Parker Reproduction returned from Bachelder

[Mark Beasland]

This is why I really hesitate to recommend anyone. Great craftsmen often crash and burn when overwhelmed with success.

[Bill Murphy]

Good comment, Mark. An overwhelming number of guns on the rack in a repair shop is a sign that things are going south in a hurry. I have seen it happen here in Maryland more than once.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Mark Beasland

This is why I really hesitate to recommend anyone. Great craftsmen often crash and burn when overwhelmed with success.

Yet some of them continue to accept new work knowing full well that they won't be able to keep to their commitment of when the job will be done.
If they would learn that it will NOT tarnish their reputation to simply refuse work so they can stay ahead of the workload while continuing to produce the fine work they had been known for... The smiths who haven't learned this fact will need to quickly change their business model if they are to survive.





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[Phil Yearout]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Yet some of them continue to accept new work knowing full well that they won't be able to keep to their commitment of when the job will be done.
If they would learn that it will NOT tarnish their reputation to simply refuse work so they can stay ahead of the workload while continuing to produce the fine work they had been known for... The smiths who haven't learned this fact will need to quickly change their business model if they are to survive.

You'd think. And yet I had one very prominent smith tell me, "Just send it to me. I have a pile of them here and I'll do them all at once when I get around to it."

He didn't get my business but I still see him being recommended all the time.

[mobirdhunter]

Some smiths I've used with good results have started not taking new work for several weeks while they complete work. I respect that approach, even if I am willing to wait on good work.

[Steve Hodges]

Over the years I have dealt with three I would say nationally know and admired Smiths for restoration work. Two were complete nightmares and one exceeded my expectation in both quality of work and time getting the work done. Brian Dudley was that smith.

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hodges

Over the years I have dealt with three I would say nationally know and admired Smiths for restoration work. Two were complete nightmares and one exceeded my expectation in both quality of work and time getting the work done. Brian Dudley was that smith.

I could not agree more on Brian.