Nick Johnson/Knives by Nick -- myArmoury.com

A. Heidalen Skog · Posted: Sat 26 Feb, 2011 3:35 pm Post subject: Nick Johnson/Knives by Nick

Hi all.

I am wondering if anyone here has heard of this man recently? I ordered a few items from him last summer, payed 50% in advance, and have heard nothing from him since the 14th of September last year.

He has got two websites:

http://www.knivesbynick.co.uk/index.html

http://www.ironick.co.uk/

Thanks in advance.

Simon G. · Posted: Sat 26 Feb, 2011 6:19 pm Post subject: Re: Nick Johnson/Knives by Nick

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Sat 26 Feb, 2011 7:06 pm Post subject:

As Simon rightly points out, I have commissioned work from Nick relatively recently.

I placed the order for my boarding axe in mid-July 2010 (with a 50% deposit) and it was finished and shipped mid-October 2010.

Some of you out there may have more recent experience of working with Nick (or he may even be reading this topic), but I can't really fault the quality of his work for the price, even though he took a lot longer than he originally quoted (that's not unusual for a totally custom piece that wasn't particularly straightforward in its design).

Most of my communication was by email, to which he responded speedily, although I did need to give the occasional prod when things went quiet.

Hope you get through to him OK, as I thought the finished article was worth the wait.

Julian

Philip Melhop · Posted: Sun 27 Feb, 2011 6:07 am Post subject:

Wish I had seen this earlier, I have just paid a deposit on a boarding axe too. He was very prompt in responding to my emails and quoted a 6-8 week delivery.
I guess I wait and see.
Phil

A. Heidalen Skog · Posted: Sun 27 Feb, 2011 8:37 am Post subject:

I have contacted him several times by mail, but no answer. Have not called though.

Paying almost 400$ (50%) up front, and not to receive a word is not fun at all.

Phil Crawley · Posted: Sun 27 Feb, 2011 12:11 pm Post subject:

I've ordered from him twice.

The first item came promptly and even had extra bits thrown in for free. The second item was months overdue, having been quoted weeks, and it took a serious amount of effort on my part to get it out of him, including threatening legal action.

The quality was excellent on both pieces though so I suspect it's the usual problem of a one man operation being "discovered" and getting a deluge of unexpected orders.

I'm considering a third order ( some kind of fokos) but will be expecting and negotiating a realistic delivery time from him

A. Heidalen Skog · Posted: Sun 27 Feb, 2011 10:10 pm Post subject:

Received an e-mail from Nick last night. Someone on this forum had contacted him mentioning this thread.
Thank you whoever you are ^^

It seems he is a bit overworked.

Philip Melhop · Posted: Sun 27 Feb, 2011 11:52 pm Post subject:

Wasn't me, but it never hurts for these guys to know that we talk to each other Big Grin

Personally I find "overworked" to be a very poor excuse for non-communication. If you can't do the work in a timely manner ........don't take the deposit.
Phil

Bridget C · Posted: Mon 28 Feb, 2011 11:17 am Post subject:

Hi Everyone
This is my very first entry on a forum!! I wish I had discovered this forum in November 2010 when I placed an order with Nick and paid for it in full – yep in full – mug that I am.
He explained that my langsax would not be ready before Christmas and I had no problem with that, he also said that he would be in contact soon. I have since tried to contact him via emails – all ignored until I had to send a rather unpleasant one. He got back to me apologising and stating that he had had ‘computer problems’ and had lost my details and that he hoped to finish the langsax by the end of the week. Two weeks later my husband telephoned him to inquire about the order only to be told that he had hurt his knee and was on crutches, but he only had three outstanding orders one of which was ours. I now read that he is overworked – 3 different excuses.
I have do not have a problem having to wait for items – if I’d been sent a langsax the following week I’d have known it wasn’t custom made. However, what I do have a problem with is his lack of contact – an email just to say that he had not forgotten us and to give us an update on the progress (or non progress as the case might be) would have been nice. Instead I got nothing at all with a worry that I have been a victim to a conman.
My son tells me that I will be getting a TLDR for this posting – I really hope I don’t but I am rather cross!!

Emil Andersson · Posted: Mon 28 Feb, 2011 11:21 am Post subject:

Philip Melhop · Posted: Mon 28 Feb, 2011 1:20 pm Post subject:

have to say that I have had dealings with a number of makers in the UK and have had no problems, I will wait and see what happens, the proposed delivery time puts it outside the Paypal dispute window Mad

.
Phil

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Philip Melhop · Posted: Thu 03 Mar, 2011 10:03 am Post subject:

did the original poster get sorted to their satisfaction? How about Bridget C?
sorry about the bump but I have a personal interest here
Thanks
Phil

Bridget C · Posted: Thu 03 Mar, 2011 10:08 am Post subject:

A. Heidalen Skog · Posted: Thu 03 Mar, 2011 4:21 pm Post subject:

Paul Moxon · Posted: Tue 15 Mar, 2011 11:52 am Post subject: Order from Nick

I ordered from Nick in mid December and have emailed him a few times with one response. He mentioned he had hurt his knee, this might be why the wait is so long. However, originally he said it would take him 4 weeks to complete the order and in his last email 1 week, that was nearly a month ago now. I recently sent him another email asking for a refund, as my wife and kids gave me the money for my Christmas present :-) Looks like Dad won't be getting a Christmas present this time around. I'll let you know if I ever get the Scramasax or my money back.

Bridget C · Posted: Thu 17 Mar, 2011 2:38 pm Post subject:

Well, its a happy ending for me as my item has now been picked up for courier delivery.

Philip Melhop · Posted: Fri 18 Mar, 2011 3:07 am Post subject:

That is good news Big Grin

I had contact a couple of days ago, so there is hope yet.
Does anyone know if he is aware of this thread?
Phil

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Fri 18 Mar, 2011 5:54 am Post subject:

Bridget C · Posted: Sun 20 Mar, 2011 2:15 pm Post subject:

We collected the most magnificent Langsax late on Friday evening - just as the courier was shutting up shop (we were out when they attempted delivery)

All I can say is it was worth every second of the wait, it is truly a beautiful, one of a kind item from the sheath to the blade. The only fault I can make is the lack of contact from Nick, his skills and quality of workmanship cannot be faulted in any way.

We shall be recommending him and (if he will accept our order!) will use him again. and we will try to be more patient!

I have written to Nick to say how pleased we are with the item and - well basically everything I have already mentioned.

My advice is to anyone who wishes to commission Nick is to order long before the item is required.

I sincerely hope that everyone else who is waiting for an item from Nick are as pleased with their order as we are our with ours.