Steve Corkum

They say when you find you're in a hole -- quit digging. Well, when all you've got to eat is dirt, you can't quit digging. With Steve Corkum's reputation right now, it doesn't make sense to order custom knives from him, but to boycott the CRKT collaborations doesn't make sense, either. Maybe any money from that will keep him going long enough to clear up his back orders or refunds.
 
He recruited me many months ago. I agreed to buy a few knives and have him send them COD. He called a few weeks ago. I had forgotten about the order. He said he had the order done and was sending it. I said fine. Apparently that wasn't the case. I'm not out any money but I do need more reliability than that from suppliers.

Frankly, the only custom maker in my very limited experience that was a reliable supplier was Alan Elishewitz. His work ethic was as good as his products. Sadly, he's stopped taking orders for customs obviously seeing no point in simply extending the length of his waiting list. Most custom makers are iffy suppliers for knife dealers because they are slow and unreliable. Even higher volume semi custom makers like Chris Reeve are slow in filling orders. There are dealers who specialize in custom knives and they are set up to deal with these things but general dealers like us have a tough time adapting to it. I guess it's the nature of the beast.
 
Knife Outlet said:
He said he had the order done and was sending it. I said fine. Apparently that wasn't the case.........
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Old Led Zepplin........"The Song Remains the Same" :grumpy:

Folks, it ain't never gonna change, IMHO........ :barf: :rolleyes:
 
Dawkind said:
Old Led Zepplin........"The Song Remains the Same" :grumpy:

Folks, it ain't never gonna change, IMHO........ :barf: :rolleyes:
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Dudley, that's a great Zepplin song, but this is becoming a really sad tune with Corkum.
 
I was contacted as well, asked if I would like to be one of his dealers, and told he keeps a bunch of knives ready to just put handles on and can deliver quickly...then I believe he said terms would be 50% deposit, and 50% on delivery. Considering I didn't ask for his knives, and had no history with him, I was not inclined to put down any money. Then I checked around! All things considered, I'm glad I didn't get involved.
I did think it odd that he would call me asking to be a dealer...usually it's the other way around.
 
dweikum said:
....he said terms would be 50% deposit, and 50% on delivery...........
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Ah yes...........the ol', "All I need to do is wrap the handles and I'll get them right out.........". That would probably be right after he finishes up the other 900 or so knives that he's collected the money on but still needs to "wrap the handles" of. :barf:

I'm extremely glad that you did not send him one red cent and I truly hope that you never do!!! I'd hate to have to give ya hell EVERYDAY FROM NOW ON!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
 
Hey all. I wish i knew about this forum before today. I have a huge outstanding order with Steve Corkum. wondering if anyone has heard from him recently? I have called his numbers and and his voice mail keeps saying it is full and to try again some other time. I haven't heard from him in a wile. I have had an order going on for about 3 years :grumpy:
 
dweikum said:
I was contacted as well, asked if I would like to be one of his dealers, and told he keeps a bunch of knives ready to just put handles on and can deliver quickly...then I believe he said terms would be 50% deposit, and 50% on delivery. Considering I didn't ask for his knives, and had no history with him, I was not inclined to put down any money. Then I checked around! All things considered, I'm glad I didn't get involved.
I did think it odd that he would call me asking to be a dealer...usually it's the other way around.
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DUDE, This was us in the exact deal about 4 or 5 months ago, I too asked around and a forum members said, stay away, glad I did. Paul
 
While gazing into the showcases at New Graham Pharmacy last week, I noticed they have a bunch of these Corkum customs in stock. I hope they have their ducks in a row and don't get burned. They are my favorite knife dealer. Where else can you get the breakfast special and eat it roughly three paces from the largest collection of Spyderco knives in the Eastern United States? :D
 
Our ducks are in a row with Corkum NP there, Guess 70 years in the retail business and a owner with 30 years exp. gives some insight on handling situations such as these. So come on back eat, look and enjoy the knives we ain't going anywhere.
 
