Thanks Mike and Jeff. Here is the deal. Many of you want our knives. We are different in that we make them(or try to) fit your hand. Take one knife style---the Elk. We make 14 different sizes for that one style for fit and balance. We make at least 9 different styles of knives, and if you do the math, you will find that it takes a lot of steel to have the dirty work done when you call to order a knife. After an order is placed, I have the name engraved on the "real" knives, cut and glue up the handles, then carve them to fit your hand measurements. Takes about 3 hours over two days.(drying time) Six years ago, I could get buy with 2-4 knives of each style and size. There are average sizes that you need more of today. Example: last year Oct - Dec, we sold and made 27 knives of one style AND size. We had them because we had made a mistake and lost count during shaping and firing. (The Lord works in strange ways) If we start a knife into the line, it will be 2-4 months before it is finished. Sept - Dec we are busy putting handles on and finishing and do not have time to mill, sand, fire, temper, clean up etc. If you want one in Oct but I am out of your size, we are talking March at the earliest. I don't like that. Yes some of the locals have ordered a knife in the afternoon and picked it up the next day before noon. We would like to get them to you ASAP. And sometimes, we are delayed with the sheaths.
I realize that many of you do not know about our knives and this will sail over your head. We try to make a quality product (Rolls Royce) at an affordable (Chevy) price.
There is an old saying "he is rich who has two friends". Well I am wealthy beyond words. I make knives to live. In 1991 I was given 18 months to live. In 1998 I was dead seven times. I am a very ssllooooww learner.
My request of you is to order early this year. The knives given at Christmas must be cut and milled by July 15 to have a chance at being finished in time. And yes there is a 4 year supply of the tiny and huge sizes but the average sizes are the ones we need to get started on. Of the 27 sold (1 size--1 shape) last fall we normally sell about 20 of that size/shape per year. It helps to not PM me but go to our website and email from that or call the toll free number 877 256-4837 which is 877 2knives. Easy to remember.
I am not trying to sell a bunch of knives, I just don't want to see a bunch of disappointed hunters.
Sorry for the long read, but maybe you will understand why you can or can't get this level of quality in 10 minutes or from China. Thanks
Dave