Vladimir Cervenka?

[Nikos]

Well, I was at Mark's today to pick up a sword, and as you say he is keen to remedy whatever he can. I was unable to move the quillons out of true on the sword you mentioned, but I didn't go as far as hitting it with another sword.

Personally I I've always thought it best to seek satisfaction from small businessmen before complaining about them on a public forum - the Review section here is public - because their business exists on their reputation. Otherwise they might feel they are being publicly victimised, which I am quite sure is not your intention, Nikos.
Of course if a swordmaker or any other business fails to acknowledge or remedy a problem then it's a public service to blow the whistle.

I hope you don't mind me stating my opinion about complaints and craftsmen, Nikos~ No offence intended and none taken I hope. I've always been a bit cranky on this topic since the old Sword Forum days.

I know what you mean, and no, no offence taken of course. If you couldn't move it from true then he must have worked on it, because when I sent them one was no where near true, and the other one could easily be moved. Also, I think what I have had to say was important to the community, I did contact him first, and I didn't get a very polite or helpful response, it was only when he was contacted by someone else that he got into gear, I have simply explained the scenario, which I do feel is very important, because I buy swords based on reputation. I didn't actually bring this up here at all, just reponding to others mentions of it. Still, I do think its important for people to know, two swords of mine have been problematic, and I don;t even need to start on the problems Paul had. Traders like Mark survive on customer loyalty, and I expect a little loyalty back.

And yes, I am disheartened, and I am sorry about that, but we are constantly hitting problems right now, even with some of the old regulars, like Armourclass, they currently have Mikes Schiavona because the guard was poorly made and with one session had huge dents, after a few more the bars were snapping, in the end though, a reviews section is for reviews, whether that be good or bad, and thats what I have done.

[Paul B]

we are also getting past the buying period prior to the re-enactment season, so the smiths will be under slightly less pressure.

[Monster Zero]

I know what you mean, and no, no offence taken of course. If you couldn't move it from true then he must have worked on it, because when I sent them one was no where near true, and the other one could easily be moved. Also, I think what I have had to say was important to the community, I did contact him first, and I didn't get a very polite or helpful response, it was only when he was contacted by someone else that he got into gear, I have simply explained the scenario, which I do feel is very important, because I buy swords based on reputation. I didn't actually bring this up here at all, just reponding to others mentions of it. Still, I do think its important for people to know, two swords of mine have been problematic, and I don;t even need to start on the problems Paul had. Traders like Mark survive on customer loyalty, and I expect a little loyalty back.

Hi Nick:

I agree with Stillwell 100% on this. Also about Mark, he's not the world's best communicator and sometimes takes a while to get back to you. However, that's not a reflection of his commitment to the client. He really is a great guy and more than willing to keep working on a piece until you are satisfied.

One thing that I've found helpful when dealing with craftsmen is to remember that they are swordsmiths, cutlers and blacksmiths not a PR liaison, Customer Service Rep or in many cases politicians.

[Nikos]

Yes I know that is true, and hes going to take a bit of the brunt right now I think because I am hitting so many sword problems (no pun intended), and hes supposed to be so great, and I have got these problems, and when he responds to say, rather sternly, send them back, and at my expense, it isn't going to go down to well, thats a lot of £££'s worth of swords, and my inconvienence, still, I didn't bring this up, and as I have alrwady said, if he can get it sorted, then great, the swords will be reviewed when they come back to me, and if they are what they should be I will be happy, and as previously stated, placing another order with him.

[Fab]

Having dabbled myself with the crafts, and having several friends struggling to make their living out of their hands and steel, I can tell you that all of these smiths out there themselves wish they would appear more reliable.

As Thom said.

[Monster Zero]

Having dabbled myself with the crafts, and having several friends struggling to make their living out of their hands and steel, I can tell you that all of these smiths out there themselves wish they would appear more reliable.

As Thom said.

I would also like to add to what Fab said that one should be expected to cover shipping to and from a smith. Their margins are small enough as it is and shipping really is a small expense.

[swordflasher]

Yes I know that is true, and hes going to take a bit of the brunt right now I think because I am hitting so many sword problems (no pun intended), .

It does sound frustrating, Nikos. Maybe time to sacrifice to the Gods, to improve your luck?

And Thom, I have your Talhoffer buckler.

[Nikos]

Having dabbled myself with the crafts, and having several friends struggling to make their living out of their hands and steel, I can tell you that all of these smiths out there themselves wish they would appear more reliable.

As Thom said.

I would also like to add to what Fab said that one should be expected to cover shipping to and from a smith. Their margins are small enough as it is and shipping really is a small expense.

