Tough decision

So after I have visited my wife's work yesterday I have dropped by kitchen to see some of my former colleagues. We talked food , work and knives at the end. One of my former sous chefs told me that he saw a picture of knife on my Instagram and he wants to buy it.
To say the least he is not a knife nut . He always had the bluntest , dirtiest and crappiest knife in the kitchen and left them in 3rd pan in WATER overnight !!! He sends his knives for sharpening to the local guy who uses a bench grinder !!! And he steels his knives ritually !!!
I explained him little bit about proper care of knife , like it should be wiped regardless of the steel, that you can not put in dishwasher, that it should be sharpened on stones etc.
He said no problem I will do it but knowing him he will not.
Like everybody I could use some cash , especially having spent quite a bit on steels and handle material I would like to get some money back. But thinking all the effort I put into the blade and handle may be ruined because of the way I saw him treat his knives drives me crazy. You can argue and say it's his now and he can do whatever he wants but it makes me question myself "do I really want to sell to this guy"
What do you think?
Mert

 

Just based on what you wrote it sounds like you have a bit of a sentimental attachment to your knife, and so you're being protective of it. If you're questioning whether or not to sell it, it sounds like you already have your answer though If it was just another knife to you I don't think you'd have any reservations about letting it go.

A solution for letting him down easily might be to steer him in the direction of buying his own project knife with a budget in the amount he wanted to buy your knife for. This way he might learn to respect and appreciate his tools more if he has time and energy invested in them. Let him put time and energy into a blade and handle; there's no sentimental attachment for you. Or, have him buy a project knife and offer to improve the knife he buys for labour costs? That way you keep your knife, he gets a knife he wants, and you get a bit of coin in your pocket. It's kind of a win win in that you get both things you want (albeit less that selling the knife outright). You could also offer sharping lessons to him at a price (or offer to sharpen his knives regularly for a fee rather than him sending them out?). Just a thought to help with funds!

Only you know which decision is best for you. If you do decide to sell, then all you can do is move on and not worry about the knife anymore.

- Steve

 

I agree with Steve's first and last paragraph. As for an alternate solution, Steve has listed some good ones. I think the thing to remember is that you can control your actions, not someone else's. Flip a coin. If your regret the outcome you'll know what's right for you.

 

Thank you Steve , I don't mind letting it go problem is it will go to a person who will not use and maintain it properly . Him mistreating the knife and with any potential problems people questioning the quality and the workmanship of it is a bigger concern. At the end I would like to sell knives if they are first quality . The lesser good ones are being gifted to friends at this moment. Only one I know I will keep is the first ever one I made.
The company is paying for the sharpening plus I don't see him learning.

 

Gift it to me and you can tell him it's gone .

 

Well in that case, just let go. If it's not a question of sentimental value then don't concern yourself with what becomes of it. I figured he wanted to buy a personal knife of yours haha

I'm sure there's been Burke's, Kramers, Raders, etc. in the past that have undergone abuse. I think DT even said once his family puts his damascus knives in the dishwasher regularly... So as long as your proud of the product in the end what becomes of it is his problem. You can't control what happens to it as much as you'd like to. It's his money at the end of the day, and if he wants to waste it then that's on him. You explained to him that premium knives take work to remain premium, if he chooses to follow your advice then great. Hopefully he does, if not then that's on him

- Steve

 

I think a gift or a sale is just that, a gift or a sale. As hard as this is to accept...once it's not yours, let them do what they want. I learned this the hard way: We have seats at some sporting venues that I frequently give to clients or donate. Occasionally I learn that someone who 'really wanted tickets' didn't go to the game but sold them instead. I used to get furious, but over time I've learned to accept that if I've let it go, I have to let go. Steve said it perfectly....if you reach the point that you decide to sell, then you should be ready not to worry. Perhaps, rather than worry, console yourself that despite how they use the knife, it's making them happy.

 

Avoid all the downside and just sell it here to those who will enjoy it and can truly appreciate it. Win win!

 

It obviously bothers Mert to sell a knife to someone who doesn't take care of their knives, or we wouldn't be having this conversation. I would be inclined to tell him I sold it to someone else. Personally, I don't like selling mass produced knives like Wusthof, Henckels, etc to people who don't take care of their knives. I can't imagine selling a really nice knife to them.

 

At the end of the day isn't it a business decision though? I can't really think of a professional vendor who screens their customers. DT, Rader, Burke, etc. make some of the most amazing knives. They don't pre-screen their customers to see who they will and will not sell to. Cash is cash. You can absolutely take pride in your work, however, I'd think it would be a slippery slope for a business to decide who is 'worthy' of owning a knife of theirs. Once it leaves a professionals possession, it is no longer their property or their concern what the owner decides to do with it. If they want to open cans and split coconuts that's their prerogative.

Chefcomesback, if I understand correctly you're worried that he'll complain if the knife fails, so you're worried about your reputation? If you're worried about him saying it's a quality issue I'd stress that you'll warranty workmanship defects for only what you've personally done, but make it clear that your warranty will not extend to neglect or abuse. Or sell it as a 'practice knife' like many vendors do. That way people understand it's an earlier knife of yours and the work might not be a complete and accurate representation of what you're able to achieve. If you're going to be selling your wares, your reputation will always be on the line. Criticism comes with the territory. I'd say the key is to put out a product you're proud of, treat your customers with respect, and stand behind your product. Your professionalism and work will speak for itself If you start trying to regulate who gets your work with paying customers, that would be more detrimental to your reputation than someone questioning the quality of workmanship IMHO.

I think a step in being a professional is being able to take a step back, let go, and to say it is what it is. Do you have every right not to sell it? Absolutely. If you're not interested in putting your product out there though then why do it at all? You can't control what others do. If it's a knife you're proud of, then sell it; if you're not happy with it, then don't. That's all that should matter, not who gets the knife. Don't overthink things too much.

- Steve

 

Mert, I would never ever sell said knife to said cook.
People change they say but Ive never seen that regarding cooks to care about their tools. Ive seen tons of these who talk about the knifecare up til the first saturday when mates are ringing about going out, then the knives are left in a sink, wet, dirty, fish scales all over the handles, broken tips, hotel pans, honing rods falling on them, wet dirty cloths left over a bunch and so forth you know the story.

I dont want to say anything about the man, but if hes a dirty bastard you know what awaits in the knives future.
As Jim said, sell it here to some enthusiast, for slightly less maybe? [you know how it goes]

 

Mert,

Being a recent custormer of yours & knowing the PRIDE & HONOR you put into your craftmenship..... there is no way in hell I would sell said cook, said knife. One thing I have learned, with over 35 years of experience, is that the culinary arts & knife crafting are all about respecting the ingredients & tools we use, as well as, honoring those that laid the ground work before us. To me, personally, selling said knife to said cook would go against those principals. Just my 2 cents!

Al

 

So Mert, what did you decide?

 

Sorry guys , I was on holidays , didn't have much internet connection . I am happy with the way the mentioned knife coming out, either way I will be using it or selling it as practice knife here. The guy asked me to make custom for him which I declined because this is still hobby for me and I would like to work on knives to give me joy rather than meet deadlines. I have already turned two hobbies into professions before , don't intend to do again. Currently my success rate of making something that I like is pretty low, managed to make only few that are good to be sold. If I make anything decent you will see it first , thank you all for your comments and feedback
Mert