UPDATE: Calico Forge - Andy Franco

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hey guys, Ryan from Arizona Custom Knives here. I feel compelled to jump in and first say that I'm sorry to see that this is happening. Knives are things we use and enjoy and experiences like this certainly take some of the enjoyment out of it. We have dealt with Andy in the past and received knives directly from him, although it's probably been over a year since we've had any communication with him. I check this feedback area almost daily to keep a pulse on who is doing it right, who's doing it wrong, etc. We have no intentions of dealing with Calico Forge until this is resolved.
 
Hey Ryan

I've had a few dealings with you guys recently and I'm seriously impressed. Top service

Thanks for the support. You get so many people basically saying just get on with it. Tough luck deal with it etc. But if it was them I would like them to be calm. The fact of being ripped off (at present) is bad enough. But..it's the principle now. If I let him get away with it who else will be do it to?
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_and_wire_fraud It seems incomprehensible that a brand like: http://www.calicoforge.com/mid-sub-tactical-series-knives/

Who makes exquisite knives is able to so fuck it up ! Yes, life is difficult, yes, life is challenging. However, the good citizens endure. Its our Christian ethos. Yet

you Mr Forge/ fraud. is a total lepar. Slug ! I wrote to you when YOU, promised to refund Mr. here. Via MO. This was an opportunity for yourself. (Dialogue.).

You are snake and you. YOUR case is en route with the Attorney General. US. Try with the law you ! All this is in my opinion only and I am probably wrong = disclaimer. Ban me so YOU.

The knife community is better than this and we will not tolerate this NO more. Okay. Copy paste this before it goes to the depths of HELL.

Thank you brothers, and God bless you all. Less A. FRAUD !!! Greedy
 
Last edited by a moderator:
That escalated quickly...

Sorry to hear about the bad experience with Calico guys. Hopefully with threads like these the people who do this kind of thing never get anywhere with it, or at least not far.
 
monkey edge

The kind of language doesn't belong here and helps the situation in no way. Remove it now.
 
Leave it to good old John Lavender to drop a deuce on a thread. :rolleyes:
Next time, leave the language there so people can see how NOT to act. Wasting time cleaning up after these people is unnecessary.
 
John Lavender is a freaking LEGEND okay ! YOU want ME on YOUR side OKAY ! WE / ME will not tolerate thieves within OUR community OKAY. COPY THAT ! Call me what you like I have seen it been gone through it all before. Do not give a monkeys. Since the TRUTH is more important. My fragile ego is NOT. However, I do apologize for my language etiquette. Sorry. But, feel that its the part of the new, modern English ! For which we all fully understand. Feel free to flame me kill me burn me PM me ban me bad rep. me or whatever else. Since its all been done before and sticks and stones, etc etc etc. Just be kind to other knife people, treat other knife people with respect, be a Christian(means you are forgiven when you repent, own up, take responsibility - case closed.). for your actions, and DO NOT steal from them. PLEASE. STAMP OUT BAD PEOPLE FROM THE KNIFE COMMUNITY NOW ! thank you. Have a nice day. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums .. rocks ! PS: anyone one who feels I'm a type-writer warrior. I will meet you anywhere, any time, any place. I have nothing to loose. What do you have to loose? An eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth = we are all blinded toothless idiots !! Whichever.
 
John actually tried to help me resolve this. We have been friends for years. While his style may not be everyone's taste he is loyal and not prepared to let people get away with what I feel mr franco is doing. Thanks john it's appreciated. Anyone else out there suffering this from Andy? I've spoken to a few people now and a pattern is emerging
 
Thanks, Gavin. Arclightuk, is the most kind hearted person that I have the privilege of being friends with. Great respect to Ryan, livingmochila. Arizona knives you folk rock ! And yes, I was banned from BB UK, for exposing a slug who bought a usedfolder then attempted to flog this folder to another member at BB, as BNIB. Lol. not. The new buyer who rejected it as not new, is also a buddy of mine. Fussy as hell. I just send to him before he pays for his approval. So the slug truly picked the wrong cat in this instance.

