particular organization, the character of the maker means quite a bit to me.

I will not (knowingly) buy a knife made by someone I can't respect or hope to call a friend and have sold knives at a loss when I found out (after the fact) that the maker showed themselves to be less than honorable. (And not necessarily with or toward me.)

 

[spiralarchitect]

I just bought my first custom slip joint from someone I don't really know. I took the first answer to the question b/c I have no clue of his affiliations. I guess I took a leap of faith. But the maker treated me fairly and delivered a well made product I will be proud of for the rest of my life. So much so that I am going to order another from him. It is all about delivering the goods and treating your customers right. There isn't a guild out there that can make you do that. Be a member in good standing of the human race and that is enough for me.

 

[Durwood]

Ken,

I think Guild membership meant more several years ago... At this point, I buy the knife based on the knife itself with heavy influence on the character and personality of the maker. I think you've got these areas covered well:thumbup:

~Darwin

 

[fasteddie]

I agree with Blues. The character and integrity of the knifemaker is important to me. That is not something that the Guild can certify. I did not respond to the poll because there wasnt an answer there that fit my position. I would prefer a knifemaker be or intend to become a guild member but it wouldn't kill the deal if he wasn't.

 

[sierra11b]

Guild affiliation is moot for me. I buy a particular knife because a) I like the knife and b) I like the maker. You're one of those makers in my book, Ken.

 

[6.0stroker]

I don't own a custom "yet" but, being a member of an organization would have little influence on my decision to acquire one from a certain " individual" and that is the opperative word here, how the maker interacts with his customer/s and continued service are of the utmost importance IMHO.

 

[jivedaddy]

i"ve gotta agree, the knife is important on it's own merits, but the maker is what sells the knife. The guild label is not necessarily indicative of the character of the maker.

 

[salty141]

I picked the first one as well! No membership to any guild will make me trust the maker as much as hearing the experiences of people you can trust.(Blade forums for me!) I recently put in an order from you because you are a maker who is held in high esteem by other members here who's opinions I trust. just from experience here I would say that it is the history of fair treatment, and good service that makes all the difference, and I must say that I have seen nothing but good accounts about you from our members here!
Steven

 

[bozack]

I chose the first one also. I am buying the the product and it should be up the the quality and craftsmanship I expect in the product. I am not buying the maker so far as his affiliations go. I would expect him to be honorable in his buisness practices and hope he will stand behind his product. But he does not have to be a guild member.

 

[sixgunner455]

I really like the Guild, and all the things that it has accomplished and intended to accomplish. But I would buy from whomever, if I wanted their knife, regardless of affiliation or lack thereof. These days, I hardly hang around with them anymore, but my dad goes to several shows each year, and it is a bigger deal to him as he is prepping to test for his next stamp.