Stand and Deliver.....

Kohai999

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
12,554
Been thinking about this a lot lately.

My buddy Anthony Lombardo wrote in recent history that "....there is no such thing as a knife emergency"......it has been sticking in my mind for a long time.

He's right of course.....nobody generally speaking will lose their lives because they don't have "THAT" knife.

WE are "supposed" to be gentlemen(and I fall down sadly, frequently in that arena...I know....try to leave it alone for this particular discussion).

Integrity, honor, hard work, honesty and humility are all buzzwords that apply...they often applied in the past, we hope they apply now, and we certainly hope that they apply in the future

I think of John W. Smith and Paul Long when thinking about the best of the knife world...rather than unattainable ideals, how they represent the daily application of the values that we hold dear in the knife sector.

You get your knife when it was promised from John. It works right, it represents fair value(actually better than fair) and it looks good, generally. If there is something not right, John will fix it...and quickly. He often works 10-12 hours a day, 6 days a week....and is a good father, husband and citizen.

Paul Long gets your sheath out to you quicker than most people can even comprehend. He sends you a bill along with your sheath. If you like it, it's expected that you remit the payment quickly. In the unlikely situation that it is wrong, he requests that you send it back and discuss the issue with him. Paul has never damaged any of my knives in the making of a sheath or in the shipping of the package back to me. Paul is also a good father, husband and citizen.

These men a but a few examples of those who represent the best of the knife world for me. Jim Cooper, David Darom, Dudley Dawkins, Don Hanson, Phil Lobred, Joe Paranee, Roger Pinnock, Joe Richardson and Rich Slaughter are just a FEW of the fine people that I have been honored to know and have transactions with over the 30+ years that I've been collecting custom knives. Never had a bad experience, a broken promise or a misrepresentation of the facts. These guys give much more than they take, rather than excuses, they provide explanations and they are inspirational.

So.....what is my point?

Unfortunately, they represent the minority, that is my point.

I have friends that go back years with broken promises, faulty product and patently failed personages. Rod Chappel is a guy that I knew when back in Seattle....he was one of the first knifemakers kicked out of the Knifemakers Guild for taking deposits on knives and not delivering....that was soooo wrong.

Some knifemakers have laughable quoted times for delivery. I truly believe that they do not intend to deceive, but when you ask a maker for a delivery time and have to add two years to it to get somewhere close to the true time....something is wrong.

When you get a knife that isn't hardened/sharpened/finished properly or arrives damaged in shipping due to the fault of the maker, something is wrong.

When you have a sheathmaker damage your knife in the making of the sheath and not take responsibility for it, something is wrong.

When you have the "fanboys" jumping to the defense of someone who falls down on the job and is taken to task for it, something is very wrong.

As a maker/service provider, it is only acceptable that you produce product of superior workmanship in (roughly) the time that you quoted and that you be paid promptly for it and that your patrons are courteous and respectful.

If we only accept the best of and from each other, we will succeed.....if we don't make this one of, if not THE operative states of conduct and being, we are guaranteed to fail.

To embody the examples of John W. Smith and Paul Long in the coming year is my difficult and determined goal.

What are your thoughts?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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I often see here on the forum, members stating that they buy knives without emotion and will buy from X country of origin or from X maker, as long as they get a lot of bang for their bucks. Some dont care about anything but themselves in the debate about whether one should buy 'domestic' or abroad or whether a maker is culpable of 'stolen valor.'

In these fragmented and ohh so 'modern' times, few care about such silly notions as honor and integrity any more. Indeed some will scoff at the mere notion of bringing it up.

In regards to custom knives, it to me means equally as much to deal with a smith with whom I have a good rapport, as it means to get a quality knife. Ive been lucky in that respect so far.

A while ago, I contacted a gentleman in Arkansas in regards to a custom knife question. No deal was negotiated and as far as this very respected treasure of a custom knife maker knew, I could be merely kicking tires. Still he in our conversation said that I could just drop by for a chat, if I happened to be in the vicinity.

Such warms the cockles of ones heart:)
 
We are knife makers, users, and collectors so we are using knives as the example. But it could easily be some other widget. The point as you mention, is personal character, integrity and honor. This is something I think about often too. I am very much an "old fashioned guy". I believe in those ideals although I too fall down more often than I'd like. None of us is perfect ( except maybe Paul :) ). It seems that as time goes by and our culture, faith and morals decay they are more and more replaced by narcissism, apathy and greed. But the discussion of culture and the many reasons for the decay is too vast a topic. I think it is a good idea that we remind ourselves from time to time of the values and code of conduct to which we aspire and hopefully achieve. If we can choose examples in our personal lives that embody those principles and try to emulate them or use them as the inspiration to raise our own standards then we both honor them as well as elevate ourselves.
 
Integrity, honer, honesty, and in general a great group of people from all over the globe. That is why I got involved years ago and Why I am still here.
 
You put me on a very lofty perch, my friend. I hope I may always be perceived as worthy of that opinion.

It's really not all that difficult…………..Just practice the "Golden Rule" daily until it becomes habit and there you go.;)

Paul
 
My thought is that you have graciously pointed out two men whose actions are worth noting and emulating. I am in a service career in which I craft and teach and have to spend more time with every job than I actually bill for, but where I could get away with slacking off if I wanted to. I try not to. It is inspiring to read your compliments to these men. It makes me want to be out there and get the work done!

Thanks!

Zieg
 
I'm very honored and humbled to even be thought of in such a post let alone be named....many thanks for putting me in the same category with these true icons of cutlery.

