So what about

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Briggz

Briggz

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the Bushmasters.

Any thoughts on when these might start shipping out? Just wondering if they will be ready for my trip to Yellowstone in Aug.
 
Ya know I really hate the to a PITA, but I post a question and i get no response.

These blades were supposed to take 12 - 14 weeks, I think that has been removed from the original post.

Here we are 52+ weeks later I post a question and no response. Believe me I could care less that it takes a year to get a blade, I have waited longer. What irks me is the no reply to my question.

Dan you have been back from being out of the shop

You have made other post

Mean while, anyone want to buy plenty of other knives Dan has made?

If you don't know the status then just say so that is fine, no answer sucks.

I would really like to get one of those fishing knives you posted when they go up for sale but I guess I have shot myself in the foot.

P.S. - Other PM's to me prompted this rant
 
The original post did say 12-14 weeks. It was removed. It is noted that the post was edited on 7-17-2009. You are not alone in wondering. There are many more wondering too! They are just not posting.
 
On 6-24 in the dedicated Bushmaster thread, Dan indicated he was still waiting for the blades to return, I assume from heat treat.

I would assume that is still the status.

I have had dealings with Dan on many occasions for various knives. Dan's production schedule is sometimes impacted by difficulties getting steel, having the steel cut at the waterjet fabricator, and by delays at the heat treater.

Dealing with large custom runs is one of Dan's specialties, but production schedules are sometimes out of his hands. And while he's waiting on other people to do their part, he will work on other projects rather than sitting about twiddling his thumbs.

Like every knifemaker, Dan has had a few unsatisfied customers, but to my knowledge he has always bent over backwards to make things right.

I'm also on the Bushmaster list, I was on the Survivor list, I was on a Bushcrafter list, I've been on other lists. Things usually take longer than expected (that's just life), but it always seems like a handful of people get bent out of shape because of that, or because Dan doesn't cater to them personally, or doesn't answer their emails/PMs immediately.

I suggest that if you sign up for one of these runs and you absolutely positively have to have that particular knife by such and such a date, that you think twice about signing up.

Have patience, people! Dan makes a quality product and he does want you to be happy with your purchase, but he also has a life outside of knifemaking which is demanding in its own right.

It's just a knife! You'll get it, have patience. Me, I have other knives I can use. I just want another Koster, and I know I'll get it.

Andy
 
As much as I hate to agree/disagree, there are some things here that I think a lot of people are rightly upset about. First, that the quoted times are running in the 5-6 times over to your door. Second is that Dan very notably lets these runs go to the back burner very quickly. When he is waiting for one large production run to catch up he could be finishing the 3 others he has, but he doesn't. He puts out a batch of 10 Nessies or bushcrafts to generate some funds. Everyone here trusts Dan to get us the knives, and his quality is unquestionable. The problem here is that there are select individuals who publicly relieve Dan of all accountability.... I find it very hard to digest that anyone who is thinking of signing up on an order list should be prepared to accept a delivery date that is 5-6 times what is quoted. I know that Dan will deliver, I know that Dan will deliver a quality product, but what no one knows is when that will occur. To stipulate that this is a great situation with amazing outcomes and you are just so happy to wait is great for you, but please don't suggest that hundreds of people here should walk out on Dan and his business. Abandonement vs. accountability here.
 
I do not care about the knife as stated I care about service, promises and a reply to my question that's all
 
007 Agent ZZero said:
As much as I hate to agree/disagree, there are some things here that I think a lot of people are rightly upset about. First, that the quoted times are running in the 5-6 times over to your door. Second is that Dan very notably lets these runs go to the back burner very quickly. When he is waiting for one large production run to catch up he could be finishing the 3 others he has, but he doesn't. He puts out a batch of 10 Nessies or bushcrafts to generate some funds. Everyone here trusts Dan to get us the knives, and his quality is unquestionable. The problem here is that there are select individuals who publicly relieve Dan of all accountability.... I find it very hard to digest that anyone who is thinking of signing up on an order list should be prepared to accept a delivery date that is 5-6 times what is quoted. I know that Dan will deliver, I know that Dan will deliver a quality product, but what no one knows is when that will occur. To stipulate that this is a great situation with amazing outcomes and you are just so happy to wait is great for you, but please don't suggest that hundreds of people here should walk out on Dan and his business. Abandonement vs. accountability here.
Click to expand...

I think you exaggerate my point. Be that as it may, I don't advocate relieving Dan of any accountability. What I am saying is, when signing up to receive one of his semi-production knives with dozens of other people, it is completely clear to me going in that there will be schedule changes. This is true for just about all knife makers.

If you sign up to get a knife, that's wonderful. But the reality in knifemaking is the same reality as in most situations; things nearly always take longer than expected, there are almost always hitches in the works, and other aspects of life often take precedence.

If I have a question for Dan, I send it to him directly, and I wait for him to get to it. As stated, it's just a knife. I'm paying to get a knife made by Dan Koster. Nobody else can make that knife but him. So, I'll wait to get it, simple as that.

