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Post by snubnoze on Sept 29, 2021 3:26:50 GMT
@edelweiss How does that contradict what I said? "We will be developing a new sword line instead of Balaur Arms." I understand he claimed he could still make the Balaur designs. His connection to Balaur as a brand for KOA was over according to that information.
It would be interesting to know why that relationship went south and caused them to seek out a new manufacturer.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 3:42:50 GMT
You should add that to your signature Brother Nathaniel! I don't know if you invested anything with this Shahzeb Ansari character. Nothing I suspect. I don't trust him. But... if you got screwed and have to sell off part of your glorious collection, I'm willing to help out. Nothing in this for me. In courtesy and kindness of course.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 3:54:10 GMT
@edelweiss How does that contradict what I said? "We will be developing a new sword line instead of Balaur Arms." I understand he claimed he could still make the Balaur designs. His connection to Balaur as a brand for KOA was over according to that information.
It would be interesting to know why that relationship went south and caused them to seek out a new manufacturer.
Right in the image I continue to post "All of the old and running models will also be available on our website" You wrote "The narrative was that OTC was no longer going to be making Balaur regardless." That does seem to be a contradiction of thought. I am not trying to one up anyone and it's really none of my business. Except, though, that the past twenty five years on the web looking at swords has kind of made flags pretty obvious. Despite posting what should be obvious, there have been some real steep cliffs that seem to entice outlays of money. Say Glen Parrell, Gus Trim and the pay off machine sale, Daryl Guertin, Gus Trim/Tom Kinder, Tinker/Tinker/Tinker, Baltimore Knife & Sword, on and on. This issue should be pretty simple though. Over promising, under delivering. Yet still, some seem to have the liquid funds. Maybe his paypal funds got locked as weapons sales, just like A&A. Or not. Maybe it takes time for those funds to trickle down to the actual maker. Maybe he'll post here. I linked this thread in reply to him on the SBG fb group. CheersGC
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 4:09:50 GMT
Maybe he'll post here. I linked this thread in reply to him on the SBG fb group. That was cool Edelweiss. He's got some "explaining" to do - at least for me. Responding to questions within minutes, not responding to others for weeks. I don't trust him. I want to see what dance he'll do.
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Post by snubnoze on Sept 29, 2021 4:13:03 GMT
Right in the image I continue to post "All of the old and running models will also be available on our website" You wrote "The narrative was that OTC was no longer going to be making Balaur regardless." That does seem to be a contradiction of thought. As I clarified, I was referring to them no longer making Balaur products as a brand for KOA, not that those models could no longer be produced without the Balaur branding. I knew that.
This isn't super relevant to the situation at hand anyways so not worth arguing semantics.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 4:25:39 GMT
Right in the image I continue to post "All of the old and running models will also be available on our website" You wrote "The narrative was that OTC was no longer going to be making Balaur regardless." That does seem to be a contradiction of thought. As I clarified, I was referring to them no longer making Balaur products as a brand for KOA, not that those models could no longer be produced without the Balaur branding. I knew that.
This isn't super relevant to the situation at hand anyways so not worth arguing semantics.
That goes directly to an earlier post I made regarding OTC making those models as unbradnded, or rebranded Balaur model swords, effectively subtracting from KOAs revenue (aside from the mythical messer).
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 4:30:31 GMT
Did forty new models in 6 months raise any flags?
Or forty new swords?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 4:36:11 GMT
Actually that's precisely what the old thread was about. Arguing whether Balaur Arms was still Balaur Arms with different branding. The assumption was Shahzeb Ansari/OTC is the backer behind the original Balaur Arms. Shahzeb originally wanted non-refundable payments for any blades ordered (which raised flags) though he later changed his tune to accept refundable payments. After which some members ordered blades. To my knowledge, no member has received purchased blades from Shahzeb. Meanwhile communications with Shahzeb have gone totally silent - at least for me - and I believe for others who purchased blades.
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Post by snubnoze on Sept 29, 2021 4:45:37 GMT
Did forty new models in 6 months raise any flags? Or forty new swords? What is your angle here? Do you want a blue ribbon or something?
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Post by snubnoze on Sept 29, 2021 4:56:44 GMT
That goes directly to an earlier post I made regarding OTC making those models as unbradnded, or rebranded Balaur model swords, effectively subtracting from KOAs revenue (aside from the mythical messer). Nobody was going to Shahzeb to purchase any of the current KOA Balaur Arms models, nor would that make any sense as their wasn't any savings going that route. We were after the "mythical messer" and a custom piece. My initial post that prompted this was to address OUR motivations. If OTC or whatever was trying to undercut KOA that has nothing to do with me.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 5:01:49 GMT
I think what Edelweiss was trying to say was - a high number of new models coming out (in half a year, from a coveted brand like Balaur Arms) is unrealistic. A scam. Edelweiss shares information. Expert level information. Plenty of members have taken it the wrong way - including myself. I remember when Edelweiss shared information to me the first time. I felt insulted. But that's not what he's about. He's sharing top-level expertise for free. It can come across as insulting. But there's no insult there, just information. So roll with it. Or take offense.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 5:09:46 GMT
That goes directly to an earlier post I made regarding OTC making those models as unbradnded, or rebranded Balaur model swords, effectively subtracting from KOAs revenue (aside from the mythical messer). Nobody was going to Shahzeb to purchase any of the current KOA Balaur Arms models, nor would that make any sense as their wasn't any savings going that route. We were after the "mythical messer" and a custom piece. My initial post that prompted this was to address OUR motivations. If OTC or whatever was trying to undercut KOA that has nothing to do with me. He is actively soliciting those models as they appear on the fb group. One thread the year old Italian flurry of excitement. I find his responses to the KOA models as easily a trap to _any_ replying back in inquiry. Yes, those in the mix are a warning/update for others. Your motivations are an example for others to relate to. Cheers GC
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 5:54:24 GMT
"Do you intend at all to possibly edit or correct your accusatory posts over the last two pages that at the very least imply some backhanded deal?" Nothing backhanded but rather quite upfront as to his posts to the SBG fb group. His last reply to me regarding the website and yes, stull (edit, still) in progress. No, I don't intend to edit anything of consequence but maybe you can carry all of my thoughts in your signature. I live there rent free anyway During your research, you found some casting photos and introduced them in the Balaur thread. Further, both Shane and yourself reposted the "find" on fb. Of course, not accusatory but facts, right? Why would you want a refund if, indeed, the producer is A OK? That's not accusatory at all either, right? Cheers GC
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 7:07:01 GMT
I am oblivious of your signature until you crow about it and I bother to look. I don't have signatures on. I'm never lonely when you post. More read you than I do.
