Requesting Gareth Bull Shamwari Advice

mdswithers said:
I appreciate the help however these pages are all but useless. Gareth Bull only sells on instagram now so all the talk of waitlists and books are irrelevant. I did check to see if it was discussed before though. Thanks, hopefully I can find someone who’s snagged one off Instagram.
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All but useless???? Ooooooookay.
 
Speaking for myself...if a knifemaker has a bad rap then I'm done with him and his products...period. There are so many to list that it would be difficult for me to remember all of them at this point but here are a few choice ones:Neil Blackwood, Will Moon, Dustin Turpin, Warren Thomas, Gareth Bull, Balzano, etc. Anyway, the point is that when someone continues to act in a dishonorable way (or fails to admit that it occurred in their past) when it comes to customers then their knives become crap in my book...that's just my opinion and I could be wrong. Douchebaggery is not easily forgiven when it involves screwing over fellow knife enthusiasts.
 
If I may add to this conversation (and much can be seen in the other threads on the same topic), GB has some seriously ugly history. He took money up front, and didn't deliver. He would disappear from communication and ignore problems. This caused serious consequences with his reputation and his friendships.

He has, on numerous occasions, publicly apologized for his past behaviors. Recently, he has posted saying he intends to correct his previous issues, and so far I have seen him do just that. In the last year or so, he has moved to the "drop" method of selling, and closed his books. This prevents the main issue of taking money and vanishing.

To acquire a custom Shamwari, my personal recommendation is to be patient. You may land an IG drop. If you land a drop, it will take 1 week to process and 1 week to arrive. You may find one second hand. IG and BF are the best spots to look.

Be on the lookout for the "field grade" Shamwaris that will go for sale on his IG in the next few weeks to months.

With regards to placing custom orders, I have had friends who placed custom orders, but they can take up to 18mo-2yrs to acquire. I currently have a custom order in with him, but that is likely due to my "pull". As much as I don't want to admit it, he is probably helping me out for my YT and IG advertising of his knives. I will let you know how this goes.

At the end of the day, his knives are spectacular. The Shamwari is EDC perfection and it deserves this reputation. Gareth is on a mission to improve his reputation, and I have seen him be very communicative and friendly in the past year. I think it helps that now his brother Jason is helping with the process.

I am personally working on a solution to the problem of limited Shamwaris. Trust me. Stay tuned!
 
Frunkey said:
If I may add to this conversation (and much can be seen in the other threads on the same topic), GB has some seriously ugly history. He took money up front, and didn't deliver. He would disappear from communication and ignore problems. This caused serious consequences with his reputation and his friendships.

He has, on numerous occasions, publicly apologized for his past behaviors. Recently, he has posted saying he intends to correct his previous issues, and so far I have seen him do just that. In the last year or so, he has moved to the "drop" method of selling, and closed his books. This prevents the main issue of taking money and vanishing.

To acquire a custom Shamwari, my personal recommendation is to be patient. You may land an IG drop. If you land a drop, it will take 1 week to process and 1 week to arrive. You may find one second hand. IG and BF are the best spots to look.

Be on the lookout for the "field grade" Shamwaris that will go for sale on his IG in the next few weeks to months.

With regards to placing custom orders, I have had friends who placed custom orders, but they can take up to 18mo-2yrs to acquire. I currently have a custom order in with him, but that is likely due to my "pull". As much as I don't want to admit it, he is probably helping me out for my YT and IG advertising of his knives. I will let you know how this goes.

At the end of the day, his knives are spectacular. The Shamwari is EDC perfection and it deserves this reputation. Gareth is on a mission to improve his reputation, and I have seen him be very communicative and friendly in the past year. I think it helps that now his brother Jason is helping with the process.

I am personally working on a solution to the problem of limited Shamwaris. Trust me. Stay tuned!
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Um, no.

I hope he gets his stuff together but it won't be on the back of my money and I do not recommend other folks fund this guy.

Edc perfection only matters if the maker is above board.
 
I haven't read any Gareth threads but I'll just say I love how the Shamwari looks and I wish I could get one. The man may be shady but it's a hell of a looker!
 
Frunkey said:
If I may add to this conversation (and much can be seen in the other threads on the same topic), GB has some seriously ugly history. He took money up front, and didn't deliver. He would disappear from communication and ignore problems. This caused serious consequences with his reputation and his friendships.

He has, on numerous occasions, publicly apologized for his past behaviors. Recently, he has posted saying he intends to correct his previous issues, and so far I have seen him do just that. In the last year or so, he has moved to the "drop" method of selling, and closed his books. This prevents the main issue of taking money and vanishing.

To acquire a custom Shamwari, my personal recommendation is to be patient. You may land an IG drop. If you land a drop, it will take 1 week to process and 1 week to arrive. You may find one second hand. IG and BF are the best spots to look.

Be on the lookout for the "field grade" Shamwaris that will go for sale on his IG in the next few weeks to months.

