Shield Inlay F&F question

[Markesharp]

And yet, In My Opinion, if one is unfamiliar with a product and does not know what to expect from it, it is not wrong to ask among friends what the expectation should be.

I agree with you Frank. If a custom "knife maker" had any ounce of integrity he would not have shipped the knife to his customer without showing the messed up shield inlay. The OP should be refunded and the maker should put it his pocket to use.

 

[Sam Dean]

And yet, In My Opinion, if one is unfamiliar with a product and does not know what to expect from it, it is not wrong to ask among friends what the expectation should be.

This is exactly how I took the inquiry, an effort to be more educated by asking members of our community. That's why we're all here anyway, right?

As with every thread I take the time to read, I'm happy to have learned something here. Great job OP, you handled this potentially sticky issue very well!

 

[Chris Montgomery]

Please keep in mind I wasn't faulting or saying wrong was done. I was stating my opinion based on years in construction and years as a auto mechanic. This is because I feel I am best suited to answer those questions about my work. I am glad that the solution has been found.

Chris

 

[rickmenefee]

But in sandmage's instance, he didn't actually know if anything was even wrong with the knife. Thus, he asked for informed opinions on a subject matter that he was lacking a bit of education on. Can't fault a man for that.

I diffently see the point.
It's a good time for consumers lots of good stuff being made. That being said if a man has a problem or a questiion about a makers work. He should go to the maker.
Best
Rick

Addedumm
I don't know if all the makers live by this.
In the custom slip joint bunch I have never heard of a maker not refunding money if the consumer wasn't happy. Not directed at the op. I think it's the consumer's duty if a problem exist to let the maker know. It help's the maker improve his work.

 

[Jack Black]

I agree with you Frank. If a custom "knife maker" had any ounce of integrity he would not have shipped the knife to his customer without showing the messed up shield inlay. The OP should be refunded and the maker should put it his pocket to use.

I also agree. It must have been perfectly obvious to both the maker and the vendor that the shield on that knife is an absolute mess, so why did they ship it?

The OP was unsure if this sort of "quality" was acceptable for a custom-made traditional knife, and so asked here (see below).

Hello All,

I recently received a custom slipjoint and I have a question to ask about the shield inlay on it. There are, what I believe to be, considerable gaps all around the inlay and I think there might be some epoxy? to fill in these gaps. I am kind of new to traditionals and have only handled a few customs. My question is: Is this considered acceptable? Because right now I'm of the opinion that it looks pretty sloppy and not what I'm accustomed to in the non-traditional custom world. Any input would be much appreciated.

In my opinion, he conducted himself entirely appropriately, and has been more magnanimous about the issue than he might have been.

After seeking the opinions of the members here, who seem to have been unanimous in telling him that the issue with the knife was not acceptable, he contacted the maker, presumably confident that he had not had false expectations in terms of his purchase.

I'm not sure when it became acceptable to so casually insult either the integrity, or (apparently) the masculinity, of a poster here, who appears to have done nothing more than ask an honest question, and conduct himself politely.

 

[Will Power]

Absolutely Jack:thumbup::thumbup: The OP asked for our views, he was discrete and very polite.

I find it profoundly disturbing that talk of integrity should be used. What is this a conspiracy of silence? Keep it buttoned and be very grateful for what you get? Of course everybody has off days or makes errors but look at the picture, how can anybody claim that is properly finished custom work ready for sale? This does nothing to inspire quality or create trust - isn't that the root of integrity?

Regards, Will

 

[KnifeHead]

And yet, In My Opinion, if one is unfamiliar with a product and does not know what to expect from it, it is not wrong to ask among friends what the expectation should be.

True dat! :thumbup:

 

[TxSportsman]

I diffently see the point.
It's a good time for consumers lots of good stuff being made. That being said if a man has a problem or a questiion about a makers work. He should go to the maker.
Best
Rick

Addedumm
I don't know if all the makers live by this.
In the custom slip joint bunch I have never heard of a maker not refunding money if the consumer wasn't happy. Not directed at the op. I think it's the consumer's duty if a problem exist to let the maker know. It help's the maker improve his work.

Rick,

It would seem to me that it is a good time for custom makers also. Highly skilled work, 4 month plus wait times, knives that sell in a matter of minutes to hours! Books closed...

I do see merit in your approach, but I guess it's safe to say we have a difference of opinions here, and I won't push the issue any further or try to "change your mind".

 

[Chris Montgomery]

Even if you know who the maker was, some here could or could guess, do you know what was going on in their life?
I know a maker that lost his wife of many years that got back in the shop soon after. Was it what was best for his product? Was it what was the best therapy for him?

Who has not made mistakes, or even a series of mistakes?

The right thing is to make it right. I am happy that is the result.

Chris

 

[rickmenefee]

Even if you know who the maker was, some here could or could guess, do you know what was going on in their life?
I know a maker that lost his wife of many years that got back in the shop soon after. Was it what was best for his product? Was it what was the best therapy for him?

