Steve Corkum ---> No contact & no knives

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First off there are those out there that take, shall we say, a more “gentlemanly” approach to such a situation. Some transactions, and their details, are better left between the individuals.

BUT fair warning of unfair practices should be voiced universally, so that the buyer may beware.

How do I know whereof I speak? I worked for and with both the un-named party (who shall remain un-named by me) and the aforementioned knifemaker. I listened and talked to Steve and was made promises by him, funds were disbursed. The returns were few and VERY far between.

Does Steve Corkum make a good knife? You bet! He probably has the best hamon’s (temper line) and Japanese wrap out there. I am simply saying, again, to be careful with Mr. Corkum.
 
This thread sucks, in part, because the knives in question can be so damn nice. I've had two. I hope that the whole scene can be put in the past, ALL outstanding issues resolved and move forward.

Edited for clarity:
The thread sucks in the sense that the whole thing is just unfortunate.
 
I thought THAT IS WHAT this site is all about. Getting things out in the open and getting things stright.
I hope this what is happing here.

Danny R.
 
Exactly. If somoneone is owed $6k in knives, they need to step up and provide details - have the knives been promised & delivered, or has the money been returned, or have both parties come to an understanding? Or is someone just making noise because they are unhappy? I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd like to know the truth.

The peanut gallery needs to give it a rest. Those directly affected should step forward so we're all aware of who's involved.
 
I have tried to help as a go between with the un-named party in question and Mr Corkum. One of the reasons I got involved was to help a close friend out.

I personally talked to Mr. Corkum about this issue. ( This was about two weeks ago.) He told me that he would make things right and get those knife out to the person in question. I also asked him if I could have his cell phone number and could he call the individual and let him know when he could be expecting his shipment. He said he would. I also gave the other party, Mr. Corkums cell phone number so he could contact him.

To this date Mr. Corkum has not contacted the other party to work this out. The other party has tried several times to contact him. With negitive results.

Yet Mr. Corkum seem to have enough knive to send to other dealer and has yet to uphold his deals with earlier paid in full partys.

I really hope this works out for both partys involved.,

Brian Everett
 
Guys,

Just pay attention to the pattern that has developed over the years.

If the maker(s) owe people knives and for whatever the reason is (and most of the "problem" knifemakers have hundreds of excuses) why they have not delivered.

Perhaps you should wait until they have cleared up the problems with the "Postal Inspectors" before you send them a deposit. Or worse yet, pay them in full. You NEVER, NEVER pay a knife maker in full when you order a knife.

Ok, so this year we have learned that Blade, Corkum, Livesay and Reif have had problems with deliveries. For any number of reasons. Some within their power to correct, others not within their power to correct. Lets not forget there are some "customers from hell" out there as well.

So take other experiences and learn from them.

As Spark has pointed out in this thread, this is what this forum is here for. To identify both the good and bad.
 
This is just a classic example of poor business practices by the knifemaker. Customers put up with this "I'll finish it and deliver when I feel like it" attitude because they want the knives. It's a bunch of crap! No matter how talented the guy is or how good the work, it's all for naught if you don't treat people right. The way the competition is in the custom knife market, you don't have to put up with guys like this! There's too many good makers out there who are men of their words and know how to do business properly.
 
I could use my knives as well. Same exact story as 888 but he has over a grand of my money. For the record he does sound kind of sick on the phone.

he promised me an extra knife as well. We shall see.

So Steve if you are reading this I sure could use my knives.

Phil
 
I wonder how Steve picks who he is going to supply? It seems some people have little or no trouble getting their knives and for others it is a horror story.
 
Knife Makers and Smiths have their lies and the various degrees of the truth. Parsing words, Did you say 440V, gee it was 440C I sent.
All cottage industries have good and not so good providers.Considering this is expendable income, and you do not really need a custom made piece I think the providers of Custom Cutlery need to get there act together. I have had the displeasure to hear every line that exists. If you do not know what something is about, it usually about money or power. Money at this level would cover about 95% of all your questions. These guys spend a lot of time BITCHING about customers to each other. After a life time of being
in sales managment, and the military I have seen why failure does not just happen in this country, you have to make it happen. You have the usual suspects MR. L , Mr. B , Mr.C Mr. Bob T Mr. Goddard, and down the road we go. Times are always tough, ever thought about try a little service to build your reputation. I don`t mean giving me a deal after using my money to float your business. Just get what I ordered, when you promised, and on time.I have had better service from European Smiths , and Makers then I have had in my own country.It is the first of the year and I will purchase maybe twenty knives this year. The first will be a special piece from Finland from a very fine Smith, no ego, just business. Knife Smiths and makers we hold the purse strings, WAKE UP .
 
Just for the curious, I got the rest of my knives on Monday.
 
I know a knife maker that told me that if you land a design, consult contract it was worth about a 100 large a year. Guys like Ken Onion etc. all have these contracts. Wonder where all of Mr. Corkum,s money goes ? Several years ago when he was getiing started he indicated he could make a nice neck knife for me. It would even have a temper line.
It had a temper line that was put on with a high tech engraving tool. I sent it back and told him to give it to someone who needed a knife. It was also not sharp it would not come up on any kind of stone even after a little profile enhancement. High art gold coins are a fancy of mine, and I have some tech tools that let me visualize on my computer screen at high manification. Les Robertson said Corkum shows a pattern that needs to be addressed. Bob Terzoula, made a liner lock for me, he told me I did not know how to operate it . I sent that one back with the same instructions keep the knife and the money. Never heard a word. The good, the Bad the ugly, and the con.
 
corkum stole $400 from me in 2000.

he called me many times with empty promises, always saying the knives have shipped, or will ship next week, or will throw in an extra knife, then with the medical problems, family medical problems, etc, etc.

i gave up a year ago. i really should take him to small claims

i just cant believe people still do business with him
 
FWIW, I have sued telemarketrs several times in small claims court.

It's pretty easy, just go to the clerk of courts and fill out a form and pay the filing fee. They will set a date and send mail to the person you are sueing.

Before you court date call the clerk of courts and make sure they have contacted the other person.

SHow up in court, go to mediation, or win by default. TRhay have 30 days to pay back the money. If they don't pay the $$$ you go again and have them schedule a "show cause" hearing as to why they can't pay.

If they don't show up for that hearing you can have then served by a process server, I think you can have them arrested after they been served (I've never actually had to go that far).
 
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