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Post by john2000 on Aug 31, 2023 7:27:47 GMT
Helloo every one out there
I was looking to order a sword form Pavel Bolf and he has some amazing sword starting at about 4000usd that no one can match in quality or style, as you can Chose the exact blade style you want and all part are hand made for the blade after the blade is made.
I would have already ordered one as he said he is making some stating in November. But one person i was going to buy a sword from but changed my mind has repeated "people order and never see their sword or their money" I would like to know if this is even a little true as they time frame taken to make the blades makes it impossible to get y money back if they don't deliver.
Any information either way would be very appreciated.
here is his site.
making katana
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Post by larason2 on Aug 31, 2023 13:09:36 GMT
That's an interesting video, thanks for posting. As you can see, he hand makes each blade from tamahagane or oroshigane (hearth) steel. That's a very time consuming process. He states on his website the process is for the buyer to give 1/3 of the cost of the sword at time of ordering, 1/3 of the cost when the blade is done, then the remaining 1/3 when the complete sword is done. The process takes at minimum a year, more depending on what is ordered. So, a lot of patience is needed. Also, there's no information on the site as to how he can be paid. If transactions are handled through bank transfers, for instance, one wrong number and your money is lost, and there is no way to get it back. It looks like his swords are legit though. So, as with a lot of these things, there is a risk to initiating the transaction, and then after a lot of patience. If you persist and manage the risk though, the payoff could be a very beautiful sword.
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Post by john2000 on Aug 31, 2023 13:59:35 GMT
That's an interesting video, thanks for posting. As you can see, he hand makes each blade from tamahagane or oroshigane (hearth) steel. That's a very time consuming process. He states on his website the process is for the buyer to give 1/3 of the cost of the sword at time of ordering, 1/3 of the cost when the blade is done, then the remaining 1/3 when the complete sword is done. The process takes at minimum a year, more depending on what is ordered. So, a lot of patience is needed. Also, there's no information on the site as to how he can be paid. If transactions are handled through bank transfers, for instance, one wrong number and your money is lost, and there is no way to get it back. It looks like his swords are legit though. So, as with a lot of these things, there is a risk to initiating the transaction, and then after a lot of patience. If you persist and manage the risk though, the payoff could be a very beautiful sword. Yes that is what is said. as to my post?
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Post by jyamada on Aug 31, 2023 16:20:06 GMT
"people order and never see their sword or their money"
That's what I've seen on other sword groups, from multiple people waiting on orders.
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Post by john2000 on Sept 3, 2023 9:52:41 GMT
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Post by john2000 on Sept 3, 2023 9:55:21 GMT
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Post by Gelue on Sept 4, 2023 0:17:51 GMT
I would order from Rado he produces similar swords and is much more reliable on delivery.
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Post by john2000 on Sept 6, 2023 22:26:16 GMT
I would order from Rado he produces similar swords and is much more reliable on delivery. Yeah iasked Pavel Bolf about problems and getting my money back as you only get 90day or 120 days before my bank and paypal coverage runs out.
He said "Ok. Buying a custom sword is a risk. It's best if you don't order anything. If you follow my website, sometimes there will be a finished sword for sale. Not often and not for long. It is usually sold within a month. But it's a way to get a sword without a deposit. Sincerely, Pavel Bolf"
bulsit response.
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Post by suimen on Oct 11, 2023 17:30:30 GMT
Pavel had several delays in the past years. He wrote on his FB page that He has health issues. This short spoken message doesn't mean a simple cold or flu, unfortunately. Pavel is not a type of person who is complaining or explains himself - especially not about such, personal things. Because of the aforementioned reason He closed into himself and stopped communicating.
This made people puzzled about their orders; some reacted nobly, others with anger. Few started even exciting rage in others and their interference lead to gossips up to unfounded slandering - people gladly believe what they like to hear.
The lack of communication I don't save. However I know several orders where He generously compensated his customers for the delay by highly exceeding the original contract. Because of some reasons this is just barely mentioned on any platform (I read one case yet only).
I worked for Him through years...I know Him as a badly communicating but good person. I can't mention a single case when He would be incorrect or He would shorten me with a single cent. The agreements were always fulfilled properly, exactly as agreed.
Right now the situation is somewhat better as He brings the delays in by time but his waiting list is still very long.
Hope, this helps.
My best wishes: Gábor Fodor
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Post by ggolden219 on Oct 11, 2023 21:03:02 GMT
Yeah iasked Pavel Bolf about problems and getting my money back as you only get 90day or 120 days before my bank and paypal coverage runs out.
He said "Ok. Buying a custom sword is a risk. It's best if you don't order anything. If you follow my website, sometimes there will be a finished sword for sale. Not often and not for long. It is usually sold within a month. But it's a way to get a sword without a deposit. Sincerely, Pavel Bolf"
bulsit response.
How is this a BS response? Essentially, you inquired about custom work from a craftsmen, and then asked how to get a refund before any work has even begun. You clearly don't have faith in this artist, and his response is as professional as it gets.