With regards to placing custom orders, I have had friends who placed custom orders, but they can take up to 18mo-2yrs to acquire. I currently have a custom order in with him, but that is likely due to my "pull". As much as I don't want to admit it, he is probably helping me out for my YT and IG advertising of his knives. I will let you know how this goes.

At the end of the day, his knives are spectacular. The Shamwari is EDC perfection and it deserves this reputation. Gareth is on a mission to improve his reputation, and I have seen him be very communicative and friendly in the past year. I think it helps that now his brother Jason is helping with the process.

I am personally working on a solution to the problem of limited Shamwaris. Trust me. Stay tuned!
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Truisms about knifemakers and those who claim to be.

Anyone who calls you "brother" constantly isn't one...

Never trust anyone who has to ask to be trusted...

Every thief has their apologist...
 
lieferung said:
I haven't read any Gareth threads but I'll just say I love how the Shamwari looks and I wish I could get one. The man may be shady but it's a hell of a looker!
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Looks enough like a CRK knife to me that I'd get a CRK instead.

To OP: Anyway, to echo some other posters, why post when your mind was made up? Hover over his feed and pull the trigger.
 
Steven65 said:
These are not "stories". You have had a good experience with Gareth, many have not. That is a fact not a story.

Gareth was expelled from the Knifemakers Guild of South Africa for taking money and not delivering the knives to the customers. That is a fact not a story.

The only reason he sells on IG now is that he is banned from BF and other forums for his bad business practice. That is a fact not a story.
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Steve, I wish you had bothered to read the whole sentence. I was clear the only (stories) were ones I'd heard through 3rd parties and a maker. "There's an ugly side to his past history as evidenced here" I simply can't call something I've been told (beyond just selling knives) that's anecdotal anything but a story until I've heard it verified - which it has here. No, I'm not suggesting anybody buy from him, I know somebody personally who is owed a knife or $. What I can say is his business model has changed, and for the better.

In fact, a few days ago when somebody on IG contacted me and said they'd approached him to build a knife, I made sure they did not offer anything up front. I was pretty clear with them to make sure they see the knife, and it's done through PP G&S. It's just not good form to ask for $ upfront or give it. I'm having knives built by JD and Francois right now, and they (of course) asked for no money up front. They send me updates frequently.

If in fact you know certain truths about GB, fine. I'm not calling those stories, nor doubting the veracity of people with grievances here. His standing with the guild is well known. Gareth has screwed up in a big way.

The stories I've heard (and there was a doozy recently) cannot be proven a continent away. For now, and for me, they're gossip. Whether or not he leopard has changed its spots has yet to be seen. I think I can categorically say never pay a maker up-front if you want to see the knife in a timely fashion, if ever. About the worst I've done is paid half down on some exotic material the maker would otherwise never use.

If somebody wants to purchase a knife that's already made on one of his IG drops, all I can say is I've seen several dozen successful transactions.
 
jceckrosh said:
Looks enough like a CRK knife to me that I'd get a CRK instead.

To OP: Anyway, to echo some other posters, why post when your mind was made up? Hover over his feed and pull the trigger.
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Agreed it reminds me of a sebbie, partially why I like it. But sebenzas aren't front flippers, and there's an aesthetic to the Shamwari that just isn't there for CRK.
 
lieferung said:
Agreed it reminds me of a sebbie, partially why I like it. But sebenzas aren't front flippers, and there's an aesthetic to the Shamwari that just isn't there for CRK.
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I agree and love my Shamwari. It’s kind of scarey knowing if something goes wrong I am basically left high and dry. The guy simply doesn’t communicate.

Frunkey Frunkey I honestly wish he would pass the design of if not his Shamwari then atleast his Warlock to a company like WE or Reate so everyone could get his designs easily if they want. I never see him making warlocks anymore but it is so close to the Shamwari I think production Warlocks would serve the community who want to try GB designs while still leaving his flagship shamwari exclusive to him.

Gareth Bull Warlock.
20140513_124223.jpg
 
Victorian Squid said:
Steve, I wish you had bothered to read the whole sentence. I was clear the only (stories) were ones I'd heard through 3rd parties and a maker. "There's an ugly side to his past history as evidenced here" I simply can't call something I've been told (beyond just selling knives) that's anecdotal anything but a story until I've heard it verified - which it has here. No, I'm not suggesting anybody buy from him, I know somebody personally who is owed a knife or $. What I can say is his business model has changed, and for the better.

In fact, a few days ago when somebody on IG contacted me and said they'd approached him to build a knife, I made sure they did not offer anything up front. I was pretty clear with them to make sure they see the knife, and it's done through PP G&S. It's just not good form to ask for $ upfront or give it. I'm having knives built by JD and Francois right now, and they (of course) asked for no money up front. They send me updates frequently.

