The big difference...

[JohnWE]

I recently ordered a custom neck knife from a gentleman I met at a swap meet a while back.

The difference between him and the thieves and clowns that we read about here too often are many.

He won't take deposits or advance payment or "cash to buy supplies".

He also doesn't make promises he can't keep or blow a lot of smoke and nonsense to try and distract his customers from any failings.

He's charging me an incredibly reasonable price for my knife, I'm really looking forward to getting it.

I'm not going to name him because I don't believe he's a vendor or a member here, he's a pretty well known artist, knife maker and and mountain man re-enactor in the Santa Fe area.

My point is this, there are people who know how to make and sell things who aren't sociopaths and we'd be wise to seek them out. In the relatively short time I've been here I've learned plenty about the thieves and liars who steal money from their would-be customers. I'm just sorry that so many people get taken in.

 

[TOMBSTONE]

I hear Ya. There are an incredible amount of talented knifemakers out there. Unfortunately not all of them operate honestly, efficiently, and with integrity. Far too many have poor attitudes and act like they are doing the customer the huge favor, and you should be honored to be treated however they see fit. Fortunately we have places like this to expose the unscrupulous makers from the great ones.

 

[David Stifle]

It seems to me the guys who cause the most trouble aren't knife makers, but guys who mod knives. Not sure if I'm right, but a lot of what I read here references guys putting on new handles, or waves, etc., on guys knives, and not living up to promised delivery dates. The second category seems to be guys who fail to honor fair trades.


As for makers on BF, 99% will not take advance payment or money for supplies, unless you want something rare or ridiculously expensive, such as solid ivory handles, and so on, and even then, I personally still wouldn't ask for advance payment. Of course, there's always a bad apple or two, but all the makers I know are scrupulously honest and hard working.

 

[JR88FAN]

It seems to me the guys who cause the most trouble aren't knife makers, but guys who mod knives. Not sure if I'm right, but a lot of what I read here references guys putting on new handles, or waves, etc., on guys knives, and not living up to promised delivery dates. The second category seems to be guys who fail to honor fair trades.


As for makers on BF, 99% will not take advance payment or money for supplies, unless you want something rare or ridiculously expensive, such as solid ivory handles, and so on, and even then, I personally still wouldn't ask for advance payment. Of course, there's always a bad apple or two, but all the makers I know are scrupulously honest and hard working.

.....Even if you try, as I did with Alan Davis as I trust him as much as anyone, but he wasn't having any of that. 'Funds when knife is complete and you are happy' and that's the way it should be.

 

[Monofletch]

There are a bunch of great makers on this forum that will go above and beyond to help you get what you want.