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Post by suimen on Oct 12, 2023 8:39:18 GMT
Risk doesn't mean that "You may be screwed up by our company". If the blade cracks during quenching, it is a loss of time. For both. Also: several blades were stolen or damaged during shipping. Nobody is satisfied if after a long waiting time his money is sent back by the shipping company (well, if it is...) This is a real risk. Pavel always emphasise it. Still, many ask cheaper shipping for with no insurance and wants the artisan to take full responsibility for the possible problems. For free, of course.
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Post by Arlequin on Oct 13, 2023 4:09:58 GMT
As Bolf said, buying any high value boutique item is risk, any multiple things can happen, ive had a craftsman die on me and simply had to write off the cost. If you're really worried about losing your money and wait time, you might as well just buy a shinsakuto or antique nihonto from a reputable dealer, 4000-5000 will get you something decent that will probably hold it's value more than a non nihonto.
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Post by john2000 on Oct 21, 2023 18:13:23 GMT
Yeah iasked Pavel Bolf about problems and getting my money back as you only get 90day or 120 days before my bank and paypal coverage runs out.
He said "Ok. Buying a custom sword is a risk. It's best if you don't order anything. If you follow my website, sometimes there will be a finished sword for sale. Not often and not for long. It is usually sold within a month. But it's a way to get a sword without a deposit. Sincerely, Pavel Bolf"
bulsit response.
How is this a BS response? Essentially, you inquired about custom work from a craftsmen, and then asked how to get a refund before any work has even begun. You clearly don't have faith in this artist, and his response is as professional as it gets. What i actually asked is "what would happen if you fell over in the forge and broke you legs or worse." I was trying to be tactfull Me statingthe reply was BS was hypobolic, at the least. BUT when ordering something from someone on the other side of the world who is not exactly a spring chicken and the responce is "buying is a risk"... I guess you are saying i should not ask for how my money is protected when buying from a shop? I dont have 10,000$ to just toss away and like to understand how a bussiness works before i spend that sort of money.
"Buing is a risk" when asking about my protections in a trasaction mean, you risk lossing your money.
What sort of responce would i have gotten if i asked "people say your a crook, is that true?". That may not be what the was meant when they said "people did not get their sword?". That is how just how i took it.
I started this thred to get respoces and i had not gotten any from anyone that had bought one from his at the time of the stated reply. I will read the rest of the thred and see if i have now.
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Post by john2000 on Oct 21, 2023 18:16:08 GMT
Pavel had several delays in the past years. He wrote on his FB page that He has health issues. This short spoken message doesn't mean a simple cold or flu, unfortunately. Pavel is not a type of person who is complaining or explains himself - especially not about such, personal things. Because of the aforementioned reason He closed into himself and stopped communicating. This made people puzzled about their orders; some reacted nobly, others with anger. Few started even exciting rage in others and their interference lead to gossips up to unfounded slandering - people gladly believe what they like to hear. The lack of communication I don't save. However I know several orders where He generously compensated his customers for the delay by highly exceeding the original contract. Because of some reasons this is just barely mentioned on any platform (I read one case yet only). I worked for Him through years...I know Him as a badly communicating but good person. I can't mention a single case when He would be incorrect or He would shorten me with a single cent. The agreements were always fulfilled properly, exactly as agreed. Right now the situation is somewhat better as He brings the delays in by time but his waiting list is still very long. Hope, this helps. My best wishes: Gábor Fodor that means a lot. thank you very much.
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Post by john2000 on Oct 21, 2023 18:32:21 GMT
As Bolf said, buying any high value boutique item is risk, any multiple things can happen, ive had a craftsman die on me and simply had to write off the cost. If you're really worried about losing your money and wait time, you might as well just buy a shinsakuto or antique nihonto from a reputable dealer, 4000-5000 will get you something decent that will probably hold it's value more than a non nihonto. I understand but that is not what he said really. But seeing your other post, i see should have been more direct insted of beating around the bush or asked a followup question.
i really want one of his sword, i have way to many Nihonto swords already. I cant store then anymore, they take up 2 rooms already.
Maybe i should just not get one, but i was hoping to ad one to my collection. One that i speced out to for me...
but you have giiven me a lot a good information to think on.
thanx again.
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Post by Arlequin on Oct 21, 2023 23:59:25 GMT
Yeah, unfortunately it's probably not a good idea to deal with him at this time. If you still want a foreign katana, Radovan is a very skilled Smith who makes oroshigane blades and monosteel blades,allong with all his own fittings which you can customize. You'll probably get a sword in 6 months.
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Post by haon on Oct 26, 2023 12:30:31 GMT
Yeah, unfortunately it's probably not a good idea to deal with him at this time. If you still want a foreign katana, Radovan is a very skilled Smith who makes oroshigane blades and monosteel blades,allong with all his own fittings which you can customize. You'll probably get a sword in 6 months. I'd like to add to this I ordered a bare blade with a simple copper habaki from him to build my own koshirae. Rado is an excellent choice, he sent me pictures on a regular timing, but mostly when a part of production was finished. He is great to work with, although I'd suggest to provide him with as many pictures as possible. Also, there was a misunderstanding regarding my blade regarding the hamon, and after clarifying the issue he forged a new blade for me. Overall, from order to finish it took pretty much exactly a year, while the total time of forging was about 9 months to finish, including a shirasaya.
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