Hello all,
I would like to bring some fresh info about Daniel Koster and his knives.
1) Bushcraft model (fixed blade)
I ordered a Bushcraft model (fixed blade) in June 2014. I paid a deposit at this time. The turnaround time was announced to be 6-12 months on average.
I was contacted by Mr Koster in April 2019 and he informed me my knife was completed. I paid the remainder and received the knife in May 2019.
Total wait time : 59 months instead of 6-12 months.
I'm really happy with this knife. It's very ergonomic and well built.
2) Bushcraft folder model (Kickstarter)
In november 2016 I backed the Kickstarter campaign for a Bushcraft folder model. I paid full price upfront (yeah I know...)
The delivery time was announced for June 2017...but alas there was no delivery at this time.
The two first knives were only delivered to the first backer in the list (he ordered 2 knives) in December 2018.
There was a lot of complaints from backers in the Kickstarter page (and I was very vocal in my complaints). See
the thread here.
The multiple excuses from Mr Koster were not really convincing to say the least.
I was second in the list of backers so that gave me hope I had a chance to really receive a knife at the end.
And finally my knife was announced to be ready in September 2019 and I received it the first of October.
Total wait time : 35 months instead of 7 months.
And I was only the second in a list of more than 50 backers so the end of the agony is not in sight for them.
I think the Bushcraft folder is cool and it keep the excellent ergo of the fixed blade. But there is lock stick (I hope it will improve with time). The real problem is the fact that there is almost no detent (see the 1080p Youtube video below). For me it's not really a deal breaker because there is no clip on this knife and it's carried in a pouch so no risk to open it accidentally. But it's nevertheless a shame to have this ultra-weak detent.
3) Pictures :
Bushcraft fixed blade :
Bushcraft fixed blade and Bushcraft folder :
Video of the folder :
4) Conclusion
Would I recommend Daniel Koster as a custom knife maker?
No, because the wait time is insane.
No, because at the beginning of the Kickstarter campaign he never explained he was only only a part time maker.
No, because the multiple excuses he provided during the Kickstarter wait time makes no sense for me and it was VERY frustrating to see no progress on the build during months and months.
But at least I can say Mr Koster eventually delivered the two knives I ordered from him.