FingerbreakerTS said:
Hey all. I wish i knew about this forum before today. I have a huge outstanding order with Steve Corkum. wondering if anyone has heard from him recently? I have called his numbers and and his voice mail keeps saying it is full and to try again some other time. I haven't heard from him in a wile. I have had an order going on for about 3 years :grumpy:
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Yep,
Never ending stories with Corkum or else he just won' t pick up the phone. I actually talked to the slime ball yesterday. Same thing "you will get your order". I' m not holding my breath on that. He must have hit the wrong button on his phone or something. He normally doesn' t answer if he knows the number. His excuses are always way out there. Anyone that has had as many acidents as he has should not be making knives. Been waiting for my order for the past 2 years now. And the amount isn' t small. It' s just left a stain in my collecting and whatever I ordered from his dealers are being sold. I don' t need trash from this guy tarnishing my collection. His work isn' t the greatest either. I' ve ruined several of them while in Afghanistan. He says he can repair them if I send them back. But, I will never see them again if I sent them back.
 
I like many others I have only had good experiences with Knife Makers such as Phil Hartsfield, Bob Terzuola, Bob Lum, Bud Nealy, to name a few, coupled with the fact that my buddy bought a Hawk knife from Mr. Corkum at one of the East Coast knife shows a few years back. So we ordered two of his Kiradashi knives, dutifully sent him $320, that was almost one year ago. After several phone conversations (which he went on and on about all his explots all other the world), each one promising me the knives in a week or so, we still have nothing to show for our money. I understand people fall on hard times or are hit with an illness, but it sounds like he owes people several thousands of dollars. I say if you can't deliver the knifes you originaly told me "just needed the handles wrapped" then send me my money back (which I respectfully asked for several times in mail and phone calls) and I'll be on my way. And now you CAN NOT contact him his web sit his down, the home or land number rings and rings, the cell phone is full and can't accept any more messages, and e-mail is undeliverable. Its just WRONG we know it and he damm sure should know it. :grumpy:
 
I have a friend here in San Diego who has a Knife shop that deals in Production knives And Customs.He told me awhile back the Corkum approached him about becoming a "Corkum Dealer".As of a few weeks ago he's still heard nothing back from Steve.I can understand someone being slowed down by an Illness or Bad Health,But Knowing that and to keep taking orders and People's money is Wrong No Matter how you look at it.I believe that Corkum wanted my friend to Pre-Order some of his knives.I'm glad it didn't go through,otherwise my friend would have been added to the Growing list of Dis-Satisfied customers.It's hard enough making a living in this Screwed Up World without being Screwed Over.
 
One good thing I heard from the inside is that because of all these situations, the company he has a collaboration with, will not be renewing his contract and regret ever dealing with him.
Hopefully that cost him some money.
 
Corkum called on Monday. Another recruiting call. I explained that he had already recruited me, that I had already placed an order and that he had already not filled it. Apparently he had forgotten. Glad I didn't give him any money. I feel sorry for those that did.
 
I am new to Blade Forums. I am sorry that I am opening with this.

I, too, am a victim of Steve Corkum's "reputation". It has been over 2 and 1/2 years and he still owes me over $4000.00 worth of knives (2 swords, 3 knives, and 1 hawk). For 2 years he was "shipping on Monday" and for over the last 6 months he has not returned messages or emails. Sick or not, this is unacceptable. How sick can someone be and still be looking for new dealers?

Steve, if you are reading, get with me. You have my number. If Anyone is a friend of Steve's, have him return some message.

David Farmer
 
Just wondering, has anybody tried to press fraud charges against Corkum,or taken him to court?

It's just sad that this guy is able to keep on screwing people!
 
Whomever got screwed take him to small claims court.This can be done even from another State.Contact the local court that deals with his location,and they can send you the paperwork to file for court.Contact the Attorney General for Pennsylvania.Perhaps that will get his attention.What he is doing is illegal.
 
He too has approached us to carry his knives not once, but twice. Each time when we wanted to see a contract, images, etc we would never hear from him again for 6-8 months. The last time he approached us by phone he wanted to know why we haven't decided to sell his knives. I informed him that I never received any paperwork, images, etc. He then gave us a bogus email address and have not heard from him since. Never pay this guy a dime up front and he'll stop bothering you. The advise to take is court is a good one. He will lose. The problem is will he pay?
 
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