Todd Begg, custom knife maker?

ptgdvc

ptgdvc

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I am just curious. Is there anyone else around here who has been waiting over 3 years for Todd Begg to deliver a custom knife? When I placed the order the ETA was six months. I usually check in about every six months and speak to Tanya, who thanks me for my patience and repeats the same message that the knife will be shipped shortly. The last time we spoke was at Blade at the begining of June. My mail box is still empty.
 
Todd was very, very sick for quite awhile. That probably put him way behind on his deliveries. I realize that it had already been a year or more after your order that he was struck with his terrible disease, but I am sure that it has had something to do with his deliveries over the last 1 1/2 years or so.

I do think that communication is very important. My willingness to accept delays is totally dependent on whether I am keep informed about why there are delays. If it has gotten to a point where you no longer want to wait, cancel your order.
 
He also threw his back out right before Blade show, and for two days of Blade Show and a day or so afterwards he was laid up in the hotel room, unable to even be at the show. I've been waiting patiently for my various orders as well. :thumbup: If you really can't stand it anymore, cancel your order and if you're still interested try and pick something up at a show or on the secondary. Mind if I ask what you ordered?

~Mitch
 
Peter, this doesn't sound like the Todd I know. He has been down and is probably just getting back to the shop. Unless you ordered something very unusual it should have been in your hands long ago. I'm sure Mitch will point this thread out to Tanya and hopefully this can be resolved.

I know Todd has changed his patterns over the last year and is not making some of his original models. I know I'm waiting on the next run of Wharncliffes! the Emlum will be a tough act to follow.

Win
 
Anthony,

Mercifully, I have not paid for it, or made a deposit on it.
The price was set at the time of the order, $400.

Mitch,

The knife in question is a "Scar Maker".

orig.jpg
 
That is really sleek, like all of Todd's knives.

This is just a reminder to all new to custom knives why you should never pay for a custom made-to-order knife up front.

Even the most reputable of makers sometimes get in a bind due to health or family issues that cannot be avoided. I would guess part of the delay is also due to Begg's big rise in popularity over the past few years also. His knives are certainly distinctive and as well made as any I have handled.
 
Peter,


I realize that you have been waiting patiently for over two years now and I can offer up a myriad of valid excuses......a newly aquired disease, back problems, family crisis's, discontinued model etc etc......and I recognize those are our problems, not yours or your concern.

Since we had a chance to meet at Blade 05 and I relayed to you Todd's desire to make and deliver the knife with current upgraded techniques and style for FREE, as a way to apologize for the wait, you seemed content at the time with the offer. The truth is, this style/model is not something Todd is doing now, but because he promised it to you and all the ensuing personal issues made it difficult to deliver, Todd very much wants to fufill his promise. You offered to cancel the order at Blade and part amicably, I told you a scarmaker would be made, and it would be yours free of any charge.....you accepted. Now I know many knifemakers who are backlogged more than a couple years and I can't say I know too many of them who offer to deliver a knife free of charge to make amends for the long wait.

Todd intends to deliver this knife to you, free, and hopefully before his reputation takes any more hits in a public forum.


Tanya
 
A FREE knife! I don't think you could do any better than that. I think this is more than fair. Seeing that no money changed hands and that they made this offer to you a couple of months ago I don't even see why this is a problem.
I don't know either Todd or Tanya, I do own some of Todd's knives and they are of the highest quality. Seems a win-win for ptgdvc.
 
A free knife for compensation of delayed delivery is the most awesome gesture I have ever seen.
 
I have met Todd Begg, I live a few miles from him and it seems to me if you never paid for the knife, why is this in G.B.U.?
 
...and hopefully before his reputation takes any more hits in a public forum.
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I dont think I would worry to much about that. It seems the delays in delivery are for legitimate reasons, and you all are going above and beyond to make it right. True the customer is not out any money, but everybody knows that sometimes impatience can get the better of you when waiting on a new knife.

I dont know if Peter was alerted to the reasons for delay, if not he should have been given some explanation.

Anyways, possibly just communication breakdown? I think the maker here does not have to worry about a damaged reputation. Thats the good thing about the forums, it is unfortunately to easy to try and damage a makers reputation, on the other hand both sides of the story can be brought out very quickly and the record set straight.

Your offer of a free knife is far beyond what is required in this situation but shows the willingness and desire to keep up good customer relations.
 
These kinds of situations are exactly why I do not take deposits on custom orders unless it's requires special ordering of materials. I'm a part time maker which makes it even harder to fill orders quickly. Knifemakers are human too. We get sick, have deaths in the family, if a maker has children they come first before anything. I always stay in touch with my customers keeping them updated as to the status of their order. If I run into a bump in the road, I let them know. Honesty is the best policy. It seems Mr. Begg has done that. Mr. Begg has gone above and beyond good customer relations offering the knife for free. What more could you ask for. Jeez, give the man a break.
Scott
 
I know you had to wait, but lots of people have waited a long time for less. If you're going to take it for free, at least pay the man for materials, or at least offer it to him before he refuses the money.
 
before his reputation takes any more hits in a public forum
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I don't think his reputation has been tarnished one bit. Stuff happens in life and lots have happened to you guys. I think a free knife is admirable and goes ways past the norm and is a tribute to your good customer service. You also got a picture of a really stunning knife on the biggest knife forum on the planet!

I also think Peter's question was perfectly reasonable for a custom knife forum.

I would rethink your policy on delivery date promises and such. If it took me 3+ years to make a small neck knife, I would no longer accept custom orders and /or make delivery promises to anyone and would concentrate on pleasing the customers that have already commited to making a purchase.
Just my opinion.
 
BladeGoblin said:
I have met Todd Begg, I live a few miles from him and it seems to me if you never paid for the knife, why is this in G.B.U.?
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This was not originally posted in the G,B&U forum. It was moved here from the Custom Knife Forum by a moderator.

Edited: Sorry Peter, it looks like we were posting at the same time.
 
Anthony Lombardo said:
I don't think his reputation has been tarnished one bit. Stuff happens in life and lots have happened to you guys. I think a free knife is admirable and goes ways past the norm and is a tribute to your good customer service. You also got a picture of a really stunning knife on the biggest knife forum on the planet!

I also think Peter's question was perfectly reasonable for a custom knife forum.

I would rethink your policy on delivery date promises and such. If it took me 3+ years to make a small neck knife, I would no longer accept custom orders and /or make delivery promises to anyone and would concentrate on pleasing the customers that have already commited to making a purchase.
Just my opinion.
Click to expand...


Yes the last two years have been filled with upheaval, illness, runaway teenager, mother in law ill, adoption of a foster child and just a bunch of other crap that kept Todd out of the shop way more than he should have been, but thats life, and we tried to do our best. We stopped taking orders quite sometime ago, as the demand exceeded our ability to deliver....in a timely manner.

Peter, you have waited a long time and you have been patient....if you don't want to wait anymore, perfectly understandable. The offer to have it for free still stands, we await your decision.
 
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