If in fact you know certain truths about GB, fine. I'm not calling those stories, nor doubting the veracity of people with grievances here. His standing with the guild is well known. Gareth has screwed up in a big way.

The stories I've heard (and there was a doozy recently) cannot be proven a continent away. For now, and for me, they're gossip. Whether or not he leopard has changed its spots has yet to be seen. I think I can categorically say never pay a maker up-front if you want to see the knife in a timely fashion, if ever. About the worst I've done is paid half down on some exotic material the maker would otherwise never use.

If somebody wants to purchase a knife that's already made on one of his IG drops, all I can say is I've seen several dozen successful transactions.
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I read your original post and I stand by my reply.

If there was only one or two people complaining about Gareth you could put that down to doubt, but there are many from all over the planet. It has been well documented here and on other forums.
Simply saying......... "The stories I've heard (and there was a doozy recently) cannot be proven a continent away. For now, and for me, they're gossip." .........Is denying the obvious truth of what has transpired.

The tone of both your posts is that of an apologist for Gareth's bad behaviour and casts doubt on those who have posted to complain about him. That is dangerous for the next uneducated buyer who comes here looking for an honest appraisal of Gareth, before doing business with him.

It sounds like you are a big fan of South African knives......no-one could be more delighted about that than me.
We have some of the best knife makers on the planet many of which are full time to support their families through knife making. Gareth's shenanigans has made life harder for them.

This will be my last post on this thread. I leave it to everyone to draw their own conclusions.
 
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Victorian Squid said:
Steve, I wish you had bothered to read the whole sentence. I was clear the only (stories) were ones I'd heard through 3rd parties and a maker. "There's an ugly side to his past history as evidenced here" I simply can't call something I've been told (beyond just selling knives) that's anecdotal anything but a story until I've heard it verified - which it has here. No, I'm not suggesting anybody buy from him, I know somebody personally who is owed a knife or $. What I can say is his business model has changed, and for the better.

In fact, a few days ago when somebody on IG contacted me and said they'd approached him to build a knife, I made sure they did not offer anything up front. I was pretty clear with them to make sure they see the knife, and it's done through PP G&S. It's just not good form to ask for $ upfront or give it. I'm having knives built by JD and Francois right now, and they (of course) asked for no money up front. They send me updates frequently.

If in fact you know certain truths about GB, fine. I'm not calling those stories, nor doubting the veracity of people with grievances here. His standing with the guild is well known. Gareth has screwed up in a big way.

The stories I've heard (and there was a doozy recently) cannot be proven a continent away. For now, and for me, they're gossip. Whether or not he leopard has changed its spots has yet to be seen. I think I can categorically say never pay a maker up-front if you want to see the knife in a timely fashion, if ever. About the worst I've done is paid half down on some exotic material the maker would otherwise never use.

If somebody wants to purchase a knife that's already made on one of his IG drops, all I can say is I've seen several dozen successful transactions.
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And I'm sure if anyone's had issues there were most likely communicating issues to resolve them. Cause recently happened to a friend earlier this year.


Lapedog said:
I agree and love my Shamwari. It’s kind of scarey knowing if something goes wrong I am basically left high and dry. The guy simply doesn’t communicate.

Frunkey Frunkey I honestly wish he would pass the design of if not his Shamwari then atleast his Warlock to a company like WE or Reate so everyone could get his designs easily if they want. I never see him making warlocks anymore but it is so close to the Shamwari I think production Warlocks would serve the community who want to try GB designs while still leaving his flagship shamwari exclusive to him.

Gareth Bull Warlock.
20140513_124223.jpg
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Even if we knives do this. He is still the warranty guy... And communicating is a must. Those few with an youtube channel don't see these issues.

I think getting them in the new way he is doing his drops is easy. No real major communication is required. Custom jobs and warranty are the issues because of lack of communications. Which seems to have been the issue for the longest time.
 
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So many apologists for a known a**hat.

Past behavior shows character. True change only occurs when someone admits their mistakes, takes responsibility, sincerely apologizes and makes amends. I don't see the maker doing any of that. He has just changed his business model so he can sell more knives.

edit for bad grammars
 
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ncrockclimb said:
So many apologists for a known a**hat.

Past behavior shows character. True change only occurs when someone admits their mistakes, takes responsibility, sincerely apologizes and makes amends. I don't see the maker doing any of that. He has just changed his business model so he can sell more knives.

edit for bad grammars
Click to expand...

This
 
Good news so far everyone! I was able to buy a shamwari second hand (admittedly at a pretty high price). I contacted Mr. Bull via Instagram messager to get it refinished and have another pivot and lock bar stop made and he responded very quickly and said it shouldn’t take more than a day of actual work and the shipping will be the only thing that will take some time. I will update here once it’s done if anyone is actually interested. It seems like he made some mistakes but is not overwhelmed anymore and wants to help all his customer. People make mistakes and we shall see if he has corrected his.
 
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