Where is Martin Swinkles?

I second the opinions of philwar and crm3137, Martin is a standup guy whatever bad impression is left by his email situation. philwar, how is he doing?

My project with Martin is done and is in the shipping system as I type, I should have it in about a week. Thanks Martin!
 
Folks, my project from Martin arrived today. Looks great, photos to come in another thread soon. Thanks Martin!
 
I got an email from Martin on 31 May. He said he needed a couple more weeks to complete my order from back in Jan. He also needed to verify the handle size of my HRLM. I emailed him the info. I have not heard from him since. I have sent a few more emails in the last 2 months but still no response. I'll update again if anything changes. I am happy others here are getting thru and getting their sheaths. I can tell he does good work.
 
I am still in the "no response club" from him. I have continued to send emails to him with zero luck. Does anyone have a telephone number on him? There is not one listed on his website and frankly I am sick of sending emails into the Swinkles Black Hole --- I am also glad to hear not all of us are getting the silent treatment and some are actually getting orders. I keep hearing what a stand up guy he is --- I am still waiting for proof --- no excuse for this kind of treatment to customers that he has taken money from --- no matter what kind of guy he is.
 
Some news guys. I visited Martin at his home today and I'm happy to tell you he is fine. He is simply swamped in work, and is focusing on getting his assignments out as quickly as is possible without sacrificing anything.
He admits he may have accepted too many orders but everyone will receive his sheath, and he guarantees customer satisfaction.
The reason he is not responding to all emails is simply a matter of time available. Unless he notices a lot of emails coming from a single sender he'll assume there is no great urgency, and prefers to spend his time working rather than at his computer.
If you really can't wait anymore, send him a bunch of emails in a very short time and he will respond. If you want a refund he'll oblige without delay, but I think I speak for most if not all of his customers when I say the wait is worth it.
Bottomline: There is nothing to worry about, you will get what you ordered (and you'll be happy with it). If it takes too long for your liking, you can always get your money back.

Hope this helps, :thumbup:
 
Philwar,
Thank you very much for the update. This is the first piece of information I have on Martin since May 31. I am anxiously awaiting for my sheath from Martin that I ordered back in early January. I really am looking forward to it. I have heard nothing but good things about his work. However, the process is frustrating. Martin has not responded to one of my emails in the last 2 1/2 months when he contacted me asking for more info on the sheath and saying it would only be a couple more weeks!
 
I'm still waiting for a sheath I ordered last October. The last time I heard a reply was in January, with no replies since then. If you ordered in January Hondo, I wouldn't expect anything soon. I'm still going to wait it out because I like my other sheaths he has made but an almost year wait for an Izula sheath is more than a little ridiculous.
 
I got something from Martin lately. I've never seen kydex so hot before in my life, but I got a good deal and, simply put, it's the best sheath I've ever, EVER owed. I honestly think he might be better off if he didn't take orders at all, and simply sold what he made. It's becoming a more prominent business model for pragmatic reasons.
 
Hi All!
I also ordered a sheath for my BRKT Bravo-1 at the beginning of February, and also has not yet received a response. But still I will wait for more.)
But it would be nice, if someone could offer to Martin to make a waiting list on his official website like:

1. Martin Swikels - shipped
2. philwar - shipped
3. CapitalizedLiving -ordered
4.
5.
.
.
.
50. srady -ordred
51. arlecchino1974 -ordered
This would allow people not to worry once again, and do not throw Martin letters.
 
he got back to me a few months ago about a sheath estimate. I just could not part with the knife at that moment. no issues with him at all and I will probably ship him the knife this winter.
 
CapitalizedLiving said:
I got something from Martin lately. I've never seen kydex so hot before in my life, but I got a good deal and, simply put, it's the best sheath I've ever, EVER owed. I honestly think he might be better off if he didn't take orders at all, and simply sold what he made. It's becoming a more prominent business model for pragmatic reasons.
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That would indeed work if it wasn't for the fact that just about everything he makes is custom. He either needs your knife or, if you're sure it'll fit, an identical copy.
 
I placed an order and sent my deposit for sheath back in November last year. We conversed on specs and he confirmed he got the deposit, since then I have not heard from him. I kept track of his ill-fortunes on his blog and was willing to wait. I have not contacted him since last year, mainly because I knew a quality sheath takes time and the problems he was having.
It's partially my fault for never contacting him, but not following up with customers (especially ones that have paid some money up front) is not good business. He said he stopped taking orders in December to catch up, but nothing. Since then I have read that some people that placed orders in Jan. have received their orders. Why is this? Is it because they raised a fit, so they got bumped to the top of the list? Just wondering, and wanted to vent a little. His work sure does seem top notch, but I have bigger things in life to worry about in life. Chalked it up to another lesson learned.
 
^ No offense but you probably should have contacted him prior to that small vent. Just saying. That would be the first question a moderator of any dispute would ask. Cheers though. I will probably wait until he's back on track before sending in a knife. I cant really go a year without my chopper.
 
Totally agree, that's why I said it was partially my fault. I'm just sharing my story about the situation. I'm not worried about the cash, I'll make more.
 
Mountain Mike said:
Totally agree, that's why I said it was partially my fault. I'm just sharing my story about the situation. I'm not worried about the cash, I'll make more.
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If you gave Martin money, you will either get it back, or receive the sheath you wanted. You get no argument from me that you've been waiting too long or he should keep you posted you better, but to act like your money is lost is premature and misplaced.
 
Good news. I have finally heard again from Martin. He said my sheath was ready! I sent him the last half of the money and now I anxiously await. I'll let ya'll know when it arrives.
 
Me too. Sheath is on the way. I'll update the forum once I receive it.

Philwar, thanks again for your help!!!!
 
srady said:
Me too. Sheath is on the way. I'll update the forum once I receive it.

Philwar, thanks again for your help!!!!
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You're welcome but I really didn't do anything except check if he was still breathing. ;) I was happy to report that he was! :tears_of_joy:
 
Well, after having to send a block of 20 emails, I finally got a response. He said my sheath is drying up now and should be ready next week. So for me, it's finally settled in a positive way.
 
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