Custom Knife Deposits Part 2
Deposits for Custom Knives: Yes, No, Maybe?
Deposits, why?
What about makers who ask for a deposit? Generally, there is no reason for a deposit; however, there are exceptions. Look at the 3 guidelines listed below to help you determine if the deposit is necessary. These are my 3 guidelines for knife maker deposits:
1) No Deposit: More times than not you will be ordering a knife that is a standard model; often with your particular material(s) requested. This knife should never require any kind of deposit. There is one exception, see number 2.
2) Partial Deposit: May be required if you are requesting material upgrades to a standard model. These can come in the form of blade steel such as Damascus or San Mai. Bolster materials such as Damascus or Ti-mascus and frame materials such as Moku-Ti, Zirconium or Damascus are examples. You can expect to pay a deposit for additional materials such as precious gem stones or metals. be given if you are requesting things such as semi-precious gem stones, precious gem stones or precious metals. Given the prices of fossil Ivory today, don’t be surprised if you are asked for a deposit to cover the cost of this.
3) Full Payment: This is something that should never be done with one exception. You order a knife that is so hideous or has such a horrible design that should you decide to back out the maker would not be able to sell this knife. If it hasn’t happened to you already it is only a matter of time before you find yourself looking at a knife and thinking or even saying out loud “What the heck was the maker thinking.” Occasionally a maker will push the design/material envelope on their own. More often not though there is a collector behind this creation.
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Robertson’s Custom Cutlery is your source for custom knives from today’s leading custom knife makers. We only feature the highest quality knives at value prices. Our custom fixed and folding knife selection includes tactical fixed and folding knives, presentation fixed and folding knives, bowies, hunters and skinners, and a large selection of forged blades. Les Robertson, author and owner of Robertson’s Custom Cutlery, is also a Field Editor for Blade Magazine and an instructor at Blade University. If you have questions about the content in this article or about any knife or maker on our website, you can contact Les directly at customknives@comcast.net or (706) 650-0252.