It was lightly used (carried only - tiny snails on Ti frame, etc.) CR 21 folder. So the slug chose to break the CR 21 folder. Long story. Short version. I personally returned the knife to Chris Reeves, another saint of the knife community, who heard about it. ( In an attempt to have Her, fixed.). Returned a new unit with a pile of gifts. T-shirts you name it. Mr. Reeves, sir, we have never forgotten your kindness.Gouged the living daylights out if it and broke the pivot, etc. (All this effort to bully the seller into a refund. I detest bullies, plus thieves too.).

Despite the original seller providing fresh video and photographic evidence, of the folder's condition, despatched. Regrettable, the culprit slug got away with it! In this instance the MODS influenced the owner to ban myself. Which they did. I do miss the British Club, its another great knife forum, with great folk mostly too. I literally had hundreds in my friend's list. I deleted everything in my account. At least I was given notice. Oh, I was not a trader either. I bought and sold a lot of knives buying globally. Early days was all types. Then custom folders, etc.


Dang, never made aprofit ever ! http://www.britishblades.com/forums/itrader.php?u=21050 Not bad huh. Might have been double by now. Anyway this is me - out. Two way posting is monotonous for the audience. Felt the need to though. No more from me. Mr. Forge. please do the right thing. makers are not expected to be business gurus, an added bonus if so. cash flow and raw materials is always going to be the challenge of most if not any business. without working capital cash flow is going to put a business out of business.

never easy. in this instance declare bankruptcy. nothing to be embarrassed about if the case. lessons learnt. but hurting others is not good. you are a knife person too. this knife thang is highly emotive and not getting ones knife that one's been dreaming about is hell on earth. so come on man. be good and all will be forgiven guaranteed. walk tall honor is more than anything material. truly brother. my apologies for being rude to you. plus bad lingo here. just very angry right now.

OUT.
 
Last edited:
The more questions you ask, the more interesting Andy Franco becomes.

Preface: I'm not here to reek havoc on a particular knife maker. My only intent is threefold:

1. Alert consumers to allegations pertaining to Mr. Andy Franco, Calico Forge Knife Company. It is a real sting in your derriere when you find out a recommended knife maker is not the ethical business person you originally perceived.

2. Offer Andy Franco the opportunity to forward to me the two knives I ordered from him in February 2014 (and call it a day), and/or;

3. Offer Andy Franco the opportunity to refund my deposit and subsequent balance when Mr. Franco advised me in April 2014 that my two ordered knives were completed and ready for delivery (upon receipt of the balance I owed). Addendum: As of July 18, 2014, I have not received any knives from Andy Franco.

Nevertheless, sometimes information flows to you unexpectedly. A case in point. On a lark I went to Andy Franco's Calico Forge Knife Company's FaceBook Page. I noticed a few "five star" recommendations from alleged customers of Andy Franco's Calico Forge Knife Company. However, I also noticed there was no verbiage accompanying the five star ratings. Ok, maybe one or two examples. But several five star ratings with no accompanying verbiage by the ratee? Therefore, I wrote to several of the individuals asking if they truly had a good experience with Mr. Franco and his company. I will print here several replies. Draw your own conclusions (or go to his Facebook page and see for yourself--hurry, Mr. Franco may remove the bad reviews I recently posted on his Calico Forge Knife Company Face Book Page):

Alleged Reviewer of Andy Franco 1: "I did not rate this page but I guarantee if that is the truth I will wright (sic) this guy a bad review. I hold blade smithing very close to my heart and do not appreciate having my name put to a review I did not produce thank you for the heads up !!!"

Alleged Reviewer of Andy Franco 2: "I've never ordered from him."

