Caveat Emptor

[hso]

http://stores.ebay.com/CUSTOM-KNIFE-SHOP?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

Whenever you see these elaborate knives with claims of being "custom knives" made by "Bill Anderson", "Steve Williams", "Antonio Banderas", etc. being offered at unbelievably low prices on ebay there's a reason the prices are unbelievable for a handmade custom damascus knife from a knifemaker.

They're not.

These are cranked out in Central Asia and environs and misrepresented on ebay and other places by an Indian guy in the UK who's name is actually something like Ifran to help market them to enthusiasts that don't know they're being mislead.

If they were honestly marketed few knife enthusiasts would have any problem with them.

So now you know, CAVEAT EMPTOR!

 

[bikerdoc]

With a 43 rockwell, he ought to be ashamed of himself, but he isn't.

CAVEAT EMPTOR! Indeed.

 

[Fred Fuller]

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

"Buyer beware" is always good advice. Due diligence should be a watchword before any major purchase or any purchase of unfamiliar merchandise.

 

[hso]

The guys at Bladeforums and British Blades outed "custom.knives" and I remember seeing the same stuff offered under one of the other fake names mentioned.

 

[Slamfire]

The guy has a 99.9% positive rating, so why are people rating these knives so high?

 

[rcmodel]

One born every minute, as PT used to say.
Or was it Michael Cassius McDonald??

Anyway, the people that are buying them don't have a clue what real custom knife fit & finish looks like from the people capable of doing anything like that right.

rc

 

[hso]

SlamFire,

Look at the bids on several of them. They're all privacy protected. Then look at the bids on real knives like Randalls or Gastons or any other known knifemaker and you won't see that taking place.

Add RC's point that the people buying them see a fancy knife, but don't know what they're looking at WRT what a good knifemaker should provide with fit and finish. They by a fancy looking knife and they don't want to damage it using it so they don't find out what a shiny piece of junk they've bought. The folks on British Blades and Bladeforums figured it out, but their typical member wouldn't buy them in the first place so it isn't like the word gets out.

The whole thing is a scam to drive the prices, sales, and reputation up.

 

[lobo9er]

flame away but I have to ask is there any 1st hand knowledge of the quality of these knives I have seen them before too never bought one but have come close for a gift once. occasionally they go for a really reasonable price. For myself there are alot of other options for the price that I am into.

 

[hso]

I think one member here bought one once, but you won't find knowledgable folks like RC or others buying them because to us they scream shiny junk and there aren't any makers with those names turning anything like them out.

 

[lobo9er]

fair enough. not that I question you guys. Just sake of conversation really.

 

[Fat_46]

I was an idiot once one Ebay. I was early into my steel collecting, and had read a few posts on BF. I saw an auction for a "Baily Bradshaw", and won it. Unfortuinately, the bladesmith I coveted is named Bailey Bradshaw. While I now own one of his, the knife I "won" was nothing like that fine cutler's products. I know a little more now(my wife might contest that) and really don't want anyone falling into the same trap I did. I was influenced by price alone, and believed I was getting a deal. I now have a blade that cannot be sharpened, has virtually no value, and left an unfortunate aftertaste in my mouth.

hso - thanks for posting this information. Blade disease is as extremely easy to catch, and I almost found a vaccine before I handled a great blade.

 

[JTW Jr.]

The guy has a 99.9% positive rating, so why are people rating these knives so high?

1. People buying on appearance only, who have no intent on using them. Only wanting a display piece.
2. People new to customs who do not yet know what they do not know.
3. People who have no clue on what it takes to make damascus steel properly.
Example:
Rob or Devon Thomas or Chad Nichols damascus steel will run you approx $200-$250 for a 12" x 2" x .152" piece.

 

[hso]

Most of us start out buying flashy junk and thinking we've done great.

Then we have the misfortune to see a truly hand made knife made by a craftsman and realize that all our flash knives are junk and we have to sell the ALL to get one good piece that looks relatively plain from 20-ft away and that our friends won't admire.

The solution to that problem is to go to knife shows and meet knife makers and make friends with them. Then you have friends who will appreciate a fine knife (but then you find out that what you thought was a fine knife is just "average" and that you now have the work of true artists as your benchmark... then ...)