10 Ring Tao
Member
So you don't really want engraving, you want it covered in scrolling?
Are all gun engravers jerks?
- Thread starter Buck Nekkid
- Start date
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Buck Nekkid, that kind of behavior used to irk me, too. But I guess now I think of it like this. He could be a really good engraver or he could be really well versed in social skills. If I had to pick one or the other for him to work on my gun, which one would I prefer?
Besides, if he was really good at both, his prices would (justifiably) be higher.
jm
Besides, if he was really good at both, his prices would (justifiably) be higher.
jm
rhubarb
Member
Are all customers jerks? 
I have worked jobs where I dealt with customers right off the street and I can tell you that y'all ain't easy to deal with. Don't get all het up if someone doesn't go all yessuh and nosuh as soon as you walk up. This also applies to those of you that post weekly about poor service in the local gun store, WalMart, TSA etc. etc. ad nauseum. Sometimes your business ain't worth the time and effort of dealing with you.
I have worked jobs where I dealt with customers right off the street and I can tell you that y'all ain't easy to deal with. Don't get all het up if someone doesn't go all yessuh and nosuh as soon as you walk up. This also applies to those of you that post weekly about poor service in the local gun store, WalMart, TSA etc. etc. ad nauseum. Sometimes your business ain't worth the time and effort of dealing with you.
1 old 0311
member
Hell EVERYTHING is like that now. Look at the backlog for a good holster. The same for grips. Craftsmen are rare, and they know it.
Buck Nekkid
Member
Well, I am humbled. Yes, I guess I was the one at fault. No question about it. Gunplumber hit it right on the head. I was the jerk. I was expecting that a person in commerce would be of the same mind as I, goods for services. Apparently I am of a different school.
When I said he told me he was booked until June, I had no intention of trying to butt in line...it's just that is where he left it. No, "let me put you down for then". No, "give me a call in May". No nothing...basically it was "Don't bother me, I don't need your work"
So thanks THR'ers. I have seen that "great men and artisans" live in a different world than I. I'm gonna see if "Texas Jack", aka Frank Lehman, is still engraving. He lives a long way a way and I'll have to go through all the hassles of sending off a gun, but he did a Ruger Birdshead Vaquero for me and it took only a couple of months. Oh, he also isn't a jerk, just a fine craftsman who appreciates his customers.
When I said he told me he was booked until June, I had no intention of trying to butt in line...it's just that is where he left it. No, "let me put you down for then". No, "give me a call in May". No nothing...basically it was "Don't bother me, I don't need your work"
So thanks THR'ers. I have seen that "great men and artisans" live in a different world than I. I'm gonna see if "Texas Jack", aka Frank Lehman, is still engraving. He lives a long way a way and I'll have to go through all the hassles of sending off a gun, but he did a Ruger Birdshead Vaquero for me and it took only a couple of months. Oh, he also isn't a jerk, just a fine craftsman who appreciates his customers.
Look at the combination you've got going...
No wonder so many of them are difficult.
- The artistic, creative temperament
- The job is incredibly precise and detail oriented
- Probably a 'technical' gun guy - more of the precision and intricate energy
- Not just an artist, but an artist whose work is in demand
No wonder so many of them are difficult.
Shaughn Leayme
Member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2002
- Messages
- 245
I know an artist, to call him just an engraver is an understatement, but outside of a select few, I doubt the public at large will ever see his work, he's strictly word of mouth and if someone he knows, broadcast's his whereabouts, say in a forum like this, you had better never darken his door ever again and unless someone he has done work for, introduces you to him and he finds you worthy of his interest, sorry that is it.
I got to know him thru my dad and I have never asked him to do any work for me, if he offer's to do something for me, then I will bring an old browning 1903 I own and see if it is suitable for him to work on.
He feels that you or your project must be worthy of his skill and talent, if he does not feel that he can bring his best to the proposed project or it doesn't meet his high standards, he will not even take it on.
His words on the subject of commercial gain and turning down work.
"I am not in it for commercial gain, I am in it for the pleasure of creating the most beautiful piece of functional art that mortal hands can accomplish."
Then he also has a life outside of smithing and engraving and likes to hunt and fish, just as much as the rest of us.
When dealing with a skilled artisan, patience and courtesy are a must, they know their worth and getting irritated with them, gains you nothing.
I got to know him thru my dad and I have never asked him to do any work for me, if he offer's to do something for me, then I will bring an old browning 1903 I own and see if it is suitable for him to work on.
He feels that you or your project must be worthy of his skill and talent, if he does not feel that he can bring his best to the proposed project or it doesn't meet his high standards, he will not even take it on.
His words on the subject of commercial gain and turning down work.
"I am not in it for commercial gain, I am in it for the pleasure of creating the most beautiful piece of functional art that mortal hands can accomplish."
Then he also has a life outside of smithing and engraving and likes to hunt and fish, just as much as the rest of us.
When dealing with a skilled artisan, patience and courtesy are a must, they know their worth and getting irritated with them, gains you nothing.
rhubarb
Member
Let me get this right. This engraver is so overbooked that new orders won't be done until six months from now. Presumably he will work into the wee hours to try to catch up on his backlog. He probably doesn't have a lot of free time on his hands. He's obviously so good that he doesn't need to spend a lot on marketing to get the word out about the services he offers.
Yet he has spent the money and taken the time to set up at an antiques show. Even though he doesn't need the business? What a jerk! He went to all that trouble just to rub it in your face that he doesn't want your business? Good thing you found out his true colors before you turned over your prized gun to him.
Yet he has spent the money and taken the time to set up at an antiques show. Even though he doesn't need the business? What a jerk! He went to all that trouble just to rub it in your face that he doesn't want your business? Good thing you found out his true colors before you turned over your prized gun to him.
From the little I read, I do not think he is a jerk, and as another poster mentioned he seems very honest and that is good. However, he should have taken your name and placed it on a list. If his work is consistently in demand and he is not new to being in demand, he has a list and your name should have gone on it.
In the world of luthiery, your name goes on "the list". You wait for three years and hear nothing from the man who will build your instrument - then, you get a call one night and he is ready to hear what you want done and you are consumed with happiness. Of course, by then, your investments are sagging, your daughter needs the "cool" set of braces so she is not abused emotionally at school and can get dates with boys who listen to rap, the new car you just bought is making strange noises and the dryer is on the fritz.....
In the world of luthiery, your name goes on "the list". You wait for three years and hear nothing from the man who will build your instrument - then, you get a call one night and he is ready to hear what you want done and you are consumed with happiness. Of course, by then, your investments are sagging, your daughter needs the "cool" set of braces so she is not abused emotionally at school and can get dates with boys who listen to rap, the new car you just bought is making strange noises and the dryer is on the fritz.....
PotatoJudge
Member
Nekkid, I don't understand why so many think you wanted to cut in line or be treated special because you were trying to "throw cash around." I also don't understand why "artists" are held to a lower social standard than other vendors, except that they have been able to get away with it. I think some people who deal with customers all the time just kind of jump on stuff like this, and having seen some of what they deal with I see why (at your expense in this case). Some people are just curt, artist or no, and come off as jerks. They may actually be nice, considerate people (see "He's honest. If he was a liar, he'd take your gun, promise you a time frame he knew he couldn't keep and then when he's ready, start work on your gun. Nope, he's not a jerk, he's honest) but that can't be seen until you get to know them. Or maybe he's a jerk, I wasn't there- neither were any of the people that got onto you. Good thing is, there are lots of fish in the sea. Lots of good engravers, pick one that makes you happy to give them your money.
Monkeybear
Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2006
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- 1,178
True, sad though.
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