I just returned to Andy Franco's Calico Forge Knife Company. As predicted someone removed my negative comments and statements. However, the two comments above were sent to me privately. Andy Franco can't remove those comments. I guess someone is active at Calico Forge Knife Company to have access to Andy Franco's Calico Forge Knife Company's Face Book page?

I can't make this stuff up.

Thank you for your time reading this disappointing information pertaining to Mr. Andy Franco aka "The Houdini of the Knife-making World?"

Peace, out!
 
Last edited:
Attn: Mr. Ryan Thompson, Arizona Custom Knives

Mr. Thompson (Ryan): Kudos to you for having the courage to take the position you have. I also like the fact that you want to remain neutral. Certainly if Mr. Franco rectifies the situation selling his knives again would be reasonable.

Respectfully,

K.McDee
 
Again a bit of digging goes a long way, this whole situation stinks. As I think I've mentioned the Australian Blade forums website banned me forever (no warning) when I dared complain about Mr Franco. Then claimed on another forum it was because it was my first post - and I had no grounds for complaining about Mr Franco.....seems I have grounds now!!!
 
Update regarding this Andy Franco thread: On Sunday, July 20, 2014, Mr. Andy Franco, Calico Forge Knife Company, Idaho, called me and left a message. His message was cordial.
Today, I returned Mr. Franco's telephone call. We had a pleasant, non-confrontational telephone conversation. Without outlining specific issues, Mr. Franco indicated that he has forwarded my two ordered knives this week. He included a separate third knife as a discount for military personnel. I advised Mr. Andy Franco, that upon receipt of his knives later this week, I would gladly provide a retraction and removal of any negative reviews or comments I drafted and forwarded to any person, knife forum, or business. I also indicated I would write an objective review pertaining to the quality of his knives, i.e., an evaluation of his knives. I've only written to one retailer, Arizona Custom Knives. I will personally write to the owner, Arizona Custom Knives later this week.

In sum, I appreciate Mr. Franco's personal telephone call directly to me. I will honor my word that upon receipt of the knives, I will retract and remove any negative comments I wrote to any forum, business, or person pertaining to the issue of non-receipt of the knives I previously ordered from Andy Franco and Calico Forge Knife Company, Idaho.

Regards,

Ken McDee
 
Agreed I will also follow this path should said knives arrive to myself. Andy contacted me by email and we discussed the situation. I am still baffled by the lack of communication. However if what has been promised arrives I shall ensure all the various forums are informed
 
Update. Mr. Franco, has honored Gavin's order.

Plus added a 3rd unit as a gift. Tracked to arrive 0724014. What an utter gentleman ! thank you so much brother this means a lot to Gavin's family. your knives rock. handled a black stealth unit with an edge like a saber sword. Love the FORGE folders too. Gavin's family are grateful to you Andy. Thank you.

Incidentally. Gavin was involved in a serious car crash just a little while back and is currently recovering from BIG injuries. Gavin's family are blessed that he survived. thank you, Lord. However much financial burden from this incident. Which happen to coincide with the delayed knives.

I am truly elated for Gavin and family for this good news follow on. Great, great, respect for YOU Andy ! Truly man you made it happen. We shall send you thoughts and prayers, and hope that you keep well, and do well with, Calico Forge Knives.

We are all going to be spreading the GOOD NEWS ! :)

Yours truly
John
 
Yep I am right there with this. The knives are on route. I am happy to always say Andy is a good guy just needs to polish up on his email skills...when I get knives I will do a review :) thanks to all for comments and help
 
Let me see if I understand. The seller says he sent the goods he was paid for so he rates praise? Great, great respect?

That sorta sounds like doing -- late -- what he was ethically and legally required to do. Happens millions of times a day.

Happy outcome for the buyers but hardy worth setting off fireworks and throwing rose petals.
 
Not throwing rose petals at all. No fireworks here. But...great relief it's finally resolved. And I feel it fair to say when something has been resolved as well as moan when it's going wrong.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top