The DSA shots on either venue were still your finding. That Shane named the source and you replied (in any regard), well, boys will be boys.
I did not "accuse" anyone aside from the OTC solicitations. If you believe Snubnose feels I was addressing him as somehow underhanded, I think you guys fail some simple reading comprehension.
"To draw a comparison of an innocent sword collector likely being scammed with this infamous controversy seems pretty weak."
I was addressing this to any as a caveat and actually understanding the possibility of a scam but I have been doubtful right along anyway. If you are regarding other maker's names I have mentioned, there are plenty of keggers to recant. Some have righted their ships more than once.
Cheers GC
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Post by snubnoze on Sept 29, 2021 14:43:54 GMT
I'm not worried about edelweiss, I've been getting in online debates for as long as he's been into swords.
Update on the situation, Shahzeb messaged me on FB simply stating "Yes your shipment will be dispatched on Friday". No other real context or information though, so we'll see. As I stated, if he proves to be legit I will let that be known.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 16:23:26 GMT
Very Cool. I hope the purchase proves satisfactory.
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Post by Kane Shen on Sept 29, 2021 20:05:08 GMT
Brother Nate's discovery of fittings identical to the ones on Darksword Armory Vindaaris being made by the associates of Shahzeb Ansari (photos posted by in March 2018, before DSA Vindaaris became available) and subsequence reposting to the Facebook group (by me) has nothing to do with the current situation regarding to Shahzeb Ansari selling new models and custom commissions as the alleged head of OTC (a company confirmed by Kult of Athena representatives to be the liaison in India to supply Balaur Arms swords designed by KoA) independently without any third party association with KoA, Reliks or Red Dragon. It is not accusatory, at least not towards OTC or Shahzeb Ansari as it is just information and the readers can make up their own minds on any conclusion or speculation. It is an excellent discovery deserved to be shared to a larger audience, as even many registered members of this forum no longer visit frequently, but rather communicate via Facebook. I do not want to push Ansari on anything related to NDA, as he can easily ignore me, lie to me, or block me, or worse admitting the truth only if I swear to secrecy. Posting a couple of production photos prior to the existence of that new Vindaaris model's announcement may or may not breach his NDA with Darksword Armory on Ansari's part, but reposting it is just sharing information that may serve as evidence for some long standing suspicions on DSA's part. None of us here signed any NDA with Eyal and we are not obligated to hold his secrets and help coverup. DSA sourcing from different makers in India and China by itself isn't an issue, at least not with me. Them vehemently and repeatedly denying it is a problem. Their swords have always carrying traits (even within one given model) that indicates the involvement of various makers of parts. The current situation, however involves very questionable customer service in the recent transactions involving OTC or Ansari. Establishing OTC's credential within the sword buying community is fine. It is difficult to believe Ansari is just a straight-up scammer cashing in on Balaur Arms' popularity. Sorry, @loe . This guy clearly has intimate knowledge and close association with the maker who is behind BA's swords, who has definitely also worked on Reliks', Red Dragon's and very likely DSA's contracts. Photos of models (or possible their prototypes) had emerged on Ansari's Facebook profile years before they became available at resellers in the West. www.facebook.com/shahzeb.ansari.5439/photos_byAll of these are just to eventually scam a few members for several hundred dollars each? It seems a lot of effort involving years of planning for a relatively small return. He may have some problems with his suppliers who are the actual makers of these new models. And that customer service is surely pretty atrocious especially after you pay. However, accusing customers of negotiating some kind of backhanded deal behind KoA and indicating somehow they deserve getting scammed are just wrong. Nobody has tried to purchase any product available at KoA to undercut their profit. People are trying to purchase models (there seem to be many, based on Ansari's profile photo posts over the years) not available at KoA.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 20:53:49 GMT
Sorry, @loe . This guy clearly has intimate knowledge and close association with the maker who is behind BA's swords, who has definitely also worked on Reliks', Red Dragon's and very likely DSA's contracts. Hey, I'm glad to be wrong. It's not the first time, and it certainly won't be the last. I didn't like how he went quiet on me. When I saw others in the other thread questioning or wondering about shady business, I probably read it wrong. I had a few beers in my by that point. Like now.
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Post by Arlequin on Sept 29, 2021 20:58:15 GMT
As someone who was supicious of Shahzeb early on, this thread has been entertaining. A fool knows a fool's farce I suppose. Hope yall can still get your shekels back, or better yet a sword.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 21:15:19 GMT
I have no idea what's going on so ill share the popcorn with the dude above me, lol. But it is as Brother Nathianal said, it is only getting lonelier. And the scammers practically live on facebook right now trying to scam, I can attest to that myself.
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