Where is Martin Swinkels?

I

ilester

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Does anyone know where Martin Swinkels is? I ordered a sheath from Martin in Sept and I've been trying to contact him for over a month on his e-mail address with no reply. My last correspondence with him was in Sept 2012 and normally he would reply within a day or two?! Perhaps he's on a mountain somewhere. I hope he's ok!
 
I'm surprised to hear this.
I've had really good dealings with him in the past.
I'm sorry to hear that you're having issues. Have you tried his facebook?
 
Ok, there's clearly a trend. I guess I'll sit tight and let the artist do what the artist does. Either way, by all accounts it's worth the wait and art should never be hurried. I Can't wait to slide my Jerry Hossom Retribution into my Martin Swinkels Sheath.
 
I've still heard nothing from the man despite sending him a couple more e-mails. Does anyone have a telephone number where I can call him? I'm beginning to think I've been had!
 
Martin will get to you as soon as possible. I have had GREAT dealings with him in the past and he is a stand up guy. Whatever is keeping him away is probably important, so don't worry. He will get back to you when he can, Im sure of it. Hope that helps
dave
 
d.weglarz13 said:
Martin will get to you as soon as possible. I have had GREAT dealings with him in the past and he is a stand up guy. Whatever is keeping him away is probably important, so don't worry. He will get back to you when he can, Im sure of it. Hope that helps
dave
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Hi Dave, Thanks. He posted an update on his website saying that he was behind on his e-mail so I guess I'll sit tight. I'm sure it'll be worth the wait when the sheath eventually arrives :-)
 
I also seen the post about being behind on Emails as well... But I didn't see a post about being behind on his sheaths... I ordered and sent payment on my Fallkniven S1 sheath on June 25, 2012... Yup that's been almost 7months with no reply... I have vowed not to use my Fallkie until I get the sheath... And believe me the anticipation is killing me... Where are you Mr. Swinkels... Can I please get an update...
 
I actually managed to make contact with Martin via Europeanblades.com and he did say he was battling to catch up on e-mails and was focusing on getting orders out. I'm guessing he has become a victim of his own success and probably can't cope with the demand (Let's face it, there's nothing else on the market even remotely like what he does). The reality I suppose is he is one man who makes a custom product meaning we all need to accept that art takes time. In a weird kind of way it makes the final thing that much more enjoyable. Hang in there!
 
"The reality I suppose is he is one man who makes a custom product meaning we all need to accept that art takes time. In a weird kind of way it makes the final thing that much more enjoyable. Hang in there! "

Baloney. There are many sheath makers that can get the work done in less than a month. See Paul Long on these forums. He's probably the most successful sheathmaker on these boards. He won't rip you off and he sticks to his schedule.
 
You're probably right. I just keep telling myself that to stop myself from getting pissed off. I'll definitely look up Paul Long.
 
I can't find my previous posts about this (I've made a few over the years) but I paid Martin for a sheath back in 2011 & we had regular correspondence over a month or two. Since Paying him I could not get in touch with him ever again. I know he aint a bad guy, he's got good rep. So gutted. Doesn't look like I'll get my money or my sheath.
 
christoophar said:
I can't find my previous posts about this (I've made a few over the years) but I paid Martin for a sheath back in 2011 & we had regular correspondence over a month or two. Since Paying him I could not get in touch with him ever again. I know he aint a bad guy, he's got good rep. So gutted. Doesn't look like I'll get my money or my sheath.
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Hi Chris. Weirdly, everyone seems to give Swinkels the benefit of the doubt, but in my book there's only one name for a person who takes your money and runs and it's "thief". Swinkel / Swindle...should have seen it coming I guess.
 
Hi ilester. Fair point well made mate I guess. It's just so weird. Martin & I put a lot of time in to the design aspects and we had so many emails back & forth. He was really helpful, seemed dedicated and interested in designing a bespoke sheath for my NL5. Then - sporadic apologies for delay and problems with communication, then....trail ran dry. I was so excited about the sheath and owning some of his handiwork as the stuff he's done before is awesome & comes well recommended. I thought to myself 'I'm not so fussed about the money', but to be honest, yeah it kinda sticks in my craw to think I've been robbed. So this Paul Long guy, what do you know about him? [I'm determined to get a custom sheath for my NL5 as the stock Fällkniven sheaths aren't up to scratch]
 
ilester said:
Hi Chris. Weirdly, everyone seems to give Swinkels the benefit of the doubt, but in my book there's only one name for a person who takes your money and runs and it's "thief". Swinkel / Swindle...should have seen it coming I guess.
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Hi ilester. Fair point well made mate I guess. It's just so weird. Martin & I put a lot of time in to the design aspects and we had so many emails back & forth. He was really helpful, seemed dedicated and interested in designing a bespoke sheath for my NL5. Then - sporadic apologies for delay and problems with communication, then....trail ran dry. I was so excited about the sheath and owning some of his handiwork as the stuff he's done before is awesome & comes well recommended. I thought to myself 'I'm not so fussed about the money', but to be honest, yeah it kinda sticks in my craw to think I've been robbed. So this Paul Long guy, what do you know about him? [I'm determined to get a custom sheath for my NL5 as the stock Fällkniven sheaths aren't up to scratch]
 
I'm fairly familiar with this Paul Long guy. Email me and I'll fill you in.

Paul
 
christoophar said:
Hi ilester. Fair point well made mate I guess. It's just so weird. Martin & I put a lot of time in to the design aspects and we had so many emails back & forth. He was really helpful, seemed dedicated and interested in designing a bespoke sheath for my NL5. Then - sporadic apologies for delay and problems with communication, then....trail ran dry. I was so excited about the sheath and owning some of his handiwork as the stuff he's done before is awesome & comes well recommended. I thought to myself 'I'm not so fussed about the money', but to be honest, yeah it kinda sticks in my craw to think I've been robbed. So this Paul Long guy, what do you know about him? [I'm determined to get a custom sheath for my NL5 as the stock Fällkniven sheaths aren't up to scratch]
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Hi Chris,

I had the identical experience so I guess it's his MO. The fact remains is that he has our money and we have nothing except a bad story to tell. In the greater scheme of the things the $20 deposit is insignificant but that said, we're two of who knows how many others who have been ripped off. $20 multiplied by lots of trusting chumps like you and I pays for a mountaineering trip or two which he seems to enjoy. The least he could do is send us some pics seeing as we're the ones paying for it:)

I eventually found a guy in South Africa who sorted me out so I can't vouch for Paul's work. The sad thing is that guys like Martin give the whole online thing a bad rep which spoils it for everyone.

I used PayPal to pay him who have a very strict policy on non-delivery. In the interest of doing the right thing and making sure he doesn't catch others, I thinks it time to report him to have his mountain air holiday fund shut down.
 
sheathmaker said:
I'm fairly familiar with this Paul Long guy. Email me and I'll fill you in.

Paul
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HA, good one.




If anyone is wondering, you can't go wrong with Paul Long. A master, with an absolutely stellar reputation. More than that, he is always helpful, and gives great advice to hobbyists etc.
 
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