Would you folks who have had bad experiences with Knife Art mind elaborating on them a bit? (For example, could the OP elaborate on what sorts of hoops the owner made him jump through?)
After having successfully and happily purchased a custom knife by Joel Chamblin from knifeart many years ago, I went back shortly thereafter to purchase a stockman by Bill Ruple. The knife was quite expensive for me at the time and I asked Larry to examine it on my behalf before shipping.
I was very specific about the areas I wanted examined and what was acceptable and what was not. I told him that I didn't want the knife shipped if it had some particular issues which I pointed out. Larry agreed to do as I requested. (The reasons for my caution being the high dollar value of the knife as well as the terms of delivery and inspection and the associated costs of insured shipping and return.)
A few days later when the knife arrived I was terribly disappointed to find multiple issues which I had clearly discussed with Connelly. I'll admit to being quite upset that a knife in this condition was sent to me in the first place and that I was expected to bear the cost of insured shipping both ways.
Some telephonic and email discussion ensued. The knife was sent back and I ate the cost of the insured return shipping for a knife which should never have been sent out. (A few weeks later I found virtually the identical knife elsewhere for much less money but that was just good fortune on my part.)
Fast forward some time and I decided to put the bad experience behind me and give the vendor another opportunity to earn my business. (Bear in mind that this is a man I've met and spoken with at several knife shows in the past and had the one successful transaction with previously.)
Well, I placed the order online (after confirming the condition of the knife via telephone call). I got my receipt via email and expected delivery of the knife as a Christmas gift (as I recall). Sometime later that day my wife received a telephone call from Larry stating that he was canceling the transaction as he didn't feel the knife would meet my "standards". Which was his way of sticking it to me and saying that he didn't want my business because of the past acrimony over
his mistake with the Ruple.
(I proved this subsequently by placing an online order which was declined.)
So, here is a dealer who decided to no longer take my business because his inattention to my request and (not insignificant) purchase caused some acrimony.
I've since spoken to a few other dealers and collectors who have shared with me their own warm and fuzzy stories concerning Larry and knifeart.
I was willing to put the past behind and move forward with another transaction. Larry was not. He made his choice, the consequence of which is that I will never endorse or recommend a person or vendor who can operate in such a cavalier and unsavory fashion.