Who has not made mistakes, or even a series of mistakes?

The right thing is to make it right. I am happy that is the result.

Chris

Paul Harvey comes to mind. They're always the rest of the story. Maybe things in life have a man 's mind on other things at the time.

 

[glennbad]

I have been following this thread with some interest. As a hobbyist knife mechanic, I am always trying to improve the skill of my work. I try to value my work as closely to my current skill level as possible. Inletting shields is tricky and precise work, and even under the best possible conditions, things do not always fit tightly. That being said, the knife shown was not acceptable custom work IMO. However, if the custom knife is $60, then I wouldn't gripe as much as if they were charging $400. To me, the price should always be comparable to the quality of the piece produced.

I do admire the way this thread was handled. A question was asked and opinions were gathered without bringing a maker's reputation into the light.

Glenn

 

[Primble]

The work on the knife is unacceptable, regardless of the maker's potential personal problems. So are the multiple and belittling insults toward the OP.

I'm not sure when it became acceptable to so casually insult either the integrity, or (apparently) the masculinity, of a poster here, who appears to have done nothing more than ask an honest question, and conduct himself politely.

+1 !!! :thumbup::grumpy:

 

[VCM3]

I can't hold my tongue one post longer.
First off,you probably should do some home work prior to getting into a hobby/making a purchase . Not after you purchase . It would probably be a better outcome for your satisfaction.

Now if the knife gets back here to me ,and is in the shape I sent it out in,I am going to refund the OP's funds asap. But I am really bummed that this fella could not have come to me first ,I have a feedback here going back a decade,prior to the itrader system,that is impeccable. A little faith would go a ways. The amount of correspondence,from this sale,by him,was less than the amount of posts in this thread, by the op.

I do not know what photography methods the op used to display that shield work,but I am going to post a picture of it when it gets here. It may,or may not be sloppy work ,in any one's opinion,but if I used the amount of magnification he did to display that shield,I could show flea's on every makers work on my site.

I apologize that my judgement did not catch this knife,you see I am biased. The knives on my site that I sell,besides being of fantastic value for the prices,are from both makers and collectors that are my friends. So if it is not a makers work that I admire,it is a collector's taste that I admire. Custom knives are not flawless.

In posting,I hope I do not make this situation worse,but the OP should have come to me first,before posting this & he did not. He could have showed me his picture before putting it here. I refund anyone's purchase if they are not pleased ,for just about any reason. The outcome will be the same,without all the Drama here
This is one photo of this knife that was in the FS thread , taken by me,with the same gear I use to sell all the knives on my site

 

[VCM3]

PS look at the distortion on the frame in the OP's picture,after seeing the entire frame of the knife in my photo. The magnification is tremendous. Accentuating the work in question.

 

[Peregrin]

Oh boy. Vince, If you are taking care of the problem, even if it is only a perceived problem, that is all that can be asked. As you say, images can be deceiving. I've known and dealt with you for years and would vouch for you to anyone that asks.

That being said; the fact that the OP did not name any names and came in here asking a reasonable question speaks volumes. He's new to the world of custom knives and we should allow some leeway for that. As you know, many will post makers, dealers and none of the details without even thinking.

Let's not let this thread get vindictive folks. If it does it'll be closed. Maybe it needs to be closed anyway.

 

[Primble]

Production knife at 100 percent magnification from 16.7 megapixel DSLR and Macro lens:

 

[VCM3]

Gary I'm not looking to escalate this. But since he is new to this,I understand his actions. He has no clue I was here in his new forum ,probably 10 years before he was. I needed to post to shed light. Do your home work,ask questions & use common sense. No matter how polite & discreet you are.
The outcome will be the same. I'm not angry,just insulted & bummed out.

I'm not a book writer,I'm not an author. I just wanted to make my point clear,that he should've just asked me,first,if he was doubting the quality he purchased. If I had a penny for every word,in every email I have written to help educate someone in this hobby of ours........ Enuff said

 

[VCM3]

Production knife at 100 percent magnification from 16.7 megapixel DSLR and Macro lens:

I see your amazing point. I am not doubting the OP being not satisfied,nor the work was sloppy or not. Just saying he should have come to me first,that is all

 

[Buzzbait]

I think that the OP did the right thing. He asked the opinion of fellow collectors, before making a final quality judgement. And he didn't name any names. The action was perfectly acceptable. The OP was just after some information.

I'm sorry, but if you want an honest judgement, you don't go to the people who stand to make money off of the deal. You go to an impartial party.

And no, the quality was not acceptable. Very shoddy work on the part of the maker. It never should have left the work bench.

 

[rickmenefee]

The work on the knife is unacceptable, regardless of the maker's potential personal problems. So are the multiple and belittling insults toward the OP.



+1 !!! :thumbup::grumpy:

Personal problem do count. If the consumer isn't happy ask for a refund. Not that hard. That being said to some ignorance is a excuse.
Bless you heart - I hope you never get azz cancer

Best regards
Rick menefee