I don't see that at all, if their margins are too small, raise the prices, if they can't provide good enough quality, again, raise the prices, its his business, not his hobby, and thats business, business isn't fair, thats life, I have to deal with the same in my business, its not that I am unreasonable, I just take exception to having two unacceptable swords, and I have gone through the process of getting that sorted, I didn't make a big deal of it, I didn't even start this discussion. Personally I don't feel they should have to be sent back in the first place, yes, every businessman has a few problems and makes a few mistakes and returns happen, but generally it can be avoided with quality control and care, which is definately the case here, if you think thats unreasonable then thats fine, but you have to admit, in all the swords I have ever bought, and thats a hell of a lot now, I have never had these problems from British swords, how is it that everyone else in the country can manage, I have armourclass's that are 12 years old and used twice a week with no problems, Herons almost as old.

So, sorry if I offended any of you, but I have only ever been honest about it all.

[David Kite]

I have to agree with Nick here. Having to send a product back for repair of standard wear and tear is one thing, but in matters of quality control and sending out inferior products, it is the responsibility of the vendor to make it right and cover costs, IMO. Bad quality control is not something the customer should be penalized for. I had to send a weapon back twice to get it rehilted (the hilt just fell apart after a couple minutes of flourishes). I did pay shipping to send the sword back to the vendor, but they did pay shipping to return it to me.

My sword was $650US when I bought it. If shipping a sword costs an average of $20US, then in effect I paid $690 for a $650 sword. If I had to pay shipping both ways per repair, that's $730 for a $650 sword. That isn't fair for anybody.

my tuppence
David Kite
GFS, ARMA in IN

[David Kite]

could it be that there is potentialy more money in making a sharp??

or that it is more satisfying..
(nasty side of me thinks that it's cause sharps doesnt get put to as much fysikal endurance, so the cracks doesnt show up as quick.)

Hm, I find that a little disheartening. Is this just a rumor, or is there evidence that his swords have these sorts of problems?

David Kite
GFS, ARMA in IN

[Magnus Hagelberg]

could it be that there is potentialy more money in making a sharp??

or that it is more satisfying..
(nasty side of me thinks that it's cause sharps doesnt get put to as much fysikal endurance, so the cracks doesnt show up as quick.)

Hm, I find that a little disheartening. Is this just a rumor, or is there evidence that his swords have these sorts of problems?

David Kite
GFS, ARMA in IN

it was stated on this forum that he(cervenka) only deals with sharp swords now.

that his qualities would be less for this, is to be regarded as rumor, a tought. if you read what I wrote, it says that it's nothing more than a moot idea. perhapps a stupid idea to vent at all. but it has to my knowledge NOT been confirmed on anny revievs that I have read, that cervenkas quality has dropped.

[TheDude]

That is a real shame, there were quite a few swords on his site I liked the look of

[admin]

I have to agree with Nick here. Having to send a product back for repair of standard wear and tear is one thing, but in matters of quality control and sending out inferior products, it is the responsibility of the vendor to make it right and cover costs, IMO.

I agree. That's business.
As a customer, I am also quite grateful to people who take the time and effort to blow whistles. They might save ME money and effort in the long run.

[TheDude]

We run a business and if we send out something shoddy we would always replace or refund with no charges to the customer. If the customer gets a faulty item why should they be punished further. It is an incentive to the manufacturer to get it right first and thus avoid refunds/returns etc.

[David Kite]

could it be that there is potentialy more money in making a sharp??

or that it is more satisfying..
(nasty side of me thinks that it's cause sharps doesnt get put to as much fysikal endurance, so the cracks doesnt show up as quick.)

Hm, I find that a little disheartening. Is this just a rumor, or is there evidence that his swords have these sorts of problems?

David Kite
GFS, ARMA in IN

it was stated on this forum that he(cervenka) only deals with sharp swords now.

that his qualities would be less for this, is to be regarded as rumor, a tought. if you read what I wrote, it says that it's nothing more than a moot idea. perhapps a stupid idea to vent at all. but it has to my knowledge NOT been confirmed on anny revievs that I have read, that cervenkas quality has dropped.

Okay, that's good to hear then.

David Kite
GFS, ARMA in IN

[Paul]

could it be that there is potentialy more money in making a sharp??

or that it is more satisfying..
(nasty side of me thinks that it's cause sharps doesnt get put to as much fysikal endurance, so the cracks doesnt show up as quick.)

I think it's rather a different design process.

I've only seen two blunts (both almost new when I saw them) from Vladimir. both were very well balanced, with fairly thin edges. Not at all like a standard reenactment sword, which is arguably the best design for reenacting / fencing. Upon seeing them, I had my doubts about their durability, but haven't heard anything about them.

Personally, if I were a swordmaker, I'd also stay away from blunt swords. Less interesting to make, less money and a higher likelyhood of problems with customers who push their blades perhaps a bit harder than what they were designed for.