Andy
 
All people want is a legitimate explanation.

You can't change the details of the agreement and not expect people to be OK with it without an real explanation and new ETA. The "I am out of the shop" or the "Out of my hands" only works so many times and only holds for so long.

A deal is a deal - you change the deal - a new one needs to be made or you walk from the first one. But with this one it feels like a deal that changed and you don't get to learn the details of the new deal he has decided to make with you. So people feel frustrated because they don't have enough true information to make the decision to walk or to stay with the deal.

There are many people that release Dan from accountability and that just fuels the fire.

The ETA is still a major part of the deal so the idea that you paid for knife - you will get one eventually is not acceptable.
 
Dan has already explained the hold up. It's in the stickied thread about the knife. Go and read it. I read it. I know what's going on. You can too.

Andy
 
How about a quick review of recent posts on the thread in question.

04-13-2009, 07:03 PM
Daniel Koster Daniel Koster is offline
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Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 17,717
Got good news and bad news, guys...



First the good news....I now have a timeline for the BushMasters.


Now the bad news...they've been sitting in the *wrong* box for the last few weeks. I had called the heat-treat place...."no blades here"....I had called the CNC place...."no blades here"....I was starting to worry that maybe they were lost in transit !!

Turns out it was just a mixup....unfortunately, one that has cost me (and you!) some time. Grrrrr.....but, like I said...I have a very long fuse...(maybe too long)....and I really just want them done....done right, yes....but done.

So, at this point, I'm not complaining.

The timeline is looking good too. I think finished blades will start showing up here in 3 weeks.



Dan

6-08-2009, 10:03 PM
Daniel Koster Daniel Koster is offline
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quick update by request - I am supposed to be getting these blades back next week.




Dan

Old 06-08-2009, 10:31 PM
Briggz Briggz is online now
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Is this back from heat treat or CNC? Just wondering where these fall in line with the 2009 BC.

Thanks and this is not meant to be rushing you just curious
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06-09-2009, 10:31 AM
Daniel Koster Daniel Koster is offline
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Both - they have to be heat-treated prior to CNC work.



Dan


06-15-2009, 10:36 AM
Daniel Koster Daniel Koster is offline
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Yes, guys...these will be ready for glue-up and shipping out when they arrive.

Dan

06-24-2009, 10:18 PM
Daniel Koster Daniel Koster is offline
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Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 17,717
not yet guys....still waiting for them to arrive....*shrug*


Dan
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As you can see, on 4-13-2009, they would be ready in 3 weeks. and on 6-15-2009 they would be ready for glue up and shipping when they do arrive. They still must not have arrived as of yet. His vendor has not completed his operation yet. I am sure that they will be done soon! :thumbup::thumbup: The vendor does not get to bill for the work until it ships, so they will want to ship them! They will be sweet knives though! :thumbup:
 
DavidZ, thumbs up to you. :thumbup:

Unfortunately some people don't want to take the time to go and read the pertinent thread to find out what is going on. Dan answered the questions in that thread, so it doesn't do any good to pester him with individual questions about things which have already been answered.

All that does is require Dan to be a slave to his PM or email or forums, answering questions which he has already answered instead of taking care of other orders.

Andy
 
An "update" on the June 24th (over 3 weeks ago) saying "still waiting for them to arrive....*shrug*" = customers knowing what is going on?

This is my 3rd Koster group knife in 2 years & each experience has been progressively frustrating.

Nice custom knives are everywhere - I have several (almost all) of the Kosters, but if you look at all the posts of users mentioning they have emailed or posted several times with no response weeks to months later - it is no wonder people are getting upset.

12-14 weeks delivery - growing to 52+ weeks is not gonna work for some.
Given that - Dan should expect customer frustration.
 
geek said:
An "update" on the June 24th (over 3 weeks ago) saying "still waiting for them to arrive....*shrug*" = customers knowing what is going on?

This is my 3rd Koster group knife in 2 years & each experience has been progressively frustrating.

Nice custom knives are everywhere - I have several (almost all) of the Kosters, but if you look at all the posts of users mentioning they have emailed or posted several times with no response weeks to months later - it is no wonder people are getting upset.

12-14 weeks delivery - growing to 52+ weeks is not gonna work for some.
Given that - Dan should expect customer frustration.
Click to expand...

OK, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. You've made your frustration known. But you don't speak for me, and I'm on the list too. There are lots of people on the list who have the ability to wait and be patient.

You've been on other lists? You were frustrated every time? Why do you keep signing up?

Do you not like the knives? They weren't worth the money? You want another knife?

Seems to me the answer is easy. If you want a Koster knife, you deal with Dan Koster.

If you want somebody else's knife, well, seems you need to go deal with somebody else.

I would like it if I could get the knife I want real quick too.... but then I guess I wouldn't be getting a Koster. I guess I'd go buy some production knife for instant gratification.

