The lead-up is, I've been following said maker for over a year and for the most part I didn't plan on getting any of his stuff. I felt his knives were not in my lane aesthetically, financially, etcetera. About a month ago I decided to shift the sourcing of my knives from Japan to the west- European and American makers, and suddenly this guy was top of my list. Second to none. I'd grown to like his profiles, and a new appreciation to how he approaches his grinds was instructed to me by way of just communicating with knife people and reading the forums. He knows his stuff, for sure.
So I hang on waiting for my chance to snag. I'm looking at pictures, looking for demos I might have missed, I'm picturing how this thing fits on my magnet, you know the drill. The time finally comes and I place my new baby firmly into the cart just to see -
Following this, obviously, I reach out. Since this is someone with whom I've spoken with in the past I thought I'd at least get some form of an answer. His was to keep silent and, also, he'd removed the function which let me know if and when he saw messages from me.
I'd like to pass this incident into discussion, but before that, some points:
1. My goal here is not to get political. But if I were, just for quick lap: I don't get up in the morning and think "Gee, what a find day to conquer". I think about how to make the most out of any day as any man would. I did not choose where I've been born, such as the majority of people. I live in a democracy with ****** political players and amazing cuisine. I'm not less deserving of a knife on account of my regionality or nationality, I think.
2. That's why if this was only a shipping thing, I'd like to think they'd have let me know. But my country was listed in the drop-down (with basically every other state in the world) which makes me think it was placed there without the maker ever intending of commuting his works here. That said the cost of shipping and importation makes for a fraction of the cost of the product itself.
3. This makes me feel negative emotions. I know this is essentially like a really expensive spilt milk, but it's the bother of not knowing which makes it uncomfortable to consider.
This is probably not the first of such incidences. It stung for me because I really started to feel for the craft this person brings to the world, which I apparently am excluded from obtaining directly. What's your take on this? Has this happened to you? Do you, as a merchant commit to a similar working philosophy? Do you think it's underhanded, or simply justified? Are there really people who prefer handle-heavy knives? Please, discuss
So I hang on waiting for my chance to snag. I'm looking at pictures, looking for demos I might have missed, I'm picturing how this thing fits on my magnet, you know the drill. The time finally comes and I place my new baby firmly into the cart just to see -
Following this, obviously, I reach out. Since this is someone with whom I've spoken with in the past I thought I'd at least get some form of an answer. His was to keep silent and, also, he'd removed the function which let me know if and when he saw messages from me.
I'd like to pass this incident into discussion, but before that, some points:
1. My goal here is not to get political. But if I were, just for quick lap: I don't get up in the morning and think "Gee, what a find day to conquer". I think about how to make the most out of any day as any man would. I did not choose where I've been born, such as the majority of people. I live in a democracy with ****** political players and amazing cuisine. I'm not less deserving of a knife on account of my regionality or nationality, I think.
2. That's why if this was only a shipping thing, I'd like to think they'd have let me know. But my country was listed in the drop-down (with basically every other state in the world) which makes me think it was placed there without the maker ever intending of commuting his works here. That said the cost of shipping and importation makes for a fraction of the cost of the product itself.
3. This makes me feel negative emotions. I know this is essentially like a really expensive spilt milk, but it's the bother of not knowing which makes it uncomfortable to consider.
This is probably not the first of such incidences. It stung for me because I really started to feel for the craft this person brings to the world, which I apparently am excluded from obtaining directly. What's your take on this? Has this happened to you? Do you, as a merchant commit to a similar working philosophy? Do you think it's underhanded, or simply justified? Are there really people who prefer handle-heavy knives? Please, discuss