I've been fooling with collecting/making for 40+ years and things have certainly changed....some for the better, a lot for the worse.

The true Gentlemen in this realm of business are like cream, they rise to the top and reside there. I've met some of the finest people I've ever known following this path and, for the most part, have enjoyed every step.

Thank you all my friends and I look forward to continuing my journey as long as I'm able.
 
i used to have a rod chappel knife, i had no idea about his knife guild history. honestly i would not have bought it if i had known the aforementioned fact. i see we have a feedback forum, but i think there should be a better business bureau or consumer reports type of website for knife makers.
 
Sorry, I missed the personal insult of naming a maker about something that happened years ago. I would not have responded at all if I had spotted that. Gary
 
gthouse said:
Sorry, I missed the personal insult of naming a maker about something that happened years ago. I would not have responded at all if I had spotted that. Gary
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It's an example Gary.....the point is, that it has been going on for years.

It's not an insult...it's a fact and a sad one at that.

After my business partner and I helped Rod to resuscitate his business and reputation.....he started doing the same thing years later....there are still many collectors out there who have given Rod deposit money for knives, and will never likely get them from him, as he is retired from making knives.

Fairness and balance don't only allow for extolling makers and people who provide a positive example....and I used Rod as an example for the reasons of the age of the issue going back for longer than most collectors on BFC have been alive and there will be no further damage to his business for having done so. Rod took care of that years ago.

There is no meanness or venom in the posting....and I'm sorry you feel that it was an insult....I felt it was a necessary point.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Steven, OK thanks for the response and I understand. We have both been in this for a long time😀. I have been involved in many businesses and had to deal with shady people. Knifemakers and collectors are the best people overall that I have ever delt with. My best friends are in this business. I do include you in the respectable group.
Gary
 
Kohai999 said:
It's an example Gary.....the point is, that it has been going on for years.

It's not an insult...it's a fact and a sad one at that.

After my business partner and I helped Rod to resuscitate his business and reputation.....he started doing the same thing years later....there are still many collectors out there who have given Rod deposit money for knives, and will never likely get them from him, as he is retired from making knives...
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You should let bygones be bygones. For all you know, Rod has changed his life and is nowhere near the same person he once was. If so, you did him a great disservice. You obviously still have issues with Rod, take up with him, not here.

Don't you believe in redemption, or once fallen a person can never rise again?

There is no need to give the names of people who have made mistakes, just tell their tale w/o a name. If somebody won't learn the lesson or refuses to believe you, that's their problem.

You must be a very special person to have never made a large mistake that screwed over somebody else. Most of us have done it at least once...if nothing it keeps us humble.
 
There is enough psychology in this thread (under scrutiny) which could extend ten pages of discussion. I like STeven's condensed synoposis: Words are powerful; ACTIONS are even stronger.

My Freudian observation: Funny, how knives are a 'dangerous' craft in their usage and perception. Because of this, they attract Type A personalities: folks who feel slightly omnipotent and confident. With that comes an abundance of overconfidence of abilities.

Therefore, a downfall is the loss of actions which were overstated from the outset.

_______________________________

I am honored to be mentioned. Like the others, I choose what I say with care: because I know I have to back it up. So, I create methods and make time to allow this to happen.

Responsibility to our word and to our community is work. Life will get in the way, but you can ALWAYS take a swig of humble juice and state so. The key is doing it early, and not having to do it often.

I appreciate this thread. :)

Coop
 
Dawkind said:
As my buddy Kit would say, "It is what it is....".
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I think of Kit often, Dudley. He re-worked a Large tanto bladed, slab sided M4 for me about 8 years back or so, changed the scales and put bolsters on it. Said he would get to it when he could, would charge me what it cost....and he did...It was very much just that simple....never had any reason to bust his chops, because he never GAVE me a reason to. From time-to-time, he would reach out with an update or a "how ya doin?'

We had many e-mails and calls going back and forth over the years, starting when I worked at Buck in 1998 or thereabouts. He was a great knifemaker and a great man. We are much worse off with him gone.
SharpByCoop said:
There is enough psychology in this thread (under scrutiny) which could extend ten pages of discussion. I like STeven's condensed synoposis: Words are powerful; ACTIONS are even stronger.
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My Sensei, Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi(RIP) finished that with "Action is easy, True Understanding is difficult".

In this he meant, once you get past words into action, you must strive to seek knowledge and compassion. For me, the knowledge part is easy.....I can see often "why" people do things, but I don't often care...it's a problem. Have spent a concerned 15 years working on it.
SharpByCoop said:
I am honored to be mentioned. Like the others, I choose what I say with care: because I know I have to back it up. So, I create methods and make time to allow this to happen.

Responsibility to our word and to our community is work. Life will get in the way, but you can ALWAYS take a swig of humble juice and state so. The key is doing it early, and not having to do it often.

I appreciate this thread. :)

Coop
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Thanks for posting, Coop. Your words are measured and considered.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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If anyone has some Chappel knives that they can't stand to have any longer, please pm me!
I have nothing but great memories of Rod and am honored to own some of his blades.
 
Jonathans said:
If anyone has some Chappel knives that they can't stand to have any longer, please pm me!
I have nothing but great memories of Rod and am honored to own some of his blades.
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I think that Seattle Cutlery still has some for sale, knock your socks off!

Please don't misunderstand...I have two of Rod's knives and am proud to own them as well....however, they remind me of the duality of his as well as all men.

The purpose of the OP was to strive to require BETTER than average as we move forward in this community....the microcosm of the macrocosm.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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