If you read the explanation thread, and you see that the problem lies with other parties, why are you still complaining to Dan? Why don't you write to the heat treat people? :rolleyes:

:eek:

Andy
 
Jeez..... The problem isnt with Dan guys... Hes waitin too. The size of the runs he does are an imense undertaking. He is one man. I would hate for him to grow to not like his craft b/c he has to break his back in the shop. Long wait times happen, hurdles have to be jumped as they present themselves.

Sometimes you gotta wait. Patience is a virtue.

be well...
 
j williams said:
Jeez..... The problem isnt with Dan guys... Hes waitin too. The size of the runs he does are an imense undertaking. He is one man. I would hate for him to grow to not like his craft b/c he has to break his back in the shop. Long wait times happen, hurdles have to be jumped as they present themselves.

Sometimes you gotta wait. Patience is a virtue.

be well...
Click to expand...

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
I am new to this "special run" game too. I an surprised how late the finished product is. I also bought the H&C knife off the "other" forum thinking I was lucky to get in under the wire back in March. Still waiting for Mike Stewart to finish. I didn't sign up for the WSS knife but Dan made a few extras and I was able to grab one last week. Hopefully it will arrive next week. I ordered a few production knives from the various dealers including One-Stop. They still can't get them. I thought we were in a recession. Just the opposite in the knife business. All buyers and no/low/slow production.
 
Andrew Colglazier said:
Dan has already explained the hold up. It's in the stickied thread about the knife. Go and read it. I read it. I know what's going on. You can too.

Andy
Click to expand...



Really? You do? Where exactly are the blades now? When exactly will they be delivered to people's doors? I have read the sticky many times and there is NO information as to when exactly these will be completed. I am amazed that some think that "shrug" is real information. I am more amazed that you would insult the OP because he is getting frustrated after 52 weeks of waiting with NO information other than "shrug".



Andrew Colglazier said:
There are lots of people on the list who have the ability to wait and be patient.

If you read the explanation thread, and you see that the problem lies with other parties, why are you still complaining to Dan? Why don't you write to the heat treat people? :rolleyes: :eek:

Andy
Click to expand...

Hum, in my book waiting 52 weeks demonstrates "...the ability to wait and be patient." Why are you insulting the OP? How long is too long to wait for something that was promised over and over again that is should have already been completed? These are not custom knives made to the exact specifications of those who are waiting.

I disagree. These 'other parties' are contracted by Dan. It is his responsibility, and his alone, to get them to deliver. He should be on the phone with them every other day until he gets them back or at least a firm date for when they will be. Perhaps he is calling them at least weekly and demanding his blades, but the "shrug" does not fill me with confidence that he is doing anything at all to get them done.

Finally, the OP asked a simple question for an update. He then waited two more days before posting his follow up. He has seen Dan post in the intervening time. If Dan has the time and ability to post other threads he has the ability to give this customer an answer to his question even if that answer is that he still does not know. The OP is not asking Dan to "...break his back in the shop.", he is just asking for a simple update as to when he will get his knife so he can plan around it for his trip.
 
Just to get things straight. I like Dan, I think he is a very nice guy. Some of his knife designs are truly spectacular. The work he does with his handles is some of the best I have seen. Dan's willingness to get customer feedback on his designs and to show progress pictures is awesome. From my point of view his customer service in need of a tune-up.
 
iamtoast said:
Really? You do? Where exactly are the blades now? When exactly will they be delivered to people's doors? I have read the sticky many times and there is NO information as to when exactly these will be completed. I am amazed that some think that "shrug" is real information. I am more amazed that you would insult the OP because he is getting frustrated after 52 weeks of waiting with NO information other than "shrug".
Click to expand...

Exactly? Exactly? Whatever.

And I had no intention of "insulting" anybody, just asking them to be patient. If that is insulting, then you own a different dictionary than I do.

Andy
 
iamtoast said:
Finally, the OP asked a simple question for an update. He then waited two more days before posting his follow up. He has seen Dan post in the intervening time. If Dan has the time and ability to post other threads he has the ability to give this customer an answer to his question even if that answer is that he still does not know. The OP is not asking Dan to "...break his back in the shop.", he is just asking for a simple update as to when he will get his knife so he can plan around it for his trip.
Click to expand...

Never said the OP was askin him to break his back. Those are my words, as an observation that I dont want Dan to make his craft to where he doesnt enjoy doing it. You took half the sentance and twisted it to your needs. I understand the OPs frustrations, I just wanted to give some encouraging words. Dan has NEVER failed to deliver, might be late, but things happen. Dans busy, and im sure he will awnser when he has the time. Further more things like these "are we there yet???" type questions Im sure get old. It takes time to produce a run, especially with the problems associated with several manufacturers having their "hands in the pot" so to speak. Its very hard to give a timeline when you are relying on several factors. Im sure hes not just *shrug*ing it off, and is doing everything he can to get his work completed.

I am not insulting anything, just offering up a reassurance...Everyone needs that from time to time. :thumbup:

be well....
 
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